The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Myrrh & Tonka arrived in 2016 from Jo Malone London, composed by perfumer Mathilde Bijaoui. The brief was simple on paper: take a resin with millennia of ritual behind it and pair it with something sweet. In practice, it meant finding the balance between myrrh's smoky, slightly medicinal depth and the warm, comforting sweetness that would follow. The challenge was ensuring the myrrh felt present without overwhelming, and that the sweetness arrived gracefully rather than abruptly.
The note structure reflects Jo Malone London's philosophy of layering, where each phase can stand alone but gains complexity when worn tog ether. Lavender's role is to provide an aromatic bridge, a brief moment of freshness before myrrh's depth. The drydown's combination of tonka bean, vanilla, and almond creates a sweet warmth that remains close to the skin, making it ideal for Intimate wear. This is fragrance as conversation between past and present, where ancient resin meets contemporary sweetness.
The evolution
The fragrance opens with lavender's crisp, herbal brightness, a choice that provides aromatic clarity before the heavier notes arrive. As this opening recedes, myrrh takes its place with a slow, resinous warmth that carries spiritual undertones. The transition is not abrupt but deliberate, with lavender serving as a guide into myrrh's meditative depths. The drydown arrives as a gradual softening, where tonka bean's sweetness becomes dominant, supported by vanilla's warmth and almond's gentle nuttiness. The composition tells a story of progression from clarity to depth to comfort.
Cultural impact
Myrrh & Tonka occupies a specific niche in the Jo Malone lineup, warmer and more resinous than the brand's signature florals, offering a rich, Intimate character that feels at home in cooler months. It's become a cold-weather staple for wearers who want something more Intimate than a room-filling sillage. The scent opens with a smooth, smoky myrrh that mingles with the sweet, vanilla-like warmth of tonka bean, while a whisper of labdanum adds a subtle resinous depth. As it settles on the skin, the tonka softens the myrrh's edge, creating a velvety dry-down that lingers for hours without overwhelming the room.
The House
Jo Malone LondonJo Malone London is a British fragrance house founded by Jo Malone in 1990 and now owned by Estée Lauder Companies. The brand built its reputation on a signature layering concept that lets wearers combine colognes into personal signature scents. Each fragrance begins with a story, whether drawn from childhood memories, British traditions, or sensory moments. The collection spans delicate florals like Peony & Blush Suede alongside richer compositions such as Velvet Rose & Oud. Known for understated bottles finished with black script lettering and a colored ink matching each scent, the brand maintains a refined British aesthetic across over 30 countries. The house continues releasing new fragrances under Estée Lauder while preserving the creative philosophy Jo Malone established.
The Creator
Mathilde BijaouiBased on her known work, Bijaoui's style leans toward warm, ambery, and slightly gourmand compositions. She seems to enjoy working with spices, woods, and musks, creating fragrances that are both comforting and sensual.
