[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense first appeared in 2021 as part of the (then) limited edition collection called Blossoms. It launched with Yellow Hibiscus which was fresher and sharper. At the time it was very much a summer fragrance but it’s had a relaunch very recently coming back as an exotic solar that somehow feels perfectly at home in colder weather.
I love this – it’s exciting because it’s all the things we crave in winter – sunshine, warmth and vitality with a holiday twist. You get a burst of hibiscus mingling with mandarin and ylang ylang that’s just juicy and delicious – that kind of hyper floral that is always so alluring. The dry down is simpler with vanilla and jasmine predominating creating their own comfort blanket of smooth sensuality.
I’m not sure I would call it an intense fragrance exactly – it’s deep, for sure but I like the way it settles and blends to your own skin scent quite gently. It’s a heady mix given a sophisticated treatment so it doesn’t overwhelm but lives happily with you – every wrist sniff a reminder of the heat to come. The best news is that Jo Malone London has started selling 9ml bottles (yes, actual bottles, not vials) across many of their fragrances meaning you can get a taster and upgrade if you want. There are so many fragrances from this brand that I know people are curious about but it’s hard to buy fragrance un-sniffed – it’s a big leap of faith – so these little bottles are a way to try without the big outlay first. The 9ml Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense is £22 HERE but scroll through because there are some favourites there too – Wood Sage & Sea Salt, Pomegranate Noir and Peony & Suede Blush for example at £18.
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