Allure Spa Luxury Egyptian Cotton Bath Towels
If there is one room in the house that symbolises self-care, retreat and sanctuary, it is the bathroom. This is where we go to rejuvenate and renew. So it’s easy to see why we often dream of creating a spa-like experience in the bathroom because this is what we equate with these feelings.
When I think of a luxurious spa, one of the first things I think of is luxury bath towels. Those huge fluffy ones that are so soft to the touch and immediately make you feel snug and warm and just really cosy and relaxed. This for me is an easy win when you are trying to replicate that spa-like experience at home.
Since my daughters were tiny, our bathroom hasn’t really resembled anything like a spa. It’s generally been a very practical family space. But now that they are getting older we are slowly able to transition are bathroom into more of a sanctuary. they are much more interested in self-care now and looking after themselves and are starting to understand the importance of having the bathroom be a calm and relaxing space in the home.
They did recently ask me to get some new towels as the small cotton bath towels that were using were a tad on the small side and they weren’t luxurious enough. They even said they were too scratchy! I have a feeling that I may be bringing them up to have the same very high standards when it comes to homewares as I have myself.
So when I was contacted by Allure Bath Fashions to see if I would be interested in doing a product review for them, it felt like the timing was perfect. Allure is an independent family business that stocks a broad range of beautifully designed bath mats and towels.
When I first visited the site to check out the range I was really surprised by how extensive it is. There are towels and bath mats in all different colour palettes and styles so there is definitely something for everyone. Whether you want classic white towels for a clean and timeless look or vibrant hues to add a pop of colourful pattern to your bathroom, Allure has pretty much all bases covered.
It took me quite some time to decide which of their products I wanted to test. I immediately headed over to the towel bales to see what they had there and in the end, it was the Spa Luxury Egyptian Cotton Bath Sheet Set that won me over. There is just something about Egyptian cotton that screams luxury and indulgence. And the fact that it even has the word spa in the product name, I was sold.
Allure sent me two sets of their Spa Luxury Egyptian Cotton Bath Sheets, (there are two towels in each set) and the price point is quite high at £50 a set so my expectations were quite high and I was looking forward to that luxury hotel spa experience.
But before I let you know if my expectations were met, I would just like to share with you a little bit more about Egyptian cotton, what makes it so special and ultimately what made me choose these towels in particular.
What is Egyptian cotton?
Egyptian cotton is grown exclusively in Egypt in the Nile Delta. In this region, there is a very unique climate and the soil is particularly fertile due to the clever irrigation system that ensures that the cotton receives a consistent supply of nutrients from the Nile. The cotton produced in this area grows slower for longer meaning it produces extra long and exceptionally fine fibres. These fibres become super soft when combed and spun which is what has given it the reputation as one of the world’s most luxurious textiles.
Sign me up. I do love a bit of luxury as you all know by now. Give me a magazine or catalogue and I guarantee you I will choose the most expensive item there before seeing the price tag and realising it is way over my budget and then some.
The benefits of Egyptian cotton
- Superior Quality
Egyptian cotton is renowned for its exceptional quality. It is often used for bedding and towels in premium hotels to give that feeling of sumptuous luxury. - Exceptional Softness
Egyptian cotton is much softer than other cotton due to the length and diameter of the cotton fibres. - Increased Strength
Egyptian cotton is stronger than other types of cotton. It is hand-picked which puts less stress on the fibres allowing them to remain longer and stronger. - More Durable
Because Egyptian cotton is stronger than other types of cotton, this means that is it also more durable and resistant to wear and tear. - More Absorbent
Because the fibres are longer and thinner and have a hollow core, this allows more liquid-absorbing loops per inch of fabric. The higher the thread count the more absorbent the towels will be and the quicker they will wick moisture away from the body. This also means that they will dry quicker after use reducing the risk of unpleasant smells. The quick-drying nature of Egyptian cotton towels is especially beneficial if you have a busy household or if you frequently host guests.
It was actually the softness and the absorbency that attracted me to these towels. As they were intended to be used by the kids, having something super absorbent was really appealing. They are still at that age where they want me to help dry them so anything to make this task a bit easier and quicker is appreciated. And obviously, the fact that they dry quicker after use is a huge bonus.
Egyptian cotton vs. regular cotton towels
When compared to regular cotton towels, Egyptian cotton towels are far and away the better option. As Egyptian cotton is stronger than regular cotton it lasts longer. Over time, whereas regular towels will decline in quality and softness, Egyptian cotton towels will only get softer. As I just mentioned, Egyptian cotton towels are more absorbent than regular cotton towels so they perform much better than regular cotton towels.
Understanding thread count and its impact on towel quality
Thread count is basically a measure of the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. It measures how tightly woven a fabric is. Egyptian cotton can come in a range of thread counts, typically from 200 to 800. Egyptian cotton towels will normally be about 600gsm as it is at this range that the fabric is smooth, soft and absorbent.
These Luxury Egyptian Cotton Bath Towels from Allure have a thread count of 550gsm so just about right.
Caring for Egyptian cotton bath towels
I obviously wanted towels that are easy to care for. I am a busy mum of two kids running two businesses simultaneously and my husband runs his own business too so any additional household tasks or anything that creates added stress or work for us is a big no!
Luckily, you can pretty much use common sense when it comes to caring for your Egyptian cotton bath towels and treat them like you would other towels. Wash on a low temperature using a gentle detergent but avoiding fabric softener. You can air dry them on tumble dry on a low heat setting. High heat can damage and weaken the fibres.
To ensure the longevity and quality of your Egyptian cotton towels you should avoid overloading the machine as this will cause friction which will lead to piling and reduced absorbency. Once the towels are dry they should be shaken out before folding and then stored in a dry, well-ventilated area to keep them fresh.
Cost considerations and value for money
I was really intrigued to see whether these luxury Egyptian cotton bath towels from Allure would prove to be good value for money. At £50 a set I was really hoping to get that indulgent luxury feel that you might get in a hotel or spa. This was my main concern. I am very happy to pay for higher quality if it provides a more enjoyable, luxurious experience. Especially if it also somehow saves time or effort.
Obviously, I am also hoping that the durability means they will last longer and not need replacing as quickly which would then actually save me money in the long run.
So, are Egyptian cotton bath towels worth the investment?
We’ve been using our Spa Luxury Egyptian Cotton Bath Sheets for a month now. I always like to test products for at least three to four weeks before reviewing them because I want to really put them to the test. In this case, I wanted to make sure I had the chance to wash them quite a few times to make sure that the results I was seeing were consistent over time.
I am extremely happy to report that these towels are just gorgeous. They are really large so the kids love them as they can completely wrap themselves up in them. One of my favourite features is the special dual construction where one side is soft zero twist for permanent softness, and the reverse is two-fold yarn for extra strength, durability and absorbency.
It’s always disappointing when you have super soft towels that are rubbish for drying but luckily this is not the case with these towels from Allure.
I was also very happy to discover that these towels meet the European Oekotex 100 Standard, ensuring that no harmful dyes or chemicals were used during the production of the product. Always good to know and a nice added benefit I wasn’t expecting.
Whilst these Egyptian cotton towels have a higher price tag compared to regular cotton towels, their superior quality and longevity definitely make them a worthwhile investment. They really do help to create that spa-like experience.
So all-in-all, that’s a resounding yes from me. Luxury Egyptian cotton bath towels are worth the investment and if you are looking to transform your bathroom into a spa-like oasis, I definitely recommend checking these out.