The best Jo Malone perfumes include Lime Basil & Mandarin, English Pear & Freesia, Pomegranate Noir, and Wood Sage & Sea Salt. These fragrances are used on their own or together. Prices vary from $70 to $270 for a single perfume.
To see the best, I’ve split the perfumes into categories and ranked them by popularity. The next table shows which Jo Malone perfume is the best in its line according to the hype around it.
| Jo Malone Line | Perfume |
| Woody | Wood Sage & Sea Salt |
| Fruity | Pomegranate Noir |
| Light Floral | Red Roses Cologne |
| Floral | Orange Blossom |
| Citrus | Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne |
| Spicy | Amber & Lavender Cologne |
| Cologne Intense | Velvet Rose & Oud |
| Absolu collection | Violet & Amber Absolu |
| Rich extracts | Tuberose Angelica Rich Extract |
Down to personal preference, you can use these perfumes either by themselves or in combinations. Read along to find out which of these works with other fragrances.
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Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Wood Sage & Sea Salt encompasses the British beach vibe. If you’ve ever been on one of the island’s beaches, you know they aren’t known for the high heat.
Instead, British beaches have salty air, the freedom of nature and winds which aren’t found on the continent.
These are the feelings that the fragrance tires to evoke. There’s a sage in it and its not overpowering. I was a bit afraid it would be either too close to sage or too close to citruses.
Instead, the perfume is neither of these. It smells like salt, rocks, and the British coast. It’s not something that reminds you of Ibiza.
It transports you to Cornwall, Rhossili Bay, or the Northern Bamburgh Beach in Northumberland. It’s imperial and unapologetic for not having a Havana tropical-profile.
The perfume can be layered with Sweet Lime, Basil, and Mandarin as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. But as I read to people’s impressions, they also agree it works better with other woody scents.
However, you shouldn’t be afraid to layer it with any other Jo Malone perfume. If you look for recommendations, you’ll see both men and women combining it with all other Jo Malone releases.
But I’d also see it as a base for layering with perfumes from other brands. It would especially work on fragrances with few ingredients or which are heavily-focused on a single note.
Feel free to test it out on any type of fragrance in small applications at first. Simply apply one spray before layering with 1-2 sprays from your preferred fragrance.
I found most combinations based on Wood Sage & Sea Salt only apply it as a background scent in 1 to 2 sprays maximum.
The unisex fragrance has been known for its iffy performance. But I do find it’s not about the projection here. But some of this is misinterpreted. I find the wearer gets used to the scent fast but those around may still smell it.
The goodies inside
- Ambrette
- Sea salt
- Sage
- Seaweed
- Grapefruit
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Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir
As a gourmand release, the perfume is unlike many Jo Malon releases. It’s not as simple and others from the house. However, it’s still simpler than similar Mugler releases. With arguable performance, it’s another fragrance you need to re-apply through the day.
Moving on from the introductions, the perfume itself is fantastic. Many women are in love with pomegranate not just in the fragrance community but also in the kitchen.
There’s a typical sour pomegranate opening with added patchouli. Such a combination is worth the attention of anyone experimenting with the house. British rhubarb is also there. This is where the cake-like feel comes from.
Cloves make their way after the initial opening. Wood, lily and black pepper are also there. Yes, cloves are dominant here. But when you think they might start to overwhelm those around you, the fragrances fade away.
English Pear & Freesia are often combined here. Blackberry & Bay may also be a gourmand combination to add to the perfume. Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey is among the same lines but with a sweeter profile.
For those who’re a bit unsure about its scent, you need to know cloves are dominant here. But the pomegranate adds a bit of depth to it. You may not have the same effect simply purchasing clove oil to layer.
In terms of versatility, I see it as a top fall and winter choice from the house. However, others feel the cloves are too strong and they don’t deserve to be combined with anything else. Polarizing? Yes, but unique.
The goodies inside
- Raspberry, pomegranate, plum, rhubarb, and watermelon
- Cloves, lily, jasmine, pepper, and olibanum
- Virginia Cedar and patchouli
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Jo Malone Red Roses
If you’ve been around for the Bulgarian rose classic of the late ’70s, this reminds you of that period. However, those who’ve been around those times can attest it’s a modern version with a bit more elegance.
The rose in the opening comes with a lemongrass smell as a background note and possible lychee. In the drydown, weak honeycomb and violet leaves make their presence felt. Some also attribute mint to these two notes somewhere in the background.
Roses are indeed the flower of romance and the perfume underlines that quality to a maximum extent.
Silage is a bit better than on other Jo Malones. At around 4 hours projection and 8 hours longevity, it’s going to last for an entire romantic night (see other best date fragrances for men ideas). But if you begin to layer it, the perfume is going to last until the following day.
When you combine it with Jo Malone’s Earl Gray And Cucumber, its longevity increases to 15+ hours. You may also consider it with Wild Bluebell cologne.
There’s no clear line here when it comes to the gender of the wearer. From a historic point of view, it’s rather feminine. But when you begin to layer it, the perfume can go either way. Feel free to use it on your wedding day.
