I started using Kiehl’s about 19 years ago, when there was one tiny hair salon in Stockholm that stocked it. I used to buy Kiehl’s Formula 133 Hair Conditioner and Grooming Aid, Ultra Facial Cream,and Creme De Corps Hydrating Body Moisturizer. What first drew me to Kiehl’s was the simple packaging and that they were VERY generous with samples, using them as advertising instead of huge campaigns. I found several more of my favourites that way. They are not cheap but they are very very good. I find that their products are very good for dry hair and skin. They are not fancy, but they are hardworking.
Nowadays Kiehl’s is owned by L’Oreal and widely available in Sweden. I don’t use it as often as before – probably because its ubiquity and mass-marketing has taken away the appeal (how shallow am I?). They also no longer give out samples, which is what drew me to them in the first place. Most of my favourite products were discovered through a generously-sized sample. I wish more brands realised that most people don’t want to shell out big money on a product they have never tried.
Now and then though, Kiehl’s have special offers where I can buy my favourite products more cheaply, with some travel sizes thrown in. In late December 2022, their advent calendar was half price and came with a large toiletry bag full of travel sizes. Because this was before a long trip, I bought it and used many of the products on our travels – body lotion, hand salve, shampoo and conditioner, lip balm, facial scrub, and facial moisturisers.
I really liked the products in the photo above – a facial wash and toner. Both very suited to dry skin. I was a tad alarmed at the floaty bits in the toner, but apparently that is calendula.
