Sandra‘s Closet

Dancing through the streets. Soaked in sunshine. Streaked with colour. Surrounded by tropical fruits and flowers.

For the brand’s first fruit-inspired Blossom Cologne, JO MALONE  leaves the English countryside and takes us to the beach with a new limited edition duo: TROPICAL CHERIMOYA Cologne and CATTLEYA FLOWER Body Mist. Together they comprise the HOT BLOSSOMS collection. «The inspiration came when I was travelling around Brazil. We loved the flamboyant vibrancy of the flowers and the sumptuous textures of the fruits there, so we thought why not create two fragrances instead of one?» explains Céline Roux, Jo Malone London Head of Fragrance Development.

TROPICAL CHERIMOYA Cologne
«A sea of green cherimoya fruit. Basking in the heat. Mouth-watering. Tempting. Topped with juicy pear. The sun-filled notes of passion flower. Warmed by Brazilian copahu resin and creamy tonka bean.»
Jo Malone Tropical Cherimoya Cologne 30ml (CHF 72.00) and 100ml (CHF 135.00)

CATTLEYA FLOWER Body Mist
«A delectable beach-side cocktail. Cattleya, queen of the wild. Sumptuous orchid petals. Fresh and exotically floral. Stirred with sparkling citrus fruit. A splash of bitter gentian. Deepened by intoxicating vetiver. A spritz of pure sunshine. Lightweight yet luxurious, Jo Malone Cattleya Flower Body Mist refreshes skin whilst enveloping you in the velvety scent of the Cattleya Flower.»
Jo Malone Cattleya Orchid Body Mist 100ml (CHF 59.00)

Both are designed to be worn alone or layered together. In Switzerland, the limited edition will be exclusively available at Jelmoli Zurich, Globus Glatt, Globus Bellevue, Globus Lucerne, Globus Geneva and Globus Lausanne for a limited time starting from May 2, 2018.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: © Sandra Bauknecht –  Stills: Courtesy of Jo Malone
The fragrances were sent to me as samples.
@JoMaloneLondon #BrilliantBlossoms #HotBlossoms

Here’s how to make the countdown to Christmas all the more exciting. Starring Jo Malone, Balmain Paris Hair Couture and Molton Brown, here are my favourite luxurious advent calendars for Christmas 2017. To shop click on the highlighted text or see the information below each calendar.

Balmain Advent Calendar by Balmain Paris Hair Couture
This 10-door advent calendar is filled with some of the house’s best-selling beauty products to get you ready for the party season.

Gold Holiday Calendar by Susanne Kaufmann
Let the holidays come early with Susanne Kaufmann’s advent calendar. Presented in an opulent gold box are 24 doors with hidden beauty products designed to make you look and feel your best over the busiest period of the year. Make it an early present to yourself.

Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar by NYX Professional Makeup
24 lip colors are included in this limited edition advent calendar! Make every day more colorful.
Available for CHF 79.90

Nail Polish Advent Calendar 2017 by Essie
It’s never early enough for XMAS! This calendar is for the nail polish aficionados, it is filled with different nail polishes in different sizes, topcoat and base coat as well as apricot oil, remover, a nail file, nail butter and a toe separator.
Available in Switzerland at MANOR, Import Parfumerie and COOP for around CHF 99.00.

Advent Calendar 2017 by Jo Malone
This colourful advent calendar (with it’s sweet Georgian townhouse design), filled with miniature fragrances, shower gel and small candles, is set to be a sell-out; act fast to get your hands on one.
Available in Switzerland at Jelmoli in Zurich for CHF 490.00.

Advent Calendar 2017 by Molton Brown
Trimmed with opulent silver foil, this unisex advent calendar houses the brand’s iconic fragrances and body products. Unlock each door to reveal where a captivatingly scented luxury is hidden. A great gift for a real gentleman.
Available at Jelmoli for CHF 199.00.

Advent Calendar by Amorana
My favorite! For the naughty ones and those who are madly in love, this advent calendar comes with all sorts of toys to bring a little excitement to your bedroom before Christmas.
Available at Swiss online shop Amorana in two versions, classic for CHF 149.90 and premium for CHF 299.90.