The goodies inside
- Lemon and mint
- Roses and violet leaf
- Beeswax/honeycomb
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Jo Malone Orange Blossom
Inspired by Bel Air hotel in Los Angeles and colonial Spain times, this is yet another elegant release from Jo Malone. I’ve seen both men and women wearing it at weddings, which I think sits the best.
The orange blossom scent of the scent has an uplifting effect. Worn on sunny days, it reminds you of the dessert and ripe oranges with aromatic blossom. But even worn on rainy days, it puts a smile on your face.
Warm and clean, it has a cotton-like smoothness which makes it pleasant to don’t like perfumes at all.
Water lily and lilac are there to make it a bit for summery. In the opening, it’s sweet and orangy. But it’s only in the drydown that you’ll start to smell the lilac. If you’re expecting orange blossom to the last form start to finish, this is not the one for you.
But I think its transition is very interesting. Its lilac may show up in the evening when you’re off work and where it still mesmerizes you and those around you.
White Jasmine and Mint are normally the layering option with this scent. If you want to reduce its flowery vibe or to wear it during the colder months of the year, you can layer it with Jo Malone’s Blackberry and Bay.
Other layering options to think about include Peony & Blush Suede or Mimosa & Cardamom.
Without any layering, it lasts on your skin up to 4 hours.
The goodies inside
- African orange flower, clementine and green notes
- Lilac and lotus
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Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne
The Lime Basil & Mandarin is another successful women’s release. As its name suggests, it smells like lime and basil with added mandarin.
If you’re thinking about why you might be spending as much on lime cologne, you need to know the quality of the ingredients is among the best. It’s not the type of synthetic-based scent but it comes with higher ingredients.
However, as a friend of mine said, it’s not a perfume, it’s aura. Due to its lightweight profile, it’s more of a skin scent as perception than fragrance.
There’s a high chance nobody around you wears it. But it’s also likely not to get many compliments while wearing it. Still, its popularity is among the highest from the fragrance house.
It might be the owner’s past in the floral world that has created this layering masterpiece which you wear mostly for yourself.
The most obvious layering combination here is with Basil & Neroli. But it also completes Earl Grey & Cucumber.
The goodies inside
- Lime, bergamot, and mandarin
- Basil, iris, lilac, and thyme
- Patchouli and vetiver
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Jo Malone Amber & Lavender Cologne
Women tend to love this amber release, which is sometimes perceived as boozy. But I think its unisex, as most Jo Malon colognes. The fragrance is certainly distinct and anyone trying out different amber releases finds it easier to wear daily.
Both amber and lavender have a calming effect. I’d see the perfume worn by women or men who love that chilled state.
But apart from amber and lavender, there’s also patchouli with added green undertones to this scent. Cloves make their presence felt in the drydown. Incense also offer it a bit of an oriental twist. It’s also what makes it last a bit longer than most other releases from the perfume house.
On the skin, it should last 6 hours. On clothes, it might last a bit more. If you want it to last even longer while adding woody complexity, you can layer it with English Oak & Hazelnut.
The goodies inside
- Bergamot, lavender, and mint
- Lily, clove, and cinnamon
- Myrhh, patchouli, and amber
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Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud
As one of the top oud, rose and praline perfumes of the moment, it stands out with its oriental profile and quality of ingredients. It might be a bit more elegant than other releases from the brand. But at the same time, it is made for mature women.
If you’re out to an event, a dinner, a formal event, or simply out shopping in the evening, you’ll find the best fragrance has to offer.
With a candy-type opening, the cologne is sweet at the start.
If you’re expecting a hit of oud, it isn’t there. Jammy rose is present with a bit of spice. It would seem that incense is in the background as well, but only after a couple of hours, in the drydown.
If most Jo Malon scents aren’t known for silage and longevity, the story is different here. Women can count on at least 6 hours of projection.
Those who want to temper the strong rose not may layer the perfume with Blackberry & Bay.
The goodies inside
- Damask rose
- Oud
- Praline
- Clove
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Jo Malone Violet & Amber Absolu
The 2019 release is easy to spot. The perfume’s amazing bottle almost has the same color with a couple of flagship smartphones.
It combines Arab notes and violet blooms. The result is a floral scent with dark purple-violet leaves with an oud background.
The perfume is already known for its top performance. Also, the oud is a bit more present than in Velvet Rose & Oud.
If you like classic British scents, normally represented by Jo Malone and oriental accords, this stronger perfumer might be the right option for me.
The goodies inside
- Violet
- Violet leaf
- Orchid
- Oud
- Musk
- Amber
- In the Arabian night, an ethereal violet mysteriously blooms.
- Beloved of the British flower bed, its elusive scent of darkly purple petals and violet leaves wraps around oud and white musk, anchored by warm, sophisticated amber.
- A much-loved feature of the British flower bed, fragrant violet petals are combined with the warmth of amber for this Jo Malone Violet and Amber eau de parfum.
