Mr Essentialist: Beauty & the Blogger

Mr Essentialist presents Beauty & the Blogger, featuring La Mer, Jo Malone, Lab Series, Diptyque, Missoni, Degree & Gillette. Staying fresh can be quite the commitment, whats on your shelf?

Aesop Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream

Aesop is a repeat offender, and I mean that whole-heartedly, in the best possible way imaginable. So let's chat fall skin.

As the leaves turn and the air becomes crisp your skin will be in dire need of moisture. Take note! Feed it. Also, a sound skincare routine is ever-evolving. It's seasonal. You wouldn't wear shorts in winter would you? Well, perhaps you would (especially if you're a New Zealander) - but that's not what my point. Back to your skin!

For summer you might recall I was all about Aesop's Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator. And for good cause. Its lightweight texture meant moisture was absorbed and instantly locked-in. (The whole thing was easy and to-the-point, just the way I like it.) But now, with all that dry air thrashing your face it's time to transition to something richer, more powerful and long-lasting. Enter Aesop's Mandarin Facial Hydrating Cream. The anti-oxidants and botanicals derived from mandarin, lemon and tangerine rinds deliver exceptional hydration and overall replenishment. Used following the Parsley Seed Facial Toner, skin is left nourished, supple and refreshed. The hazel base means absorption is prompt and moisture is long-lasting. The dominant citrus notes not only smell great, they ensure that fresh feeling (which we all undoubtedly love). Sounds good? It is. 

Browse and shop Aesop's product line here.

- Photos by Alexander Atkins

High Five: Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash

Are you one of those germaphobe types? See, I know you. And you'll love Aesop's Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash.

I'm not even going to try to hide my confidence (even if that was quite a statement). Because it's simple. This is the best hand wash I have ever used, and definitely the best you've ever used too. I mean, does your regular drugstore variety exfoliate and moisturize? I thought not. Besides, clean well-groomed hands equate to: 'I care'. And trust me, you want to care. So yes, this is important - let's get into the details.

Aesop is all about the experience. Aside from great results, Aesop's products are about being consumed by an overwhelming sense of relaxation - even if the whole process lasts just fifteen fleeting seconds (ahem). Also the packaging means your bathroom get's an instant face-lift, and I'm all for a good cosmetic procedure. While Petitgrain and Bergamot Rind ensure cleanliness, milled Pumice serves as a natural and gentle exfoliant. An infusion of Vetiver Root means your hands are left smelling sublime. And there's more...

The whole process should end with Aesop's Reverence Aromatique Hand Balm, a rich treatment that soothes and moisturizes. An injection of Potassium Lactate and Lactic Acid mean hands remain hydrated, without the usual onslaught of annoying or sticky residue. Basically the point here is hands are important. Take care of them. Oh, and Happy Friday.

*Aesop's Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash will be available for purchase on Monday. Visit their online store for details.

Mr Essentialist's Shady Beards

The good people over at Shave Your Style recently asked me to share my thoughts (yes - sometimes I have some) on beards and sunglasses.

After much investigation (involving varying degrees of mass interrogation and countless visits to Sunglass Hut) I have conjured-up a fail-safe and fool-proof system to help you flawlessly match facial hair to frame. That's right everyone, this is a thing.

Read the tips by clicking here.  

An American (Psycho) Routine:

Alright, I'll be the first to admit it - I'm a slave to my grooming routine.

And yes there is method to my moisturizing madness, sub-arctic eye spooning sessions (!) and bizarre application techniques. But honestly after all is said (and done) I just feel great. So in light of that revelation I thought we should look at easily the most compulsive and detail-oriented of grooming routines ever documented - that of Mr. Patrick Bateman. 

Bateman believes in taking care of himself, "a balanced diet and a rigorous exercise routine". That all sounds fantastically GOOP-esque, yet something tells me we won't catch Gwyneth doing her crunches wearing ice-googles anytime soon. 

In the shower PB uses a deep pore cleansing lotion. I love Neutrogena's Deep Clean Cream Cleanser - it leaves skin insanely soft and revitalized. Also, Patrick always exfoliates. Me, well I'm obsessed with La Mer's Refining Facial - a scrub that delicately polishes and resurfaces the tissue, prepping the face for a great moisturizer. 

While PB loves a good herb-mint facial mask, I prefer something like the Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, a lychee and Kombucha-infused treatment rich in anti-oxidants.   

As you know I'm devoted to La Mer - probably for life. It's cold in NYC you guys, so nothing (no, really nothing) will ever compare to the ultra-luxe moisture provided by the original Crème de la Mer. Sure you'll need to come to terms with the whole warming-up-the-cream thing, but mastering your routine will having you reaping in the benefits. Just look at Mr. Bateman below - he's reveling in them.

Happy Friday!

*Watch the complete (and psychotic) routine of Patrick Bateman by clicking here.