Kiehl's comes to Dublin

The news that Kiehl's was coming to Dublin caused me great excitement when I heard it and I couldn't wait to get into town to visit the shop when it finally opened at the start of the month. I've always loved the Kiehl's shops whenever I've been in the US and have tried and liked quite a few of their products before now, so I was looking forward to trying even more of them now that they were finally accessible.

My first impressions of the shop were very good. Prices are not horrifically high compared to the US dollar or Sterling prices and the staff are friendly and helpful without being in your face if you just want to browse. My purchases were packed into a reusable zipped plastic cosmetics case, which I imagine is an introductory thing:



I picked up Creme de Corps (€31 for 250ml), Açaí Damage-Repairing Serum (€43), Baby Lip Balm (€10) and Lip Gloss in Goldenberry (€16).



I was very kindly asked what type of products I'd like to sample and opted for haircare, since I haven't used any of their haircare products before. The sales assistant also added in the body scrub, which she said was a favourite of hers.



I'm particularly impressed with their recycling programme - bring back 3 empty Kiehl's containers and get 3 deluxe samples; 3 more and get another 3 deluxe samples; 2 more on top of that gets you a free Lip Balm #1 and 2 more again will bag you a free full-size Liquid Body Cleanser. Okay, you'd have to buy a lot of Kiehl's products to begin with to snag yourself all those freebies, but if you are a fan then it's a great way to reward your recycling efforts!

Abahna - The Ceremony of Bathing

I stumbled across Abahna in Nue Blue Eriu recently. I was looking for some new pampering bathtime products. I hit the nail on the head with Abahna, as their entire philosophy is based on turning the everday bathing experience into a ritual of relaxation and enjoyment. Their beautifully packaged range of bath oils, shower gels, lotions, soaps and candles is available in energising White Grapefruit and May Chang, relaxing Frankincense and Sweet Orange and replenishing Himalayan Cedarwood and Rose Otto fragrances. All products are formulated to be as natural as possible, are fragranced with pure essential oils and are free from parabens, SLS and SLES.

I purchased the White Grapefruit and May Chang shower gel (€22) and body lotion (€27). The shower gel is enriched with aloe vera, honey and chamomile and lathers generously to gently cleanse the skin. The body lotion nourishes and hydrates with sweet almond, jojoba and sunflower oils and organic honey and cocoa butter. This is a light lotion which sinks into the skin immediately, leaving it comfortable and hydrated. The White Grapefruit and May Chang fragrance is refreshing and invigorating - perfect for waking up in the morning or energising yourself for a night out.

These products may be somewhat expensive, but who doesn't deserve a treat every now and again? I am sure I will be purchasing more from this line in the future. Abahna products are available from Nue Blue Eriu in Ireland and through the Abahna website in the UK. The Abahna website also lists worldwide stockists.

Image courtesy of http://www.abahna.co.uk/