Jo Malone's parents had a skincare business, and she started out as a facialist in the early 1980s. Early on, she would present her clients with a bottle of her homemade nutmeg & ginger bath oil. Her customers loved the scent, one thing led to another, and in 1994, she opened her first boutique in London. The company now sells skincare, bath & body products, and home fragrance in addition to the personal fragrance line.
The Jo Malone brand was acquired by Estee Lauder in 1999, but Malone stayed on as Creative Director. In 2006, she announced that she would be leaving to pursue other goals.
Well known fragrances include Lime Basil & Mandarin and Grapefruit. See reviews for Vintage Gardenia (2004), Black Vetyver Cafe and Orange Blossom.
Fragrance combining
The Jo Malone brand was an early adherent of the idea of layering fragrances, in other words, wearing more than one scent at a time to create a new combination. There are numerous suggestions on the Jo Malone website for combinations that go well together.
Recent fragrances from Jo Malone
2005: Pomegranate Noir, Nectarine Blossom & Honey
2006: Blue Agava & Cacao
2007: White Jasmine & Mint
2008: Kohdo Wood Collection: Lotus Blossom & Water Lily, Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, White Tie and Tiara (relaunch of a 2002 scent), Sweet Lime & Cedar
2009: Vanilla & Anise
2010: Cologne Intense Collection: Amber & Patchouli, Oud & Bergamot, Iris & White Musk and Rose Water & Vanilla , English Pear & Freesia
2011: Assam & Grapefruit, Earl Grey & Cucumber, Fresh Mint Leaf, Sweet Lemon and Sweet Milk, Sakura Cherry Blossom, Wild Bluebell
2012: London Blooms trio, Plum Blossom, Blackberry & Bay, Velvet Rose & Oud
2013: Lemon Tart, Redcurrant & Cream, Elderflower & Gooseberry, Ginger Biscuit, Bitter Orange & Chocolate, Osmanthus Blossom, Peony & Blush Suede, Saffron
2014: London Rain, Tuberose Angelica, Silk Blossom, Wood Sage & Sea Salt
2015: Rock the Ages, Incense & Cedrat, Mimosa & Cardamom, Orris & Sandalwood
2016: The Herb Garden, Nashi Blossom, Rare Teas, Basil & Neroli, Orange Bitters, Myrrh & Tonka
2017: Tobacco & Mandarin, Garden Lilies,Whisky & Cedarwood, Blue Hyacinth, Leather & Artemisia, Star Magnolia, English Oak & Hazelnut, English Oak & Redcurrant, Tuberose Angelica Rich Extract, Velvet Rose & Oud Rich Extract and Oud & Bergamot Rich Extract, Green Almond & Redcurrant
2018: Green Wheat & Meadowsweet, Oat & Cornflower, Primrose & Rye, Honey & Crocus and Poppy & Barley, Jasmine Sambac & Marigold, Tropical Cherimoya, Cattleya Flower, Rose & White Musk Absolu, Honeysuckle & Davana, White Moss & Snowdrop
Where to buy
In the US, the Jo Malone line can be found at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom or Saks.
See shopping report for Jo Malone on Sloane Street in London.
Website
Further reading
See all articles on Now Smell This tagged Jo Malone.