Molton Brown samphire vital body oil review
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Feeling stressed? Are your muscles tense and sore? Is your hectic lifestyle wearing on you and your skin? Then look no further, because your salvation resides not in expensive spa treatments or meditation exercises, but rather one simple, azure-blue bottle that holds within it the formula for relaxation and healthier skin.
Seem to good to be true? Luckily, thanks to Molton Brown Unwind samphire vital body oil, it’s not only real, but part of a whole line of their body therapies products aimed at providing a sense of tranquility while nourishing and protecting skin from the effects of various stresses that life can toss at you on a daily basis.
While I only got to try the samphire vital body oil, just one of five products in the Unwind family, Stef was able to stop by the Molton Brown store a while back and gave a fantastic summary of the full body therapies line: Nurture for protecting dry, sensitive skin, Unwind for those in need of relaxation, Purify meant to boost dull skin, and Sleep with its aromatic oils to encourage a restful body and mind.
As someone with a hectic schedule (who needs sleep when there’s coffee?), the samphire vital body oil was much needed relief for my tense muscles and dull skin that craved some serious pampering. This body oil features natural ingredients like Vitamin E, Gardenia flower extract, as well as olive fruit and coconut oils, all of which help condition and moisturize. The more unique ingredients though, like Marine rock samphire, Monoi de Tahiti and Amazonian Inca Inchi oil are the real stars of this product. Samphire, a plant found in the wild of British coastal regions, boosts skin collagen production, reducing visibility of lines and wrinkles. Monoi de Tahiti is an intense moisturizer and Amazonian Inca Inchi seed oil is chockfull of protein, vitamins A and E and helps lock in moisture.
Following their suggestion of first warming the oil by rubbing it in the palms of my hands, I focused on deeply massaging it into my shoulder muscles where I tend to carry the most stress, then used it on the rest of my body as a moisturizer. The result? Just as promised, my muscles felt relaxed while my skin, newly revived and hydrated, felt silky smooth.
And thanks to the Gardenia flower extract I immediately felt the calming effects of its soothing, heady, flowery scent that’s both earthy yet pleasantly subtle without overwhelming the senses. As an added bonus, not only did the oil spread like a dream and rub easily into the skin, but it did NOT leave me feeling greasy thanks to the amazing dry finish!
While Molton Brown’s Unwind samphire vital body oil managed to comfort and ease both my body and mind, I can only imagine how heavenly it would be to combine it with the atoll crystal bath soak as they suggest. I think though, just to be sure this stuff really works, I’ll also have to try the Unwind Island pine leg soother. And some of the Nurture bathing milk too. Oh, and the Purify ambrusca body tonic. Maybe some of the Sleep Cedra temple soother while I’m at it…
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
Ooh, this sounds intriguing. Even your review made me feel relaxed, Kari!
I know some people find the scent of Gardenia too cloying, but I love it. And I sometimes avoid oils because they’re too, uh, oily, so “dry finish” sounds good to me, too! I will definitely check out Molton Brown’s body therapies.
@turboterp – I didn’t try this, but did get a good sniff. The Gardenia is very subtle. Wouldn’t you agree @kari?
I ADORE Molton Brown. Luxurious is the first word to come to mind. Everything smells amazing, has exotic ingredients, beautiful packaging. Really, I don’t think I’ve ever been less that thrilled with anything I’ve bought.
The Body Therapies line is fabulous, and it’s nice to see that this product is no exception. Great review!
.-= Stef´s last blog ..MAC Pret-a-Papier Collection and Launch Party =-.
@turboterp– The dry finish is what completely sold me (though to be honest, I didn’t really need any more convincing as this is a truly stellar product). I was totally expecting to feel like an oil slick but I just felt very well moisturized!
And @stef, yes! When I opened the bottle I actually thought it was odorless at first because that’s how subtle the gardenia scent is. I’m definitely one that tends to avoid very heavy floral scents, but Molton Brown really found the perfect balance on this one. I got subtle wafts of the Gardenia scent after application, just enough to be soothing, but anyone else would definitely have to be standing pretty close to me to smell the gardenia.
Oh and regarding the packaging, it really is a lovely design. Both aesthetically and functionally. I hate when you try to pour a little bit of a product out into your hand a pool comes pouring out. The MB packaging is such that you have to squeeze the bottle even when it’s tipped completely upside down. Small thing to note, but honestly, I was impressed that they even thought of that. It shows that this line truly considers every aspect of their product no matter how small the detail.
