The term ‘cult beauty’ gets thrown around a lot, so, when we use it here at Who What Wear, we do so with consideration. However, if there’s one brand that has undoubtedly reached cult status, it’s Aēsop; the Australian luxury skin-, hair-, and body-care emporium, whose products have gone on to become essentials in just about every cool-girl’s bathroom cabinet.
Aēsop was born in 1987, when its founder, hairdresser Dennis Paphitis, started blending essential oils into hair products. He started with just four products and, thanks to their heavenly scents and rich, nourishing effects, demand grew amongst is clientele for his homemade formulations. Fast-forward to 2020 and the brand is one of the most prominent players in the global skincare market, boasting almost 100 products in its aesthetically pleasing line-up.
Indeed, we’d be amiss not to note Aēsop’s iconic packaging. The brand shuns some of the marketing techniques widely embraced by other beauty conglomerates, opting instead for quiet, uniform packaging that doesn’t date. Preferring to focus the product inside, its brown bottles and squeezable tubes have barely changed in years. Why, we dare say, mess with perfection? Rest assured, however; Aēsop is so much more than its chic looks.
‘We celebrate science, and understand that you need a blend of well-chosen man-made ingredients with exceptional botanical ingredients to make remarkable products,’ enlightens Suzanne Santos, Aēsop’s Chief Customer Officer, who has been with the brand for, well, as long has it has existed.
Although she says ‘we don’t call ourselves natural’, what Aēsop can call itself is 100% vegan and cruelty-free; factors more and more of us are concerned with when we buy beauty.
Today, a bottle of Aēsop’s Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum sold every nine minutes, and a hand wash and hand balm duo a staple in any design-led bathroom or kitchen. Scroll below to shop them, as well as some of our other Aēsop hand, skin, hair, body, and bathroom essentials.
This rich balm will help protect your hands from the harsh winter weather.
Every stylish home has a bottle of this hand soap perched near a sink.
Another Aēsop hand cream with an equally beautiful scent.
The chicest hand sanitiser we’ve come across. Ever.
Elevate your bathroom or kitchen sink with this soap and hand cream duo.
A potent blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients, Aesop’s Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum provides skin with a burst of hydration and helps keep harsh, environmental factors at bay.
This vitamin-rich, moisturising, and skin-balancing gel is perfect for oily and combination skin.
With an olive-derived formulation, which offers exceptional cleansing without stripping skin, this is ideal for those prone to dryness or sensitivity.
Give your skin an extra moisture boost by applying this serum after cleansing.
This concentrate is a light, aqueous serum that penetrates deeply to leave your skin ‘plumped’ with a demi-matte finish
This cream defends your face against the dehydrating effects of weather extremes, temperature changes, and the ravages wrought by urban dirt, fumes and free radicals.
Keep your lips in tip-top condition year-round with this balm, which comes with SPF30 built-in.
This shampoo performs like the best of them; what sets it apart is the gorgeous scent, which you’ll still smell the effects of days after your wash.
Follow with Aēsop’s ultra-nourishing conditioner, which locks in shine.
Refuse to be without your essential Aēsop hair and body products, even on the go? This set is for you.
The notes of citrus and basil make for an unexpected but absolutely wonderful fragrance combination.
One of the best body scrubs we’ve tried.
If you’re looking for a simple way to make your shower routine more sustainable, use this soap, which comes in minimal packaging.
Frothy and luxurious, this body cleanser is well worth its price-tag.
Seal in your soak with this moisture-rich body balm.
Ensure any exposed skin is protected from the sun, even in winter, with this chic-looking SPF.
Aēsop’s uber-chic answer to deodorant, this formula contains no aluminium and has a fresh fragrance that lasts and lasts.
A mouthwash you won’t mind leaving out when you have guests.
The same goes for the toothpaste.
Add a couple of drops of this scented oil to your toilet bowl post-flush to bestow your bathroom with a pleasing scent.
Make your entire house smell like a boutique hotel with this high-end room spray.
