Every beauty season comes and goes, and with it a set of new launches, like ebb and flow. Normally I go through all of the press releases, make a little note here and there when there’s something that interests me and file them away. Only rarely does a new launch or limited edition series make my heart jump, my pulses race or my eyes light up in an instant. Case in point, the Jo Malone Bloomsbury Collection, her limited edition Spring collection. Inspired by the enchanting free spirited The Bloomsbury set depicting the gorgeous English countryside and the elegance of it’s daily life.
“It’s a collection of scents capturing the intoxicating essence of an unconventional life. The lily pond at dawn, bold blue hyacinths, blossoming fruit trees, absinthe afternoons and golden linseed on paint-stained hands. Warming whisky and sweet pipe tobacco. The secrets of waxed floors burnished by footsteps in the night.” – Jo Malone
Nose behind this olifactory impression of the English countryside is Yann Vasier, also known for his work on Tom Ford’s Velvet Orchid and other niche perfumes. His main perspective whilst creating this collection? A fragrantic translation of daily life.
“When we visited Charleston, in the middle of the English countryside, I didn’t know what to expect but I fell in love with it. When I was there I made a storyline in my head from morning to afternoon to evening, so the five fragrances have a natural evolution. What I particularly loved about The Bloomsbury Set was the juxtaposition of domesticity and simplicity with this hugely intellectual environment.” – Yann Vasnier, Master Perfumer
The collection consists of 5 scents, and just reading through the descriptions already makes me feel the sun on my skin, smell the flowers in the air and see the green grass and rolling hills, for as far as the eye can see. I’ve always been an anglophile pur sang, but these scents just make me long for a new discovery of East Sussex even more. Now, I’ve set my sights on Garden Lilies and Wisky & Cedarwood, but which one is your favourite?
Garden Lilies
The scent of dawn at the lily pond captured with effervescent water lilies, dewy green sapand lush ylang ylang enhanced with white musk and a wisp of vanilla.
Blue Hyacinth
Intoxicating bold blue hyacinth warmed by the sun entwined with the vibrancy of garden geraniums and woody vetiver.
Leather & Artemisia
The striking green facets of anise-tinged absinthe blend with aromatic artemisia, soft orriswood and the deep richness of leather enhanced by the amber woody notes of Cypriol.
Tobacco & Mandarin
Vibrant mandarin and herbaceous sage sweetened with the warmelegance of beeswax sweet pipe tobacco.
Whisky & Cedarwood
An enigmatic blend of fine whisky and opulent roses edged with spicy pimento, warm cedarwood and an intriguing accord of waxy wooden floors.
Jo Malone The Bloomsbury Collection – €55 each
Available from March 2017,
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