We Tried The New Zara X Jo Malone Perfume Collab

5 (771) · $ 34.50 · In stock

Zara has teamed up with Jo Malone on another perfume collection inspired by vibrant cities and it
Zara has teamed up with Jo Malone on another perfume collection inspired by vibrant cities and it's their best drop yet.
Jacqueline Kilikita, Senior Beauty Editor

Perfume: Magnificently Dubai

Zippy lemon, warm cinnamon, creamy sandalwood and brooding leather make Magnificently Dubai a spicy, all-encompassing perfume — perfect for those who hate to blend in. At first spritz, the top notes are zesty and bright (that'll be the bergamot complementing the sliced lemon) but on the skin it dries down to something warm, cosy and incredibly moreish. The mega mix of leather, clove and oud gives the scent a smoky edge akin to a bonfire but it's still subtly sweet, even after plenty of wear. One dab on my wrist lasted for hours on end compared to some of the luxury perfumes on my dressing table. I can't fault it and it's my new winter favourite.
Elly Parsons, Acting Managing Editor

Perfume: Elegantly Tokyo

Elegantly Tokyo manages to sidestep overused cliches almost totally, while celebrating Japanese culture appropriately. Though there is a high note of cherry blossom — as you'd expect from a fragrance monikered after the sakura city — it's muted by calming tones of jasmine, which draw the fragrance into the same camp as the Fleur d’Oranger iteration from the previous Jo Malone x Zara collection. When spritzing Tokyo, I'm pleasantly piqued by sweet highs of honeysuckle and deep lows of bamboo before being swiftly transported to the morning after, with fresh laundry on the go and the warming, umami hum of last night's dashi still hovering over the stove. A versatile everyday perfume that lingers just long enough.
Kristine Romano, Junior Designer

Perfume: Gracefully Madrid

Gracefully Madrid is an invigorating citrus scent with top notes of orange, bergamot and lemon. As someone who almost exclusively wears citrus scents, I was a bit disappointed by this. Don't get me wrong, it’s undeniably citrussy but for me personally there's a lightness missing. With middle and base notes like basil, geranium and musk, I was expecting something more earthy and fresh. Instead, I pick up on sweeter floral notes which makes this more of an occasion perfume than something for everyday.
Claire Porter, Audience Development Manager

Perfume: Boldly Seoul

This scent was instant nostalgia for me. The violet notes in the perfume brought only one thing to mind: Parma Violets. Although the violet comes through very strongly, I would not categorise this perfume as sweet or too floral as the musky undertones balance it out. The packaging is simple but looks very chic for the affordable price point, which is a big selling point for me. This definitely feels like a weekend perfume. It's not subtle enough for everyday wear so I imagine it will last me a while.
Anna Jay, Art Director

Perfume: Stunningly Venice

With top notes of bergamot and mint leaves, this is one of the light, fresher scents from the collection. It smells just like spring leaves. It's a really easygoing perfume that feels like it'll suit anyone as it isn't too feminine. For a high street perfume at this price point, I think it's a winner and it's not sickly sweet like many others. That said, it didn't last super long so it would need extra spritzes throughout the day. Overall it's a lovely scent from the collection and something I am going to continue to wear.
Hannah Shaw, Associate Director, Audience Development

Perfume: Energetically New York

With base notes of cedarwood and sandalwood, Energetically New York is a warm and woody fragrance. It reminds me of Le Labo’s Santal 33, without the hefty price tag. I usually opt for lighter, floral scents so this is a nice change for my collection. Although I wouldn't wear this as an everyday perfume, it was long-lasting and could most definitely be unisex.
Maybelle Morgan, Entertainment Editor

Perfume: Fashionably London

Musky, hypnotic and seriously lingering, Fashionably London does a great job at evoking heady nights in the capital. My biggest issue with fragrances is that the scent is only there for a fleeting moment on the skin but something about this oil-packed formula (bergamot oil, rose oil and geranium oil) unfurls slowly throughout the day. I usually go for something a little sweeter day to day, so this will be one for the evenings to pack a bit more of a punch.