Jo Malone is a house that for some reason always manages to fly under my personal radar. Which is odd since they one of the places they are in is Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, where there placement by the Wilshire Boulevard entrance means it is nigh unto impossible to ignore them. I’ve liked everything I smelled from them, but always seem to think that I already have soething in my cupboard that makes the purchase of their ware unnecessary.
They also seem to be big on being part of the gift-with-purchase beauty bags available quarterly, which is no bad thing. So, nestled in among the make-up samples I will give away was a small spray of Wild Bluebell.
According to Fragrantica, Wild Bluebell was introduced in 2011 as a “renovation of the house.” It doesn’t contain essence of actual bluebell (English bluebell apparently being endangered) but a synthesis of it along with lily of the valley, which is also synthesized (I don’t think they can tincture the actual flower.) The sweet flowers are tinged with just a touch of spicy clove and rich, shimmering jasmine and a base of a lovely skin musk.
I’m not sure I know what an actual bluebell smells like, but I am enjoying very much this composition. I don’t know if you’ve been following the news, but this past week Southern California has been in he grip of a ferocious heat wave, with some days temps hitting as high as 116 in the Hills of Beverly. Usually asking me to skip the cologne is like asking me to not wear pants- ain’t gonna happen. But in weather like this this sweet, summery concoction couldn’t be more refreshing if it were served with gin over shaved ice. The fact that it has some depth to it and lasting power is a big plus.
Wild Bluebell is sold all over the interwebs at various prices. I received my sample as a gift with purchase from Nordstrom, where it is $136 for 3.4 Ounces. Image: Jo Malone
I do remember smelling actual bluebells (not sure what variety though, although in the PNW of North America, how many are plausible?), and loving that — still, however, have yet to huff any bluebell-themed scents. Penhaligon’s has some harsh reviews which, I kinda hate to admit, does urge me to skip past it (since there are others in the line that I really enjoy). Thank you for inspiring me to track down my local Jo Malone counter!
I’ve never stopped at the JM counter to sample either though I read a lot of her scents are lovely but not very long lasting and pricey.
The one time I paused to look, an older woman who was with the SA, told me she had just bought 2 bottles and proceeded to point out the places on her arm where she had tested, inviting me to sniff and asking what I thought and I guess it smelled different to her but to me one was not very pleasant and I shook my head and said I didn’t like it. It came out so quick, then afterwards I felt bad and was thinking I should’ve just lied? Lol.
I just bought the Mrs. Meyer’s handsoap in Bluebell this week and am enjoying using that. I love hyacinth in scent (i.e. Gucci Envy), but I think English Bluebells are slightly different. Penhaligon’s has a famous Bluebell too, don’t they posse peeps?
yes, they do! and I have never smelled it (or I don’t remember) despite loving their bottles and loving blue! I think my brain isn’t processing ‘bluebell= fragrant’ xoxo
Thank You Tom! Bluebells grew wild in the area of Texas where I used to live. They have a lovely soft scent. I will definitely have to scent test Jo Malone Wild Bluebell! I have not tried any Jo Malone to date – my bad.
My husband told me it was 111 in Westwood and I told him he was crazy that LA is hot but not that hot. It was 99 the other afternoon here in NorCal. I am officially tired of summer. Jo Malone. I know the local Nordstrom and Neiman’s both have counters, but I can’t say I’ve ever stopped to sniff anything there. My daughter says a lot of her friends like Wood Sage & Sea Salt. Of course, my daughter has a perfume collection to rival mine.
ooh! Gin over shaved ice! With a hint of elderflower cordial and a slice of cucumber!
xoxo
oh! and…yeah! The Bluebell. I love bluebells but didn’t know they had a scent! And Jo Malone flies under my radar almost persackly the same way it does yours – it’s at my SFA (I am trying to ‘see’ it at my N-M and am coming up empty). I used to LOVE the house, back in the Jurassic Era when they were still a teeny niche house in London, when Jo was there and her husband (Frank?) used to answer the phone !!! Not hatin’ on them now – they’ve just passed out of my consciousness. I’ll have to revisit. If I can remember.
After a few of those gin cocktails, though, I can’t promise 😉
xoxo