Jo Malone: French Lime Blossom

One of the first things that attracted me to Jo Malone products was their clean and classic aesthetic. All the colognes (the only concentration available here) are presented in the same clear glass bottles (coming in 30ml and 100ml sizes, £34.00 and £68.00), and are arranged in the shop into their respective fragrance families. Indeed, even the shop itself (my local one being in the Victoria Quarter, Leeds) is bright and contemporary, without being intimidating. After much deliberation (and taking account the upcoming season), I decided to purchase the French Lime Blossom. Enticed by promises of 'a perfumed portrait of the Champs-Élysées in Spring', I purchased the large 100ml bottle. I thought I'd go for a change, seeing as most of my fragrances are more heavier, oriental style perfumes. I don't want to linger too much on the packaging, but all I'm saying is: cream box, tissue paper, black ribbon - wow. Now, first of all, I must confess I have never smelt true lime blossom, and so to comment on the authenticity of this fragrance would be unfair. However, at first spray, it is a clean, almost soapy white flower I encounter. Then, a minute in, I am greeted with a very green, almost - and I mean this in a pleasant way - hedgerow/grass smell with an underlying creamy, blossom note. The middle notes of this scent are very herby, again in the way one might say a park is around midday in April/May. Also, there claims to hints of bergamot, although if it's in there it is not distinguishable. Being such a light cologne, if there are any base notes they are hardly detectable, which brings me to my one issue with French Lime Blossom; I wish it lasted slightly longer. After just 3 hours it became barely noticeable on my skin. It's something you would wear to smell fresh and clean rather than something to get you noticed. I appreciate the delicateness of this composition though and would recommend anyone giving it ago, particularly if you are not normally a perfume lover.

The Finished Product

After some tweaking here and there, I'm glad to say I've got the blog exactly how I want it. Please feel free to request a perfume's testing - as long as I can find it my local department stores I'll be more than happy to give my thoughts on a scent.

Tom Ford: Private Blend - Tobacco Vanille

This is one of the best fragrances in the entire world. Fact. I am actually in love with this perfume, like, real 'I spray it and get all happy and emotional' kind of love. I love the chic box, the stylish bottle, even just seeing everything labelled 'Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille' makes me excited.
I saved and saved to buy a bottle of this, and felt so proud walking away from the Tom Ford counter with my beautiful Tobacco Vanille in an equally beautiful black Tom Ford bag. I even love the fact it's so expensive, because it makes wearing it feel such a luxury, that no matter where you are or what you're doing, you're wearing a small bit of expensive luxury. The price also stops the fragrance becoming commercial and prevents 'just anyone' from owning it - the person who owns a Private Blend is a true perfume connoisseur!
Now, I suppose if I'm going to post a review, I actually ought to talk about the fragrance! Well, let me start by saying - you will never smell anything like this with any other fragrance. From the first spritz, Tobacco Vanille is at once sweet, warm and spicy. It smells, as you might say, expensive. This, although it claims to make an appearance later, is where I smell the cocoa - and not a sickly sort of chocolate smell, but a true, refined cocoa: rich and sumptuous. Of course, it wouldn't be Tobacco Vanille without tobacco and vanilla! These both make themselves present in an outstanding manner, both decorated with spicy, and as some have said, Christmas notes, not dissimilar to festive treats such as nutmeg and cinnamon. The tobacco is in perfect ratio to all the other essences - not too herby/smoky, but instead just at the right level of providing a mesmerising intricacy, reminiscent of winter nights and gentlemen's clubs (as was Tom Ford's intent). I can assume the rich, velvet accord is provided throughout by the tonka bean - again, in perfect synchronisation with all other aspects of the fragrance. Tobacco Vanille is consistent throughout, or as some others may say, one dimensional, but to that I would say 'If perfection is achieved within the first spray, why attempt to create anything further for the sake of the mass?' - after all, as Mr. Ford said in an interview, the Private Blend is not meant to be a universal fragrance, it is a niche, it appeals to a certain sort of person; you will either fall in love with it for what it is, or you won't.
As I said at the start of this miniature essay (my élan a testament to my adoration), everything about this fragrance for me is perfect. Yes, it's expensive, but if you can afford it, and if you love it, go for it - you won't regret it!

Tom Ford: White Musk Collection - Jasmine Musk

This is so much more than a jasmine perfume. This is class, sophistication and glamour encapsulated in a chic flaçon, a symphony in white and gold. This is the royal white flower at it's best. Tom Ford is renowned for his luxurious products, and this is of course no exception. From the it's glittering reveal as you open the embossed white box, Jasmine Musk dazzles in all it's floral grandeur. It's exclusive price tag is easily justified - this is not something you'll smell on anyone else (unless of course you have wealthy friends who are equally perfume-obsessed) - it's unique, unparalleled in quality and style. The fragrance at once captures the imagination with it's tantalising opening of sweet vanilla, labdanum and ylang ylang, eventually warming to that exotic, nectar-like jasmine. The jasmine here is unlike any other I have had the pleasure to smell - pure, heady and reminiscent of warm summer nights in the Mediterranean. Of course, as the scent dries down on the skin, the musk begins to become noticeable - fresh, sophisticated and classy. A number of people seem to question this scents sillage and longevity. For me, both are perfect - it's noticeable enough for people to compliment you on what you are wearing, without clearing the room, and it may announce your presence to the room, without people thinking they've mistakenly walked into a department store fragrance boutique. I was initially unsure as to whether to purchase this or the White Suede (also from Tom Ford's Private Blend White Musk Collection), but finally settled on this one after the sales assistant complimented my wearing of it, saying the way it smelt on me was the best she'd ever smelt it. I left with a fabulous new fragrance and feeling rather pleased with my amazing skin chemistry. I think that is above all one of the most important things with all of Tom Ford's fragrances - don't just test them on a card, try them on the skin, see how they smell on yourself. I think I can honestly say, if you are a jasmine lover, you need this in your life. If you aren't; you just might be after you've tried this!

C'est moi....

I first decided to create this blog after a number of my reviews on perfume forums had been particularly well received. I thought 'why not?', after all, in today's modern society, how can one even be sure of their existence with their own blog? As perfume is such an obsession pour moi, writing about it with élan is something that comes naturally. Posting everyday is probably not likely, but I shall aim for around every two-to-three instead. As to my personal preferences regards perfume, it may become apparent after a few posts that I have HUGE love for Mr. Tom Ford and his wonderful work - expensive, exclusive and (most of all) beautiful; what's not to love. I don't profess to having any degrees in journalism or writing (with the exception of an English Language GCSE and an English Literature GCSE - both grade A), but I will always attempt to write eloquently and descriptively to give a true feeling of the fragrance I am reviewing. Hopefully I will inform, but maybe even just give people something to read should they end up bored, aimlessly browsing the Internet. Anyway, this post is beginning to ramble slightly, so for now, c'est moi, enjoy...