Stick Your Nose Into A Bouquet of Jo Malone Red Roses

Funny - I realized the other day that I had never tried Jo Malone Red Roses. I always have so much fun at the Jo Malone counter, trying this with that, and trying new combos on my skin. I'd likely sniffed a Red Roses tester bottle at Neimans or Holts, but it has never been on my skin. Thought it was high time to rectify that. Especially given my recent penchant for rose here & here...

Jo Malone is known for her soft and simple perfumes, and Red Roses is about as simple as it gets. It is just rose, and somehow it does manage to communicate a "red" rose. There are some supporting notes, a hint of lemon, mint and violet leaves. And by hint, I mean hardly. The lemon is the only note that stands out to me in the top, and its the one note I could do without. I don't really understand why one would put lemon with rose- rose to me is rarely overly sweet and if anything, tends to a sour note all by itself if done wrong. Suffice it to say, I am happiest with Red Roses when the lemon dissipates. Which thankfully, doesn't take long. Once the lemon is gone though, Red Roses is a lovely, elegant and simple rose. It smells like the kind of scent worn by someone who doesn't have to try to hard to be sleek and stylish. Someone who throws on a man's white shirt over her jeans with aplomb, wears little or no make up, and can pull her hair back without a hairbrush and look fabulous. Minimal but classic accoutrements - red nails, maybe a red lip too.

I like wearing Red Roses. It appeals to my recent need to wear simpler and lighter fragrances. It layers beautifully with any white floral scent as well. I love it with JM White Jasmine & Mint, and it is particularly beautiful with Keiko Mecheri's Jasmine. The Jo Malone site recommends layering it with  Grapefruit or Nutmeg & Ginger. Hm. Maybe...I have samples of those so I must give those combos a try. I love the sweet touch of making the perfume itself pink- it just looks so pretty on your dresser. 

Imagining the scent of Red Roses wafting through my bedroom if I had the Red Roses Bath Oil...Not to mention the Jo Malone Red Roses candles. They smell divine, and I dearly want the David Hicks designed version! Elegant, understated and beautiful.

The Simple Beauty of Jo Malone Perfumes

Jo Malone is a lovely English perfume company (now owned by Estee Lauder) whose company creates lovely simple inoffensive perfumes. They are easy to wear, especially in public spaces, where you don’t want to overwhelm your friends and co-workers with killer sillage. They have elegant and clean packaging that looks quite lovely on the dresser. One of the neat things about Jo Malone perfumes is the fragrance combining/layering concept they offer. Users are encouraged to mix and match the perfumes, and they even offer a “Philosophy of Scent Combining” section on their website and at their counters. The Sales Associates will tell you the recommended combinations as well as their faves. I always love the inside scoop from Those Who Know and am happy to hear their recos.

Jo Malone scents are divided into several categories such as Citrus, Fruity, Floral, Woody and Spicy making sure there is something for everyone. I love a lot of them, but my musk sensitivity rules out several of them. I’m not sure if the musks overtook the perfume when EL took over as I don’t recall the perfumes before then. Mass market distribution changes things and musks are an inexpensive way to make perfumes stronger and longer lasting so its often a money decision to toss it in. At any rate, I have some Jo Malones I really like. Adding, these are all huge Compliment Getters, especially the Pomegranate Noir.

Pomegranate Noir: This is a Fruity scent, allegedly inspired by a red silk dress. That is a bit abstract for me, but I do love the scent. It is a dark scent, not light and fruity at all. There are fruity top notes of pomegranate and raspberry, but it is the woody, spicy and resin-y base that makes this one sing. It smells rich, and I have even had people tell me it smells “expensive”. There is something oddly compelling about this one, and in case you think fruity means for kids, it’s not, and Pom Noir could easily be worn by a man. As far as Jo Malone goes, this is one of the “stronger” perfumes. The patchouli note grounds this and makes it a Grown Up Perfume. A great evening perfume.

Vintage Gardenia: Well, I don’t get a lot of gardenia out of this one in the Floral category, more of a light tuberose I suppose, but I still love it. What I love about this one is the spicy compliment to the flowers- cardamom! It plays against a gentle base of sandalwood and myrrh and somehow elevates the floral notes to a sheer almost watery level. Jo Malone is known for their bath oils and I am determined to get some Vintage Gardenia bath oil as it would be exquisite. This is terrific in hot weather and is one of my favorite bedtime perfumes. Yes, I have perfumes I like to wear to bed. I’m crazy that way. Plus, it makes my sheets smell yummy and guarantees good dreams.

White Jasmine & Mint: This one from the Light Floral category is one of my favorite summer perfumes. Think jasmine and mint tea, cool shade and a light breeze. It has the softest non-indolic whisper of jasmine with a fresh green tea note that is beautifully complimented by mint. It is almost a cooling sensation to wear this scent and it dries down to a soft powdery jasmine. The mint and powdery notes make WJ&M a very soothing and comforting scent. Another Bedtime Perfume winner! This one layers beautifully with Vintage Gardenia and Pomegranate Noir, as it a little sweeter than those two and gives them a softer, gentler feel.

My daughter Emilie likes Jo Malone as well. Her faves are Wild Fig & Cassis, Nectarine & Honey Blossom & Lime Basil & Mandarin. We recently got her the Sweet Lemon from the Limited Edition Tea Collection. It is a soft gentle lemon scent that smells yummy and perfect on her and I am hoping for a review from Emilie on this one.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the home fragrance. Jo Malone Candles are so delightful, and there is one for each perfume so you can scent your home with your favourite! They have giant ones and also the most precious travel sized perfumed candles. My friend Tara uses them as a way to make a hotel room feel cozy and like home- what a terrific idea, don't you think? There is a new collection of candles with the divine designs of David Hicks-  how gorgeous and I WANT!

David Hicks candles! *swoon*

Do you wear Jo Malone? What are your faves, and if you combine I would love to know your fave combos!