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’.
