Henri Bendel Inc

Some of these reviews read silly for a Henri Bendel review - at least for the one in NYC. They don't sell clothing. How you can possibly get a Benefit person when you're not at their counter is beyond me. I personally love this store - no i wouldn't call it a gift store - personally I wouldn't buy their jewelry - its costume jewelry and a little pricey at that - walking a few blocks will prove to get you very similar things for a fraction of the cost. I wouldn't buy their sandles - a little silly tbh. I avoid the makeup counters. I adore their bags. I adore their accessories. I adore their trinkets. I have a love for everything Bendel - I truly do. If they were to sell a few more things - i would marry them. I don't know why they stopped carrying clothes - i remember shopping with my mom there when i was in High School and I loved their clothing. I think they should have a few signature pieces of clothing by them, for sale. Like, maybe a polo with the neck tape of the bendel stripes.. or a bendel striped long sleeved silk blouse - i would buy that in a heart beat. I don't know - I just want more. I don't go there for the makeup.. I know its asking too much but i would love if they replaced the makeup counters with clothes. more

I'll agree with the other reviewers: this is the ultimate Girl Gift Store. Whether you're gifting your favorite girls or gifting yourself, you'll find an abundance of fun and luxe accessories, including gloves, scarves, wraps, customized perfume, cosmetics and facial products, handbags, costume jewelry, candles and home scents, books, edible treats, and even Christmas ornaments (in fact, my Christmas tree every year is decorated entirely by solid-colored glass balls and Bendel glass ornaments!), I'm especially delighted by their hats and it's got to have one of the best hat selections in any store I've been to. My favorite hats there are Selima's, every one of them a one-of-a-kind treasure but quite practical, too. Women never fail to ask me where I bought my hat when I wear one. \r \r Another treat, but available only during summer months, are the Italian sandals that you can have custom-fitted and handmade right there on the second sales floor in about 2 hours.\r \r A very few drawbacks: Other than the sandals mentioned above, you can't expect to find shoes at Bendel, and this is the main drawback as far as I'm concerned given that shoes are usually a girl's favorite accessory. Another drawback: having to run the gamut of cosmetic salespeople on the first floor unless you use the front stairs or the elevator. I swear you'll be stopped by 5 or 6 of them minimum and it gets old after the first 2. Last but not least, expect a significant punch in your pocketbook when you go there. Bendel's wares are an evil combination of irresistible and quite often expensive. \r more

Bought a bracelet in July which sadly broke after wearing a couple of times. I am not in NY so emailed to enquire about returns. I waited for a month but still no reply. Very disappointed by poor customer service which for a quality brand is not acceptable. This negative view seems wholly avoidable as the customer experience was entirely positive at point of sale. Shame on you Henri Bendel! Cannot recommend. more

A friend recommended Paula Dorf cosmetics and said that there was a cosmetics counter at Henri Bendel. She said the make-up was amazing and suggested I try it out. I went last week and found the makeup station that had the Paula Dorf sign. There were two girls working the station and I walked up and said I was interested in the Paula Dorf line. One of the girls offered to do my makeup and directed me to seat at the side of the counter.\r Turns out, she was working for the Benefits makeup line!!! She used several products which I thought were fine so I purchased them and when I got home I couldn't understand what the link was between Paula Dorf and Benefit brand....there is none!!! I am so disgusted that this was done and will not go back! Buyers beware and ask questions if something doesn't seem right! more

Alison Nelson reopens her West Village location just steps away from her pioneering original \r Chocolate Bar: 19 Eighth Avenue between 12th Street & Jane, NYC (West Village)\r \r \r Pros: Example: best croissants in town Cons: What are the drawbacks? more

I would live here if I could. There is everything that a shopping Diva like myself would ever want. Everything is as special as the place itself Pros: everything Cons: nothing more

