Perfume Review | Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne

This is my first Jo Malone perfume, I was expecting it to be strong and overpowering. However I didn’t find it to be that way at all. I was pleasantly surprised. Jo Malone has a reputation of producing quality fragranced products whether it be their perfumes or their candles.

I find this scent to be on the subtler side, it’s not a bold in your face fragrance it’s a mild manner everyday chic scent. At first application I can make out the lime, citrus notes, you definitely pick that up, however I find that it doesn’t last too long, which is to be expected since it is the top note.

After that is where things turn a little left for me. At initial application I like the scent, after a little while though my body chemistry makes this smell a bit powdery to me. It’s not exactly baby powder I smell but it’s got that feel to it. Thankfully it still smells good, all the spice and kick is gone from the fragrance though.

Body chemistry aside, this fragrance does last all day on my skin, the scent through isn’t very far but I can smell it if I put my nose to my wrists. I don’t apply the fragrance to all my pulse points because I don’t want to walk around in a fragrance cloud and give myself a headache.

On the Sephora website it’s described as:

Fragrance Family:
Fresh

Scent Type:
Fresh Citrus & Fruits

Key Notes:
Mandarin, Basil, Amberwood

About:
In Jo Malone London’s signature fragrance, peppery basil and aromatic white thyme bring an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean breeze—a modern classic.

I know I’ve said it before but I think it bears repeating, I don’t have a nose for perfumes, so for those of you that can smell each note and nuances I’m sorry if I offend. But this description apart from the initial hit of citrus doesn’t smell fresh and fruity to me. I sure don’t get Caribbean breeze in any way, I understand that my body chemistry can and probably has thrown a wrench in how I perceive this fragrance but all I get is light powder. Again the scent isn’t offensive or off putting but I don’t get the freshness that was intended.

I still wear this fragrance, I think that it’s great for the office, to me it’s a great everyday wearable scent, it’s a bit low key and understated which is perfect if that’s what you like. When I think of this fragrance I imagine a chic professional women with her hair up, some cute earrings or maybe hoops, going into business presentations or client meetings.

Like all fragrances though before you make the leap and purchase a full size bottle, get a sample if you can and wear it for a few days. Trust me what you smell in the air when you spritz it, is not what you will smell when it’s on your body.

Have you tried any Jo Malone fragrances, what did you think of them?