Well, hello there, stranger! And who might you be? I know, I know, I’ve been kind of neglecting my blog lately, but basically life got in the way, so I had very little time to actually sit down and write proper posts every day [or every couple of days]. Today I crammed a couple extra hours to bring you this review of the latest Holiday offerings from Molton Brown, a brand that unexpectedly snuck into my life earlier in the year and totally took over my bathroom shelf. No kidding, I almost cried when I used the last drop of my Rosa Absolute body wash, I loved it that much. Molton Brown body washes are so fragrant that people compliment me on my perfume when I am not wearing any [not even a lotion!].
For Holiday 2016 Molton Brown released several limited edition collections, and I got to try two of them: Fabled Juniper Berries & Lapp Pine and Vintage 2016 With Elderflower. I received one product from each collection to experience the festive fragrances firsthand, and I must say, they are absolutely fabulous this year!
Fabled Juniper Berries & Lapp Pine is as Christmassy as Christmas gets, with notes of juniper berry, pine tree, oakmoss, and Lapp pine bark. The collection includes hand wash, hand lotion, scented candle and stocking stuffer bauble.
“Inspired by the arctic landscape of Laponia, Fabled Juniper Berries & Lapp Pine captures the essence of wintry Christmas. As snow falls on the old-growth pine forests, a magical winter playground comes to life.”
I received the hand wash, and immediately placed it by the sink in my bathroom [hubs has his own bathroom, and it looks like nobody uses it – it’s so empty, unlike mine!], because juniper is one of my all-time favorite winter scents. There is something soothing about that sappy, balmy fragrance, it reminds me of spending winter holidays in the country at grandma’s old house. When we were little, my sister and I would decorate a real fir tree outside with handmade paper ornaments, and spend time listening to grandpa’s tales with a mug of hot chocolate by old-fashioned stone fireplace. That’s what Fabled Juniper Berries & Lapp Pine smells like to me: it’s a scent of childhood, a memory from my life in another century, in another country on another continent. I feel very sentimental in the best way when I use this hand wash, and isn’t that the magic of Christmas?
On the other hand, Vintage 2016 With Elderflower features more glitzy and glam notes of grapefruit, petitgrain, vetiver, and English elderflower, and kind of smells like bubbly but without the bubbles. The collection includes bath & shower gel, body lotion, single wick candle and festive stocking stuffer bauble.
“Capturing the essence of a refined celebration in a breathtaking French chateau, the blend inspirits that moment of anticipation and ultimate effervescence ahead of parties.”
I received the body wash, and I could not be happier with it! It has the same amazing non-drying formula like the rest of Molton Brown body washes, and also contains a beautiful swirl of shimmery golden particles, that wash off completely, so your skin doesn’t look like a disco ball afterward. The fragrance bouquet reminds me of NYE celebration with friends: cue glitter, popular music, games, and party hats. It’s the scent of sweet happiness, and joy in its purest form. You just can’t help but smile when you smell it! That’s actually the reason I love drinking Elderflower tea, something about that delightful floral fragrance instantly improves my mood even on the most dreary day.
I know this is yet another rave review, but honestly, guys, I tried many Molton Brown collections, and there has never been a fragrance I didn’t enjoy. The brand’s perfumers create the blends with such precision, they are never dull and cliche and almost all of them are universally pleasing. It’s probably too late to order these online in time for Christmas delivery, but if you live by a Nordstrom, Blue Mercury, or Neiman Marcus stores that have these in stock, I strongly urge you to stop by and take a whiff. You may want to leave with a few baubles as stocking stuffers, and maybe pick up a few full-sized treats for the home.
Do you plan to give bath & body products as Christmas gifts this year? Have you tried Molton Brown products before? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products received for editorial consideration and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
