Last weekend I visited one of my favourite stores, Molton Brown in Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dublin. This store has everything, from the subtly fragranced atmosphere, to the perfectly merchandised colourful array of products and the helpful & friendly staff who can assist you in testing the products at the special seated area. The reason for my visit was the newly launched Patisserie Parlour, Gourmand Collection. Three new collections inspired by the sweetest ingredients: Comice Pear & Wild Honey, Rhubarb & Rose and Vanilla & Violet Flower.
First a little look at Molton Brown, the company. The name Molton Brown comes from the name of the street where it was first located, South Molton and the fashion boutique Brown’s which was opened by founder Caroline Burstein’s parents. The company began in 1973 by creating haircare products above a salon. In 1979 the first bodycare products were launched and their enduring relationship with Harrods began. Molton Man was launched in 1985 and in 1989 the company began supplying its products to hotels following a visit of a hotel manager to it’s London store. In 1998 MoltonBrown.com was launched (I would recommend joining their email guest list) and in 2004 Molton Brown opened their first New York store in Soho.
Comice Pear & Wild Honey
Master Perfumer, Christian Plesch – “The fragrance opens with green leaves refreshed by hints of bergamot & layered with pletals of gardenia. The heart reveals a juicy pear embellished by jasmine & lily of the valley, evolving into a base of mouth-watering honey, caramel & biscuit”.
Definitely the sweetest range in the collection, I tried the hand wash. Smelt directly from the bottle this is almost sickly sweet, however when used at the designated sink area in store, it becomes much more bearable. The range includes a hand cream, liquid hand wash, hand lotion and two sets, one containing hand wash & lotion and the other contains the hand wash, lotion & cream.
Rhubarb & Rose
Master Perfumer, Vanessa Prudent – “Rhubarb spikes a bitter top note as zesty fruits fizz with a citrus twist. These contrast with the sweetness of sugary tart in the base while gentle rose extract & vanilla bring to life the buttery pastry of dessert”.
This range is beautifully balanced. While I am not a fan of overly rose scented fragrances, this is certainly a range I would happily use. The extensive range includes a bath & shower gel, body lotion, hand lotion, liquid hand wash, two candles – single wick or three wick, hand cream and three sets, one containing hand wash & hand lotion, the second containing shower gel & body lotion and the third containing shower gel, body lotion & hand cream.
Vanilla & Violet Flower
Master Perfumer, Christian Plesch – “This sumptuous fragrance opens on fresh violet leaf & dewy freesia tonalities. Violet is magnified by a rich bouquet of orris and rose lingering into a sensuous base where swirls of vanilla take the lead on a bed of tonka and musk”.
Hands down this is my favourite range in the collection. Vanilla is one of my favourite ingredients so I had a sneaky suspicion it would be. The range includes bath & shower gel, body lotion, single wick candle and two sets, one containing shower gel & body lotion and the second containing shower gel, body lotion & candle.
If you wish to try a number of fragrances in the collection, Molton Brown have also launched two sets containing products across the range;
Perfect Picnic Bathing & Hand Gift Trio which contains Comice Pear & Honey Liquid Hand Wash, Rhubarb & Rose Bath & Shower Gel and the Vanilla & Violer Flower Bath & Shower Gel.
Spring Indulgences Hand Cream Gift Trio which contains the Comice Pear Hand Cream, Rhubarb & Rose Hand Cream and Lily of the Valley & Star Anise Hand Cream.
And if all this wasn’t enough of a treat for the senses, Molton Brown have teamed up with Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Barber to create a delectable dessert inspired by each collection. The magnificent creations are a Comice Pear & Honey Beehive Mousse, Rhubarb & Rose Truffle Dip and Vanilla & Violet Mousse. If you want to see the recipes check out the Motlon Brown website: moltonbrown.co.uk (Warning: You will suddenly start to crave something sweet!)
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