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I’m a total Anglophile. That might come as a shock to those of you who are regular readers of this column since I’m usually going on about Italy all the time. Yes, I do love Italy and have been spending at least a week there every summer (in Rome and Capri) for the past five years – but my heart really belongs to the U.K. (that’s me sitting on the edge of the Thames across from the Houses of Parliament during my first trip to London).
In high school in the 80s, I loved English pop music – Culture Club was the first concert that I ever went to (with my friend Peach) and I had Bananarama, Duran Duran, and Marilyn (Boy George’s then-boyfriend who claims to have had an affair with Gavin Rossdale long before he became Mr. Gwen Stefani) on heavy rotation on my “boom box”. Today I am in love with Girls Aloud (specifically Cheryl Cole), Little Boots, and Adele. I much prefer reading the British celebrity weeklies (Heat, Hello, OK!, Now) than any of their American counterparts - which means I am more up-to-speed with Jordan and Peter Andre’s divorce than Jon and Kate Gosselin’s. My credit card gets way more action on Amazon.co.uk than Amazon.com. And I just spent the entire week leading up to New York Fashion Week on a float in the pool (at my house in Washington, Connecticut – remember last month’s column?) reading Nancy Mitford novels (Nancy Mitford was the eldest daughter of the Baron & Baroness Redesdale - she grew up at Asthall Manor in Oxfordshire and wrote the two semi-autobiographic novels Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate.)
So, it really goes without saying that I would be a fan of Molton Brown – the British-based beauty company that was founded in 1973 on South Molton Street in London’s Mayfair. Using nature as her focus, Dale Daxon Bowers (who previously worked for another UK icon, Mary Quant) joined Molton Brown in 1978 and created a complete range of plant-based make-up, hair, body, skin, and grooming products.
Just this month Molton Brown launched their revamped and revitalized men’s range – introducing new products, new packaging and re-engineered cult favorites. Amy Nelson-Bennett, Molton Brown’s Group Marketing Director, told me: “Our men's category is an increasingly important part of our business. Men are looking for results-driven products and we have extended our men's range to reflect their specific needs. We create uniquely masculine products and masculine scents, presented in the unintimidating unisex environment of our emporia on high streets and online.” (Don’t you love how she uses words/terms like “emporia” and “high streets”? It’s just so utterly “British”!)
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Combining unique ingredients (sourced from exotic locations around the globe) with modern technology, the Molton Brown men’s range now consists of 7 different collections and a total of 23 different products. My new favourite (yes, favourite) is the Deep-Clean Mineral Ions Facewash which is just bursting with ingredients - like cool buchu (a combination of the buchu herb and wild water mint) - that help remove the daily build-up of oils and dirt from your skin. Plus, Chris Slevin, Molton Brown’s Cosmetic Science Controller, tells me: “Our facial wash soothes the skin whilst also helping to maintain a natural moisture balance specifically for male skin - it is the ideal product to use pre-shave as it will cleanse the skin whilst also shielding it against the drying affects of shaving.” (I mean, I could just listen to these Brits talk all day…)
PRIZE PATROL!
Have we got the perfect prize for you Gym Bunnies this month (and we’re guessing there are a lot of you out there)! One of the updates to Molton Brown’s fabulous reinvigorated and repackaged men’s range is the Bracing Silverbirch Thermal Muscle Soak – an ideal way to sooth sore muscles after a strenuous work-out (and pamper yourself at the same time – you know you deserve it!).
The bracing silverbirch (with its fresh woody aroma) and the thermal salts (which originate from ancient German seawater deposits) are extremely rich in active minerals that help flush-out toxins and boost the condition of your skin.
To win, e-mail us at
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with “Molton Brown” in the subject line and tell us in 100 words or less what foreign country you love (and why). The first 10 entries (with a valid e-mail, home address and telephone number) will win a cool 10 oz. canister of Molton Brown Bracing Silverbirch Thermal Muscle Soak - which retails for $28. Only one entry/winner per household please.
Want to learn more about Molton Brown’s men’s line-up? Go to www.moltonbrown.com right now!
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