Enjoy your advent time!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Brands and via Moda Operandi

 Jo Malone is extending its Bath & Body line with the launch of three new exfoliating shower gels that cleanse and polishe skin in one easy step. With just the right balance of exfoliating ingredients, it is perfect for an effortless and pampering daily routine.

Soft jojoba beads, finely crushed walnut shells and bamboo stem work together to delicately smooth away dryness and impurities. Your skin is left feeling soft, reinvigorated and primed to receive the benefits of your body cream.

Geranium & Walnut Exfoliating Shower Gel
Developed to complement every Jo Malone fragrance, this shower gel layers crisp, vibrant geranium with the warmth of walnut.

Pomegranate Noir Exfoliating Shower Gel
Ruby-rich juices of pomegranate, raspberry and plum are spiked with pink pepper and laced with Casablanca lily and spicy woods.

Lime Basil & Mandarin Exfoliating Shower Gel
It revives your body with Jo Malone’s signature fragrance Lime Basil & Mandarin. Peppery basil and aromatic white thyme bring an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean beach.

Available in Switzerland from June 5th, 2017 for CHF 47.00 exclusively at Globus Geneva, Globus Glattzentrum and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone London and © Sandra Bauknecht

The packaging of five of Jo Malone‘s most beloved soaps will be redesign by British artist Michael Angove in the beginning of 2017.

A passion for pattern: Michael Angove

Exhaling pure cuteness, those beauty must-haves make the perfect hostess gift when you are invited for a dinner.

Lime Basil Mandarin 100g
English Pear & Freesia 100g
Blackberry & Bay 100g
Red Roses 100g
Pomegranate Noir 100g

The limited edition soaps will be available from February 2017 for CHF 23.00 each. In Switzerland at Globus Geneva, Globus Lucerne and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Jo Malone will launch Myrrh & Tonka, a new unisex fragrance in the Cologne Intense Collection, in January that follows 2015’s Orris & Sandalwood.

This amazing addictive scent uses the potent sap of the Namibian myrrh tree and blends it with a little dose of warm almond and lush vanilla from the tonka bean. It was developed by perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui.

What was the inspiration behind the fragrance?

The idea of Namibia, with its sand dunes and warm desert colours, conjured up the romance and emotion of faraway lands. Myrrh felt like the perfect note to use for a new and innovative Cologne Intense. Once enriched with the note of tonka, the fragrance gives a real sense of richness, travel and escape.

The Cologne Intense collection works with rare, ritualistic ingredients; what makes Myrrh & Tonka an ideal addition to this collection?

Both the myrrh and the tonka have a decadent and addictive quality that chimes with the Cologne Intense concept of rarity and opulence. I felt that the collection was missing a fully warm, sensual and rounded Oriental feel. We do already have a resinous incense note elsewhere in the collection, in Incense and Cedrat, but it’s cut through with a citrus that amplifies the fresh nature of the Incense. However for Myrrh & Tonka, we headed in the opposite direction and reinforced the richness of the resin rather than trying to contrast it. Even though the final fragrance is deep, it stays true to our philosophy of simplicity and clarity; that’s because it’s a short formula with very few extra ingredients, making it easy to layer with our existing fragrances through our Fragrance CombiningTM ritual.

How was the Myrrh harvested?

We wanted to go to the source of the myrrh and I had the privilege of travelling to Namibia to be part of the harvesting process. It’s a long, long journey and, once there, it feels like a very distant land. Once we landed in the country, it was another eight hours travelling into the mountains to get to our destination.
The trees they collect the myrrh from are called Omumbiri trees – they seem almost dead when you look at them as they grow in the dryness of the desert. But a few times a year the trees produce a sap that comes out like a resin; it’s a mechanism that the tree harnesses to fight potential bacteria, and the myrrh has a wonderful purity to it because of the altitude and climate.
Accumulating the resin is a ritualistic process in itself. The sap is very gluey so traditionally they would cut the tree trunks to get it. But in this region, to preserve the tree, they don’t touch it at all: they wait until it’s become dry and either scrape it from the tree or they wait until it falls off. With their method there’s no waste, the trees aren’t damaged and the whole experience is very simple and clean. And because of the nature of the crystals you can keep them for a week or two, unlike flowers that you have to work with immediately as they’re so fragile. I’ve never seen something so beautifully uncomplicated.

