When one thinks of a luxury scent, one of the best Jo Malone perfumes is sure to come to mind. After all, the brand is famed for its elegant and equisitely crafted colognes, right down to their iconic glass bottles and signature cream packaging.
It will therefore come as no great shock when we say that several of the brand's best-sellers can be found on the lists of best long-lasting perfumes and best perfumes for women, in general. Naturally though, with such a lineup of premium and minimalistic scents, pinpointing just one to call your own is not so simple. It also doesn't help that many Jo Malone wearers tend to be rather elusive when it comes to citing their favourites. "Jo Malone London is interestingly one of the only brands that, when I ask someone, 'What perfume do you wear?', they answer, 'Jo Malone' – they don’t specify which one,” says perfume expert Jo Fairley, editor of digital fragrance magazine The Scented Letter.
But even if your friends won’t share their signature with you, we'll happily provide the intel (as well as how to make a saving in our Jo Malone deals hub). Weaving our personal favourites in with the brand's most popular blends, consider this the ultimate deep dive into the best Jo Malone London fragrances...
Best Jo Malone deals
These deals are checked daily and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The 9 best Jo Malone perfumes, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Top Note: Mandarin | Heart note: Basil | Base note: Amberwood
Lime Basil & Mandarin is quite unique and unlike any other fragrance we've smelled (except the many copycats it has inspired over the years, which, in our opinion, don't hold a candle to the real deal). Fresh and calming, this smells like a summer holiday in a bottle.
Mouthwatering notes of zingy lime and herbaceous basil are the first thing you will smell when you spritz this fragrance. Later, they dry down to a warm and woody base that lingers on the skin for hours. It is clean yet aromatic and loved by men and women alike, including famous faces like Sienna Miller and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
RRP: £160 for 100ml | Top note: Lavender | Middle note: Omumbiri myrrh | Base note: Tonka bean
Due to its warming nature, we would traditionally think of this as one of the best Jo Malone fragrances for winter (though it could definitely be worn year-round as a signature if these kind of scents are your preference). Jo Malone's Myrrh & Tonka is one of the brand's Cologne Intense offerings – richer, deeper perfumes created using precious ingredients. Due to that intensity, they also last longer on the skin and need topping up less.
Myrrh & Tonka may not have the household recognition of some of the other most popular Jo Malone London scents, but we love the rich, velvety and ever-so-slightly sweet elements, with warming notes of vanilla, almond and lavender.
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Top Note: Red apple | Heart note: Peony | Base note: Suede
Instantly recognisable, Peony & Blush Suede is one of Jo Malone London's most iconic scents. The blooming heart of peony and unexpectedly soft, leathery suede base are topped off with red apple for a crisp and fresh finish. It feels like the relief of seeing sweet spring flowers creep in and signalling the end of a gloomy winter, bottled.
Brides, in particular, love this mixture of femininity and modernity – but you don't have to be walking down the aisle to wear it. Peony & Blush Suede's inherent softness makes it a perfect daytime scent, offering a nice mood boost without overwhelming whoever sits next to you on the train.
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Top note: King William pear | Heart note: Freesia | Base note: Patchouli
Jo Malone London's most popular scent, English Pear & Freesia, is a light and fresh fragrance that combines the aforementioned notes on a base of patchouli. At the risk of stating the obvious, it really does smell how a freshly cut pear should – crisp, fresh, and uplifting. Despite all this, it's mouthwateringly juicy without veering too far into overly sweet and sickening territory, perfectly balanced with the fragrant floral notes.
To sum up, this fruity perfume sums up everything we love about Jo Malone London as a brand, who are masters of creating modern and surprising blends out of quintessentially English ingredients. It's not the longest-lasting, but it's a true classic and a crowdpleaser for a reason.
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Top note: Pomegranate | Heart note: Casablanca lily | Base note: Guaiacwood
With the possible exception of Peony & Blush Suede, if there's one Jo Malone scent that you've heard of through friends, family or co-workers, it's likely to be this fan favourite. With top notes of fruity pomegranate and plum paired with pink pepper and spicy woods, this warming classic still somehow has a balance of crisp freshness, too.
A truly iconic scent that most people who are interested in fragrance will have come across at some point, this classic option also comes in a cute solid duo (one of the best solid perfumes we've seen) that would make a lovely gift if you want a guaranteed success of a present for your loved one's special milestone.
RRP: £160 for 100ml | Top note: Clove | Heart notes: Damask rose | Base note: Oud
Velvet Rose & Oud is as rich and luscious as a scent can be. If you're familiar with any of the best oud perfumes, you'll know this precious ingredient is very, very distinctive. Fans can recognise it a mile off, which is a good thing because lovers of oud also know this stuff smells expensive. That's because it is an expensive ingredient, but also because it has an undeniable opulent energy.
But back to this specific oud perfume, as Jo Malone London has cleverly blended this intense ingredient with lots of rose, which does great things for them both. It tempers and feminises oud's smokiness and elevates the rose from a prim and proper floral affair to something a bit naughtier, resulting in a match made in heaven. It would be fair to describe it as more of an evening perfume, due to its power and headiness, but if you want to smell rich and sexy during the day then who are we to argue? (On a separate note, the candle version is also gorgeous, filling the room in which it burns.)
