BEAUTY
Exotic Luxury
23 May 2008
 |
Celeb Choice: Actress
Cate Blanchett uses
Aesop products
(Bloomberg) |
It is surprising how luxury turns banal as soon as it becomes accessible. You may still spend a lot but get no exclusivity gift-wrapped with such luxury. However, there are few brands that remain exotic by virtue of their low distribution. Aesop, the Australian cosmetic brand, is one such hot property. Bought by stars such as Madonna, Cate Blanchett, Minnie Driver and Isabella Rossellini, Aesop should be on the shopping list of luxury-hunting folks.
In contrast to the usually jazzed up cosmetics, Aesop products are mostly packed in tinted brown bottles. They also propose to treat rather than polish your appearance as they are made from blends of botanical extracts and man-made ingredients. For instance, one of its skincare serums is made with a base of grape and parsley seed extract and includes vitamin C derivative magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.
It is amazing that what started as in-house efforts of an Australian
hairdresser to treat follicles and help a fellow manicurist has now turned into a coveted line of skin and hair care products. Guess, not every successful innovation starts in high-tech labs.
(Businessworld issue 27 May-2 June 2008) |
Sensex rises 61 points in opening trade 