How would you describe Myrrh & Tonka as it warms and develops on the skin?

Right at the top there is a hint of lavender and a little floral to make the opening effect comforting and voluptuous. The big, rich heart and base note of myrrh is sensual and balsamic, with hints of amber and licorice. And the tonka brings generosity. There is also a touch of vanilla, cypriol and gaiac wood, which together deliver a smoky tobacco note to the perfume.
It’s a fragrance that’s quite linear: that means that from the top to the bottom it more or less stays the same. It’s very stable in its evolution, and that’s something quite rare in perfumery.
It’s sensual and addictive, captivating and mesmerising.

Top Note: Lavender
Middle Note: Omumbiri Myrrh
Base Note: Tonka Bean

Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka will be available as 100 ml Cologne Intense for CHF 165.00 from January 2, 2017. In Switzerland at Globus Geneva, Globus Lucerne and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Before I left to Rio de Janeiro, Jo Malone celebrated the launch of the new Basil & Neroli collection at Zurich’s Juicery 21 at Sihlstrasse 93. Inspired by London’s playful exuberance, the fragrance combines floral neroli and a delicious wink of basil for a scent that is fresh, fun and full of adventure. Are you ready to have yourself a London lark?

Top note: Basil
Middle note: Neroli
Base note: White Musk

The Basil & Neroli Collection will be available from September 5, 2016.
Cologne 30ml (CHF 69.00) and 100ml (CHF 130.00)
Body & Hand Wash 250ml (CHF 47.00)
Body Cream 175ml (CHF 99.00) and Home Candle 200g (CHF 82.00)

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Every year, Jo Malone launches a limited edition blossom based fragrance for the summer months. So let me introduce you to the new Nashi Blossom Cologne. First of all, before virtually smelling it, how fun is the polka-dot adorned glass bottle and the flash of green bottle cap.

What is nashi blossom?
It is the fruit of a pear tree. Traditionally in East Asia the tree’s flowers are a popular symbol of early spring, and it is a common sight in gardens and the countryside. It is also called «Chinese pear».

How does the new fragrance smell?
The fragrance created by Fabrice Pellegrin is extremely yummy with a fresh citrusy opening, followed by a trail of pear, apple, nashi blossom and rose, all intermingled with a creamy musk base.

NASHI BLOSSOM
Citrusy Floral

Top Notes: Lemon
Middle Notes: Nashi Blossom
Base Notes: White Musk

Fragrance Combining™
Nashi Blossom works best in combination with Nectarine Blossom & Honey for a fruity-floral mixture and with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily for a more sensual but light creation.

This limited edition will be available in Switzerland from May 2, 2016 as Cologne 30ml (CHF 72.00) and 100ml (CHF 136.00) at Globus Geneva, Globus Lucerne and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

This March, JO MALONE will bring you closer to nature with the launch of the new limited «THE HERB GARDEN» collection. Comprised of five fragrances created by Anne Flipo, this extravagant series marries together unexpected ingredients to bring out the best in both.

No matter the season, this garden has something for everybody.:

SORREL & LEMON THYME
«It is those stolen few moments when you step outside to breathe in the new season and find yourself enveloped with green and vivid scents.»

Top Notes: Bigarade, Petitgrain
Middle Notes: Sorrel, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary
Base Notes: Geranium Leaves, Moss
__________

WILD STRAWBERRY & PARSLEY
«This peppery scent evokes those late summer afternoons, when shadows lengthen and the
sun mellows.»

