ootdfashion
I haven’t really found a fragrance I really liked since Molton Brown’s Geranium Nefertum. It’s like my sense of smell is on a strike. I can still smell things, but they just don’t excite me as much anymore. This started during my first pregnancy, and I still don’t fully appreciate scents like I used to.
The perfumes I use the most are pretty subtle. I love Philosykos from Diptyque—the eau de parfum version is definitely worth the extra cost because it lasts so much longer than the toilette. I also frequently use Escentric Molecules Molecule 01; it’s such a versatile scent, smelling different on everyone. My husband smells fantastic with Molton Brown Geranium Nefertum, which I previously mentioned as being incredibly alluring.
Despite encountering many exotic and often quite expensive perfumes regularly, my top picks are pretty modest. I might include some Le Labo, Jo Malone’s Oud & Bergamot, and maybe a bit of Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc, even though it’s not quite in season, but overall, my list isn’t very adventurous.
Anyway, back to what I wanted to share: I haven’t been this impressed with a scent since Geranium Nefertum until I discovered Jo Malone’s Poppy & Barley. I know I’m a bit late since it was an autumn release, but I’ve never stuck strictly to seasonal beauty and fragrance rules. Sure, I might reach for suntan lotion-scented perfumes when it’s warmer and favor red lipstick in the winter, but otherwise, I’m quite flexible with my choices.
Jo Malone describes Poppy & Barley as a lively floral fragrance with rose, violet, and juicy blackcurrants. However, I find its beauty isn’t in standout individual notes but in its full, rich, and multi-layered aroma. It isn’t fruity in a typical way; I can’t pinpoint it being peachy or citrussy. There’s a mysterious woody note, a subtle floral hint without being too “pretty,” and a gentle sweetness that’s noticeable but not overwhelming.
If you were to capture “nature” in a perfume, this would be it. It feels like an elegant harvest festival, full of the finest fruits and flowers without the rough edges. Imagine a Jo Malone-style harvest festival—instead of the modest tins and garden apples from my school days, it would encompass the richness of the finest collectables.
Now, I’m aware that talking about a harvest festival seems a bit odd given we’re heading into the depths of winter, but I’m going with it. Jo Malone’s Poppy & Barley can be found at LookFantastic, and it starts at £48 for 30ml.
