I Tried the Internet’s Favorite Jo Malone London Fragrances. Here Are My Thoughts

I smelled expensive for research purposes

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Original Photos by Deena Campbell/PureWow

There’s a reason Jo Malone London has remained one of the most beloved fragrance houses for decades. The scents are sophisticated, but never inaccessible. Even the bottles themselves have become a kind of beauty-status shorthand—lined up on vanities, bathroom shelves and “shelfie” TikToks with confidence. And unlike many fragrance brands right now that seem determined to smell like summer desserts, cocktails or hyper-specific internet aesthetics, Jo Malone London remains rooted in subtlety.

That being said, not every Jo Malone fragrance hits the same. As someone who loves fragrance but also gets overwhelmed by anything too loud, powdery or aggressively sweet, I decided to revisit some of the brand’s most iconic scents alongside a few newer launches to determine which ones are actually worth the hype. Some instantly transported me. Others, not so much. Here’s my review of eight Jo Malone London fragrances—from the ones I’d happily douse myself in daily to the ones I admire from afar.

How I Chose the Best Jo Malone London Fragrances

While testing each Jo Malone London fragrance, I considered the following criteria:

  • Popularity: Is it one of the brand’s hero scents or a fragrance people constantly recommend online? Has it maintained relevance beyond fragrance circles?
  • Wearability: Does the scent feel easy to wear in everyday life, or does it require a very specific mood, personality or occasion to pull off?
  • Longevity: How long does it actually last on the skin? Does it linger beautifully throughout the day or disappear within an hour?
  • Versatility: Could this fragrance work across seasons, occasions and different personal styles, or is it more niche?
  • Layering Potential: Since Jo Malone London is famous for fragrance combining, I also considered how well each scent could pair with others in the collection.


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Leave it to Jo Malone London to somehow make beetroot smell good. Part of the brand’s new vegetable-inspired collection for 2026, Scarlet Beetroot initially sounded slightly terrifying to me on paper. Beetroot? In fragrance? But the actual scent is much fresher and more sophisticated than you’d expect. Inspired by the vivid richness of scarlet beetroot pulled straight from the garden, the fragrance combines beetroot with blackcurrant and patchouli, creating a mix of fruity, green and slightly musk. This is also one of the few Jo Malone London scents that genuinely lasts. I could still smell traces of it on my tee many, many hours later.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne
  • Olfactive Family: fruity floral
  • Top Notes: blackcurrant
  • Middle Notes: beetroot
  • Base Notes: patchouli

Originally launched as a softer spring reinterpretation of the beloved English Pear franchise, the fragrance combines juicy pear with pastel florals and powdery sweet pea. The result smells like a countryside garden party attended by linen wearers. This scent is ridiculously wearable. If someone told me this was the official fragrance of wealthy women gardening outside London, I’d believe them immediately. Layering-wise, this works beautifully with Wild Bluebell if you want something softer and more floral, but I especially loved it paired with Grapefruit Cologne for a brighter daytime feel.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne
  • Olfactive Family: fruity floral
  • Top Notes: williams pear
  • Middle Notes: sweet pea
  • Base Notes: white musk

3. Pomegranate Noir

Jo Malone

Pomegranate Noir has been one of Jo Malone London’s signature fragrances since the early 2000s. It’s dark, spicy and sexy in a very grown-up way. This scent has a loyal following online because it’s darker than the brand’s brighter florals and citrus-heavy scents. There’s juicy pomegranate and plum initially, but then the fragrance deepens into smoky woods, clove and patchouli. Pomegranate Noir also happens to be one of the stronger Jo Malone London fragrances overall. I could still smell it nearly eight hours later, especially on fabric and sweaters. It layers beautifully with Cypress & Grapevine for a deeper evening scent, but I also unexpectedly liked it with Grapefruit Cologne, which cuts through the heaviness.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne
  • Olfactive Family: woody aromatic
  • Top Notes: pomegranate, rhubarb, plum, raspberry, watermelon
  • Middle Notes: clove, pink pepper, guaiac wood, olibanum, opoponax, rose, lily-of-the-valley, jasmine
  • Base Notes: Virginia cedar, patchouli, amber, musk

