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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask why everyone on MN seems to hate Baylis & Harding?

148 replies

Hearmeout · 21/12/2022 21:14

Is it just a snobbery thing?

I've just smelled a few of them in the supermarket and they were lush to be fair, so what's it all about??

OP posts:
ScarlettSunset · 21/12/2022 22:26

My main reason for hating it is that most years, I get given a set as a gift. No thought gone into it, it's just a generic female gift that can usually be found right inside the door in Tesco.

Iwantamarshmallowman · 21/12/2022 22:29

I brought a gift set for each of my Postman.. I thought they were really smart but according to mumsnet I've sent them a secret code that says I really hate you.

whumpthereitis · 21/12/2022 22:46

it’s the quintessential ‘that’ll fucking do’ gift for someone you barely know but courtesy requires you get a gift for. That, its mucus-like texture, and the fact that it dries my skin out.

Can’t say I’ve ever picked out hand wash or candles based on their ability to mark me out as ‘better than the plebs’. Clearly I haven’t lived.

LolaSmiles · 21/12/2022 22:49

Iwantamarshmallowman
It's a kind gesture to someone you don't know very well and they'll likely appreciate it

If it's a close friend or a relative then unless someone knows they really like B&H then it's a bit of a thoughtless gift.

kafkascastle · 21/12/2022 22:51

I’ve got some of their Rose shower gel and it is lovely.

BananaPie · 21/12/2022 22:52

The hand wash gives me eczema.

DrSmoot · 21/12/2022 22:54

They are so often on a buy one get one free offer that, not only are they thoughtless, but they are cheap too.
I was given one last year, I think it was a secret Santa, and people had raved on here about the hand cream. I found it greasy and so heavily perfumed that I couldn’t use it. I didn’t even want to try the shower gel & body stuff after that. Such a waste, I wish I’d just sent it to the charity shop or food bank so someone that likes it could use it.

Theunamedcat · 21/12/2022 22:58

Hearmeout · 21/12/2022 21:14

Is it just a snobbery thing?

I've just smelled a few of them in the supermarket and they were lush to be fair, so what's it all about??

Thrush

Nat6999 · 21/12/2022 23:01

I prefer the treaclemoom range from Tesco, cheaper & smell better.

catsonahottinroof · 21/12/2022 23:03

I don't mind if people want to buy it for their own use, but I wouldn't like to be bought any as a present. I'd rather have dove, Nivea or any other cheapish but nicer make. Prefer a proper bar of soap really though.

pelargoniums · 21/12/2022 23:05

I don't mind if people want to buy it for their own use
That’s wonderfully kind of you Grin

catsonahottinroof · 21/12/2022 23:13

😂

CanofCant · 21/12/2022 23:14

SavoirFlair · 21/12/2022 21:18

People on Mumsnet are all earning six figure salaries, using La Mer moisturising cream, debating which private blend of Tom Ford is the best scent, claiming diptyque candles are “played out”…

The fantasists and projections in here are great fun.

In the real world, Baylis and Harding ? Nothing much wrong with them, but they are ubiquitous and in every chemist, department store and supermarket. This is why some may not like receiving it because it’s considered a bit universal, default, everywhere.

but yeah the smells are ok!

😂

Earning six figures but struggling to get by.

TiredA · 21/12/2022 23:16

It's a poor quality knock off of Molton Brown.

youkiddingme · 21/12/2022 23:17

I find the scents overpowering and unpleasant.

NeedAHoliday2021 · 21/12/2022 23:18

I bought some yesterday because it smelled nice and was on offer, and we needed soap for the cloakroom. It was £1.50. I’d not be overly excited if I received it as a gift but I’d be polite and use it. I think mn assumes anyone buying you a gift must know you inside out.

TiredA · 21/12/2022 23:18

SavoirFlair · 21/12/2022 21:18

People on Mumsnet are all earning six figure salaries, using La Mer moisturising cream, debating which private blend of Tom Ford is the best scent, claiming diptyque candles are “played out”…

The fantasists and projections in here are great fun.

In the real world, Baylis and Harding ? Nothing much wrong with them, but they are ubiquitous and in every chemist, department store and supermarket. This is why some may not like receiving it because it’s considered a bit universal, default, everywhere.

but yeah the smells are ok!

Totally agree with the first two paragraphs!

Yippitydoodah · 21/12/2022 23:19

I’m by no means a snob, my go to products are herbal essences and imperial leather (just to prove my salt in budget toiletries!) but B&H are horrid. They might smell ok but the shower gel has the consistency of edible jelly mixed with water and the creams are really plasticky and thin. People hate them because of this and the fact they’ll end up with 5 B&H gift sets for Christmas that they then have to ‘redistribute’.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 21/12/2022 23:19

pelargoniums · 21/12/2022 23:05

I don't mind if people want to buy it for their own use
That’s wonderfully kind of you Grin

Grin
NeedAHoliday2021 · 21/12/2022 23:19

Molten brown offends me more. So expensive and unimpressive.

theswoot · 21/12/2022 23:21

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 21/12/2022 22:12

I quite like the Goodness range they have that's meant to look a bit like Aesop.

Yep! Me too!

baffledcoconut · 21/12/2022 23:26

It’s fine. We have it in our bathrooms. But it’s something you pick up in the shop and not a gift. Although if someone gave me a 6 pack I’d be grateful as I’d not have to remember to buy it. Im a bit of a fan of a gift like that. Once was given a load of dishwashing tablets as a neighbour had over ordered- it was lovely not having to remember to buy any for about a year! Goodness knows why they didn’t keep hold of them!

Imjustbrowsing · 21/12/2022 23:29

These comments are absolute nonsense, it is basic scented hand wash in a fancy bottle.
someone earlier claiming you cannot get it for under £5 and there is a 500ml hand wash and 500ml hand cream set on Amazon for £3.75 with free delivery…..Think about how you have to cut corners to get to that pricing in a slightly fancier bottle.
buying luxury brands is often the law of diminishing returns but Molton Brown is objectively superior.
I have three brands of 100% linen bedsheets and the most expensive is the best, wish that was not the case.
You can often buy 5l quality hand wash on Ebay and make your own gift sets that will be vastly superior to Bayliss and Harding.

Mariposista · 21/12/2022 23:31

Because it’s a thoughtless gift.
My mum and I proposed getting a Christmas present from our family for my elderly gran’s wonderful carer who has helped us every day ever since she got very ill in October. She is so great she deserves something nice. My uncle said ‘I’ll just get her a B&H gift set - ok?’ We were like eeeeerm NO!

baffledcoconut · 21/12/2022 23:31

B&H is sub £2 even in Waitrose. It’s good value for a large bottle. Def can get it under a fiver!