Jo Malone – Wood Sage & Sea Salt – Saline clean. 7/10.
Wood Sage & Sea Salt is one of my favourites from Jo Malone. Save for a few from their “Cologne Intense” range in the black bottles, it’s a house I’ve struggled to gel with.
Wood Sage & Sea Salt evokes the scent of windswept coastlines and salty sea spray. However, these coastline waters are remarkably clear, pristine, and untouched. The overall effect is clean, with nothing gunky or seaweedy in sight. A seaweed note is listed, but I don’t detect anything dirty within the composition. Indeed, if I were to swim in these seas, I wouldn’t be worried about pollution or grime. Instead, the showcased sea salt note is more akin to stepping out of the transparent blue waters of a secluded inlet with the lingering scent of those salt waters on the skin and in the air.
There’s an almost crystalline, mineral-like facet to Wood Sage & Sea Salt, not unlike the sight of the waves of the ocean glistening from the rays of the early morning sun poking through the clouds—the heralding of a new day. Christine Nagel uses the tang of grapefruit to usher in the wave of oceanic glimmer in Wood Sage & Sea Salt. Perhaps she sprinkles her breakfast grapefruit with salt instead of sugar. The shimmer of citric freshness from grapefruit at the outset soon gives way to a clean skin accord. Nagel achieves this effect through the use of musky ambrette seed.
Before long (maybe 5-10 minutes), the sage and sea salt come to the fore, joining the omnipresent ambrette musks to dominate the composition for the remaining 3-4 hours of longevity. Interestingly, the herbal component of clary sage specifically made me think of Hermes H24. That one is more metallic and glassy, but it’s fascinating I thought of that, as both perfumes are by Nagel. Of course, it is most likely because they share clary sage as part of their note structure. But it can’t be denied both H24 and this Jo Malone have somewhat of a sharp gilt-edged sheen punctuating their developments.
Unlike some other warm weather-specific scents, don’t expect Wood Sage & Sea Salt to whisk you away to tropical shores. Certainly, I don’t think of mojitos or palm trees when I’m wearing this one. Rather, it’s more rocky outcrops and driftwood-covered beaches. However, despite conjuring up such rugged images, Wood Sage & Sea Salt remains a linear, non-demanding scent. To be sure, one that is extremely safe, gentle, and unlikely to offend. Those in the market for more challenging marine fragrances may opt for Hermes Epice Marine or Heeley Sel Marin. Wood Sage & Sea Salt is more akin to Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue for Women, and like that scent, a perfect companion piece for casual situations or, indeed, trips to the Sunshine Coast.
Speaking of which, here are a few more photos from the Sunshine Coast.
Love the rocking kangaroo! Beautiful captures and great choice of fragrance!
Thanks very much, Tetê! Yes, the kangaroo was fantastic!
Like you Jo Malone London isn’t a house I particularly gel with. I find them quite “cold” in personality so haven’t even sampled Woos, Sage & Seasalt. Reading your review, I may give it a try.
The parakeet in the flowering shrub are in your garden? How lucky you are, we have wood pigeons the size of hens, magpies & black birds. All noisy & dirty!
LOVE the rocking roo & the cushions are so pretty too.
Caloundra looks glorious & very quiet. I’m very envious
Yes, the parrot is in my garden. They love to sip/feed on the nectar from the blossoms of the tree. They can be noisy too, especially when they are in a group. Caloundra was brilliant, certainly one of the quieter spots on the Sunshine Coast. The boutiques on the main street were interesting. Lots of Australiana type stuff. Hopefully you enjoy the Jo Malone when/if you sample it.
Your photos are like eye candy!! Simply gorgeous! I love Wood, Sage & Sea Salt, but then again I DO gel with the house of Jo Malone and there are many bottles amongst family members.
Thanks very much for the compliment, Brigitte! I’m happy you like them! And it’s great that Jo Malone scents work for you. Do you have a favourite amongst them?
Hard to say which one I favor as I really do like so many and associate them with family members , friends and coworkers. Right now I’m thinking French Lime Blossom which is almost empty.
Nice associations. I haven’t tried that one yet.
Such beautiful flora and fauna. I find salty and marine type fragrances challenging but this one sounds friendly.
The natural environment is stunning in that part of the world. Wood Sage & Sea Salt is very likeable, not too challenging at all. Hopefully you get a chance to sample it.
Wood Sage & Sea Salt is still one of my favorite Jo Malone fragrances, Daniel. You describe the “beach essence” perfectly. Nice review.
Thank you very much. Yes, it’s certainly not the typical beach scent.
All those wonderful pics + brilliant description = top-notch post, dear Daniel.
Thanks very much, Rich.