Jo Malone CBE Reveals Her Favourite Scent & How To Choose A Fragrance For Someone Else
Jo Malone, the genius behind her own empire and now the luxury brand Jo Loves, is a Kent-born powerhouse in the beauty world. Instead of sticking to just specific scent notes, Jo crafts her fragrances from the heart. Each Jo Loves scent is a burst of inspiration from her travels and personal experiences, capturing real feelings and bringing memories to life. Here, she shares the inside scoop on her favourite perfume and how scent adds a touch of magic to every moment of her life…
What is your first beauty memory?
I think it’s probably the roses in our family garden and the smell of cosmetics being made in the kitchen in big enamel buckets. I can remember the smell of the oils melting; jasmine and juniper, as well as a skin tonic that I would make with geranium oil.
Another scent memory is the smell of my grandmother’s baking. She was the most incredible baker. She would make apricot madeleines, and I would sit in the kitchen as they came out of the oven. Right by the back door, there was this beautiful dahlia, and I remember the smell of the chrysanthemum, the dahlias, and the apricot madeleines.
What beauty advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Well, from a business perspective, I think I would say, ‘don’t be in such a hurry to always get somewhere. Just pace yourself a little bit. Everything always comes right in the end. Just absorb as much knowledge from other people and inspiration.’
From a beauty perspective, ‘make sure you moisturise your face well and keep your skin hydrated. I do love a glass of wine, but I’ve always looked after my skin.’
Where do you get your continuous inspiration from?
It’s the stories of life. It can be anything from a coloured piece of music. I mean, I’m sitting here at the moment journaling, looking at this blue, beautiful ocean. The white living room curtains are just blowing in the wind, and there are swallows swooping in and out. I’m definitely getting an inspirational story for something, but I’m not sure what it is yet.
How do you train your nose to develop scent?
I didn’t train like a master perfumer, I just have a natural ability with a sense of smell.
I’m able to smell it in my head and then be able to create what I can see.
What’s on your beauty repeat buy list?
I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream. I love Chanel lip glosses and Eve Lom’s face mask and cleansing cream. I’m also loving the Huda Beauty lip glosses at the moment.
Where do you shop for special fragrance finds?
Dubai is a unique place for fragrance, and you can find fragrance and oil shops on every corner; people love fragrance in Dubai. I have just come back from a tour in the Far East with Jo Loves and there were so many amazing notes which I discovered there.
How do you choose a scent?
I tend to talk about ‘scent underwear’, about the fragrance you put on when you get out of the shower before you get dressed. I cover my body in a fragrance and then get dressed. This starts your day off in the right mood. I probably will always have Jo by Jo Loves on me and then I start working and cover my body with fragrance all day long.
Do you have an all-time favourite Jo Loves scent?
My favourite is of course Jo by Jo Loves, as I made it for me.
It is my character. All the grapefruit notes combine and are like a scent meze.
How important is smell in your daily life?
My sense of smell is my predominant sense, it affects the way I think, feel, and act. I’m constantly smelling things and analysing their scent.
What is the one beauty product you never leave home without?
I never leave home without a Chanel lip gloss and a fragrance of course!
Any top tips on how to shop for fragrance gifting?
To find the perfect scent gift for someone, I would say you have to look at their personality and passions. It is about linking these elements of their life to different scent notes.
What is your favourite restaurant in London?
I love Scotts in Mount Street; I have been going there for so many years and I only go there for special occasions. It’s always excellent. I love the people, the atmosphere. It is the perfect winter place, and you can also sit outside in the summer.
I love Scotts in Mount Street; I have been going there for so many years and I only go there for special occasions.
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