“You don’t look like a Jo Malone variety of girl.”
I remember when my girl Felice said that to me once I was raving a few fragrance I’d fallen in love with from the brand. After I quizzed her exactly on what she meant (I needed to grasp if I ought to be offended), I learned that she and others, often associated this as a beloved brand of our parents generation, and never one in every of the trendier brands you’d often see as you scroll on #FragranceTok.
And while that will have been a theme once upon a time, I’m here to say, not anymore. Or at the least, not in my eyes.
For those unfamiliar, Jo Malone London has been around because the early 90s, and yes, they’ve change into synonymous with their coveted scents and opulent products for bath, body, and residential (and likewise yes, your parents probably love them). Their most loved scents include Wood Sage & Sea Salt, English Pear & Freesia, and Lime Basil & Mandarin.
But those weren’t even any of those that caught my eye (or nose). I got here to seek out out I’m a Mimosa & Cardamom type of girl, and I’ve been obsessed ever since I first got my nose on it. This isn’t just one other pretty perfume – it’s a masterpiece that reveals latest dimensions throughout the day, and it’s protected to say the brand has converted me, an elder millennial, to its fold.
But let me break it down for you, so you may fully understand the Jo Malone journey I went through with this scent. This fragrance opens with fresh cardamom, its spicy-sweet warmth immediately drawing you in. Don’t expect the standard heavy spice note present in other fragrances, though. Here, it’s delicate and precisely balanced, paying homage to that perfect morning chai.
The guts of the fragrance showcases the true star – mimosa. For those unfamiliar with mimosa in perfumery (and lots of aren’t), picture delicate yellow flowers with a powdery, honeyed sweetness that feels each ethereal and grounding. This isn’t the mimosa out of your brunch cocktail – that is the mimosa flower, a classy bloom that brings a subtle almond-like quality to the composition. When these powdery floral notes merge with the cardamom, making a warm, skin-like scent.
The dry down reveals creamy tonka bean and sandalwood base notes, grounding the composition with a soft, cashmere-like warmth that lingers beautifully. There’s also a whisper of damask rose weaving throughout, adding a sublime touch without overwhelming the composition.
Every thing about this fragrance feels like something I’d love. So dare I say it — I’m in truth “a Jo Malone variety of girl” in spite of everything?
Why I adore it: What makes this fragrance exceptional is its evolution throughout the day. Within the morning, the cardamom note feels invigorating and fresh. By afternoon, the mimosa creates a classy aura that’s each skilled and uniquely personal. As evening approaches, the bottom notes become a comfortable, intimate scent that seems like luxury in fragrance form.
Now here’s one thing to notice — Jo Malone fragrances are formulated as colognes (making them lighter and airier than traditional eau de parfums), meaning although I really like the scent I did have to reapply throughout the day to get this to last on my skin.So consider this your opportunity to revisit that magical first spritz or experiment with different layering mixtures. And speaking of layering…
Perfect pairings: What makes this fragrance much more versatile is how beautifully it plays with others – each inside and outdoors the Jo Malone collection. Layer it with Byredo’s Gypsy Water to amplify its woody undertones, or pair it with Le Labo’s Vanille 44 for a comfortable, sweet embrace that feels perfect for winter evenings. For an unexpected twist, I’ve found it really works beautifully with D.S. & Durga’s I Don’t Know What – the mix creates an ethereal, hard-to-pin-down scent that garners constant compliments. And on days when I need to lean into the spicier side, a spritz of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540 transforms Mimosa & Cardamom into something utterly magnetic.
The British fragrance and lifestyle brand has earned its status for his or her unique portfolio of scents, from beloved classics to revolutionary latest releases. They consistently reimagine the foundations of perfumery by mixing unexpected mixtures of ingredients and creating elegant yet playful concepts. Mimosa & Cardamom stands as evidence that Jo Malone London isn’t resting on tradition – they’re creating contemporary classics that resonate with a latest generation of fragrance enthusiasts.
This scent has change into my signature for good reason: it’s sophisticated without pretense, unique without being polarizing, and comfy without fading into the background. So for many who’ve also dismissed Jo Malone as “not their type,” I encourage you to offer Mimosa & Cardamom a probability. You would possibly discover, as I did, that sometimes probably the most unexpected selections change into probably the most perfect matches. In any case, isn’t that what personal style is really about?
