If you follow my blog, you'll know that my long-time HG facial cleanser is the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - I recommend it to anyone who wants a gentle yet effective cleanser that will take the day off and leave your face clean and soft. After staying loyal to Fresh for a few years, I was ready to switch things up and try something new. One small sample packet of this Fabulous Face Cleanser sold it for me (which is why it boggles my mind when companies are stingy with samples - like hellooo!) and I knew I needed the full size. This is a gentle, mild-foaming gel cleanser that is great for sensitive skin, and the smell is an incredible mix of rosemary and other botanical ingredients. I actually look forward to waking up and washing my face with this in the morning as I find it super refreshing and calming to the senses. Unlike the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, this does not excel in washing off heavy makeup, but it isn't really an issue for me since I always double cleanse with a cleansing oil first. The larger 200ml bottle does come with a pump, but I learned the hard way that you can't just stick the pump in from the get-go - it will overflow and ruin your bathroom floor and your day. Rookie mistake!
Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream SPF 15 | 40ml for $275 HKD
I was mostly intrigued by the name of this face cream, and when I saw it came in a tube there was no going back. I am a sucker for cool packaging! Yes, I know I previously went on a mini-rant about SPF 15 being too low for my daily sun protection, but for bare-faced days when I'm just lounging around the house or popping downstairs for a quick grocery run with Riley, this face cream with SPF combo is perfect. Apparently it took Aesop ten years to research, develop and perfect this formulation. An entire decade, and they couldn't bring the SPF up to 30? Just kidding (kinda). This has a lightweight consistency that leaves a healthy sheen on the face (without being oily) and of course, the scent is an amazing musky, lavender-esque concoction that has me excited every time I slap it on my face.
Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream | 60ml for $365 HKD
I have been repurchasing this face cream for a couple years now, and I am still obsessed - it's the only cream I use both morning and night. Aesop describes this as "a lightweight, citrus oil-infused moisturizing cream for normal and combination skin" and I find it provides the perfect amount of hydration for my combination skin that isn't too heavy or oily. The scent is wonderful - duh, citrus oil! - with a combination of mandarin, lemon and tangerine rind, and my face seems to drink this stuff up. Not much else to say except love, love, love!
This was a completely spontaneous and unplanned purchase but I just couldn't help myself. Aesop offers six Celestial gift kits that pay homage to six of the eighty-eight modern constellations (such a cool concept!), and this particular Cepheus gift set contains the Geranium Leaf Body Care Trio that includes a body cleanser, balm and scrub. Aesop describes this set as "three aromatic Geranium Leaf Body Care staples offering gentle, thorough cleansing, invigorating exfoliation, and generous hydration and nourishment."
I've always been curious about this range - the green packaging is just so inviting - and kindly asked the sales associate to try the three products on my hand. Look where that got us. First up is the Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser. Sure, I tried to convince myself I didn't need an expensive body wash (since I would be rinsing it off seconds later) but I just couldn't get over the scent. Oh my goodness, the entire range smells like you're getting a massage in an outdoor spa (think mandarins, lemons, citrus oil with a dash of herbal deliciousness) and this cleanser leaves my skin feeling really clean, soft and refreshed. The Geranium Leaf Body Scrub has a gritty, sandy texture that manages to buff away and soften the skin without feeling scratchy or harsh, and you can really feel the botanical oils working together with the granules to both polish and hydrate. The Geranium Leaf Body Balm is slightly thicker in consistency than the usual creams I use, and is that much more nourishing without feeling sticky or greasy. To me, this acts like the top coat over freshly painted nails - it helps lock in all the moisture and keeps my skin soft and velvety and smelling like a freakin' spa. If only they came out with a Geranium Leaf perfume...
And a quick shout out to the packaging because I am still in awe of how beautiful the entire presentation is - from the reflective gold specks on the outside (that actually replicate the constellation of Cepheus!) to the quote by Vincent Von Gogh printed on the inside of the sleek tin box, "I know nothing with any certainties, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." Aesop, please stay the wondrous, poetic, creative brand that you are.
That's a wrap, I hope you guys enjoyed this haul and review!
My Aesop collection is actually quite extensive - I have a bunch of other products that I absolutely love and one that my skin did not agree with - and I think it'd be helpful to do a review on all Aesop products I've tried and own. Keep an eye out for that soon. Until next time, happy hauling!
Cool stuff you have got and you keep update all of us. haute her girls.
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