Waxing Lyrical about Jo Malone

The beautiful 'tasting bar' at Jo Malone

I've been sitting on this post for a month now because every time I re-read it I sounded gushy, but I can't help it! I have taken out as many superlatives as I can, I hope you'll forgive me the rest.

Just before Christmas I spent an hour with the ladies at Jo Malone in the new Britomart flagship store. From the moment I arrived, on a ridiculously soggy, windy Auckland day, I felt like I could stay for days.

The minimalistic, apothecary-style layout is a little daunting at first, especially when you realise that the rows upon rows of candles and fragrances and body products are not, as they first appear, all the same. There are literally dozens of scent combinations, and each can be layered again with other combinations...cue squeal of delight from this self-professed fragrance fanatic - oh the possibilities!

Thankfully my expert Anne had the patience of a saint as I literally opened and smelled every bottle. The interesting thing I noted, was that even though each fragrance smells unique, there is definitely a signature undercurrent that ties the Jo Malone collection together. My nose isn't refined enough to recognise exactly what it is, but you can be sure of one thing, the ingredients that make up these scents (and the candles and body products) are absolute, premium quality. They go on fresh and vibrant and true, then dry down (nestle in over the next hour or so) warm and deep so that they seem to emanate from your skin. If you want to smell expensive, this is your brand.

I'll be completely honest, though I adored a couple of the fragrances I tried on the day, I haven't been swayed from my 10year love affair with Lalique de Lalique (we are truly scented soulmates). But I've been burning Jo Malone candles at home (their limited edition Chestnut is heavenly), and cannot recommend a (complimentary) Jo Malone fragrance consultation highly enough if you are looking for your own signature smell.

You can just turn up on the day, or phone them to book an appointment. How fun would it be to bring a hen party here before heading out for the night?

What about you, Beaunz belles, do you have a signature scent? Or a 'wardrobe' of fragrances that you wear on a whim?

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