I hope you are all having a wonderful week. We just went to a family dinner to a lovely restaurant by the sea. Fish was great. We have eaten John Dory (Peter's fish), a very ugly looking but super yummy fish, recommended if you are fish lover. The way it was cooked, it tasted even better than my all time favorite Sea Bass. The best Sea bass I have eaten up to date was in Hong Kong. I need to go there again.
The blog front is rather busy with all the fall collection reviews but today I would like to show you my favorite summer scent at the moment instead. Jo Malone Colognes are great for hot and humid days, when less is more. I like them all year around but they truly shine in summer. I have been obsessed about Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay recently so I would like to share my thoughts with you today.
 |
| Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay |
Jo Malone doesn't like to list the notes of a fragrance but instead leaves it up to your imagination and perception. They described Blackberry & Bay as follows:
"Inspired by childhood memories of blackberry picking. A burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. A scent of innocence."
The nose behind Blackberry & Bay is Fabrice Pellegrin who have created some of my favorite perfumes for Diptyque. You can find a great interview with him about Blackberry & Bay at Italian Vogue here. I found it interesting that he mentions "Lima Basil" as one of his favorite Jo Malone fragrances because I can see traces of it in Blackberry & Bay. They both have a similar addictive property which doesn't appeal the first time around but grows in time. At one point you can't do without them and keep reaching for them again and again. Blackberry & Bay is a less intimidating, more appealing, more feminine version of Lime Basil, which grew on me to the point I have to get a full bottle soon as my mini sized one is empty.
 |
| Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay |
Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay opens with a delicious fruity kick of black berry and citrusy notes of grape fruit. It almost reminds me of opening a bottle of black berry juice and pouring it into a glass. Although it is a little sweet during the first whiff, it is not your syrupy sweet fragrance. The green touch of bay leaves with a slight fresh spicy feeling carries this blend to a unisex border. The white florals such as Lily of the Valley or Jasmine Fabrice Pellegrin is revealing in the interview never become significant but rather makes the mixture richer and more complex. After several hours of linear but a very unique and pleasant fruity and green heart, the dry down has a wonderful woodiness. Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay is something to stop by the counter and try out as its addictive property is so hard to describe. My lovely friend Linda recommended it to me as "one fragrance one should not miss from Jo Malone line" and I can see why. Read her review here.
As a combination, I prefer Blackberry & Bay with white florals as it strengthens the heart and makes it more feminine. I am loving it lately with Osmanthus Blossom from the recent Blue Skies & Blossoms Collection (Plum Blossom and Sakura Blossom are reviewed here). I couldn't help but picked up Osmanthus Blossom later on to complete my collection. It pairs so perfectly with Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay.
 |
| Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay |
Final thoughts: Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay is an addictive juicy berry which is not sweet but green due to the green notes of bay leaves with a woody dry down. Try it out and you won't be able to resist. Black Berry & Bay is my most used summer fragrance this year.
What is your favorite from Jo Malone line? Any recommendations?
Disclaimer: The product in this post were provided free of charge for my consideration.
I am not paid for this review. All opinions are honest and my own.
I don't wear the Lime Basil cologne any more but the bath oil is fantastic. Pricey but lasts for ages and a few drops not only scent your bath but the whole apartment too for several hours! Susan, London
ReplyDeleteThis perfume is one of my favorites as well, and I have an extensive collection of fragrances...glad you discovered it too!
ReplyDeleteOh i'm SOOOO HAPPY you picked this one up!!! Yay!! Have you tried it with Wood Sage & Sea Salt? I found it helped prolong the wear time. But you are right, Blackberry & Bay also works wonders with florals... it is simply an amazing base for pretty much any other JM fragrances! Thanks for the link love my dear, HUGS!! xxx
ReplyDeletei haven;t tried it but i really want to...great review dear....
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/crazyaboutcolors
I really wanted to like this one as someone told me it was similar to my all time favorite Trish McEvoy Sexy No9 but sadly it didn't compare. I purchased Earl Grey and Cucumber however it's gone by lunch time so in order to use it up I've been layering it with a Kilian fragrance I have and it works well.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourites too, along with Wood Sage & Sea Salt!
ReplyDeleteOooh I haven't had Blackberry and Bay for ages-interesting that it pairs well with Osmanthus-might have to pick up a replacement bottle
ReplyDeleteStacey | Expat Make-Up Addict
I am loving Lime Basil Body Wash. It makes the bathroom smell so delicious. I must try the bath oil too. I suspect it might even be better than the Body Wash.
ReplyDeleteHi Sailorj,
ReplyDeletewhich other Jo Malone fragrances are you loving? Or any recommendations to try next?Thanks for stopping by.
Xox
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI love it, thanks for the recommendation. I haven't tried it yet with Wood Sage & Sea Salt, why why? This should change soon, I am loving it with white florals, especially with Osmanthus Blossom at the moment. It adds a tad of femininity. It must be interesting with Sea Salt though, which is not too feminine to start with and Blackberry is also very unisex. I will try and let you know. Xox
Thanks so much Swati. Let me know how you find it after trying it out.
ReplyDeleteOh yes Wood Sage is my other favorite from the line too. I already finished a bottle of that although I have an extensive perfume collection. Do you layer Blackberry with Sea Salt too?
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried any Trish McEvoy, I guess I should do then right? Earl Grey is so delicious too, it is on my wish list. Jo Malone have wonderful fragrances, their strong point is not longevity but I don't care about that all that much. Especially during summer time, I wouldn't like my fragrance to last all night long lol.
ReplyDeleteYou are loving Osmanthus too right? I ordered it online and it came without the green ribbon. Now I am kicking myself for not purchasing it at the counter, aghh.
ReplyDeleteSaving this info...
ReplyDeleteThey described Blackberry & Bay as follows:
"Inspired by childhood memories of blackberry picking. A burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. A scent of innocence."
Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay opens with a delicious fruity kick of black berry and citrusy notes of grape fruit. It almost reminds me of opening a bottle of black berry juice and pouring it into a glass. Although it is a little sweet during the first whiff, it is not your syrupy sweet fragrance. The green touch of bay leaves with a slight fresh spicy feeling carries this blend to a unisex border. The white florals such as Lily of the Valley or Jasmine Fabrice Pellegrin is revealing in the interview never become significant but rather makes the mixture richer and more complex. After several hours of linear but a very unique and pleasant fruity and green heart, the dry down has a wonderful woodiness.