Launched as part of Jo Malone London’s Cologne Intense collection, Cypress & Grapevine is one of the most sophisticated fragrances Jo Malone London currently makes. It’s woody, aromatic and subtly smoky.  And, oddly enough, it exploded on FragranceTok after reviewers named it one of the brand’s most “old money” scents. The cypress keeps things fresh while the grapevine and mossy undertones add depth. I imagine someone wearing this while carrying a leather weekender bag through a boutique hotel lobby. In terms of layering, this works incredibly well with Pomegranate Noir if you want a richer nighttime fragrance. It also pairs surprisingly well with Lime Basil & Mandarin.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne intense
  • Olfactive Family: earthy and woody
  • Top Notes: cypress
  • Middle Notes: grapevine
  • Base Notes: amber and moss

There is no Jo Malone London without Lime Basil & Mandarin. First released in the late ’90s, the fragrance became the house’s defining scent and helped establish Jo Malone London’s signature style of pairing classic citrus with something unexpected.

At the time, basil was considered an unusual fragrance note, but that peppery herbal sharpness has become a popular scent. I also think Lime Basil & Mandarin is one of the most universally appealing fragrances on the list; however, this isn’t my favorite. It has a very strong lime smell, and almost always overpowers when paired with other scents.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne
  • Olfactive Family: citrus
  • Top Notes: lime, mandarin orange, bergamot
  • Middle Notes: basil, thyme, lilac, iris
  • Base Notes: vetiver and patchouli

Originally inspired by the fruit markets at London’s Covent Garden, the fragrance has maintained cult-favorite status because it manages to smell juicy and playful. The opening is slightly green thanks to petitgrain and black currant, but then the nectarine comes through and softens everything into something sunny. I especially loved it paired with Grapefruit Cologne for a bright citrusy summer combination, but it’s equally gorgeous with Scarlet Beetroot if you want something fruitier with more depth.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne
  • Olfactive Family: floral fruity
  • Top Notes: green notes, black currant, petitgrain
  • Middle Notes: nectarine, black locust, black locust honey
  • Base Notes: peach, plum, vetiver

7. Grapefruit Cologne

Jo Malone

The grapefruit and tangerine hit immediately, making this one of the most energizing fragrances on the list. There’s also rosemary, mint and patchouli underneath that keep the citrus from smelling too basic, and we know it’s not too basic, because Victoria Beckham has reportedly worn it for years. The downside? On me, this faded within an hour—maybe two hours max. So, be prepared to spritz often. Because it’s so bright and crisp, this is one of the easiest Jo Malone London fragrances to layer. It works beautifully with English Pear & Sweet Pea, Nectarine Blossom & Honey and even Pomegranate Noir.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne
  • Olfactive Family: citrus
  • Top Notes: grapefruit and tangerine
  • Middle Notes: rosemary, mint, paprika, jasmine
  • Base Notes: vetiver, oakmoss, patchouli

8. Wild Bluebell

Jo Malone

Released in 2011, Wild Bluebell was designed to capture the feeling of bluebells blooming in shaded English woods. And it nails it. The scent is soft, watery and extremely pretty. Meghan Markle reportedly loves it, which makes complete sense because the fragrance feels sophisticated. Still, compared to the richer emotional pull of some of the others on this list, it didn’t fully stay with me. At its best, Wild Bluebell isn’t trying to dominate a room or become a viral TikTok scent.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: cologne
  • Olfactive Family: floral fruity
  • Top Notes: bluebell and clove
  • Middle Notes: persimmon and peach
  • Base Notes: powdery notes

Deena Headshot

Deena Campbell

Fashion and Beauty Director-at-Large

  • Oversees fashion and beauty content. 
  • Former Beauty Director at Marie Claire; editorial lead at Allure, Essence, and L’Oréal-owned beauty platforms
  • Advocate for inclusive storytelling in style, beauty, and wellness