Sunday 27 October 2013

A scentsational afternoon at Jo Malone + Winner of International Barry M Giveaway

When I found out that Jo Malone had just opened a store at John Lewis in Southampton, I was absolutely thrilled, although my bank balance won't be - and of course I was very quick to accept an invitation to a relaxing hand and arm treatment, accompanied with some bubbly and nibbles to celebrate the opening. I'm definitely one of Jo Malone's biggest fans and was really looking forward to getting something new from their gorgeous line up of scents, ranging from the light and fruity to the aromatic and woody, and the intense and dramatic.

 
One of the main concepts of Jo Malone is that you can tailor the scents especially to you, by layering them - combining perhaps with other colognes or other products like shower gels and body lotions, to create your personal scent. In my case we decided that we would experiment with layering different scents using a bath oil, a luscious rich and deeply moisturising body crème and finally a cologne. This sounds pretty straight forward, but the intriguing twist to this is that I wouldn't know which scents we were using - it would be a blind test. We had a discussion about what type of scents I like in general, and then four different unnamed scents were chosen. I tested them separately, in combination with each other and we identified likes and dislikes.

The interesting thing was that I couldn't recognise some of the scents that I had already picked out as possible buys that day, and in some cases all of a sudden a scent wasn't as appealing to me as it had been before. 
  

This little experiment made me realise that it's not just what we actually smell that decides whether we like a scent or not, but it's also what else we know about it. E.g. if you like rose, and you have been told or know that a scent has an element of rose in it, or it might be called Red Roses or the bottle might even be in the shape of a rose, then you may have already subconsciously decided that you like the scent. But if you did a blind test with nothing else to guide you than your nose - no name of the scent, no bottle and no description, you might very well come to a different conclusion. It's fascinating when you think about it!

At the end of the afternoon I might have accidentally bought a little something with me home. So, what did I end up with after a lot of testing and consideration? - well a combination I had not expected at all... 


The bespoke combination I eventually chose was the Wild Bluebell Cologne and the White Jasmin & Mint Body Crème. As you massage in the luxurious body crème you of course pick up on the delicate, soft and feminine floral scent of the jasmine, but it's not as dominant as it can sometimes be and instead it's surprisingly fresh and light because of the exhilerating, icy cool mint. The bluebell cologne is very subtle and personally I detect more of the sweet lily of the valley and the crisp sweet but zingy persimmon than the bluebell. I had tried the bluebell cologne previously, but it had never really whispered: "I'm perfect for you - buy me", until now. In combination - the graceful jasmin, herbal mint, zesty persimmon and faint bluebell create an elegant, timeless and crisp scent. I'm so pleased with this fusion which I think could be my very own signature scent for a long time to come, and I can't stop smelling myself...

A big thank you to Jo Malone and especially the wonderful Holly for making a very rainy afternoon, an exceptionally lovely one! If you don't have any plans for the weekend, or you're looking for something fun to do with your friends - book yourself into the closest Jo Malone for a nice treatment and some perfume testing, and if you walk out of there with a bag filled with goodies - you can always blame me!

As you know I have run an international Barry M Giveaway for the past nine days to celebrate that I had reached 200 followers on both GFC and Bloglovin'. It was an amazing turnout with so many entries and I want to thank everyone who entered and sent me your details. The amount of support I have received from everyone is just fantastic and I appreciate it so very much. I'm very happy to announce that the winner is Judy Thomas. Congratulations and I hope you'll enjoy the products!

32 comments:

  1. I can't say I've ever thought too much about what scents I do or do not like. It's super interesting that it would change whether you knew what was in the scent or not. I actually want to try this out for myself somehow. Lovely post :)

    Debra Bros Blog

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  2. Doing a blindfolded test sounds so much fun! I could imagine that layering these two will smell so nice and fresh, I absolutely love jasmine!

    www.makingmeblushblog.wordpress.com

    xx

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    1. I was completely surprised about what I ended up buying and the combination so I definitely learned something new that day :O). Xx

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  3. This sounds like so much fun. Sounds like you has a great time.