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Top note: Bergamot | Heart note: Cucumber | Base note: Beeswax, vanilla, musk
If we asked you to name things that are quintessentially British, we’re pretty sure that a steaming cup of Earl Grey and afternoon tea-ready cucumber finger sandwiches would feature somewhere on the list. These are two really interesting (and remarkably fresh) fragrance notes, which is maybe why they got the call-up over other national favourites. Scones & Jam or Pie & Mash don’t have quite the same elegance, allure or wearability, do they?
When you first smell this you’ll probably find it’s overwhelmingly citrusy (that’s thanks to the bergamot), the kind of lively fragrance that helps you start your day with a bit of a spring in your step. The greenness of the cucumber then comes through, drying down to something sweeter thanks to the beeswax at the base. If you’re looking for a unisex scent, don’t let the mention of more sugary notes put you off. Honey sits alongside a little tobacco for a smoky splash that will appeal to all.
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Top Note: Ambrette seeds | Heart note: Sea salt | Base note: Sage
Picture the scene: This year you were organised enough to book a seafront cottage in that pretty coastal town that's an easy enough drive from home. You head out for an afternoon walk, the wind blowing up the dunes, drawing salty sea air into your lungs and with it, a whoosh of green, herbaceousness into your nose. This, you think, is living. You Google house prices in the area, promptly put your phone away in shock, and resume walking and breathing.
Hopefully you're still reading, because this is that. As in, that's the smell of this Jo Malone fragrance – fresh, breezy and with a slightly mossy chypre hum. It smells like nothing else; it's not fruity or floral, also making one of the best men's colognes. Wear this and other people will ask what you're wearing – of course, you may not want to tell them so they don't copy you, and we wouldn't blame you for that.
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Top note: Blackcurrant | Heart note: Poppy | Base note: Barley
If your preference is for ultra-feminine and sugary sweet scents, Poppy & Barley will be up your street. It's designed to conjure dancing across England’s meadows and it evokes that kind of Enid Blyton storybook childhood that, even if you didn’t experience it, you can definitely picture. Think hands sticky with juicy, ripe blackcurrants picked straight from the bush and frolicking in a field of poppies on the warmest months of the year. So far, so storybook.
Barley is the more unexpected element here, adding some woodiness and a hint of musk that stops it being too sickly. This is good news if, like us, you can find solely floral fragrances intoxicating and gorgeous at the start, then feel like you’re enveloped in a too-sweet smog after five minutes. The perfect scent for summer, or one that reminds you of longer, warmer days when in reality they’re shorter and colder.
How we tested the best Jo Malone perfumes
A selection of our favorite Jo Malone scents and top five classics
To put together our list of the nine best Jo Malone perfumes, we drew on our years of experience trialling and wearing these fragrances, as well as testing a selection of the brand's scents over a number of months. Because these bottles can last a long time, you could say we're still testing! Our expert team of editors has also interviewed experts from the Jo Malone London team for more insights into what makes their scents so special, quotes from whom you'll be able to read further down.
Our beauty editor Fiona McKim tested the perfumes you see above, while digital beauty editor Aleesha Badkar also sampled a range of the brand's top scents, meaning we could compare notes. Contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen is also well-versed in the Jo Malone London portfolio, adding some of her insights into this guide.
When testing, our team looked for uniqueness and longevity that warranted that pretty high price tags. We also took note of how well each scent lasted on our skin. Some people may prefer a perfume that sits subtly throughout the day, whereas others would prefer a more intense fragrance with more projection that will turn heads and yields compliments.
Why is Jo Malone so popular?
Like many great fragrance brands, Jo Malone London is hugely popular not for one overarching reason, but a multitude of smaller ones. The first – and most obvious – is that its perfumes are just really lovely. As well as well-loved classics like Pomegranate Noir and Lime Basil & Mandarin, the brand consistently launches excellent new fragrances that align with its fundamental principles: gender-neutral, luxurious, ingredient-focused and quintessentially British. As for the rest, the high-quality notes and instantly recognisable packaging also play a big role in its success.
- Formulas: "I am lucky enough to know the inner workings of [Jo Malone London's] perfume teams and to see their creative journey is truly an honour," says fragrance expert and journalist Alice du Parcq. "The perfumers they work with are some of the best in the world – such as Anne Flipo, Yann Vasnier and Mathilde Bijaoui – and they work with the most beautiful, sustainable, raw natural ingredients blended with supreme high-tech synthetics and clever methods, such as headspace and CO₂ extraction."
- Fragrance names: "I also think the brand is so popular because they keep the names simple and literal, but with a romantic rhythm that lures you in," du Parcq continues. "They capture a perfect balance of sophisticated quiet elegance, with slightly bonkers English eccentricity – you can see that perfectly in the visual campaigns. They maintain this cool, fun and chic identity, and they transcend trends, so you always feel that your favourite Jo Malone London perfume will forever be relevant."
