Bespoke beauty is actually within your reach
Attach the word “custom” to just about anything and you probably think it’s going to involve either a lot of time (i.e. furniture) or a lot of money (just about everything else). In many cases this is true, but if you’ve ever dreamed of having a skincare product that’s really blended just for you and your major skin concerns, it’s time to hit up your local Kiehl’s store.
Last September, I wrote about the expansion of the brand’s Apothecary Preparations service to select stores, but just last month it popped up in even more locations—including my local store. I graciously accepted the brand’s invitation to experience this bespoke service for myself, and as a beauty nerd, it was more fun than I’ve had in a long time.
The process begins with a “Healthy Skin Test,” which involves placing paper strips on your forehead and cheek to assess your skin’s hydration levels. Mine rang in at 26.5% (the ideal is 50%) so I obviously need to work on that. Then, we flipped through the Kiehl’s Skin Atlas (see below)—and that’s when I really geeked out. It’s a huge book of photos of different skin concerns, and I was asked to rate each on a scale of one to four, based on how severe or important I personally feel they are. The big takeaway here: I’d really like to improve my skin’s texture and tone.
Based on each client’s professional and personal assessments, two of five “Complexes” are selected and added to the universal Skin Strengthening Concentrate (which is appropriate for all skin types). My personalized blend includes the Texture Refining Complex (packed with exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid and essential fatty acids) and Brightening Complex (formulated with vitamin C and scotch pine). Just so you know, the others include Visible Redness Neutralizing Complex, Pore Minimizing Complex and Wrinkle Reducing Complex.
Forty minutes later I was sent on my way—with a personalized bottle of Strengthening Concentrate and my two complexes—which I promptly mixed when I got home. (They do this to ensure maximum freshness and potency when you’re ready to use it). I was told that it takes a full skin-turnover cycle (roughly 28 days) to see results, but my skin already feels smoother and looks brighter after just two weeks of applying it morning and night.
I’m totally hooked on my personalized serum, and at just $95, it’s a lot less than a lot of other non-customized products out there. And with the holidays fast approaching, this makes a great gift for any skin-obsessed gal or guy in your life. Click here to find a store where you can experience Apothecary Preparations for yourself, and when people ask what you’re using on your skin because it looks so fantastic, you can brag that you had a serum made just for you!
