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Original poster

Why are some people snobby about Baylis and Harding?

184 replies

hollielouise66 · 26/12/2021 19:03

I remember a thread this time last year from a mum whose daughter had given her a Baylis and Harding gift set for Christmas that she planned to regift Sad.

My daughter (14) gave me one yesterday (the Mulberry Fizz set). It looks pretty and smells nice. More than that, I knew she'd have been chuffed to bits that she had found something affordable, which looked festive and which she knew I would like. Granted, it's not the poshest brand in the world but it couldn't have made me happier...

OP posts:
Beachbreak2411 · 27/12/2021 13:47

No idea! I love getting sets of it!! Think some people on mumsnet just are offended by everything and bloody ungrateful. If someone buys you a gift it should be appreciated they spent their time and money on you.

WhatAHexIGotInto · 27/12/2021 14:07

@PinkTonic that was exactly my point.

Midwinterblues · 27/12/2021 14:33

Pretty sure Baylis & Harding is made in China? One of those products that says ‘designed in England’ but in small writing is printed ‘made in China’ which in itself is enough to put me right off. Why do we ship stuff from the other side of the world -made with God knows what, in “factories” (sweat shops)- when we have lovely local toiletry brands? It’s not very green is it?

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Shallwegoforawalk · 27/12/2021 14:49

I can't use it as it's far too harsh. Cheap ingredients that dry my hands out and leave them sore. I imagine many people are the same so that's why it's got a name for being "nasty". The only person I know who can use it without any issues has skin "like a rhino" in her own words.

There is definitely a difference between some brands depending on the base they use, the quality of oils and emollients and the parfum/fragrance. Several make me seriously itchy!

I try to avoid SLS as much as possible and am happy to pay a bit more for a product free from SLS, made in the U.K., cruelty free and plastic free if possible too.

PinkLime · 27/12/2021 14:53

I didn’t realise there was snobbery about things like this. Obviously some weird people about.

TheWomandestroyed · 27/12/2021 14:54

I don't like it at all, and it's got nothing to do with me being snobby etc, why do people think that? It's just not very nice products.

AuntieMarys · 27/12/2021 14:57

I'd think someone hated me if they bought me it. The modern day equivalent of Bath cubes.
Luckily the only people I exchange gifts with are dh and dcs.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 27/12/2021 15:00

I like Bayliss and Harding hand wash and like the style of the bottles. It’s something I’d buy myself so I’d be surprised if say dh bought me it as a gift but if a friend or colleague did I wouldn’t be horrified. Mn can be either snobby about brands or appalled adults expect gifts at all. It’s being different to my rl experiences.

MintJulia · 27/12/2021 15:01

If you like it then great, use it. It's fairly basic stuff. I prefer natural toiletries without palm oil.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 27/12/2021 15:07

If you like it, OP, that’s great. Others don’t and that’s also great. We don’t all like the same things.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 27/12/2021 15:16

Why would it be a sign they hate you? I don’t buy gifts for people I hate… who would bother? Mn views are so weird to me. I’d just assume they wanted to get me a little something but weren’t sure what. I’d actually rather H&B than overpriced Molten Brown (Although I’d be polite if someone got me that, just think what a waste of money).

luckylavender · 27/12/2021 15:19

I have very sensitive skin so can't use it, I've tried. And as a general rule I use bar soap to wash my hands as liquid soap of any make is too harsh and makes my skin peel. As a brand I like many of the MB shower gels, I also use Lidl and Aldi own brands.

crispsarny · 27/12/2021 15:23

It’s lovely stuff, their fragrances are gorgeous but found the hand wash kept going watery, not sure why?

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 27/12/2021 15:24

I like bayliss and harding better than Molton brown. It smells nicer.

shenanigans5 · 27/12/2021 15:27

This one is genuinely lovely in my opinion. A few of the reviews mention dry hands but I’ve not had an issue and it smells gorgeous.
I tend to use more expensive products generally but really don’t mind a bit of B&H.

Why are some people snobby about Baylis and Harding?
pastypirate · 27/12/2021 15:27

I don't like being snobby but I was v annoyed last year looking for a gift set for dp and neatly bought a fuzzy duck kit until I saw baylis and Harding in tiny letters.

RJnomore1 · 27/12/2021 15:28

It’s fine people not liking it but they don’t need to be arseholish about it, there’s no superiority in disliking it🤷🏻‍♀️

WhatAHexIGotInto · 27/12/2021 15:39

@pastypirate so you like the look of the set until you realised it was B & H?

grownup2 · 27/12/2021 16:07

@shenanigans5

This one is genuinely lovely in my opinion. A few of the reviews mention dry hands but I’ve not had an issue and it smells gorgeous. I tend to use more expensive products generally but really don’t mind a bit of B&H.
Yes, the Goodness ones are really pleasant to use and sniff (& amusing to me that the packaging is Aesop-esque) www.amazon.co.uk/s?hvlocphy=1006983&hvnetw=g&hvadid=435717145428&k=bayliss+and+harding+goodness&gclid=Cj0KCQiA5aWOBhDMARIsAIXLlkdzS5ohuiubb01JeKukTVD1mHwljxtN1MyJgDvA3kMPGg5mmVzCVUMaAiReEALw_wcB&ref=pd_sl_5b2urvqcyd_e&hydadcr=18478_1816584&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=kwd-905306132540&adgrpid=100175476286&hvrand=9710614499012497316 Bottles are too big for our tiny cloakroom sink though
ScreamingMeMe · 27/12/2021 17:00

@RJnomore1

It’s fine people not liking it but they don’t need to be arseholish about it, there’s no superiority in disliking it🤷🏻‍♀️
Exactly. It's become a tired cliche on here.
ginghamstarfish · 27/12/2021 17:03

Yes, it's the fact that it's a knockoff of a more expensive brand. I'm happy to buy Lidl shampoo/soap etc as that's not trying to pretend it's a a fancy product, but wouldn't buy this stuff, and wouldn't be thrilled to get it as a gift

LadyFlumpalot · 27/12/2021 17:08

I haven't met a Baylis and Harding set yet that didn't give me a scent related headache. That's my main reason I don't like them, although any soap, lotion, perfume or deodorant with a woody or floral scent is just as bad.

My entire family know this well, so I'd be pretty miffed to receive a set as a present.

Haudyourwheesht · 27/12/2021 17:09

I don't think it's trying to 'pretend' it's a fancy product. It's not priced as a fancy product so it's doing a very poor job of pretending.

Some people on here though... Grin

festivefuschias · 27/12/2021 18:01

@Haudyourwheesht

I don't think it's trying to 'pretend' it's a fancy product. It's not priced as a fancy product so it's doing a very poor job of pretending.

Some people on here though... Grin

Yep Grin

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it; I’d be happy to use it and the packaging looks great for a gift. I’d be thrilled if a DC chose a set for me. I’ve used MB and I don’t think it’s much better - I have a bottle at the moment from my JL advent calendar and the second ingredient is SLS so no better really. I don’t see how it’s much different to the cheap Nivea/ Dove sets.

I don’t see it as a knock off either - it’s not exactly in an unusual shaped bottle, the name is very different and I haven’t seen MB sold in similar gift sets.

CousinGregg · 27/12/2021 18:03

If it just said 99p smelly soap on the packaging I couldn't care less, I would be happy to have it by the sink. Its the fake Molton Brown vibe that gives me the ick.