Aesops Fables?

Do you remember reading Aesops Fables as a child?  I do!  The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse...You just can't beat a story with a moral!  But fear not, I do not intend to present you with a rundown of a variety of literary interpretations of a famous Greek storyteller (sigh, if only).  No the moral of this 'story' is far more beauty orientated and does in fact involve the delectable skin care and beauty experts at Aesop.

Originally established in Melbourne, Australia, the Aesop brand now has offices and stores in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong - and with their plant based beauty and skin care products, their understated and classic packaging and their ever so inviting storefronts, Aesop does seem to be wooing all who glance their way - exuding something that we are all chasing - a simpler beauty ethos and perhaps therefore by default - a simpler way of life? (and the eyes being rolled echoed around the world) .  In fact, their entire approach to their business undertakings is rather enchanting - each of their stores has been carefully thought out in terms of its placement, it's architecture and design, and it's impact on pre existing structures.  Their New York store utilises reclaimed copies of the New York Times as primary construction materials; their Paris store repurposed 427 polished discs conventionally used to close plumbing pipes, instead installed into the walls for them to display their products.  From the ground up, Aesop, in it's entirety, does feel like a work of art.

Which brings me to (drum roll) my top favourite Aesop products (to be fair these are the only Aesop products I have thus tried, but they have all be fabulous, and well - you get my drift).

1.  Aesop Amazing Face Cleanser

Aesop Amazing Face Cleanser $49.00

This is what started my Aesop fascination and normally I wouldn't spend this much on a cleanser (the price above is for 200ml), but I had heard such great things about this particular product that I thought I would splash out.  It is for oily and combination skin and the great thing about this cleanser is that it is a concentrated formula, so you only need a really small amount; and it is low foaming.  It's citrus and botanical ingredient base is great for thoroughly cleansing the skin whilst also absorbing any excess sebum (oil) from the skin's surface.  The scent took me a bit of getting used to, but now that I am familiar with it - I really enjoy the smell - am not quite sure why this was...it has a very pleasing mandarin base with hints of the ylang ylang and lavender.

2.  Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator $63.00

A lot of the Aesop range state that they are great if you live in polluted, urban environments or hot, humid climates, which is actually covers a decent size target audience (clever Aesop) and the Parsley Seed Range is no exception.  Key ingredients being parsley seed, white tea, willow herb and panthenol which strengthen the skin against those urban and environmental elements we were talking about and leave it feeling smooth and, well - moisturised...soft and supple.  Sadly I am almost out of my sample sachet stash of this one and may have to procure further supplies.

3.  Aesop Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste

Aesop Purifying Facial Exfoliant Paste $51.00

This fabulous cream based formula contains very fine river bed quartz that helps get rid of any dead skin cells 'physically' but - also has one of my favourite skin care ingredients - lactic acid - offering that bit of chemical exfoliation - leaving your skin so polished and soft you will want to use it every day!  But don't!!  You should only exfoliate once or twice a week, as tempting as it may be with a product like this - If you over exfoliate you can potentially hyper stimulate the skin cells, making your skin oily and prone to break outs.

So let me leave you with this little tidbit - your very own 'Aesop fable' if you will - Your skin care routine need not be complicated and chaotic in fact...

'Order and simplification are the first steps toward the mastery of a subject.' Thomas Mann

Until next time, thanks very much for reading!

Crystelle xx

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