08/05/2012

Cryptic
24 Reviews

Cryptic
Top Review
12
Domesticated Version of Penhaligon's Classic
If you're looking for an office-friendly scent that conjures up fields of blue flowers and blustery spring days, Wild Bluebell is a safe choice. It won't make you sniff your wrist in ecstasy, but it is quite pleasant and it's unlikely to offend anyone.
If you compare the note pyramids, Wild Bluebell shares some DNA with Penhaligon's iconic Bluebell: clove, rose, lily of the valley, etc. Where they part company is at the galbanum, which lends an icy green touch to Penhaligon's version, and the rather aggressive hyacinth which is Penhaligon's choice to represent the scentless bluebell flower. In contrast, the Jo Malone uses the much softer bellflower to stand in for bluebell in their compostion.
Penhaligon's version is distinctively lovely and unforgettable to its fans, but detractors find it synthetic and harsh. No one will think Wild Bluebell is hideous, but I'm betting that few, if any, people will embrace it as their signature fragrance. I have both, because as much as I love my Penhaligon's in that lovely Victorian bottle, the Jo Malone is much easier to wear and allows me to have that dose of spring dressed in blue any time I like. As with most Jo Malones, sillage is a bit wimpy and longevity is fair to middling.
If you compare the note pyramids, Wild Bluebell shares some DNA with Penhaligon's iconic Bluebell: clove, rose, lily of the valley, etc. Where they part company is at the galbanum, which lends an icy green touch to Penhaligon's version, and the rather aggressive hyacinth which is Penhaligon's choice to represent the scentless bluebell flower. In contrast, the Jo Malone uses the much softer bellflower to stand in for bluebell in their compostion.
Penhaligon's version is distinctively lovely and unforgettable to its fans, but detractors find it synthetic and harsh. No one will think Wild Bluebell is hideous, but I'm betting that few, if any, people will embrace it as their signature fragrance. I have both, because as much as I love my Penhaligon's in that lovely Victorian bottle, the Jo Malone is much easier to wear and allows me to have that dose of spring dressed in blue any time I like. As with most Jo Malones, sillage is a bit wimpy and longevity is fair to middling.
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