[sample/affiliate] This seems to me to be a perfect transition from the heavy blanket of winter into lighter days of spring. Although we have a way to go before we see winter off, come the new year I never feel quite so much for the deeper fragrances that seemed so right for December.
It is a ‘warm’ fragrance despite the opening of grapefruit tea giving it a fresher feel than you might expect. There’s a cardamom note that personally I don’t find strong because it blends so well into the creaminess of the vanilla. I think I have to adjust my stance on vanilla when it comes to fragrance – I’ve always said I don’t like it and after years of writing things like, ‘despite the presence of vanilla…’ and ‘surprised to find I like the vanilla aspect…’ I think I do. What I really don’t like is vanilla’s synthetic counterpart, ethyl maltol, that smells of sickly cake. Although I do love a cake. I could meet myself backwards trying to work out why I don’t like the smell of something but I do like the taste and still have no real conclusion so I won’t.
After a time, there’s a smoky edge to this cologne that settles to an earthy impression. The grapefruit stays present throughout which is why I suggest that it’s part winter, part spring – it’s very recognisable as a Jo Malone fragrance so if you like the brand vibe you will probably be immediately at home with this. It’s familiar. The cologne intense is £78 for 50ml and £122 for 100ml HERE, non affiliate HERE.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
4 comments
Super-excellent review, thank you! I’m in exactly that position vis à vis vanilla myself. Fulminating about its vile ubiquity, but actually liking its presence in certain scents, in spite of all. This one sounds really, truly intriguing (I’ve been fretting about JM for a good while) I went arse-ways this winter, sticking with my adored fresh, neroli range of scents, but do really crave something more complex and warm at the moment, I think. You’ve saved me from diving into a regretted splurge on some tedious Opium-adjacent stuff I’d have bought in blind panic! Hope this gorgeous sounding one has arrived in Brown Thomas. Hurrah!
Do let me know what you think of it if it has landed at BT x
Hi there…..it’s in BT Cork now. Good lord….unless I’ve a latent cold, I found this almost ‘invisible’! Smelled almost nothing at all, extremely weird experience. (I was geared up for a vanilla downer, having bought an emergency scent last week in Lush that was a horrible mistake…..what was at first bright and clear became standard overblown vanilla in an hour) None of that, but no vetiver either. Maybe your recent rose articles have conditioned me to veer that way instead! Saved me a lot of dosh at Jo Malone, anyway. x
That’s so strange – I wouldn’t say it’s especially strong but it’s in line with the strength of others from the same brand.. maybe, to my nose, a bit stronger!