Jo's Scent Notes: Jo Malone London Veggies collection

You know you’ve turned into your mother when boxes become something that’s ‘too nice to throw away’. But then… did anyone, EVER, throw away a Jo Malone London box? Not when they are as gorgeous as this, designed to showcase the recently-launched ‘Veggies’ Collection.

Yes. Veggies. We’ve had fruits. We’ve had flowers. And now it is the turn of vegetables to take centre (scented) stage.

Now, I first sniffed vegetable notes in Officine Universelle Buly’s ‘Les Jardins Français’ collection, some years ago, when it was all a bit of a shock to to my nostrils. (Sometimes, our sense of smell needs time to adjust to a new olfactory style.) But time moves on – and when there’s a collection as super-wearable as these three, it is most definitely worth digging deeper into the world of vegetable fragrances.

We need to start with the Tomato Leaf Hand Wash, though, which I defy anyone not to adore, and the ceramic Tomato Leaf Candle, in the most stunning green vessel, which sit alongside this Veggies Collection. Now, tomato leaf is the second thing that I ever remember smelling, as my beloved grandmother Lally rubbed my fingers on the tomato plants growing in her ramshackle conservatory – and it’s incredibly authentically re-created here, in a gentle-on-hands wash that’s not just for post-gardening, but is a spirit-lifter anytime. (I have a think about not eating tomatoes out of season, but I won’t hesitate to continue using this through the winter months.)

And now, that trio of veggie fragrances. But lest you think these sound too weird for words, rest assured that while these have echoes of vegetables, you’re not going to smell like your local greengrocer, that’s for sure.

Velvety Butternut – let’s start softest, most comforting member of this charmingly off-piste trio. Ginger gives it a bright little kick at the start, before the creamy squash accord brings a soft, subtle gourmand warmth. A hint of patchouli stops it straying into dessert territory, adding a hint of cool, dark earth. It’s altogether enveloping, cocooning – and my hunch is this one will come into its own when autumn sweeps in, like the deliciously warm hug we all need.

Velvety Butternut – no worthy health-food smoothie of a scent, I promise you! (And I’m married to the man who all but invented health foods…) It’s a slightly honeyed floral in which aromatic fennel provides lift, carrot blossom adds softness, and – importantly – orange flower brings its unmistakable burst of sunshine, while white musk delivers a clean, skin-hugging finale. Delicately sweet, rather elegant and immensely wearable – but funnily enough, my least fave of the three, as I’m not the biggest fan of florals.

Scarlet Beetroot – well, now we’re talking. I am crazy for this and have been spritzing on repeat – definitely the most glamorous find on the Jo Malone London allotment. Blackcurrant lends a tart, almost juicy fizz; beetroot delivers an earthiness that is very compelling, while patchouli keeps the whole affair chic, grounded and properly grown-up. Nevertheless, it’s great fun to have people guessing what the ‘surprise’ ingredient is, here, as they lean in for a sniff – and I promise you, nobody will answer: ‘beetroot’.

Importantly, these are really reasonably priced, for the quality – and I love that they come in a 30ml size, for experimentation.

But maybe not as much as I love that box…!

Jo Malone London Tomato Leaf Hand Wash/£36 for 250ml – buy here

Jo Malone London Tomato Leaf Ceramic Candle/£105 for 300g – buy here

Jo Malone London Velvety Butternut/£59 for 30ml Cologne – buy here

Jo Malone London Carrot Blossom/£59 for 30ml Cologne – buy here

Jo Malone London Scarlet Beetroot/£59 for 30ml Cologne – buy here