- The two vibrant notes are harmonised by whispers of oud and white musk, wrapping around the rich fragrance for an alluring and distinctive olfactory experien
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Jo Malone Tuberose Angelica Rich Extract
The perfume is a flanker of the Tuberose Angelica Intense. It smells the same but you will notice a different bottle. As a result, you may only rarely find it in exclusive department stores. But the Intense version is easier to find.
But a fine nose is going to be picking up small scent differences as well. These small differences include more mature tuberose, which was already a distinct interpretation of the plant extract.
However, the biggest small difference lies in its longevity. I already know this unisex fragrance is something niche perfume women love for its floral accords but maybe a bit more for its longevity. It lasts a couple of days on clothes. If you find a place to get it, you shouldn’t walk by as it might be the only time you find it. Some places used to sell it online, you never know when it’s back in stock.
The goodies inside
- Tuberose
- Angelica
- Ylang-ylang
- Vanilla
How to layer Jo Malone perfumes?
In theory, there are endless options to combine Jo Malone scents. They’ve even been combined in pairs of 2 or groups of 3 before.
I once asked a woman what she was wearing and she told me it was a Jo Malone perfume with salt. But I knew the fruitiness and the projection on her perfume meant there was some Blackberry & Bay in there.
If you’re moving away from traditional scents and you want to start down a path of layering, here are a few interesting combinations.
- Jo Malone Red Roses + Wild Bluebell – for women
This floral combination is one of my favorites. As I said in the Red Roses’ description, I think this works best on mature women due to that specific European history this has familiarity with.
It’s a combination that tones down the rose a bit. It won’t work on teenage girls. But if you’re a woman who wants to smell like a woman, it is a combination to try out. Performance is only going to increase with this combo.
- Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud + Pomegranate Noir – for men
Velvet Rose & Oud can work with a lot of other fragrances. It’s a type of soft oily base with a fantastic scent on its own. But it can be successfully combined with Pomegranate Noir. Since the Pomegranate scent is also a performance king from the brand, this combination lasts a bit longer and it suits extrovert guys.
- Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt + Blackberry & Bay – for compliments
Wood Sage & Sea Salt is combined with all Jo Maline perfumes. It just adds that saltiness and a beach-type breeze to any scent. The brand recommends it with Lime Basil, but it also combines smoothly with Blackberry & Bay. Longevity is considerably improved here as well. The way to apply this.
- Apply one spray of Blackberry & Bay
- Then apply one spray of Wood Sage & Sea Salt
- Apply one more spray of Blackberry & Bay
This combination highlights the Blackberry in the drydown. I think the sea salt should be added a bit less in this layering option.
- Wood Sage & Sea Salt + Basil & Neroli + Nectarine Blossom & Honey – for customization
A combination of 3 scents, it takes some time to get used to it. You are already creating your perfume here. If you want to have a bit more room for originality, adding in a third scent is certainly a good way to achieve it.
But, you will have to take some time to get used to distinguishing the various notes in the final result. After 10-15 minutes, you start to pick up individual notes.
What this combination can be called is custom-original. It can’t be confused with just putting in 3 different scents randomly as these ingredients complement each other.
I also think there’s some room to play within this combination. You can apply a bit less Wood Sage & Sea Salt, just enough to boost the other ingredients. But you can also add more of the sea notes. It’s up to you.
Longevity does improve than when used on their own. However, this means you can’t apply one scent in the morning and the perfume combination later during the day. Longevity has its pluses and minutes.
Are Jo Malone perfumes natural?
Under Estee Lauder, Jo Malone fragrances use natural fragrances. But they’re not entirely natural to the average nose.
Since Jo has nothing to do with these scents anymore, getting some feedback on the ingredients becomes harder.
But I know she’s interested in her perfumer and natural notes in her new company. However, even there, she acknowledges not all ingredients are natural. As new research is published, the list of ingredients considered natural narrows considerable.
About Jo Malone
Jo Malone is now operating under new ownership. However, the scents remain constant to what Jo dreamed of when she launched them (if you miss her creations you can hop over to Jo Loves anytime).
But I read an interview where she said that her creations were juxtapositions of places. This is how Sea Salt came to life.
It’s more about recreating certain memories and locations with these. As a result, I think it’s a good idea to layer these scents to something close to your heart.
The nose behind many of these scents gave use hints of how they came to life and what they represent. Yet, many are misinterpreted today.
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Final considerations
I think these Jo Malone scents represent a stage of maturity in your fragrance journey. The perfumes are wonderful to layer and they certainly have a uniqueness to them.
In a way, I’m glad the company was sold. The products get more financial backing and so they can be available and grow today.
So what is the most popular Jo Malone perfume? It can be Wood Sage & Sea Salt due to its layering opportunities and its single-use aroma.
There are more than 140 Jo Malone fragrances to use individually or with layering. Most of them are not sold anymore. But the new releases are certainly capturing the imagination of men and women.
In a way, the brand is now recognized for its layering options. While I think there’s nothing wrong with layering, it can be the only method of increasing longevity on Jo Malon perfumes you already love.