A Kiehl's mea culpa from a new convert

For some reason, I thought I wasn't a Kiehl's fan, even though both Nancy and Hillary use and love many Kiehl's products. But I am attracted by the simplicity of their packaging and presentation; I feel like I'm paying for actual product, not a box or ostentatious packaging (which I have nothing against, except when it's better than what it contains).

On Friday, I spent some time with Kiehl's seemingly effortlessly beautiful PR manager for the US, Rachael Kelly. My friend Matthew and I met Rachael at the original Kiehl's store and apothecary, which the company has occupied since 1851. It's a pretty cool place, all exposed brick and Steve McQueen's old motorcycles propped up in corners.

I don't want to make this post all about Rachael, but she's a really good PR person. (Working in marketing and PR, nothing grates like an incompetent one, and few things please me as much as interacting with a PR who knows what she's doing. She's open, friendly, genuine, and doesn't recite from any script.)

We spent over an hour with her, talking products and why so many natural/organic claims are bogus, as well as about how Kiehl's puts an emphasis on SPF (their routine departs from the traditional "cleanse, tone, moisturize" and is more like "cleanse, moisturize, protect").

I've spent a bit of time testing out a few of the products she gave us - Rachael was very generous - and right now I'm wondering why it took me so long to start using their Ultra Facial Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15. Nancy blogged about this wonderous product here nearly a year ago. I'm pretty much not in the market for another tinted moisturizer or foundation right now, thanks to this. (That's me, at right, wearing it with only a bit of powder and blush on top.)

I passed some of the samples she gave me to Matthew, so his mother and sister could test them - such as the Marvelous Mineral Mascara. Rachael was wearing this and it looked very pretty on her, but in a minimalist, barely-there way. I like a little more oomph from my mascara, so don't think it would suit me. (It is paraben-free and fragrance-free, if you're sensitive about such things.)

Both Matthew and I immediately took to the Superbly Restorative Argan Skin Salve. It helped rescue his dried, cracked cuticles without an overpowering or feminine scent; I found it very soothing on a rash I was starting to develop. It's a very solid salve, not goopy, so there's no mess when you use it.

I've got a lot more products to test, but I felt obligated to take back immediately my previously sneering attitude toward Kiehl's. These are items I'd pay for, and have no hesitation about recommending. Do you use Kiehl's products? Which ones should I buy?

Comments

[Nancy Rommelmann]

Tafv -- my nineteen-year-old -- said to me recently, "I have used that tinted moisturizer every day since we've gotten in [about two years ago] and I am going to use it the rest of my life."
I feel the same way.
The amazing thing is, Tafv, Hillary and I all use the same stuff, in the same shade, and it works brilliantly on each of us.
I think the reason, besides it being really good stuff, is because it really is what it claims to be: a tinted moisturizer, meaning, it's doing good, hydrating things for your skin (while protecting it) and giving it just a little cover and color. You look flawless, but not made-up. Amazing stuff.

[Harriet]

I too used to be a Kiehl's skeptic, but through their insidious use of free samples, I have become a convert. I love their Over-Night Biological Peel, which is great at tackling post-breakout flaky/crusty situations. (And if it matters, Paula Begoun gives the pH a thumbs up for efficacy.)

I also have a tube of Golden Berry lip gloss that I swipe on in the mornings, and it starts me out moisturized and nicely pink, without fading into a bizarre rictus. (For reasons I won't go into here, it can be several hours before I can check my lipstick once I get to work.)

I really like the Ultra Facial Cleaner, but Kiehl's fliptop tubes are a pain in the neck, and I've switched to the nearly identical Clinique version, in a pump. Someone with long, rock-hard fingernails would have no problem, tho, and it is deliciously foamy without being the least bit drying.

[Christine]

It's great to see you posting more often, Jackie :)

Kiehl's is definitely a solid brand. No matter what new products and brands come out, I know Kiehl's is reliable. I fully recommend their Lip Balm #1, Brightening Botanical Masque, and Ultra Facial Moisturizer (which is probably what you mentioned in this post... sans the tinted).

[Jacq]

I think the only Kiehl's product I've used is their lipbalm - and it was a gift from a friend. I don't know why, but it never occurs to me to buy their stuff.

[Caroline Baines]

Today I walked past the Kiehl's counter in a Geneva department store and, having read your post, decided to have a look at the ultra facial tinted moisturiser.

Now I'm not a big fan of foundation or even tinted moisturiser but I decided to have a look anyway.

It seemed to blend nicely on the back of my hand, but off course that's not where the stuff is supposed to go.

So I asked the sales girl if she had a sample to try at home, which she didn't have but she was nice enough to go to the Laura Mercier counter next door to borrow one of their little sample pots and then filled it up for me!

I'm really hoping now that I like the product so I can go back and actually buy it!