Top Notes: Parsley, Tomato Leaves, Blackcurrant
Middle Notes: Blackcurrant, Violet Leaves
Base Note: Moss
__________

NASTURTIUM & CLOVER
«This fragrance is all about the thrill of getting lost in a rambling, bucolic and rustic English garden;
a surprise around every corner.»

Top Notes: Rocket, Lemon
Middle Notes: Nasturtium, Jasmine
Base Note: Vetiver
___________

CARROT BLOSSOM & FENNEL

«This unexpected cologne conjures the earthy satisfaction of a home harvest: the journey from planting a garden, nurturing it, finding fresh ingredients and then finally reaching that moment of cutting into homegrown fennel and slicing a crisp, sweet carrot.»

Top Notes: Carrot, Fennel
Middle Notes: Rose, Orange Flower Water,
Base Note: Moss
____________

LAVENDER & CORIANDER 
«This scent captures the deep warmth of midday heat on high summer days; the calming quality
of lavender juxtaposed with the energy of coriander for a muscular, clean modern fougère. The most masculine of the five fragrances.»

Top Notes: Lavender, Coriander
Middle Note: Sage
Base Note: Tonka Bean

Available from March 2016 for CHF 72.00 each Cologne.
And isn’t the model just absolutely adorable?!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone

«This scent is about framing the orris to bring out its unique duality; it is both woody and powdery, floral and deep.» Pierre Négrin, Master Perfumer

Jo Malone is adding a new fragrance to their Cologne Intense collection: ORRIS & SANDALWOOD, a beautiful warm and sensual scent, reminiscent of aromatic Tuscan hills.

Top notes: Violet
Middle notes: Orris
Base notes: Sandalwood

Fragrance Combining™
For added warmth, combine it with Mimosa & Cardamom. For a more floral depth, it works best with Dark Amber & Ginger Lily.

The new Cologne Intense will be available from January 4, 2016 for CHF 165.00 (100ml).
In Switzerland at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photo: Courtesy of Jo Malone

Recently I had a lovely lunch at Seerose in Zurich to explore the newest scent by Jo Malone: MIMOSA & CARDAMOM. It is such a lovely fragrance, unexpected and new with its modern floriental signature. The nose behind it is Marie Salamagne.

Marie, can you tell us about the brief from Jo Malone London?
The first thing that Jo Malone London showed me was some incredibly vivid orientalist paintings from the nineteenth century. They wanted to create a fragrance that captured the bohemian spirit of adventure from the Victorians, who travelled the world collecting intriguing objects, to the vibrant hedonism of the sixties to the modern day bohemian. With Jo Malone London the process is always very immersive so I looked forward to really delving into the bohemian world.

Please tell us about how you were inspired by Mimosa.
Mimosa & Cardamom is infused with sensuality and much of this comes from the mimosa itself, an unusual powdery and honeyed floral that perfectly captures the bohemian character. I had a strong memory of the mimosa flower which made it even more exciting to work with. It has always reminded me of my childhood and winter weekends spent near the coast in the South of France. It was a joy to see these blooms again when Jo Malone London took me to see the mimosa growing in the Tanneron Mountains in Provence. It was a cold February day with bright blue skies. The scent and spectacle of the fluffy yellow flowers was unbelievable, mimosa is the golden sun of winter! I took some branches back from Tanneron with me and put them in my office so every day I could be inspired by the smell of the bright yellow pompoms. I chose to use a sumptuous absolute of Mimosa from the South of France, rich with a multifaceted character to capture the beauty of these flowers.

MIMOSA & CARDAMOM
FLORIENTAL

Top note: Cardamom
Middle note: Mimosa
Base note: Tonka Bean

Fragrance Combining™
With English Pear & Freesia for a spicy note and with Red Roses for a soft and comforting warmth.

The Mimosa & Cardamom Collection
Cologne 30ml, CHF 69.00
Cologne 100ml, CHF 130.00
Body Wash & Hand Cream 250ml, CHF 47.00
Body Cream 175ml, CHF 99.00
Home Candle 200g, CHF 82.00

In Switzerland available in August 2015 at Globus Geneva and Jelmoli Zurich.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Jo Malone and © Sandra Bauknecht