White Jasmine & Mint is the latest fragrance from UK niche line Jo Malone, and the second to launch since Jo Malone left the company. Said to be "inspired by a sun drenched morning in an English garden", White Jasmine & Mint features notes of wild mint, peppermint, camomile, coriander, cardamom, bergamot, mace, cassis, "Jo Malone heirloom jasmine", ylang ylang, orange flower, rose de mai, muguet, cedar, "Jo Malone musk", mate absolut, vetiver, prune and guaiac wood.
If the long list of notes makes White Mint & Jasmine sound complicated or heavy, think again. This is a simple, summer-y jasmine tea fragrance, very fresh and clean and crisp. The herbs and spices, including the "unexpected twist of wild mint", make quite a showing when the fragrance is sprayed on paper. On skin, they are prominent for only a very short time; blink, and you'll miss any chance of identifying them separately. That is good news for those who find mint in fragrance uncomfortably reminiscent of chewing gum, but bad news for those (like me) who were hoping for something with a bit more of a kick to it.
After that, it is a fresh floral blend, a bit green but not terribly so. It is heavier on the jasmine than the other florals, perhaps, but it is not exactly a jasmine-fiend's delight. The base is a pale, cool, woodsy musk. The whole thing is pretty and very pleasant, and would make a nice pick-me-up for a hot summer day, but I've already got L'Artisan's lovely Thé Pour Un Été for a summer jasmine tea garnished with mint. If you want something cleaner and less jasmine-y than the L'Artisan, the Jo Malone might be just what you need. The lasting power is so-so at best, but the same is true for Thé Pour Un Été. You'll just have to carry the stuff around and reapply.
Please vote, if you are so inclined: does the Jo Malone brand seem any different to you now that Jo Malone has left the company?
Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint is available in 30 and 100 ml Cologne. For buying information, see the listing for Jo Malone under Perfume Houses.
I bottle-sniffed this one at the weekend, and thought 'Summer!” and put it down. It seemed a very odd time to launch such a light, bright scent. Actually, although the Jo Malones tend to give me a headache, I've always thought they have a uniquely bright, unsweet quality…but this one and the last one (“Blue agava and cacao” or something) seemed a little sweeter and denser to me. But that may just be because I know these came after she left!
It is an odd time of year to launch this, but we've had such a long Indian summer here that at the moment, it is about right. It is Oct 9 and I'm running the a/c at the moment!
Have been trying to decide if the JM line is trying harder to be trendy, but really not sure. This one is less obviously so than the Blue Agava thing.
Thanks god, I nearly thought I was the only one that sniff Jo Malones will have headache, even the red rose. Haven't try this one, but seems the orange blossom is a light one as well. I still want to try this one :).
What was the first fragrance to be released since Jo left the company? Blue Agava and Cacao? Or that Nectarine and Honey one?
Many of them are light — don't know why JM doesn't do an EdP strength. Although I guess if the cologne gives you a headache, you hardly need an EdP!
I think N&H was released just after she'd left, but that it was the last one she created herself.
I think the new scents are still quite Malone-y 🙂 I really liked this one.
M, I think you liked it more than I did. It is pretty, but I wanted way more mint & spice. And hey — you're supposed to like The Pour Un Ete better!
Just tried this. On me, I get a blast of mint that stays in the back of the throat in a nice, fresh way. When you layer it with Lime, basil, mandarin cream, you get a nice combination that lasts through the day. L'Artisan The Pour en Ete is a bit sweet for me. I've also layered the Jasmine and Mint with Origins Ginger Whip and that combination is also a keeper.
Sounds like it suits you better than me — but hey, I need some Ginger Whip, sounds like a great layering cream.
Jo Malone Colognes are available in either 30ml or 100ml. There is no 50ml size.
I don't like this new fragrance very much. To me, it resembles the smell of mothballs more than iced jasmine tea.
Quite right on the sizes — fixed, thanks.
Where did she go and why did she leave? I am an avowed JM user but don't stay up on all the news – this is the first I've heard of her leaving the company (you can imagine the JM counter isn't going to tout that fact!:-)
WJ&M is a bit of a toughie for me, though I love to smell it. I've been trying to figure out if it works with my body chemistry – I love her Orange Blossom and Nectarine Blossom – used to love her Vintage Gardenia for those 'garden party' days – then overnight I developed a terrible respiratory allergy to it. Hope that's not a harbinger of things to come….
She had already sold the company a few years back but stayed on as a creative director or something, now she's left entirely.You can read more about what she's doing now here:
http://tinyurl.com/3aa9y2
I like JM's 30ml size bottles. They're perfect for fragrance fanatics.
As for WJ&M, its ok. Got a sample of it. Definitely summer…
Agreed, and wish more companies would do smaller sizes. Sephora seems to have talked many of them into it, which is nice.
Oh.
Well…if that's where her interest lies now I hope it's a great success for her.
Thanks for the info!
De nada 🙂