One of the things I fondly remember about my youth was going to church on Sundays. I missed a lot of Sunday football games but mom was happy her boys received their blessing. One thing that stuck with me was the church’s scent, which was a mix of body heat and old wood. With no air condition, we tried to stay cool with paper fans. They kept us cool and hot at the same time. That collective heat and that old church made for a scent that will forever be ingrained in my head. I used to wear my father’s Grey Flannel, but not enough to drown out that old church smell. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t bad, but I often wondered what it was like going to a Catholic church where they burned incense. That was the first thing I thought about when Mandy Aftel introduced me to one of her latest releases, Ancient Resins.
Incense has long been a part of religious ceremonies. It’s referenced in the bible and there are myriad historical references. Its perfume is meditative and it’s also said that the smoke symbolizes our prayers being taken up to God. History also tells us that people used it to perfume their bodies. I imagine Mandy drew upon this knowledge when she created Ancient Resins for the legendary Leonard Cohen.
Ancient Resins had me hooked from its opening notes; I wore it for a few days straight while testing it. It’s a body oil so it can be used to moisturize your skin. I chose to wear it as a fragrance and applied it to my pulse points as I would any other cologne. It opens subtly with a smoky, resinous presence and quickly quiets to a beautiful perfumed whisper. Don’t expect a bloom of perfume surrounding you. Ancient Resins wears close to the skin and in an intimate moment, it just might answer your prayers. If you’re familiar with frankincense, you’ll pick it up immediately as it contains a generous amount. The scent stays pretty consistent throughout its wearing and it lasts a long time.
A 50 ml. bottle of Ancient Resins is $40. It’s a steal gents.
Thanks for the heads up on this one. I need to grab a bottle of this soon. Sounds like a real winner as I do love frankincense.
I highly recommend you try this one. If you do, let me know what you think.
What a lovely review! It certainly sounds like my cup of … incense!
“my cup of…incense” I like that 😉 If you sample it, do let me know your thoughts.
I want this stuff in the worst way. An oil I can use on my hair that smells of incense is just what I need right now. Sadly, it will have to wait because I’m on a self imposed spending freeze trying to whittle down my excess products. As soon as I run out of hair oil though this will be on the shopping list.
“self imposed spending freeze…” I love it…I wish you well with that 😉
What a wonderful review Barney! Thank you so much for sharing your deep history & connection with these profound aromas.
xo Mandy
Thanks Mandy. Your scents are truly amazing and Ancients Resins did not disappoint.
This scent sounds like one not to be missed. Will definitely have to check it out soon. Thanks for sharing.
I’m obsessed with this stuff. Smelling it instantly brings me comfort.
It’s so damn good…right? I can totally see how it would become a go to scent for comfort.
What a convincing review! I’ll try this one when I get a chance: it sounds like something I might like.
Thanks Undina…if you sample it, do let me know your thoughts.
This stuff is ah-ma-zing. I can totally see how it could be worn as a fragrance. I use it when my joints are hurting and it helps immediately. But the fragrance is just made for us fragrance freaks.
Smells great and soothes joint pain? Wow, a dual purpose scent/ body oil. Now thats something spectacular!
Ah-ma-zing is a good way of putting it Carrie. Ancient Resins had me from first sniff. I see it snagged you too 😉
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