4 IPSY Staffers Share Why They’re Obsessed With This JO MALONE Scent

The Vibe

If “a coastal walk with the wind in your hair” could be bottled, it would be this. JO MALONE Wood Sage & Sea Salt is fresh, breezy, and earthy—think windswept cliffs, salty skin, and that just-laundered linen dress you packed for a weekend away. It’s clean without being too sterile, woody without feeling heavy, and honestly, pretty unisex (so prepare for your partner to steal it).

Now for the fun part: What did our team think?

Susan Muramoto, Senior Manager of Copywriting 

Vibe Check: Fresh, Earthy, and a Little Luxe

Signature Scent: BYREDO Bal D’Afrique Eau de Parfum

Susan describes her perfume vibe as “fresh, and I love some notes of tea or floral”—but not in an overly flowery, walking-through-a-botanical-garden kind of way. Her signature scent? BYREDO Bal D’Afrique, which she loves for its woody, floral combo that’s “deep, rich, and hard to describe!” (Which, if you ask us, is the sign of a truly intriguing perfume.)

When Susan first spritzed the JO MALONE scent, she was instantly reminded why it used to be one of her regulars a few years back. “I forgot how good it was,” she says. “The first word that came to mind was yummy, and I couldn’t stop smelling it.” As the day went on, Susan was impressed by its staying power. “I didn’t notice any major changes in the notes, but I loved that I could still smell it hours later—which is not always the case with fragrances!” she shares.

Her final verdict? “100%! It’s a cult classic for a reason,” Susan says. She especially recommends it for anyone who likes to layer scents, since its complexity makes a perfect base.

Morgan Donahue, Copywriter

Vibe Check: Fresh, Musky, and Coastal

Signature Scent: CLEAN RESERVE Rain Eau de Parfum

Morgan’s perfume preferences lean toward “musky, clean, and skin-like” scents, with a deep aversion to anything too fruity or sweet (or, shudder, vanilla). Right now, she’s loving Rain by CLEAN RESERVE, which has a fresh, dewy, and musky profile. So how did the JO MALONE Wood Sage & Sea Salt stack up?

Right off the bat, Morgan knew this one was special. "It fits perfectly into my collection," she says, noting the woody and warm freshness it brings to the table. But it’s more than just another fresh scent—there’s a luxurious classiness to it that made her feel like she was stepping into something a bit more elevated. “It has this nostalgic vibe for me,” Morgan adds. “It reminds me of coastal Maine, which is really special to me. The combination of woody and coastal just clicked.”

Throughout the day, the scent didn’t change much, which Morgan actually appreciated. “It stayed pretty consistent, but it definitely softened by the end of the day, becoming a little more mellow and intimate,” she shares. And as for lasting power? “It stuck around for hours, which is always a win.”

Her recommendation? A resounding yes. “I’m actually planning on buying the full-size because I loved it that much,” she says. “It’s a great neutral, unisex scent that my husband and I can share, which is a huge bonus.”

Alex Schultz, Senior Copywriter

Vibe Check: Earthy, Fresh, and a Little Unexpected

Signature Scent: LE LABO™ Another 13 Eau de Parfum

Alex’s perfume vibe? Unique, pH-reactive scents that morph based on your individual chemistry. “I think everyone should have their signature scent,” Alex says. Her current go-to is Another 13 by LE LABO™, which is a complex, woody, musky fragrance that morphs into something sweet and fresh on her skin. So, how did JO MALONE Wood Sage & Sea Salt compare?

When she first sprayed it, Alex was immediately struck by the clean, laundry detergent-esque vibe. "It has a fresh, almost soapy scent that reminds me of being at a vacation home at the beach," she says. "Very coastal, very fresh." While it wasn’t quite the “sweet” element Alex usually leans toward, the earthy notes were still intriguing enough to keep her interested. “It’s earthy, fresh, and clean,” Alex explains, “and it definitely surprised me by how long it lasted. I could smell it every time I moved, which is a good surprise for a fresh scent.”

Would she recommend it? “Yes, definitely,” Alex says. “If you like fresh, clean perfumes, this one’s a great option. And it’s pretty unisex, so I think it would smell great on anyone.”

Maddie Aberman, Senior Manager of Editorial

Vibe Check: Clean, Fresh, and Subtly Elegant

Signature Scent: GLOSSIER You Eau de Parfum

Maddie, always one for fresh, clean scents with a touch of elegance, gravitates toward perfumes that feel light but still leave an impression. When she first spritzed JO MALONE Wood Sage & Sea Salt, she was immediately struck by the fresh, clean vibe it exuded. "It’s not overpowering or sweet—just crisp and slightly musky, with a chic undertone that doesn’t try too hard," says Maddie. "It’s the kind of scent that makes you feel like you're stepping into the soft, crisp air of a beach morning, just as the day is starting." While that might sound specific, it was a sentiment the team could easily understand. It’s fresh, wearable, and special enough to stand out.

The fragrance didn’t change much throughout the day, which Maddie really appreciated. “It felt like it stayed with me without overwhelming me,” she noted, happy with how it maintained its consistency. The scent remained noticeable but subtle, lasting long enough to make an impression without needing constant reapplication.

Would Maddie recommend it? Absolutely. "If you love fresh, clean scents with a little something extra, this is the perfect fragrance for you," she said. "It layers beautifully with other scents, too, which is always a bonus!"

Final Verdict: Is JO MALONE Wood Sage & Sea Salt Worth It?

If you’re into fresh, clean scents with a twist of earthiness and a side of sophistication, Wood Sage & Sea Salt is that girl. It’s versatile enough for everyday wear but luxe enough to make you feel like you’ve got your life together (even if you don’t). We’re calling it: This is your new go-to “I’m effortlessly cool” scent.