NEW NICHE FRAGRANCE RELEASE: ANTIMONY: THE "SMOKY EYE" OF FRAGRANCE - TALISMANIC PERFUMES

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Matriarch Blog

In celebration of the 7th Anniversary of ÇaFleureBon, eight perfumers were invited to create perfumes drawing inspiration from a brief written by the blog's founder and Editor in Chief, Michelyn Camen.  Her request called for a perfume powerful enough to attract good fortune and ward off negativity - even the dreaded curse of the "evil eye".  House of Matriarch created ANTIMONY in response to Michelyn's brief. 

ANTIMONY
ANTIMONY
 
The smoky eye in fragrance form.  Anointing yourself with ANTIMONY is akin to the ancient protective ritual of rimming your eyes with kohl. This talismanic perfume draws from the noble history of cosmetica and the aromatic materials which have been used throughout time to create "eye shadow" - the most magical cosmetic of all. 

Charred frankincense, kewra, henna, Palo Santo, galangal, sandalwood ashes, spikenard, ghee, copal, oud and precious attars of mitti, kadam and rose have all been used to create enchanted cosmetics throughout history. They are all notes used in the formulation of this beautiful talismanic perfume which contains exactly 111 individual notes.  Subtle by design, exotic florals push up from a primitive base to bloom on your skin as they emanate like an ancient wisp of fine bakhoor.

ANTIMONY

These ancient aromas transport the wearer like a magic carpet to a dimension where cosmetics have magical purposes - the very essence of "a glamour."  A nod to a forgotten lifetime when eye shadow was compounded from powdered minerals, oils and the ashes of incense and applied by a shaman or priestess or in wealthy kingdoms, a Court Perfumer.

ANTIMONY

The minerals antimony and malachite have been among those used around the eyes throughout time due to their reflective properties - they ricochet bad vibes like mirrors. Since they are considered toxic (the alchemists would argue otherwise) they have been banned from use in cosmetics. Mystics and folk healers around the world still use them for their prehistorical purposes in treating ailments of mind and spirit and for compounding sacred cosmetics.
 
 

ANTIMONY. Elemental, Magical, Beautiful, and Powerfully Protective

2017 Debut Vintage.  99.9% Natural  (We use the Natural Perfumer's Guild standards of naturalness in rating each component of the perfume - the strictest standards in the world.)
   
ANTIMONY CARTOUCHE
The first 24 50ml bottles of ANTIMONY are adorned with a handmade copper cartouche talisman decorated with the symbols for the element antimony and the letter M. They were designed by our perfumer Christi Meshell and forged in San Diego, California under the influence of the Gemini full moon. The alternate alchemical symbol for the element antimony can be found on the nameplate's letter O.
 
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
  

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WHAT IS "HIGH PERFUMERY"? HOUSE OF MATRIARCH PERFUMER CHRISTI MESHELL SHARES HER MANIFESTA

Posted on March 04, 2017 by Christi Meshell

High Perfumery is a branch of Epicureanism.  Those familiar with the philosophies of Epicureanism know that the goals are beauty, inspiration and tranquility - the same goals of fine fragrance creation.  Here, I share my Manifesta of High Perfumery - the 8 standards which can elevate a perfume from a mere scent to a work of High Art. 

 

 1.  Contains noble materials – those which cannot be faked or reproduced by man - only by Time and Nature.
    
 2. Possesses a quintessence. The arrangement does not already exist in nature or anywhere else - it’s novel. It forms a new smell where none of the individual essences dominate.
    
 3. Evokes the desire to be savored and enjoyed - it has an air of luxury and rarity. 
     
 4. Improves with time like a fine compounded spirit or fine wine. No denaturant other than the fragrant essences may be used.
   
 5. Crafted and refined by “nose” from the base form of the raw ingredient in batches not larger than an individual perfumer can manage.  Made by hand, not machines.
    
 6. Offers a benefit to psyche and spirit by elevating or elating. 
  
 7. Causes no harmful effects within the body. Experimental and new essences with less than 70 years of safety data cannot be included.
  
8. Is created ethically and sustainably.
  

Epicureanism must be distinguished from hedonism, which always involves a negative aftermath - a price to pay.  If the restraint necessary for the practice of Epicureanism is lost, the pleasure is corrupted into divine discontent and dis-ease ensues.  A perfume can be exceptionally beautiful and alluring, however if it does not meet the standards of Epicureanism, it cannot be considered High Perfumery.

NATURE IS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY

Posted in 100% natural perfume, alchemy, christi meshell, creative, epicurean, essence, fragrance, fragrance house, fragrances, high, house, industry, inspiration, manifesta, noble, olfactory, perfume, perfumer, perfumery, savor, secrets, the best, tranquility