Jo Malone: 'I'm a control freak'
The perfumer, 54, is founder of Jo Loves. She lives in London with her husband Gary, son Josh and dog Teri. Here she tells The Telegraph about a day in her life
I top and tail my day by walking my dog, Teri the terrier. My 6ft 2in teenage son, Josh, named her a long time ago – luckily we talked him out of calling her God (‘dog’ spelled backwards). Teri’s an old lady now, so we just potter, but she is one of my treasured friends.
Afterwards I make a red and a green juice in my NutriBullet, have a coffee and go through what I need to do that day. Then I’ll spend about two hours smelling scented papers.
I left my business Jo Malone London in 2006, and when I started my new fragrance brand, Jo Loves, in 2011, I was surprised to find that my sense of smell was no longer as good as it had been; I was out of practice. So these days, I sit at my kitchen table smelling scented papers as a sort of exercise.
These days, I’ll spend about two hours sitting at my kitchen table smelling scented papers as a sort of exercise
I have a shop in Belgravia and I spend a few hours each day doing paperwork in the office and checking window displays. I’m a control freak but I love my team – they know what I’m like.
When I get home, I love eating with Gary and Josh. The other night I made roast chicken, spaghetti and salad, and we just sat for two hours chatting. I also love watching films. Recently, I saw The Seagull, based on the Chekhov play, and couldn’t take my eyes off Annette Bening.
I started out as a facialist, and every three or four days I do an Eve Lom face mask. In 2003 I had breast cancer, and following chemotherapy my skin was really itchy, so I make my own moisturiser, and in the evenings, I sit with an eye mask on, Flexitol cream on my feet (I get cracked heels), and Teri by my side, and I put on a tape by breathing expert Anne Pitman. She gets you to relax by slowing your breaths from 25 a minute to five. Afterwards I sleep like a child – unless my son is out, in which case I don’t sleep a wink until he’s back home safe.
Jo’s five mantras to get through stressful times
Never quit something on a bad day.
Keep in mind that you can’t control anxiety but you can learn to not be afraid of it.
Remember, ‘For man to discover new oceans, he must have the courage to lose sight of the shore.’
Gary once said, ‘Never look back unless you can laugh, look forward as long as you dream.’
Enjoy the small moments – and celebrate them with a glass of wine.
The last book I loved…
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. A fictional romance about incredibly strong, resilient women in Cuba. £12.99
My guilty pleasure...
A glass of rosé in the evening. Especially Whispering Angel, a French variety. £17.99 (waitrose.com)
My make-up bag essential...
Smith & Cult lip gloss. It comes in gorgeous shades and has a lovely texture. £21 (birchbox.co.uk)
My travelling must-have…
Drunk Elephant moisturiser. I use a little on plane journeys. (Launching soon at cultbeauty.co.uk)
My favourite fragrance…
Jo by Jo Loves. I create fragrances for many reasons, but I made this one for myself. £115 for 100ml (joloves.com)
My style icon
Diane Keaton. She has just got it. And I love her polo necks in the film ‘Something’s Gotta Give’.
