[unpaid/sample] Much as I would love to have my home littered with posh hand wash, and much as I love a burst of Jo Malone at the sink, it’s not practical or affordable to use it all of the time. Anyway, I appreciate a ‘treat’ wash all the more for it being occasional (okay, quite occasional verging on regular). In other times, I tend to pick up what looks nice at the supermarket but I’ve never tried anything from Bayley’s of Bond Street before.
This brand talks a good game – the list of notes on the label is impressive – but doesn’t quite walk the walk. And, I’m not going to say that’s a bad thing. The resulting fragrances are sweet and clean, the bottles are pretty to look at and there is not a single complaint about the ‘wash’ which is as good as any other. Orange Blossom and Honey smelled more of apple to me than anything – but it’s by no means unpleasant and I like it … it’s just not as complex as the label suggests.
These bottles of antibacterial hand wash are £2 each – you get a lot of wash for that (500ml) and they don’t feel or look the price they are. This one, Wild Bluebell & Waterlily has got an aquatic scent – it reminds me of clean laundry actually, but I’d be very pressed to be able to pull out a note of yellow plum or hibiscus flower. The origins of the brand date back to the 1700’s where William Bayley was the proprietor of a fragrance shop on Bond Street although today the brand is owned by PZ Cussons.
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The prettiest to have by the sink, Rose & Raspberry is my least favourite because I really did want a bit of raspberry from it. In fact, raspberry isn’t listed in the notes (neither is honey in Orange Blossom & Honey) so I can’t imagine why it’s got raspberry in the title. It could have been custard in the no-relevance-to-the-fragrance stakes. I can say that it is generically fruity in the same way that a Starburst is. I feel more mystified than critical because these 100% do the job they’re intended to and punch above their weight in terms of looks. I wonder if there is a lucky dip bag of fragrance note names and everyone has a go at pulling one out … we will never know! The best place to splash that £2 is at Tesco or Sainsbury’s but there is a website if you want to order – there’s a lovely picture of William Bayley’s original order book that’s worth a look HERE.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
3 comments
It looks like they let the folks who do gin marketing loose on the hand washes. An alternative to Bayliss & Harding who have had a pretty clear run at this section of the market for some time. I will give it a whirl when I see it. Currently using Nesti Dante hand wash which is very gentle and has a nice fragrance but is less pricey than Jo Malone but more prices than Bayleys. Wonder what Diageo will make of Bayley’s?
I think Nesti crops up in TKMaxx quite often and always looks absolutely luscious.
Also, I think Bailey’s have missed a trick with the pump bottle – imagine if you could just pump out a quick serving into a shot glass…