For the better part of my pre-teen to early 20’s I have been an avid user of Lush Cosmetics for all my hair and skin care needs. It has only been within the last year that I have explored other cosmetic brands, like Kiehl’s. Kiehl’s is a cosmetic company focusing on skin and hair care products that are developed with scientific and natural formulas. Since it’s inception in 1851, Kiehl’s began as an “Old World Apothecary” using natural ingredients for their restorative properties. As the brand grew, they began to incorporate more science-based properties into their natural formulas.
“Kiehl’s skincare is scientifically formulated to respect, restore and strengthen the skin barrier for healthier, more radiant younger looking skin.”
As a diehard Lushie, it seemed sacrilegious to consider switching brands. I was and still am a firm believer in using products that are 100% natural and organic. However, over time I have become more forgiving and less stringent. For starters, I feel that the quality and effectiveness of Lush products has reduced drastically over the last 10 years (since I began using them). This can be attributed to a change in hormones, my environment, and the redundancy of using the same products on one’s skin. Conversely, I have also seen a dramatic increase in Lush’s prices that are reflected in products that are waterier in substance, and lack the power and volume of more nourishing ingredients.
Despite my misgivings, I still love Lush, and I am a monogamous user of some of their products. However, I have begun to explore other organic and natural skincare brands. Below I have listed my favourite Kiehl’s products that I have tried over the last year.
HAIRCARE FOR CURLY BABES
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own, I have NOT been sponsored by Kiehl’s. But hey Kiehl’s if you’re reading this, feel free to sponsor me! 😉 Also, I have used screenshots from www.kiehls.ca
My first foray in Kiehl’s began with a hair mask that absolutely saved my hair. After highlighting my hair blonde, and exposing my hair to heat tools, I suffered major heat damage. Despite having a love and hate relationship with my curls, the last thing I wanted was to lose them. Although I tried natural hair remedies, like coconut oil, yogurt, and other hair masks, nothing seemed to work. That was until I started incorporating the following products into my hair routine.
Sunflower Color Preserving Deep Recovery Pak
This hair mask is designed to re-invigorate your hair with moisture and strengthen damaged tresses. It has natural ingredients such as apricot kernel oil and sunflower oil, fortifying hair with essential vitamins to tame your tangled mane. I can say with 100% honesty that this hair mask saved my curls from irreversible damage. After one use you can see a huge difference. My hair became so soft!
This product is very unique. Although advertised as a hair mask, it is meant to be used post-shampoo. I actually use it in addition to my conditioner. I focus the majority of the product on my ends and then de-tangle my hair with a wide tooth comb. I let the hair mask sit in my hair for at least three minutes and then I rinse it out. Alternatively, you can use it as a hair mask if you want to (pre-shampoo). Just make sure your hair is damp, and then work the product in.
In addition to smelling delicious, this product is perfectly safe for coloured hair. So you do not need to worry about stripping colour. Furthermore, the formula is free of silicones and parabens, so you can rest assured you aren’t putting unnecessary gunk in your hair! A little goes a long way. One tin lasts me about 3-4 months with daily use!
Deeply Restorative Smoothing Hair Oil Concentrate
This argan oil hair treatment is touted as being lightweight and guaranteed to tame your frizziness. I personally love using this product after the shower, where I concentrate on applying a very small amount on my ends. I find this product really nourishes the ends of my hair, which is very important to me. The ends of my hair get the most damaged!
I also use this product as a supplementary heat protectant when styling my hair. When I get blowouts or if I curl my hair (to achieve a different curl pattern), I use this product to style and fix up my hair afterwards. This hair oil treatment leaves my hair feeling incredibly soft, but I find if I use too much it actually does weigh down my hair.
Finally, like most of Kiehls’ products, this hair oil treatment smells divine! Although on the pricier side, a bottle lasts me about 4-6 months with semi-habitual use.
HOLY GRAIL SKINCARE
I have noticed that as I move along into my mid-20s, my skin is changing as well. From drier skin, to weird breakouts and everything in between – aging has definitely been a process. And I know being in your 20s is NOT old, but I am entitled to complain 😉 especially when I am facing complete un-predictability with my skin.
As I mentioned earlier, I have begun to explore new skin care products. I am now an avid user of face masks. In the past, I used a mild soap cleanser and a mild daily exfoliator. However, in the day and age of face mask mania I too, could not resist their appeal. The two masks below are my favourite (in order), by Kiehl’s. What I love about both products is their longevity, both in how long the product lasts and the results on your face!
Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque
When I first used this mask, I thought nothing of it. I did not find that it really revolutionized my skin and felt that maybe I was being duped. This opinion mainly stemmed from the fact that I was busy obsessing over this amazing face mask by the Body Shop. However, over the last few weeks, I have begun to re-incorporate this face mask into my skincare routine and I have been blown away by the results.
The mask makes my skin considerably softer post-shower. It has helped reduce some of the milder scarring/discolouration on my skin and I feel that is has shrunken my pores. This could be purely placebo, but I also find that my skin looks just as radiant the next day. The main ingredients in this mask are Bentonite, Aloe Vera, and Amazonian White Clay. To be fair, these are not the primary ingredients (in the ingredient list), but I do find the mask to still be effective.
I use this mask twice week, and like majority of these products on this list, a little goes a long way. I have had this tin for about 6.5 months and it’s still half full. Keep in mind I haven’t been using the mask often, but I still think the product lasts long!
Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque
This mask is meant to invigorate and brighten your skin. The incorporation of turmeric and cranberry seed help in adding moisture and vitamins to your skin. The cranberry seeds act as a gentle exfoliant while the turmeric is beneficial for its antioxidant properties, and enhancing your natural radiant glow.
The downside is that a full-size 100mL tin is $50.00. With such an expensive price tag I expected this product to be mind-blowing, but I personally do not think it compares to the clay mask. While I did find that the mask helped brighten my skin, I don’t think it did much else. Conversely, my mother and sister both swear by this mask and they love it even more than the clay one. So it really depends on your skin!
Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream
Everyone talks about preventative measures when it comes to aging. Thanks to my beautiful mama, I have been using eye cream since I was 15 (Lush’s Enchanted Eye Cream). However, now that I am in my 20s, I wanted to look for a product that did more than just add moisture around my eyes. I want a product that combatted wrinkles and reduced puffiness.
This eye cream is meant to do just that! And while I understand that genetics, diet, and overall health all contribute a role in wrinkles, I think proper skin care products can at least help reduce their appearance. This eye cream is awesome. It is heavy without being heavy if that makes sense? The cream is thick but it absorbs fast into your skin. My skin even feels moisturized the next morning!
I know that I cannot do much to prevent aging, but I am going to try my hardest until I get botox. Lol. Jk. Or am I?
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Well, there you have it! My favorite skincare and haircare products by Kiehl’s. I have noticed a considerable difference since adding these products to my cosmetic routine, and I think you will too! Being in my 20s has certainly been a new experience with regards to my skin and hair. My main goal is to nourish my skin and focus on preventative care. Ultimately, aging is inevitable and I hope to face it with grace and poise!
