Jo Malone Sea Salt & Bergamot - worth the hype?

 

It's a while since a new Jo Malone fragrance release interested me enough to buy a bottle but I knew I had to buy the new Sea Salt & Bergamot because I love Wood Sage & Sea Salt so much. I often like to pair it with Lime, Basil & Mandarin, which is citrusy, as is bergamot, so I guessed that I would like the new fragrance. But is it worth the hype?

Firstly, I think this fragrance should have been released at the beginning of summer, particularly given the heatwaves we've experienced and that anybody who could get to the coast did so and this fragrance evokes the joy of being at the seaside in summer. That's not to say that it couldn't be worn all year round but I think most people will find it most suited to spring/summer.

The notes are bergamot, which is citrusy and fresh but not overly sharp, sea salt, which is fresh and smells like the saltiness of sea water, and driftwood, which adds some depth and wood scent, as the name suggests.

I bought a bottle online, without smelling it first and then received another for my birthday, which will tell you that this sounds like my kind of scent and I didn't think it was too risky to just buy without smelling first. I love anything fresh and citrusy, particularly in the warmer months. 

I expected to love this but I just like it and it probably won't repurchase it unlike Wood Sage & Sea Salt, which I'm still repurchasing 12 years after its first release. The reasons for this are that despite the notes blending harmoniously and creating a really beautiful opening scent, on my skin, it dries down to a faint hint of citrus that smells a little bit airy also, but it's not as special as the opening scent. It also dries down to this scent quite quickly on me and whilst this will last for a few hours, I expect more for a pricey fragrance. I expect the initial scent to last longer and the dry down to smell more than just fresh, salty air with a faint hint of citrus! 

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice scent but my advice would be to spray it in store and see how it dries down on your skin and how long it lasts before buying a bottle. I like it, don't love it and for me, it's not worth the hype and definitely doesn't replace Wood Sage & Sea Salt.

Thanks for reading!

All products are bought by me, unless otherwise stated. Anything marked with a * has been kindly gifted, without obligation. I don't do sponsored posts. Opinion is always my own. Affiliate links may be used.