I forgot to mention, FIVE STARS! I’d give it ten or more if I could!
Great post Kari! I too, completely “adore” (good word to describe it) Molton Brown! Ever since they landed here at South Coast Plaza, I have been a huge fan, along with my husband as well. The quality of their products is quite unmatched. Just this past weekend, I just was able to use Unwind- samphire vital body oil on my husband’s aching back. (Thanks Hun for being my massagee to test this out on). Indeed, I liked it a lot and so did he- how could he not? Gee, anyone that gets a free massage is always getting the better deal- married or not! It totally de-tensed him in less than 15 minutes.. Our session was immediately following a hot shower that included Molton Brown’s nothing but amazing (his favorite) warming eucalyptus bath & shower therapy, so his skin was still moist and ready to except this body oil. This product is reminiscent of Neutrogena’s Body Oil that we use in the shower. It was not too oily and absorbed well into his skin. I did smell a slight hint of the gardenia flower extract and coconut oil, which is very pleasing. I think this is a great product if you enjoy massage and want the benefit of good ingredients. This is loaded with vitamin E. I am by second trade, a massage therapist, only self-taught since I was a teenager and have been told I should have probably gone into the field but felt my life’s calling going in a completely different direction. I’m just glad I know how to give good massages to those I love, though! Now, it’s my turn for a massage! I think this bottle could be a bit larger and would do well to be in pump dispenser for easy use. I give this product a rating of five stars!
I’ve yet to try anything from this line but the packaging is killing me! I love it! So simple yet beautiful. I think I need to go shopping…
Molton Brown is a fabulous line! I first had the opportunity to try them in a posh hotel that I stayed in. Everything that I have tried has been absolute luxury!! I could really use this oil. My legs are just parched from the winter! And who doesn’t love a good massage.
My goodness, I need to get my hands on the one that helps with sleeping. I could massage some into my daugthers’ backs after their bathes, and all of three of us could have a pleasant ever after. lol.
This is one excellent product! Molton Brown is so luxurious – I was thrilled to test this!! You’re right Kari, they really have thought of everything – from the way the oil dries down to the way the bottle pours. Now, believe it or not, I’m only giving it 4 stars, because for the price, I want a little more scent. I hesitate to say that, because I don’t like anything too overpowering, but I just barely smell anything at all. And what is there, Id like to smell more. I don’t smell gardenia or coconut – it’s almost a cream sickle scent, and I feel like it would relax me more if I could use the aromatherapy side of this more. That’s my only partial negative, though. It’s absolutely incredible how it soaks into your skin and doesn’t leave you greasy feeling whatsoever – just silky smooth. My husband and I did rub eachother’s shoulders with this, which was fun and all, but I knew to really get a good tester involved I had to take it to my massage therapist. She gave it 5 stars, so that speaks very highly for the product! What she was so impressed with was that for an oil, it spreads so well and lasts – she did not need to re-oil often at all. That, apparently, is why she does not use oil on clients – usually oils are too greasy, don’t soak in well, and don’t actually spread well. This one passed all those tests, and if the price was right for a “work oil”, she’d use it! (she works at a chiropractor’s office, not a high-end spa!). So, as much as I don’t want to, I’m knocking off a star for the (non) scent, but this truly is a stellar product!!
This sounds amazingly good. Love that it has a dry finish. Hmmm…maybe I can hint for this for mother’s day!
Sounds totally divine! I have yet to try one of their products that I don’t love!! Have to add this to the list of must haves!!
Dang it, I didn’t get to have anyone give me a massage when I was testing this stuff out! I think my boyfriend owes me some shoulder rubs now! :P
@irene: Your friends and husband must be very happy to have you around! Who doesn’t love getting free massages?!
@Kellie76: My coworker first told me about MB products a year ago because the hotel she was staying in Scotland used MB products too! If I ever stayed in a hotel with MB I would totally be guilty of stealing all the little bottles of product from the room (and probably the housekeeping cart. Ha!)
@Melinda: That’s awesome that your massage therapist friend gave it the thumbs up! It’s good to get the pro’s opinion since she definitely has a better knowledge of these kinds of products.
I love Molton Brown . . . everything I have tried has been of superior quality!
A body oil that relaxes muscles AND doesn’t leave a greasy residue? Sign me up, please! Sounds fantastic. Great review!