Molton Brown Products: Thoughts?
 

Not sure if this qualifies as a travel thread, but was hoping someone could post feedback on Molton Brown beauty/bath products (they are London-based). Looking to buy a gift for someone and I pass by the NYC store on my way home from work...

Any thoughts at all would be appreciated.

(There are some mentions in older threads but I'm looking for something recent. Thx.)

What kind of advice are you looking for? To me it would be a bit difficult for anyone here to make a decision as no one knows the gift recipient as well as you do.

Wonderful line. I first discovered it years ago at their shop on South Moulton Street near Brown's :)
I've been able to buy some of the products at NM and Louis, and Barney's. I like the seamoss bath line and lip products.

I like the shampoo and conditioner a lot - works well, smells wonderful! I think it would be a great gift!

Sally

I like the products I have tried. I first came across them as toiletries provided in my London hotel, and I've bought some things, and given some things as gifts.

As special soaps and lotions I actually prefer L'Occitane for gifts, I like the fragrances and the packaging more.

Ooooh - you guys rock. I knew some folks would be able to help out!

You make a good point, francophile, I wasn't very specific. I guess I don't really know the gift recipient's taste, I'm looking for a "consumable" gift (rather than a tchotchke that takes up valuable apartment space) with a "Euro" feel and something a little more upscale than what you would find at a shopping mall.

The lip products I saw online would be for myself. :-) Thanks, cigalechanta, for your comment as I am going to give myself a gift, too! Sally and Elaine...thanks for your "thumbs up" as well.

Molton Brown's Black Pepper body wash is a favorite of mine; I like its spicy fragrance.

Bath and Body Works now carries a range of Molton Brown products in its mall stores...that's one of those good/bad things.
GOOD because now its easier for me to purchase Molton Brown in the US, but BAD because now it doesn't make sense for me to bring those back from London as gifts for family & friends.
The same thing happened when Jo Malone fragrances became available in the US...I used to bring those back from London to give as 'special' presents.

The hand soap.There's a restaurant where I live that has it in the restrooms. One goes to just wash their hands even if they don't need to.

Aaack--they have it at Bath & Body Works now? And I was hoping to get something a little more "exotic" - oh well...

Thanks, everyone!

yes, you can find Molton Brown at Neiman Marcus and Sephora too!

I had the Pleasure of using Molton Brown Products while on British Air and at The American Fiesta Grand Aqua Cancun and I fell in Love with their Bath products. Especially the Green body wash. I just recieved a catalog from them. I ordered the Catalog online. They are not cheap, but the products are Wonderful.

Well, I seem to be the only dissenter. I HATE Molton Brown products ! IMO they are far too highly scented. Unfortunately a hotel where I go to winetastings has Molton Brown handwash & I have to try to remember not to use it, as the lingering scent overwhelms the aroma & taste of the wine. I agree with Elaine in preferring L'Occitane.

Oh I LOVE Molton Brown. I think I'm a sucker for the packaging as much as anything. It's not cheap, but I bought a travel pack (came in a leather bag with lots of mini bottles) for a friend in hospital and it proved to be the perfect gift for someone in need of a pamper.

Caroline, I'm with you! I dislike very strongly scented products (i.e. Molton Brown)as they tend to give me a headache. They are very popular and seen in the best 5-star hotels.
Bath & Body Works also sells Fresh, Henri Bendel, CO Bigelow and Fekkai products. They've really stepped up their line - guess they're trying to change their image.

I like them although they are not my favorite. They are good quality, however, and their stores usually carry nice gift selections in small sizes...you could get someone a small sampler set. L'Occitane doesn't interest me that much anymore and they are available everywhere these days.

I am loving all these comments. Thanks everyone!

On Friday I did wander into the Molton Brown store and came out with a bunch of things - for others and self. I did not find the products to be very scented, in fact, I sniffed around and even remember thinking that the stuff didn't smell that strong! However, I have a fairly defective sniffer (can't even smell skunk!), so that probably explains it.

I also went into a Bath & Body Works on 3rd Ave in NYC and did not see any of these higher-end products (MB, Fresh) folks mentioned. Maybe because of proximity to actual stores?

You know, I'm a little dubious about Molton Brown being carried in B & BW stores, I'm wondering if that was an error. It seems to me they only carry their own brand.

No error! They also carry Fresh, Frekkai, Bendel and alot more.

yes, quite right, found the products on the website
www.bathandbodyworks.com/

fresh started here in Boston. Their original boutique is still here from the days before they started producing their own products. A very sharp trendy Russian couple.