Kiehl’s Nottingham Bloggers Event

On Sunday I was lucky enough to be invited by Kiehl’s in Nottingham to a VIP blogging event. I’ll self admit, Kiehls has been a brand that I’ve admired from afar, and I’ve long had some of their items on my wishlist. But as there’s not a Kiehls in Peterborough, and being an old school person at heart who likes to see what they’re buying before taking the plunge, I’ve never actually got around to trying the brand out.

We were warmly greeted into the store by Hannah the Store Manager and Saff, as well of course as Dr. Bones – all equally as passionate about Kiehls and their products which is refreshing to see, having been into a similar caliber of store  earlier in the day the staff seemed nothing but bored of their jobs. With an abundance of cakes and drinks to sip and nibble on whilst we were talked through the brand and range.

Founded in New York in the 1851’s Kiehls first formed as a pharmacy, growing more and more into the beauty side, the owners added planes and bikes to the stores to keep the men occupied whilst the women browsed and shopped, before deciding to cash in on the male footfall too by creating the first male exclusive skincare range in the 1960s – who knew! You can still see touches that reflect the origins of the store, with planes and bikes dotted about everywhere.

Kiehl’s keeps to the lower end of high end, prestige skincare, by keeping out the need for excessive packaging, and spending no money on advertising means that the prices for a high end product are really quite reasonable. It should also be noted that for example the midnight recovery oil I purchased, was £36 – But only needing two-three drops per day meaning the bottle should last me between 7/8 months to a year. So they won’t be products I whizz through in months.

We were talked through a some of their bestsellers, two new mask launches from earlier in the month, as well as an additional couple of favourite products from other bloggers who attended, so it was nice to see what other people there loved too.

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First Up was the two new masks, up until now Kiehls have only had two masks in their menu – so this month they doubled their offerings with the Cilantro and Orange Mask and the Turmeric and Cranberry Masks, both of which are already on my hit list to get next month. Priced at £28 each these masks are both designed to be used 2/3 times a week and are quick to apply – needing only five minutes on the skin and provide instant results.

The Cilantro and Orange Mask is a smooth green paste which reminds me of a clay like texture, without the feeling that it dries down and goes tight, which isn’t always pleasant. This smells beautiful – soothing and calming, herbal but not overpowering, just like a spa. It’s a pollutant defending mask, which was explained as protecting you everything, from gunk in the city air, to the protection that our skin needs from the ever increasing use of smartphones and computers. This should be applied after cleansing – before you do anything else,  leaving on for 5 minutes – and either wiping the excess away leaving a thin layer it, or just left it can also be slept in overnight. Traditionally I’ve never enjoyed an overnight mask, always finding them sticky and heavy, but this was the opposite. After removing my skin felt soft and smooth, but over time it would also help protect the skin too.

The Turmeric and Cranberry Mask smells equally as divine as the Cilantro mask, with a bit of spiciness due to the Turmeric. This masque is designed to add radiance and energise the skin, an ideal pick me up for skin in the morning. Containing cranberry seeds to exfoliate the skin, the seeds are soft and not abrasive feeling, so you can’t really feel them whilst you’re wearing the masque, and as you buff them away, it doesn’t leave you red faced, but just smooth baby-esque skin at the end.

Whilst these pots are quite small – and may seem quite expensive on the surface, one end of the cotton bud with a very small dollop was all that was needed to cover all of my hand – so I imagine they would last a surprisingly long time, even with 2/3 uses a week.

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Next up was their bestsellers and customer favourites. How can I not start here with their Midnight Recovery Concentrate, this is the product from Kiehls which has been longest Kiehls item on my list. 2-3 drops is all that’s needed of this miracle worker for night time, formulated to replenish and add moisture back into the skin. Whilst they can’t say results are instant, most people say they notice a difference by the next morning.

Ultra Facial cream, something that I’ve seen over on Stash Matter’s blog, I’d hoped this would be something that I stumbled across whilst there. Reportedly in over 84% (I think I’m remembering that correctly) of US make up artist’s kits. This is a lightweight and un-noticeable moisturiser that just allows makeup to glide on top, whilst still being high performance on the moisturising front. I was so impressed that I just couldn’t notice this on my hand, it sank in straight away. With ingredients sourced in Greenland, Kiehls sponsored an exhibition to Greenland and put the product to the test in minus -12℃ conditions, returning with the seal of approval from the adventurers – hence what the little map on the side of the product is for if you’ve ever seen it, it’s been officially adventure tested.

Despite the name of the Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concerntrate, you could be fooled into thinking if you’re not a pensioner, then this wouldn’t be for you. However it’s recommended for anyone over the age of 16, adding a high dosage of 10.5% vitamin C to the skin to brighten, reduce brown spots, boost collagen and help with reducing fine lines.

Kara from Spread the Sparkle – was a fan of the Creamy Eye Treatment containing avocado – so they pulled it out for everyone to look at, and I was so fascinated with the consistency I had to pick it up. Applying as a thick cream initially, as you rub it into the skin, it melts down into a watery texture – which is the fatty nature of the avocado breaking down. I’m totally new to eye creams, and didn’t know you couldn’t use them all on your lids – but this is safe to use, but it’s also supposedly great for cuticles, flaky noses when you’ve blown your nose too much (!) – and keeping in your handbag for refreshing your undereye concealer during the day.

Finally Sherry from Sherry’s Scribbles loved Creme de Corps Body Butter, if you’re a fan of body butters and don’t mind spending a bit extra than make sure you check this out. Smelling or warm honey, almondy type scent this smells good enough to eat!

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We had a few samples to take away, with even pieces from their Haircare range which we barely touched upon that I’m looking forward to trying.

We also had the chance to shop – so yes, I broke my beauty budget this month, but I thought I may as well get the products I’ve been oggling and convinced by whilst there!

I’ll be heading back to Kiehl’s in Nottingham again on the 2nd April for a mini facial and skin consultation and I’m already planning on picking myself up a few other bits following that. On my shopping list is a cleanser, I’ll see how I get on with the sample one I got, their SPF and potentially a serum as well – not to mention those masks. 2016 is going to be year that I get my skin in it’s best possible shape for my wedding early next summer, and although I’m only just trying out all the products – I think I may be a Kiehl’s convert already.

I’ll be putting the products to the test over the next month or so, and will start reporting back to you as to how I’m getting on. If there’s anything here that you’re particularly wanting to see a review of let me know and I’ll put that to the top of the list!

Let me know your favourite Kiehls products so I can take a look when I go into store in a few weeks. Thanks to Hannah and Kiehls for inviting me, I fear for my bank balance as I may be a new regular visitor to store!

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