This fall, all I want all the time is a cup of tea. You just can’t beat the season of warm drinks, the calm-yet-stirring warmth of a pot of Earl Grey. I need it, and I need it now.
So imagine my delight when I realized I could be the tea. A dream come true. Mostly, I blame the “Frazzled English Woman” aesthetic taking the fall season by storm with its skinny scarves and eclectic knits, but I’ve recently been totally on board for the Love Actually brand of comfy, classy, and a little quirky. And so I cannot say emphatically enough that I needed the Jo Malone London Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne from the first moment I smelled it. Everything about it is elegant, lively, crisp, cozy. The packaging is understated but so classy. It feels like London at its best, which makes sense for the British brand grounded in a natural refinement.
I just love its versatility, not too sharp or soft. Citrussy bergamot, the secret weapon of Earl Gray, is assertive. It brings a brightness, and the cucumber adds a crisp energy. This absolutely works as a summery fragrance, but what Jo Malone always does well is bringing a point and counterpoint to their scents. A base of beeswax helps ground this cologne’s freshness in a musky calm. That bergamot top note folds into the cheery and warm base to evoke Earl Grey.
My wool tights and fluffy sweaters are out, and I’m completing the energy with this addition. I think it’s because when I put this on, I absolutely feel the tandem beauty of a cup of tea: relaxation and a brightening energy. I’ve been loving carrying that feeling with me through the colder weather. I will still be visiting the kettle every few hours for a re-up of the real thing, but you won’t find me without the comforting scent of this Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne this season.
Available at Jo Malone London.
Find some refreshing fall flair for your home, too, here and here.
