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subscribe to beauty blog via RSSJo Malone Gets Intense
August 10, 2010 11:21 am
Jo Malone’s new in-house perfumer Christine Nagel is known for her edgy and experimental compositions, so it comes as no surprise that her debut fragrance designs for the brand deliver some olfactory shock value. For the just-launched Intense Collection, Nagel combined potentially opposing ingredients into four harmonious yet unexpected blends. The quartet of scents takes inspiration from the ancient Middle Eastern ritual of layering oils and incenses, and explores the contrasts between old world and modern notes. Amber & Patchouli marries the opulent and intense woody patchouli leaf with a clean, crisp version of amber, while Rose Water & Vanilla juxtaposes traditional Arabian Rose Mokhalat with a sparkling vanilla center, finished with a subtle bite of neroli to keep the aroma from being too powdery or precious. For Iris & White Musk, Nagel hunted down floral iris root—one of the most expensive ingredients in perfumery—and surrounded it with creamy, sensual musk and Casablanca lily. If we had to single out a favorite, it would be Oud & Bergamot, which combines smooth waves of citrus with a mysterious and smoky Oud base from the heartwood of the aquilaria tree. The result is a magnetic scent that changes on the skin and smells rich but never too rich. Like all Jo Malone fragrances, the Intense Collection scents can stand alone or be layered together for a bespoke effect. Oud & Bergamot, for one, is already sold out in London and there’s currently a wait list in the U.S, but last we checked a few bottles were still available online—depending on how fast your fingers move.
tags: Christine Nagel, Fragrance, Jo Malone
