When it comes to fragrances, unlike with skincare, I welcome samples with open arms. For me, I’m usually quite quick to decide and know if a scent works for me the minute I smell it. But often, scents develop on your skin as the day goes on, and sometimes, you may end up loving a scent you may not have thought suited you the first time. A little sample vial or spray helps me decide.
As much as I enjoy using Jo Malone scents, finding one to really fit my style has eluded me. This was borne out during the event we had, when I was asked which my favourite scents were and I couldn’t quite pinpoint which. I’ve played with their new scents, their old scents and their limited edition scents. But there’s always something missing. That certain je ne sais quoi.
Well, until now!
Recently, I was clearing out my stuff, when I decided to reorganize my little fragrance collection, so I had them within easy reach. I discovered I had a little perfume sample stash I’d forgotten about, and had a bit of fun playing around with the different perfumes, trying new scents. I then dug out my old set of Jo Malone sampler set of colognes that I bought quite a few years ago and discovered that one of them sat so well with me, I started using it almost daily!
This particular scent was the Jo Malone Amber and Lavender Cologne. I don’t hear of this one very often, which is why I’d forgotten I actually owned it.
Jo Malone describes the scent as a masculine scent, which might explain why it sits well with me LOL! I tend to favour scents like this, with my sole floral exception being Dior J’Adore EdT or EdP that I love and wear often.
The primary reason why I love the Amber and Lavender Cologne, is because it smells so fresh and crisp and refreshing. Some have even described the scent as “soapy” which I sometimes agree. But a nice sort of soapy 😀
It’s almost as if I’d just had a shower and donned a crisp new shirt or dress. That’s excellent, when you live in this tropical heat and may not always be smelling at your best as the day progresses 😛 I also find that it lasts on me very well. I spray it in the morning, and by evening, I can still smell whiffs of shower-fresh fragrance. It makes me feel happy and uplifted and confident. But I also feel like this is a scent you grow into. It’s not one you’d pick, as a young girl, fresh and clear-eyed as you step into the realm of adulthood. It’s likely one you’d pick when you’ve had a few years of experience tucked under your belt, and you feel more confident in stepping forward and taking charge.
It’s the perfume for a woman who’s bold, confident and doesn’t think that wearing a masculine scent makes her anything less of a woman 🙂
I don’t particularly note the warm notes of amber, nor the lavender notes. That said, I do not have a very sensitive note for fragrance. I believe in testing fragrances for yourself because you will never know how a scent works for you until you actually wear it. So, don’t bother reading reviews although they can be helpful to give you an indication of what it smells like. As with everything beauty related, you will only know how it looks, smells or wears when you try it 🙂
Has a perfume sample yielded a new favourite fragrance for you recently?
I’m going to use up this sample size and then decide if I want to get the full bottle. Because it is a little strong, I don’t use very much. Has a perfume sample made you fall in love with a perfume recently? Share, so I can go sample it too 😉
Paris B
Yes I have! I got a little sample of Narciso Rodriguez’s perfume from somewhere (can’t remember where), and one day I just decided to test it out on my wrist. It lasted all day and I couldn’t help taking a sniff every so often – totally loved it. I finally managed to save up to buy it during one of the Metrojaya roadshows at Mid Valley, and it’s still one of my absolute favourites! It’s a rather stark contrast to Vera Wang Princess (which is another favourite), both in terms of scent and packaging, but I find that they both suit my different styles and mood perfectly, haha~
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Ooh I used to love Narcisco Rodriguez so much. I had the sample and was going to buy the full size. But before I bought it, I tested again and I then found it too sweet! Money saved! haha! But it’s a lovely scent. Good pick!
I was thinking of the same subject this morning as I just received the Gabrielle sample and tried it on. Nasib baik it’s a sample because I think it smelt similar to the Miss Dior that I already own.
The issue with me is that all the perfumes smell different once sprayed on me. I love sweet scents but they smell much sweeter on me. Hence, I would need to choose something citrusy and fresh so that I would get the sweet outcome. So yeah, I welcome samples too.
Thanks for sharing on the scent for Jo Malone as I think that would probably be suitable for me too. The most recent purchase for me was Chanel Chance eau Fraische.
Ya with perfumes, it’s so important to try them on right? And they can be so expensive too! I do like Gabrielle, in a very safe sort of way. I loved Miss Dior too but when I last tried it, the smell had turned on me so didn’t smell so good anymore. Weird la I tell you with perfumes.
Hi Paris, you mentioned this perfume in one of your instagram posts, so when I was at Bangkok airport, I looked for it. But was told that it has been discontinued. I haven’t checked at the counters in Malaysia though.
Oh boo! I wasn’t aware that it was discontinued as it’s still on their Jo Malone website! I hate it when brands do that 🙁
I think the perfume you mentioned is discontinued Paris..
Ps. I’m a collector of Jo Malone fragrances
Thanks for letting me know Evan. I saw it’s still available on the JM website and I spoke to their trainer who cited this as her favourite scent too! (wasn’t aware they actually discontinue perfumes! Boo!)
I have finally caught up with all the posts that I missed! 😀 I did purchase the mini size perfumes from DKNY last Christmas because I wanted to try out various scents without committing to a huge bottle. I did find that I love the Golden Delicious perfume in the set and dislike some of the others, but I did not purchase the bottle. I got the Be Delicious – Fresh Blossom instead, at airport duty free! Hehehe~ I do love a lot of the sweeter scents and now I finally have my own Marc Jacob’s Honey EDP and I love it so so so much! I hope to be able to try Jo Malone perfume one day. 🙂
Ooh DKNY Declicious perfume packaging is the cutest isn’t it? I had a little minature once in the apple packaging and I loved it! So freaking adorable haha! It’s fine to enjoy sweet scents. I think there’s a scent out there for everyone 😀
Yes definitely! I had a sample of Chloe EDT and loved it. So I bought a full size, and it’s nearly gone. I loved Chanel Coco Mademoiselle too, and bought it because of a sample as well. I think I really like Gabrielle because it reminds me of Coco Mademoiselle. Might just get a 75ml one!
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Oh I remember Chloe smelling like lychee on me. Everytime I used it, I’d think “mmm.. lychee!” LOL! Perfect that it’s your daughter’s name too right? 😀 I actually never quite found a Chanel perfume to suit me. But I recently tried Mademoiselle and for some reason, it worked this time around despite the sweet floral note. Lucky I didn’t throw out any! LOL!