Be good and you might find the Jo Malone Cologne Collection under your tree this Christmas – or just buy it yourself

If there’s one beauty category that intimidates me, I’m not afraid to say that it’s fragrance aka perfumes. Perfumes are shrouded in an air of mystery and snobbery that I just cannot relate to because I’m just very straightforward about things. All I can say about a perfume is one of two things – I like it, or I don’t like it. I can’t even explain why LOL!

Why else do you think I don’t talk so much about perfumes? I can’t be that blog that breaks down each scent to its little molecules, because I have no idea what’s going on. How’s that for truth eh?

So, walking into a perfume store like Jo Malone intimidates the hell out of me. When the sales people ask me “What kind of scents do you like?” I freeze up. How would I know?! I’d only know when I smell it!

Which is why my first purchase from Jo Malone wasn’t a full sized perfume. It was a travel collection of minis, that introduced me to the brand and to the concept of fragrance combining. Since then, I’ve had numerous queries on where these sets can be bought. The answer – In an airplane 😛 They are special duty free sets that are only available very selectively on certain airlines. I think selected sets can be purchased at the UK Jo Malone website or certain stores but I’m not sure if it’s a permanent thing.

So, when my eye fell on the Jo Malone Cologne Collection set for Christmas 2016, I just knew I had to share the information! 😀 If you are new to Jo Malone, or are loathe to drop over RM400 on a bottle of perfume, only to realise that it isn’t quite your taste, or if you want to combine different Jo Malone fragrances, without selling your kidney, this one is for you! 😀

Jo Malone Cologne Collection Christmas 2016

The Jo Malone Cologne Collection is a set of 5 9ml bottles of colognes in a beautiful presentation box. The Jo Malone Christmas theme this year – Merry Mischief – has a mischievous harlequin feel about it, hence the diamond checks printed on their festive boxes and ribbons.

The Cologne Collection is also perfect for the Jo Malone newbie, because it houses 3 new Jo Malone scents that you may have wanted to try, but are reluctant to spend on a full sized bottle. The fragrances included are:-

• Basil & Neroli Cologne – this is the newest Jo Malone cologne scent I told you about here
• Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne – this is a Jo Malone classic citrus (and is gorgeous as a shower gel!)
• Mimosa & Cardamom Cologne – this was launched early this year (and I forgot to tell you – oops!)
• Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne – this was launched some time last year and is a very interesting scent
• Pomegranate Noir Cologne – another Jo Malone classic scent. This one’s heavy and sweet but I quite like it, especially for adding heavy syrup to a light scent

I loved that they included the 3 newly launched scents in there, because it’s a great way to try them without breaking the bank.

They are quite tiny in size, but I can tell you that they can last you quite a long time, and they are perfect to carry around for travel or in your bag. I still have and use mine that I got a while ago, primarily because I don’t use them very often. For some reason, Jo Malone scents are lovely, but I can only handle them in small doses each time.

You can also experiment with the signature fragrance combining that Jo Malone advocates, where you layer different scents, to combine and discover one that is truly, uniquely, your own. It is quite fun to play around, and you can sometimes discover some lovely combinations… or some really shitty ones LOL! 😀 But that’s the fun bit – and you couldn’t do it with a full sized bottle because you’d end up in the poor house 😛

Personally speaking therefore, unless you are a massive Jo Malone fragrance fan, and know each scent like the back of your hand, or already have full sized bottles in your collection, this is the one item I’d pick from the Jo Malone Christmas collection. It offers the best value and the most fun, and is a nice way to ease into the brand – it’s how I taught myself about the brand, and how to play around with the fragrances. So, the next time I walk into a Jo Malone store and they ask me “What scent do you like?” I could tell them LOL! 😀 This also comes in the Cologne Intense versions for those that might prefer something a little stronger.

Jo Malone Cologne Collection – 9ml x 5 bottles 

PRICE: RM450 |  £72 | US$115

WHERE TO BUY: Jo Malone boutiques or online at: Jo Malone, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Selfridges, Saks Fifth Avenue

Jo Malone Orange Bitters Cologne and Candle – Christmas 2016

If mini perfumes aren’t your thing, but limited edition is, then you might be interested in the Jo Malone Orange Bitters cologne and candle. Orange Bitters is an exclusive scent that is only available for a limited time for Christmas 2016.

Orange Bitters Cologne comes in a limited edition printed bottle and only in the 100ml bottle size. The candle comes in a beautiful printed tin and it’s huge! (The price is also GINORMOUS! 😛 )

I managed to have a sniff at Orange Bitters Cologne (RM510 | £90 | US$135) during the Press day, and to me, it smells of what we are told Christmas smells like – spicy cinnamon with an overriding uplifting citrus scent. It is warm and spicy and comfortable. It is a scent I’d love in a room, but not necessarily on me.

So, the Orange Bitters Scented Candle (RM730 | £120 | US$205 for 420g) is perfect, because it throws that warmth around the room, warming and comforting and taking away that chilly edge (we have air-conditioning here – we can pretend it’s cold LOL!)

There are many other gift sets already available in store that start from RM135. What you see here is just a selection. If you’re feeling truly decadent, I’d get the scented shower gels. They are absolutely-freaking gorgeous, and the scent lingers beautifully on your skin.

Do you have any of the Jo Malone Cologne Collection sets? Do you like mini perfumes?

I quite like minis because they’re handy to carry around in your bag or when you travel. But I only like minis that come with a spray, not those vials that I spill everywhere 😛

Paris B