Tag Archives: Unisex Fragrance

Fragrance

Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense: Review

There’s a reason this one shows up on almost every “best Jo Malone scent” list. Myrrh & Tonka has a cult following that spans genders, seasons (mostly), and even people who normally find Jo Malone’s lighter colognes a bit too fleeting. It’s the brand’s richest, warmest offering, and after wearing it through a few different settings, I get why it’s become a signature scent for so many people. Here’s the breakdown.

Price and Quantity

Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense comes in four sizes: a 9 mL travel spray, 30 mL, a 50 mL bottle priced at $160 or Rs 9600, and a 100 mL bottle for those ready to commit. Like most of Jo Malone’s “Cologne Intense” line (their more concentrated, longer-lasting tier compared to the standard colognes), this sits at the higher end of the designer/niche-adjacent price bracket. You are paying for the brand, the ingredients, and that unmistakable matte black-and-gold bottle as much as the juice inside.

If you’re not ready to drop that kind of money on a full bottle, the 9 mL travel size is a smart way to live with it for a while before deciding whether it’s “the one.”

Fragrance Profile

This is a warm, ambery, resinous scent built around three main notes:

  • Top: Lavender — a brief, slightly herbal, almost soapy-clean opening with hints of camphor and hay. It doesn’t stick around long.
  • Heart: Omumbiri Myrrh — the real star. Warm, balsamic, smoky-sweet, and resinous, this is what gives the fragrance its “incense in a cozy room” character.
  • Base: Tonka Bean — rounds everything out with warm almond, vanilla, and a faint tobacco-like sweetness that lingers for hours.

The opening lavender fades within minutes, giving way to the myrrh and tonka duo that defines the rest of the wear. On skin, it reads as warm and comforting. It is more “fireplace and cashmere” than “fresh and citrusy,” which sets it apart from a lot of Jo Malone’s typical fruity-floral catalog. Longevity is genuinely better than most Jo Malone colognes (a known weak point for the brand). It stays easily for 8 hours of wear and moderate sillage.

Is It Unisex, Men’s, or Women’s?

Myrrh & Tonka is marketed and sold as a unisex fragrance, true to Jo Malone’s house style, none of their colognes are formally gendered. That said, it does lean a touch more “masculine-coded” in how people describe it compared to Jo Malone’s fruitier, fresher releases. The warm amber-woody character reads close to scents like Tom Ford’s oud-driven offerings or other unisex amber colognes. In practice, plenty of women wear it and plenty of men wear it, and it’s frequently recommended as a couple’s “his and hers” bottle to share. My husband and I do the same 😀

My Take

Myrrh & Tonka earns its reputation as one of Jo Malone’s standout scents. It’s cozy without tipping into heavy or old-fashioned, and it has more depth and staying power than the brand’s reputation for “nice but forgettable” colognes would suggest. It’s an excellent cold-weather, evening, or date-night scent. I wouldn’t reach for it on a hot summer day, since the warmth and richness can feel like a lot in the heat.

The one thing to watch for: this is a love-it-or-hate-it fragrance for some noses. So, it’s worth testing on skin (not just paper) before committing to a full bottle, since it can shift depending on your individual chemistry.

Bottom line: if you like warm, ambery, slightly sweet scents and want something with more longevity than Jo Malone usually delivers, Myrrh & Tonka is well worth a sample. Just don’t skip the skin test. This is a fragrance where personal chemistry really matters.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne -Review

Based on a friend’s rave recommendation I recently purchased the Wood Sage and Sea Salt cologne from Jo Malone and I must say I couldn’t agree more with her. This cologne has become my absolute favourite and I also gifted one to my mom on Mother’s Day. In India, I found Jo Malone only on Nykaa. So, let’s get into my honest opinion on this cologne.

Price and Quantity:

The Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne comes in 4 sizes, 9 ml, 30 ml, 50 ml and 100 ml. They cost Rs 1750, Rs 5500, Rs 6600 and Rs 10800 respectively. I bought it from Nykaa. I did not find it on any other website or offline stores. Nykaa has a good policy for first-time buyers of this cologne so that you can try the mini version first and then go for the full-size version at a discount. I purchased the 9 ml bottle for Rs 1750 and when I bought the 100 ml bottle I got the Rs 1750 discount along with a few free sample-size vials of their other colognes.

