Those looking for more options in the luxury bath and body care segment, Crabtree & Evelyn, a Malaysian brand that specialises in exquisitely scented soaps and shower gels, is what you need. So how is it different from other brands like The Body Shop and L’Occitane? “Crabtree & Evelyn has a English heritage that not many beauty brands could claim today,” explains Vaibhav Tewari, brand manager of Crabtree & Evelyn-India, adding that the inspiration for the brand originates from 18th century conservationist John Evelyn and the crab apple tree, the ancestor of all cultivated apples.
Blooming advantage
The brand uses 160 “natural botanical ingredients” in their products.“Some of the ingredients used are shea butter, an intensive moisturiser and conditioner which helps to restore skin elasticity; macadamia nut oil, a rich emollient oil; myrrh, a botanical extract known to condition and strengthen nails and cuticles; and goatmilk, an excellent moisturiser,” explains Tiwari. The store stocks a mix of floral and botanical (based on fruits) ranges, including Lily, Rosewater, Pomegranate and Avocado, among others. Their latest collection, Himalayan Blue Fragrance, uses “ginger, and a combination of rose absolute, pink pepper, Himalayan golden champaca blossoms and wildflowers.”
Something for men
And the brand is not partial to women. Their two ranges for men, Nomad and Sienna, were launched in India last April and are doing very well. “Nomad fragrance features an exotic mélange of Malaysian teak and Indian sandalwood and clove from Zanzibar. Sienna leads us to the medieval hill towns of Tuscany. Its essence captures a feeling of old-world luxury in a blend of leather, citrus and spice. This year, we launched the third range West Indian Lime, a classic fragrance that blends essences of lime, lemon, orange flower and vetiver - native to the British West Indies,” explains the brand manager.
The bestsellers
Also known globally for its handcreams, the brand has a stock of its award winning handcare range Gardener, with ingredients like macadamia nut oil, shea butter, sunflower wax and olive that work to keep skin soft and supple. Assortment sets like the 60-Second Handfix kit, which come with a scrub and moisturiser, will make for a popular gift. Other items like flower creams, scented candles and diffusers, come with almost all collections (except the botanical which, will be introduced later this year). Also expected are the spring summer collection - Tarocco Orange, Eucalyptus & Sage and Summerset Meadow. The last is “a new member to the Fantasy Fragrance line with a fruity floral fragrance.”
Products are priced between Rs 500 and Rs 7,000.