    Rachael x
    All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan

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    1. It was a great afternoon for sure :o). Xx

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  4. wow! I was in John Lewis Southampton yesterday and didn't notice this at all!! There is a Mac counter in there as well now!! I think first time my hometown has ever had Mac, needless to say I was very excited!! L xxx

    maquillagemagic.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I was there the day before MAC opened and I'm so excited that we've got that as well now - about time right?! :o) Xx

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  5. Gorgeous store.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks a million - it was a great afternoon! Xx

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  6. What a great idea, I didn't realise you could layer the products to get a unique scent. Will definitely have to try this next time I got to the Jo Malone store near me. Thanks for sharing :)

    Paula at Beauty Lover

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    1. It's a really great idea and although I'm new to it myself I can see how it will really create a unique scent. Xx

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  7. Absolutely love Jo Malone! Great post :)

    www.notanotherbeautyblog.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much, that's really nice of you :o)! Xx

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  8. falling in love with this post :)
    www.ambifashion.com

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    1. That's so lovely - thank you very much! Xx

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  9. This looks like it was a fun and relaxing experience. I love the packaging on the fragrance bottles, so chic and elegant.
    www.fashionlisticallyspeaking.blogspot.com

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    1. I agree with you - it's a very sophisticated and sleek look :o). Xx

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  10. I've heard great things about the Jo Malone brand, I really need to try their fragrances
    Great post!

    christelpaola.blogspot.com

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    1. Perhaps something for the Christmas wish list :o). Xx

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  11. awesome post :) that make-up looks so OISOME! :) lolol plz check out my new blog post and comment because I really need advice lololol :)
    <3 chloe-anna
    prettylildolls.blogspot

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    1. Thank you very much - Jo Malone is definitely a wonderful brand that I would recommend to anyone for that special gift :o). Xx

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  12. So I hadn't even really heard of Jo Malone before your blog but now I am really really wanting to try their scents! They all sound amazing. What an intriguing smell test too :)

    writingwhimsy.com

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    1. Hi Zoe, it probably seems as if've got shares in Jo Malone or something, I just happen to REALLY like their products :o). It was definitely an eye opener, and I highly recommend it :o). Xx

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  13. Nice post! I don't know the Jo Malone brand! It seems very nice.
    Kisses and happy Monday
    The diary of Indian Savage

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    1. Thanks a million, it's lovely and a great way to spend an afternoon! Xx

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  14. Hello Joice! Thank you so much for the lovely comment! Am following you now and hope you'll visit again soon :o). Xx

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  15. I could spend hours in Jo Malone - especially when they're offering arm massages. I've just ran out of my Pom Noir Bath Oil so it's gone straight to the top of my Christmas list.

    Victoria
    FlorenceandMary.com

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    1. Good choice, the bath oils are amazingly luxurious :o). Xx

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  16. Gosh, I remember when the ad campaign for Jo Malone's Wild Bluebells came out; it was absolutely beautiful. My favorite bluebell scent, though, is from Penhaligon's; it's so realistic that when you smell you, can "feel" the texture of the flower as well.

    With that said, I'm a big fan of Jo Malone. Their perfumes are so beautiful, and there really is something for everybody. My favorite is "Nectarine Blossoms & Honey," and has been for the past seven years or so; I repurchase a bottle each year on my birthday.

    Congrats on your Jo Malone purchase! :-)

    Tammy
    ChicAndAlluring.blogspot.com

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    1. Hiya Tammy and thanks so much for visiting! That's really interesting since I've looked at the Penhaligon range, but never taken the step to actually get something. Thanks for the recommendation and I'll definitely get something to try now :o). Hope you'll visit again soon! :o) Xx

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  17. Jo Malone is my absolute favorite! I have wanted to Blush + Peony scent for the longest time. xo

    Teresa @ www.moneycanbuylipstick.com

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    1. Oh, it's a beautiful scent - quite floral and stronger than a lot of the other Jo Malone fragrances, but really lovely! Xx

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