After the duds that were last year’s Jo Malone limited edition collections: the Brit Marmalade Collection for which I could not get past the ugly packaging (despite it containing one of my all-time favourite scents Blackberry & Bay) and the Blossom Collection which contained no scents that I found particularly appealing.
This year’s limited edition of Wild Swimming has come back stronger than ever!!! It also helps that the packaging has mint tinted glass and turquoise caps, which are my favourite colours!!!
Now that I know these limited editions are coming every year and Belgium has a track record for being very slow about getting them, I start checking from mid-June onwards (they release in the UK in April) to see if they have arrived yet at my local Jo Malone counter in the INNO Departement Store (on Rue Neuve). Pretty sure the saleswoman was getting tired of me coming in every two weeks to see if they were there yet but here we are!!! #noshame
The Wild Swimming Collection consist of four new fragrances: Aqua Lemon, Crystal Campion (also comes as a face mist), Forest Moss and Salty Amber. And it honours Wood Sage & Sea Salt from Jo Malone’s core line by offering it in both 30ml, 100ml bottles as well as in candle format in special, turquoise-toned limited edition packaging; simply gorgeous!!!
Now unlike 2020, when I was getting my Lavenderland duo set at a discount, I paid full price for Forest Moss and Salty Amber but that’s because I loved them both individually and as a combination. So technically I was getting three new scents for the price of two, which in my book is worth it!
Jo Malone Forest Moss Cologne
Forest Moss is described on Fragrantica as a unisex woody aromatic fragrance. Can’t say that I agree, it has no “warmth” to it which is what I would normally associate with a woody fragrance. I would say it’s rather more on the refreshing side of things (thanks to the juniper) with a hint of feminine soapy floral (from the geranium) mixed in. Can’t say I detect any moss in it however and after taking these photos I’m pretty sure on what THAT is supposed to smell like ;)
Mostly I think it’s the geranium component (i.e. a lemony rose scent) that is the strongest with this cologne. Not a note which is usually part of my roster (think more sugary vanilla as my standard) but what can I say, it grew on me!
- TOP NOTE: Juniper
- MIDDLE NOTE: Geranium
- BASE NOTE: Moss
Jo Malone Salty Amber Cologne
Salty Amber is described on Fragrantica as a unisex aromatic green fragrance. While I agree on the genderless aspect, I can’t say I know what this “green” element is supposed to be? Maybe green as in fresh? Certainly, this is the most aquatic fragrance I own. Usually, I stay well clear of aquatic marine scents as they put me off with their seaweed note. But Salty Amber with its strong overarching patchouli (a go-to note for me) merges its aquatic-ness with a soft powdery warmth, which is a unique medley that I’ve never come across before.
- TOP NOTE: Cardamon
- MIDDLE NOTES: Sea notes and myrtle
- BASE NOTES: Amber, seaweed and patchouli
The beauty of Jo Malone’s colognes, as they contain a minimal number of notes, is that they are perfect for mixing and matching without ever getting too overwhelming. So you too can become your very own “nose” without even taking a workshop for it!!! Forest Moss and Salty Amber when sprayed together smell like a fresh, slightly powdery patchouli with a hint of floral; quite exquisite!
There you have it, this year’s limited edition Wild Swimming Collection. What do you think?
Have you picked up any of the scents from this collection?
Also, have you ever been wild swimming? Can’t say that I have, sounds too cold for me…brrrrrr!!!
xxxemma