Spotlight on Kiehl's // Gifting, Ethics and Star Products

There are some brands that have a space in my heart, and Kiehl’s is definitely one of them. I’m not saying that I’ve loved every product I’ve tried from them (some just don’t sit well with my skin) but the majority of their products impress me. Their staff are always approachable and know what they are talking about, and don’t hesitate to hand out samples if you want some. Most companies don’t seem to understand that samples make browsers turn into repeat customers, but Kiehl’s are smarter than the average and get their good rep from word of mouth, and their great relationship with bloggers. I’ve compiled a list of some Kiehl’s products that would make great gifts, some I have tried myself and others I would like to. Hope you enjoy perusing my selection!

 

Midnight Recovery Eye Cream ($44 AUD for 15ml)

This is my favourite eye cream to date, it smells faintly of lavender and hydrates without causing me milia. I love the squeezy tube and thin applicator, I recommend this to anyone who asks me for an eye cream, from family to twitter friends.

Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque ($48 AUD for 125ml jar)

This isn’t something I’ve personally tried, but I love the idea of it and have heard so much about the Ultra Facial range. I love hydrating masks all year round, and this would be the first one I’d pick up if I was to do a Kiehl’s haul.

Superbly Smoothing Argan Hair Mask ($38 AUD for 250ml jar)

I haven’t tried any hair products from the Kiehl’s range but this one stood out to me the most. It says it is lightweight and tames flyaways, which is something I definitely need in my haircare routine. I am getting into hair masks and will hopefully enjoy a less frizzy summer this year!

Clearly Corrective White Clarity-Activating Toner ($38 for 250ml)

I’ve only tried a sample sachet of this toner, but having used a few of the other varieties Kiehl’s offers this one is the most tempting for me. Claiming to be hydrating while helping get rid of skin discolouration, I really liked how this felt on my face and want a big bottle of this as my next toner.

 

Aromatics Range Orange Flower & Lychee Body Lotion ($38 AUD for 250ml)

When a set of the new Aromatics range hit my desk, the Orange Flower & Lychee scent really knocked me for a six. Light, floral and in an easily absorbed lotion, the travel sized bottle now has a permanent place in my handbag. All 4 scents in the range (especially Vanilla & Cedarwood) are just beautiful, and it is obvious that Kiehl’s put a lot of time and thought into the creation of this collection.

Midnight Recovery Concentrate ($59 for 30ml)

I’ve been using this for quite a while now, and the tiny sample bottle has lasted and still has quite a large amount left to go. I find it hard to see the benefits of serums sometimes, but when I use this my skin is happy and more plump than usual. I suffer no adverse reactions and find that while this hydrates, it does not exacerbate oil on my skin. As you would imagine, it goes well as a nightly treatment with the matching eye cream, mentioned above.

Ultra Facial Cream ($34 for 50ml, $64 for 125ml)

This is something I haven’t tried before, but have seen some good reviews and it seems to be a popular line for Kiehl’s. Even though it is summer here in Australia my skin has been quite thirsty, and a nice facial moisturiser like this is something I really like the sound of.

Have you tried any of the Kiehl’s products that I’ve mentioned? What do you recommend from the brand?

*Samples of some of these products were given me by PR over the last year, but the post is not sponsored and everything I have written is honest. Honesty, always.

Favourites for July

Skipped last month because the passion just wasn't there, but I've more than made up for it with my love for these products during July! These kept me content and looking awake this month.

Samantha Chapman, you are a deadset legend! The stippling brush is the one I've used most from this haul, rather than using it as a finishing brush I've used it to apply all of my Bourjois liquid foundations and I've been loving the airbrushed finish! Speaking of Bourjois foundations, 123 Perfect is the latest offering and with each foundation I fall more in love with the brand! I'll devote a whole post to this soon.

Kiehls Midnight Recovery Eye Cream* smells like the best sort of lavender, is hydrating without being greasy and the packaging is uber pretty. I feel like I've done a good deed when I treat my eyes to this! The Environ AVST cleansing lotion* is so gentle but gets my face so darn clean, and it washes off quick as lightening as well. Massive bottle as well, big love from me.