- Packaging: The branding is also incredibly strong – that recognisable, chic packaging makes these scents both desirable and giftable. As du Parcq puts it: “Who wouldn't want to be gifted a cream box with thick, black grosgrain ribbon?” Jo Malone London also maintains popularity by gradually releasing just the right amount of newness throughout the year – seasonal limited editions, artist collaborations and one of the most covetable holiday collections of the year, every year, keep customers coming back for more.
What is the most popular Jo Malone scent?
To answer this, we requested the top five most popular Jo Malone London scents directly from the brand itself. Though fragrance is incredibly subjective, best-sellers make a useful starting point for those who are new to the brand or who want to buy an easy, crowd-pleasing gift.
- English Pear & Freesia: This fruity scent takes the top spot. "When you smell [this fragrance], you’re instantly transported to an orchard where juicy fruit mingles with blooming flowers," says Celine Roux, the brand's global head of fragrance. "There’s something unexpected about the combination of key ingredients and it’s got that freshness and elegance we’re known for."
- Myrrh & Tonka: In second place, Myrrh and Tonka Cologne Intense "exudes the scent of sun-baked earth entwined with mesmerising myrrh and it is our rising star, both literally and figuratively. Created in 2016, it steadily climbed to join the top five scents, is popular irrespective of gender and paints a scene of the Omumbiri myrrh harvest under starry desert skies."
- Pomegranate Noir: The brand's fragrance and lifestyle expert, Emma South, cites this as another of its all-time best-sellers. "This fragrance is really original as fruity scents tend to be sweet and gourmand, but Pomegranate Noir is woody, sensual and dark," she says. "A lot of heady flowers and woods were used to create this enigmatic, sensual scent. The seasons certainly influence our tastes and, as the temperature drops, we reach for warmer layers of scent. A jewel-bright cocktail of ruby fruits, spice and incense, [it] overtakes everything during the winter months and this is a trend we see year in, year out."
- Lime Basil & Mandarin: Another fresh and fruity scent – and the fourth best-selling – is Lime Basil & Mandarin. "It has become synonymous with the Jo Malone London brand," says South. "It was one of the very first fragrances created over 30 years ago, which set the aesthetic template for everything that followed; the highest quality ingredients in simple yet elegantly wrought formulas, always with an unexpected twist – in this case with the vibrant, peppery overdose of freshly torn basil. Its tantalising, zesty character has an enduring vitality and it is still one of our very top scents year-round."
Which Jo Malone fragrance is best for weddings?
Jo Malone London boutiques offer fragrance consultations to help customers find their signature scents or wedding perfumes – and its most popular scent for brides is also one of our favourite feminine offerings. "Peony and Blush Suede is the most popular wedding scent for brides," South confirms. "It bottles abundant, unfurling peony petals in every shade of pink accompanied by the flirtatious bite of juicy red apple."
Which celebrities wear Jo Malone perfume?
Jo Malone London is a cult brand with a loyal following that includes many celebrities. "Sofia Richie Grainge recently went viral talking about her favourite Jo Malone London scent, Wood Sage and Sea Salt," says South. "It is already one of our universally-loved scents, a fragrance for any mood and occasion, clear-headed with the mineral bright scent of a windswept shore. Previous Jo Malone London celebrity fans have included Poppy Delevingne, Karen Elson and even Kate Moss.” In 2024, Tom Hardy also joined the famous ambassador ranks for the brand's Cypress and Grapevine Cologne.
It has also long been reported that Catherine, Princess of Wales (AKA Kate Middleton) is a fan of Jo Malone London's Orange Blossom scent, burning the candles in Westminster Abbey on her wedding day. Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, also cited the Wild Bluebell and Wood Sage and Sea Salt Colognes as two of her favourite perfumes.
How long do Jo Malone perfumes last?
This really depends on the fragrance. There are two key types of Jo Malone London perfume, cologne and cologne intense, each with different lasting powers. Cologne (eau de cologne) is one of the lightest concentrations of fragrance available, typically containing between 2–5% pure perfume oils and lasting a few hours before you're likely to feel the need to reapply.
As well as the formulation, the longevity can also vary based on on the perfume notes found in the cologne in question. For example, citrus tends to dissipate quickly, while woods and musks tend to last longer on the skin (and are often base notes as a result). The Cologne Intense range ramps up this lasting power by using precious and heady ingredients in higher concentrations. You can therefore expect your fragrance to linger through the day when you select one of these scents.
Which Jo Malone perfume is the lightest?
Some of the lightest Jo Malone London perfumes available – in terms of how they actually smell – are Earl Grey and Cucumber, Basil and Neroli and Fig and Lotus Flower. If you are looking for a light and fresh fragrance (from any brand, truth be told) it's wise to look to citrus, green or aquatic-led scents. Popular citrus notes used in perfumery are fruits like lemon and lime, as well as zesty botanicals such as neroli, orange blossom and bergamot. Green and herbaceous notes such as basil, cypress and violet leaf, as well as splashy blends designed to replicate the ocean, are also very fresh-smelling.