What a gorgeous Chocolate Bar Cafe Henri Bendel now has! I was the first one in the door for the grand opening and ladies- Alison Nelson adds mischief to manners with her modern take on high-society savoir faire. Chocolate Bar at Henri Bendel is truly a devilish playground, where mod meets marvelous! The staff is fashionably attired in a chic, cap sleeve mini dress by Alice + Olivia and its feminine, yet eclectic desig, including creamy leather couches, eye-catching graphics and a simply stunning chandelier, not to mention the best darn hot & cold chocolates this side of Tiffany's! The space just oozes charm and is perfect spot for Bendel girls to have a quick coffee or a leisurely meal. When spying todays menu I saw savory selections such as chocolate sandwiches!!!! gourmet soups and mixed greens?including a return of the legendary Bendel?s Salad! mmmmmmm. Click those heels up to the third floor, pronto!\r Pros: Barcelona Sandwhich, Cold Hot Chocolate, Italian Tuna Salad with small Italian Soda!! more

Head straight to the top floor for bargains- I can't stress that enough! Anyway, Bendel is usually not very crowded except on the bottom (cosmetics) floor. They can be a bit snooty or just plain bizzare- I'm 20 but apparently look 16, so I don't get any respect unless I demand it. Between staff avoiding me and pressuring me to try a new lip gloss (because that's all my mom will let me wear at 16?) it can be frustrating. The top floor has deals on Anna Sui, Nanette Lepore, Custo Barcelona and many others. Pros: Merchandise, great sales, beautiful store Cons: , crazy makeup ladies more

I love Henri Bendel's selection of clothes. They carry many hard-to-find labels not seen in the other major stores like Bergdorf & Barneys, and their accesspry dept. is fun though not necessarily as spectacular. I purchased a necklace and the sales associate was perfectly sweet, friendly, & helpful, and not the least bit pushy. My only complaint is that it's easy to max out your CC here & while the store is beautiful, the layout is a bit tricky to navigate like another reviewer pointed out. Pros: great clothes, hard-to-find labels, friendly staff Cons: , confusing layout more

What's unusual about Bendel's is it's layout -- circular staircase that leads to all the nooks and crannies including Garren Salon. Only one designer's clothes *per* room, exception being cosmetics, denim, accessories and handbags, so the shopping is very designer-specific and carefully chosen, unlike Saks or Co-op, which carry most of the same designers but sharing space on the same racks in the same dept. Is it the ""best?"" No, but it's certainly fun! Pros: Interior Decor, Friendly associates, Youthful designers Cons: Crowded cosmetics, Expensive, SexInTheCityTourists more

I was especially dazzled by the Paula Dorf personnel. Everyone was enthusiastic and friendly and I felt like I got a spa treatment during my shopping excursion. So much to see! more

Everytime I walk into Henri Bendel, I end up spending more than I want but it's always for the best. The service at any counter is always the best and the various lines they carry is like going into a candy store. If you want one stop shopping for all your beauty needs then this is the place to go. You will find everything from makeup to fragrance and of course, for those that venture up you can find the latest fashion trends. Be careful, because you'll walk out with your credit card close to max!! Pros: variety, location, amazing service more

Henri Bendel has a good, wide selection of high quality women's clothing. They also now have an Agent Provocateur (lingerie) boutique, which is a big plus. Their accessories dept. is just OK. I've never seen anything THAT original. The only caveat to this store is the physical layout. When going through the store, I have a hard time figuring out what parts I've already walked through, or how to get back to where I started. Pros: variety of clothes Cons: store layout more

Now, mind you, I no longer EVER pay full retail - but when I did - I would always go to Henri Bendel's for the best selction of high-end cosmetic products, and where I could be waited on hand and foot by gorgeous gay male make-up artists. Ah, Bliss! Pros: Choices, Selection, Quality Cons: Expensive, Crowded, Rushed more

In trying to help a friend who had seen the perfect dress in Bendel (but not the right size), I called the store. The woman who answered was rude to say the least and the height of her helpfulness consisted of ""go look online."" They may have lovely clothes, but their customer service needs some basic training. more

Bendel's is a second home for me. All the staff is friendly and the store buyer has inpeccable taste. The make up staff is the best!!!!! Pros: Easily accessable more

The store can feel crowded, and the staff while helpful can be pushy. You may leave with some things you don't really need or want if you don't stay firm. Pros: variety, well-stocked Cons: crowded, beware pushy sales more