Unlike many people who discovered or rediscovered their love for fragrance during the pandemic lockdowns, I did not. Most of my fragrances sat around gathering dust (literally) and I had all but forgone wearing any fragrance for a long long time.
Recently however, I have been out and about a little more for social events, which means that a little spritz of fragrance is necessary, or risk raising social ire 😛
One scent I’ve taken to again recently is the Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom cologne.
My scent preferences change from time to time. At one time, I was all about light, citrus notes, and so the Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin was worn on repeat. Lime Basil & Mandarin is a great warm weather scent, because it is light and the warm citrus notes are refreshing and uplifting to the nose.
Mimosa & Cardamom on the other hand, is a warm, spicy scent, that is quite sweet.
When I was first exposed to it back when it was first launched, I remember being rather taken aback at the scent. At the time, I was all about wearing heavy, woody, spicy scents, so Mimosa & Cardamom did not sit well with me. I found it too light and too sweet.
It might have been a reflection of my mood back then as well. I was more of a go-getter then, wanting to make my mark in my career, juggling many things at one go. I felt then, that I needed a strong scent to back me up, to assert myself.
Fast forward a 8 years later (this was launched in 2015), I’m no longer at the same stage of life I was at back then. This is something I’ve noticed about my scent-wearing habits. It ebbs and flows with the pace of my life at that point in time.
Life now is slower, and more casual. I don’t sit for long hours in an office, nor do I have to deal with the idiosyncrasies of random people who are out to irritate me 😛 It isn’t to say that I don’t have stresses, because I do, but it’s stress of a different kind, and I’m not in air-conditioned environments very much anymore.
To this end, I had noticed that my choice of scent has changed significantly. I no longer go for very strong, heavy, wood and spicy scents, that I used to go for. When I pick up a scent, it tends to be light and fresh.
I may have also unconsciously picked scents that are lighter, so as not to irritate the hyper-sensitive nose of my pup, who’s always nosing around me when I get ready to go out. He always knows something is up when I put on nicer clothes, and then he sits around with a hopeful look on his face that he will go along too LOL! 😀
That said, I have realised that perfumes in general will irritate the pup’s noses anyway, so I do make a conscious choice to now spritz on too much, or too near them.
Recently, on the few social outings I’ve been on, I found myself reaching for Mimosa & Cardamom. From a scent I used to just tolerate, I’ve found that I rather like it now. The spicy note reminds me of the warm spicy scents I used to use, which reminds me of the ambition I once had, but it isn’t too heavy, which reminds me that I still have ambition, just less LOL!
There is a sweet note, which I think is that of the Tonka Bean, and it isn’t a note that I usually go for. However, I have found that I tolerate it better now than I did before.
It might be because I find it a little more ‘serious’ to my nose, and because of this, I wear it to events where I feel a little more ‘serious’ in. I like that it isn’t very complicated, and that it is fairly linear as a scent. It starts out warm and spicy, and dries down warm and slightly sweet.
I also like that it lasts longer than most Jo Malone colognes, so I can wear it for a few hours, and still smell it on me when I get home.
I like that it is at once strong, yet light, in that it isn’t too heavy on the nose. I do think it is better suited for cooler temperatures, which is rather unfortunate, considering the heatwave we’re currently experiencing. So I only wear it when I know that I will be indoors, in a cool, air-conditioned environment. Otherwise, it is potentially cloying.
On a personal note, I won’t say that this is a scent I’d recommend for everyone. It is something you’d go for only if you have enjoyed using a spicy fragrance at any point in your life. If you prefer florals, then this isn’t for you.
If you like gourmand scents e.g. food or dessert type scents, then Mimosa & Cardamom might still appeal to you, because of the sweet amber note at its base. But the initial spice that hits the nose may not be for everyone.
I know that these days, when it comes to fragrance, people seem to want to go for the unique, the niche, the complex scents. Me, I’m a simple person. If I like the scent, I like it, and if I don’t, I don’t. It isn’t about how complex or expensive or niche the scent is, because ultimately, it just has to be a scent that you enjoy wearing, that smells good on you.
There’s really no need to be different just for the sake of it LOL! 😀
So, pan me if you like, for still wearing a Jo Malone Cologne in 2023. I’ll just say “Hey, I like it, so sod off!” 😀
Have you smelled Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom and is it a scent you enjoy?
My favourites remain Amber & Lavender and 154, with Lime Basil & Mandarin bringing up the rear. I never recommend buying a perfume from just reading about it. It will change once it hits your skin, and people react differently to scents, so have a sniff if you’re passing by the store, and see if it’s something you like.
Paris B
If I like the scent, I like it, and if I don’t, I don’t. It isn’t about how complex or expensive or niche the scent is, because ultimately, it just has to be a scent that you enjoy wearing, that smells good on you
This hit the home run for me. So well said.
yes.it’s a personal choice .People sense of smell are different and whether it suits them or not.personally l do not like perfume that are very strong cause it irritates the nose.
Absolutely! I’ve tried buying perfume online in the past, and it was mostly miss rather than hit. But that’s why fragrance is so varied – we all have different preferences and tolerances!