I was a bit nervous when I entered Ormonde Jayne’s Mayfair boutique on Monday, but a soon as I introduced myself to the lovely Natalie, store manager and utterly lovely person, I was at ease and ready to enjoy the experience.
The store itself is diminuitive, but beautiful. All black and glossy, the pretty OJ perfumes, candles and body products are artfully displayed throughout.
Natalie settled me on a barstool and proceeded with the perfume portrait. This is a complimentary service they offer, to ease the process of choosing a perfect scent, either as a signature fragrance or for a specific purpose, for instance choosing a new summer fragrance.
Since I am familiar with most of the OJ perfumes, for me it was a great way to narrow down my choices, since I am, sadly, unable to purchase the entire line, although I sure would if I could. 😉
Natalie started with a few questions after my personal preferences and then proceeded to let me smell raw essential oils. From the lightest – hesperidics, on to florals, woods and resins to to the atmospheric category, that held oils like pink pepper or ambroxan.
I had to declare my like or dislike of each and that was noted in my chart. With that information Natalie recommended four scents, in my case Ta’if, Frangipani, Sampaquita and Orris Noir. She also had Tolu on her list, but I ruled that out beforehand since I already own a bottle, so I know I love this one.
In the end I was able to choose two, Ta’if and Frangipani, beause Natalie handed me one bottle as a gift with best wishes from Linda Pilkington. Such a generous and lovely gesture! Thank you so much!
Very happy with my new perfumes (the new packaging is indeed red, not bright orange any longer, also the box looks a bit different, but I like the new design as well.), I left the boutique.
For anyone based in or visiting London, I can highly recommend to take a shot at having your perfume portrait taken. The store keeps a record of the answers for further reference, so it is a breeze sending a man off to get a gift, for example, he won’t get it wrong that way! 😉
As for all your questions, and my own as well: Linda granted me the opportunity for an interview by phone or email, at which point I will ask her all we want to know!
Just a tidbit for now, there are indeed expansion plans underway…;)
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You know what’s my expression for the ultimately positive : BLISSSS !
(BTW, could you pls let me know how long the process takes – thanks)
😀 It is probably individually different, but generally I would say about 10-15 minutes.
I would love to have my perfume portrait taken in an OJ store. And it doesn’t take long.
Maybe then I’d be able to find one to love. 🙂
I’m so happy I now have a face to put together with your person.
Not my best face for sure… 🙂
Do you have the discovery set? I think you might like Tolu or some of the white flowers (Tiare maybe?). But that is just guessing of course!
Sounds like the perfume portrait process really works, judging by the resulting fragrance picks in your case. Such a clever idea to keep the notes on file for future reference and to aid gift-givers. Lovely pic of you too!
The perfume portrait would be very interesting on someone who never had smelled an OJ before…
What a lovely experience – I’m happy that you had a good time at OJ 🙂
Thank you, Marie! 🙂
I loved seeing the “picture perfect” picture of you and Natalie, elegant Birgit!
It does sound like a very nice service. Frangipani is such a good choice, btw. If I were getting two bottles I’d have to have that one and Ormonde Woman (that’s the only one in the line you don’t care for, yes?).
That’s right, no OJ Woman for me. It is the hemlock oil I cannot stand, I got that information at the portrait too, which is quite helpful too. 🙂
Frangipani is perfect for the season, it is such a happy scent!
Hooray, two bottles! I hoped that they would gift you with one, to make the decision process a little easier! 🙂 And, can I just say how thrilled I am to see your lovely face without any identity blurring? You are so beautiful! 🙂
Oh, and the Ormonde Jayne experience sounds wonderful!
How lovely!
I would love to do it some day!
Sadly, no plans to go to London any time soon…
When you eventually do come some day, it’ll be all the better! 🙂
And, by the way, is it possible to smell parfums in the store?
I’m also curious about perfumes: did you have a chance to try any of them?
Sadly no, through my own fault though I am sure…
Undina, I’ve sampled Orris Noir and Woman Pure Parfum (from The Perfumed Court) and they are both lovely, and fabulous to layer with the EDP for more depth. The Orris Noir, in particular, would be wonderful to have because it lends a slightly sweet richness that the EDP does not have.
I saw the pure perfumes on display, but in all the exitement forgot to ask about them…
I’m so glad you had such a nice time at OJ with Natalie. I would love to do the Perfume Portrait myself, and I haven’t ruled it out that I’ll make another visit to London someday. I have a vision of all my favorite perfume lovers from all over, converging in one spot on the globe for a scented gathering of epic proportions.
By the way, Birgit, you have such lovely skin!
Count me in on that fantasy event!!! 🙂
That would be the ultimate perfume conference! Let us do this some time in the future. A fragrance convention! 🙂
You know what, if we keep talking about it and bringing it up, eventually it WILL happen, and I *need* that. 🙂
It would be great!
B, you are lovely! Don’t ever think otherwise! And so interesting, that the perfume Protrait service works so well, since you were recommended what you love and adore! Lucky, lucky you – I have got to try that for myself, someday!
I aslo believe that Carrie is right. If we all converged in one location, it would indeed – be epic! And a little Epic, too! 😉
Thank you, T!
Let us start planning that epic event! 🙂
What fun! The boutique looks so lovely, and so do you, by the way!! I bet you smell beautiful, what with those new bottles of Ta’if and Frangipani!
I am wearing Frangipani today, I am truly happy with my choice!
I have to ask: would you have made the same top choices without the help, or are you surprised?
Tulip,
I am not surprised, but I am glad the “system” does work obviously.
You look radiant in the photo, and that top is a very pretty shade – I’d call it slate blue? I was dishevelled and wet when I fetched up in Sloane Square to have my PP done! Those are great choices of scent – you have a nice little collection of OJ scents now. Was surprised though that it only took 10-15 mins to go through the process – are you sure time didn’t just fly because you were enjoying yourself? : – ) Glad you got to meet Tara too!
That is so nice of you to say!
Maybe it was a few minutes longer…;)
I had a lovely time with Tara, time was flying there too.
How lovely! I am desperate to do this and have been so horribly busy I cannot get a moment. I suspect my perfect scent is Ormonde Woman because it is one of my all time favourites, but I’m prepared to have my mind changed. I didn’t know the packaging was changing, how interesting- I liked the orange but red will be very nice too
I think the red is very nice as well.
If you find half an hour you should really do this, it is a nice experience, and maybe you will be surprised what besides Woman you end up loving. 🙂
What a wonderful experience! I’m dying to go to OJ. The store looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Hello Phaedra,
the venue matches OJ’s image in my mind perfectly. Small, but very beautiful.
This looks like so much fun! Now I know where I want to travel 🙂 Your travels have inspired me!
Ta’if and Frangipani are my 2 favorites so far. I haven’t tried all of the OJs (yet) but these are the ones that I can’t get enough of. Today I wore, Tiare. It’s beautiful.
And to restate what Mrs. Carrie has already, your skin is amazing, so radiant!
Thank you, Victoria!
I love that we have the same favorites from the line! 🙂
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