I cannot pinpoint the exact point in time when I first fell in love with all things fragrance related. All that I know is that for as long as I can remember I have had a passion for fragrances and enjoyed exploring scents in their different guises.

For many years I have admired fragrance houses from a far. I would browse through magazines and fantasise about walking into the different perfume houses. I yearned to purchase whatever candle or perfume I wanted for no other reason than because I could.

My wish list was long and would change with every new discovery. One of the constant contenders has always been Jo Malone. I loved the style of the candles; the design looks at home against any interior. I loved the glamorous packaging; the black and cream boxes oozes luxury and finesse.

Jo Malone Peony and Suede Blush packaging

The packaging is so beautiful I almost don’t want to open it.

The unique scent combinations intrigued me; everyday scents mixed with exotic flowers, fruits and spices. I was passionate about Jo Malone even without knowing her incredible story. I didn’t know how the company was founded, her entrepreneurial mother, the support from her husband and the sale of the business. In my enlightened state, Jo Malone products mean so much more than just an item to scent a room or a fragrance for my body. Jo has created a lifestyle and a movement. Most importantly, she has proven that females can be successful entrepreneurs. Yes, spread the word, tell your friends, we can build successful companies too.

Fast-forward to today and Jo Malone is a firm fixture in my life. Whilst Jo is no longer at the helm it is clear that the products represent her hard work and reflect her unbelievable sense of smell.

Now to the focus of this blog post, the Peony & Blush Suede candle.

The candles come with a lid; perfect for keeping out dust.

I am aware that I throw the words ‘love’ and ‘favourite’ around a lot. That being said, I really do love this candle and it really is one of my favourites. I can burn it throughout the day and night, winter or summer, this is an all rounder.

Jo Malone Regents Street

Before I wax lyrical (no pun intended) about the scent throw, its complexity and its versatility, I must first tell you about the Jo Malone store on London’s Regents Street.

A scent garden in the store, inspired!

It was a random Friday in February and I decided to take a day off so that I could focus on exploring the perfume houses in and around the Mayfair. I appreciate that a day for perfume shopping may seem somewhat indulgent but it had been so long since I had spent time in a physical shop. Having worn the same perfume for nearly two years, it was time for a change. I decided to treat myself to the Diptyque Rose inspired afternoon tea at the Hotel Café Royal (click here for the blog post) before making my way up Regent Street to Jo Malone.

If you are yet to visit this store or indeed, any Jo Malone store then I urge you to go immediately. Their stores are everywhere from in department stores to airports. I even found whilst browsing for personalised wedding favours at The Wedding Gallery in Marylebone. I was tempted to purchase personalised candles as favours for my Greek Wedding (Wedding part 2). However, with a guest list of 230 I am not sure about the logistics of shipping them to Crete.

Is it excessive to want personalised candles for me house?

Imagine the irony, I was half way through this blog and popped out for a walk in Primrose Hill and taxi below drove past. Jo Malone is quite literally everywhere.

Travelling in style.

Back to the store, unlike other perfume stores, you are encouraged to explore the fragrances. Further, you are allowed both the time and space to deliberate. In fact they are so keen for you to sample their products that they offer a number of fragrance related services. You can book a hand massage, appointments to help you find a fragrance for your home and your wedding perfume.

The hand and arm massage station.

The focus of this trip was to find a new perfume and as you can see, I was spoilt for choice.

Their fragrances are always easy to access.

I was like a kid in a candy shop. I smelt each and every fragrance twice. There were a number that I liked but there was only one that I kept returning to. It was the floral yet fruity Peony & Blush Suede.

 

Peony & Blush Suede

Up until this point I had only sprayed the fragrance on testers in an attempt not want to end up with an arm of intermingled scents. Peony & Blush Suede made the cut and was promoted to the skin test. Imagine my horror when I smelt my arm and I didn’t love it; it just wasn’t me.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the freshness of the scent, the sweet apples notes, the femininity created by the jasmine. It reminded me of pink flowers and summer days. I forced myself to think about this fragrance from a different angle, what about this fragrance as a candle? Could this fragrance fill my home? The answer was yes. One persons perfume can be another’s candle, defuser, room mist, hand wash etc. Fast-forward to today and I have just lit my third Peony & Blush Suede candle.

This fragrance epitomises Jo Malone’s fragrances. There is a level of complexity but an overwhelming air simplicity that, in my mind, is rarely seen in ‘high street’ brands. I know, that was an oxymoron but you have to smell the fragrances to understand what I mean. Take the Peony & Blush Suede candle as an example. The top note of peony hits you immediately. The candle smells like it’s name, you can recognise it and that’s satisfying, nothing complicated at this point, it is simplistic. Then comes the complicity, the accompanying notes, red apple, rose, jasmine and suede (according to my nose). As I said, complexity with an overwhelming air of simplicity.

Having read Jo’s autobiography I now understand how she arrived at her unique combinations like Basil and Neroli or English Pear and Freesia. Jo understood that we want a product that does what it says on the tin. It’s as simple as that.

Jo Malone the Person

I have had the pleasure of meeting Jo on multiple occasions. The most recent being SheerLuxe’s Entrepreneurs’ Day (click here to view the blog post), at the Marylebone hotel. This day was one of the most inspirational and useful events that I have attended. The room was full of females who were there for no other reason than to hear how other female entrepreneurs built their businesses. Jo closed the event and started by talking us through the moment that her kitchen top business skyrocketed and became the powerhouse that it is today. She emphasised that a business can start any and everywhere.

Jo then spoke about her life after selling the business and the motivation behind her second perfume venture, Jo Loves.

I took a lot from the day and Jo echoed statements that were made throughout the day. None of the female entrepreneurs did it on their own. Jo, like many of the others had the support of a husband or a partner. Having only been able to launch this blog due to the help and encouragement from my husband, I cannot disagree. Behind every strong woman is a strong man/woman.

My love affair with Jo Malone fragrances continues, expect more blog post. Also, I now have another fragrance house to explore, Jo Loves.