This Prestige Brow Mascara was on sale at Priceline for something ridiculous like a dollar, and I think it may hold my brows in shape better than my Ardell brow gel. Guerlain's Champs Elysees is a staple perfume for me, I've gone through countless bottles of it and can see myself wearing it until my dying day. It makes me feel like an adult, I wear it to read good books and have brunch with friends and all those lovely things.

I don't normally reach for bronzer but I bit the bullet recently and bought this, as I'd had my eye on it for months. The Body Shop Honeycomb bronzer is matte and pretty, and I think it gives me a healthy look without being dark and scary.

One colour eye looks were rife this month, I've been working earlier mornings more often and it's all I can manage when I'm half asleep.MAC's Hazy Day was a Estee Lauder staff store purchase that I adore, or if I want something lighter I reach for MAC Jaunty. A massive favourite this month was my essence duo from the 50's Girls Reloaded collection in Come on Board Captain, particularly the golden beige shade which is so soft and pigmented.

While rounding up my favourites for the month I totally forgot to check the handbag, which contained my Uriage Thermal Water* spray, my L'Oreal Blue Reef polish* and Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine in Boy. Consider them added!

These are my standouts for last month- what are yours?

*Marked products were provided for review, which is not why they are in my favourites- they are here because they rock! Honesty, always.

Favourites for May

Left my favourites for a little later in the month, just because I could. Here is what was and is rocking my socks!

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The Kiehls Midnight Recovery eye cream* is a relatively new product that I've been absolutely loving this month! Winter sees my skin dry up that little bit, and I've been treating my undereyes to this slightly lavender scented delight each night. Packaging is clean and attractive, and I find the scent really luxurious.

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I threw in Benefit's Dallas blush when I hauled from the US Benefit site as I wanted to try one of their blushes (along with Hervana, which was the reason for the haul!) and this one seemed to call out to me. Good job it did, I am head over heels for this neutral blush that goes well with bright eyes and bright lips. Genius!
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I often get obsessed with a colour and let it flood into every aspect of my life, and right now chartreuse is it! Halfway between a yellow and a green, Poison* from Femme Fatale Cosmetics is a mind blowingly beautiful eyeshadow. I am currently trialling a bunch of the FFC shades and am impressed, and this is the star in my eyes. Have been wearing this so frequently, bright eyes were abundant in May!
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Though it is winter, I've been running around like mad organising the engagement, working and finishing up my final semester of uni, so this Rexona Clinical Protection* deodorant was an important product for me.
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Juicy Couture's Dirty English is one of my staple scents that I'm worried has been discontinued, but have been using regardless. It's spicy, addictive and great for colder weather, and is actually a male cologne that I bought for Chris years ago. It never sat well on him so I claimed it, and a few bottles later here this one lies.
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Sad to say that my skin has seen better days, and so the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion was out in full force this month! I whack this on the spots at night and rinse it off in the morning, and it stops them erupting into large, sore blighters!
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Following along the lines of FFC's Poison, MAC's Bitter was a frequent star in my eye looks during May. My favourite was wearing both Bitter and Poison together, to create a lemon/lime sort of idea (my Mum adored the look, which helped!) This shadow is great with a slick of black liner, and is good for brightening up dreary winter moods!

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Speaking of black liner, the essence Midnight in Paris gel liner is my favourite right now! The formula is long-lasting and easy to use, and I use my NP Set* liner brush to apply it. I now find it easier to create flicks and wings, and I have been enjoying playing around with this little pot.
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Of course YSL is making an appearance in my favourites, they are my brand of the moment and this Rouge Volupte in 01 Nude Beige was a perfect pairing with my brighter eye looks. Can't rave about these enough, this is an amazing lipstick.
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One thing I have been consistent with this past month or so is treating my face to a replenishing mask. Mask of choice? Jurlique's Intense Recovery Mask, which was inside a beauty box and is a large sample tube. Chris likes this one as well, and I find it really calming and I like that it is a green shade, the funnier my face looks when a mask is on the better.

What rocked your socks last month?

*These products were provided for consideration, which does not sway my feelings about them. Honesty, always.