Description:

Escape the everyday along the windswept shore. Waves breaking white, the air fresh with sea salt and spray. Alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs. Mingling with the woody earthiness of sage. Lively, spirited and totally joyful.

Top Note of this cologne is Ambrette Seeds. Their textural quality wraps the fragrance with an aura of sophistication. Heart Note is Sea Salt. The crunchy nature of sea salt brings both texture and a sense of freshness. Base Note is Sage. Woody with earthy, aromatic tones that bring a natural depth.

A little background on the types of perfumes available on Market:

I think a lot of us actually do not know much about the differences between EDT and EDP or what is a cologne vs perfume.

The strength of a fragrance is dependent on the amount of perfume oil that is used. The more oil in in, the stronger the scent and the longer it will last. Understanding the difference between these strengths can help us to choose the right perfume or aftershave.

Eau De Cologne (EDC) uses only around 2-4% of essential perfume oil. So their staying power is 2-3 hours maximum. They have a very light yet fresh fragrance, perfect for summer or if you are going to a gym. Generally EDCs are unisex. The Eau de toilette (EDT) is more concentrated, containing around 5-15% essential perfume oil. Fragrances labelled as EDT will usually last around 3-6 hours but of course it depends on the quantity of perfume sprayed. On the other hand, Eau De Parfum(EDP) usually has around 10-20% perfume oil and so they can last up to 8 hours. EDPs are perfect for office wear. Finally, the ‘perfume’ is the most powerful amongst all with highest level of concentration and usually they are the most expensive ones. These are suitable for the most precious moments.

My take on the Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne:

Jo Malone is a luxury British brand known for their colognes, candles and bath and body products. Interestingly all their fragrances are actually colognes. They do not sell EDTs or EDPS. I read that although their products are all Eau de Colognes, the percentage of perfume oil is somewhere in between EDT and EDPs. However, after using it I beg to disagree with this information. More on this later. I got a some sample vials of their other EDCs too and I felt their fragrance profile is very unique and delicate. Something which is very fresh and airy and uplifts your mood instantly. They have the potential to be your signature scent. They have body-creams, body and handwashes based on each of their fragrance profiles so that we can layer them up to have a long lasting impact.

Their packaging is very classy and minimalistic. All the EDCs have silver metallic cap with a transparent glass body. Only the ‘intense’ variation of their colognes come in a black or dark chocolate bottles. The outer packaging has their signature cream and black box, tied with a black luxurious ribbon.

Now coming to the Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne, the fragrance will instantly make you feel that you have entered a five-star hotel or a luxurious spa. It is probably the most unique, distinctively refreshing and airy cologne among all other colognes by Jo Malone. It is sexy yet not overpowering, delicate yet not too floral. If you find musky scents too masculine and floral scents to be too feminine, then this Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne has got the perfect balance. This makes it a perfect unisex cologne. I can wear it anywhere both at the daytime or at night. It is perfect for office wear as well as for a date night.

Now coming to the main problem with this cologne is that it does not stay for more than an hour or two. That’s really embarrassing. Before buying the 100 ml version, I bought the mini version and I was so mesmerized with the scent, I totally ignored its absolutely ridiculous staying power. After spending almost 10K(INR) on it, I definitely felt I didn’t get bang for my buck. So, basically I need to reapply it when I am out. One advice I got that if I layer the cologne with shower gel or moisturizer from similar fragrance profile, it will hold the scent longer. Now, Jo Malone’s body wash and body creams again are very pricey. So, I try to use sea salt based moisturizer from other pocket friendly brands.

Still, I would say I really loved this scent. This subtle marine vibe to the scent totally frees my spirit and instantly gives me a mood boost. I would be absolutely thrilled if Jo Malone comes up with EDTs or EDPs with better staying power.

If you have tried this cologne, please let me know your views.

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