FASHIONABLE DISCOVERIES: Bespoke Apothecary Preparations

The trend of bespoke of beauty products and services continues. Back in August for the Chicago Tribune, I tried out two new customized services, one for make-up, (Lancôme) and the other for hair (Kerastase), which you can read about here.

Now we can add skincare to the list with Kiehl’s. Originally an Apothecary when it first opened in 1851, customers would go to Kiehl’s for your prescription medicine as well as customized herbal and natural skin and hair remedies. Kiehl’s has decided to go back to its roots, with a personalized skincare service called Apothecary Preparations.

I was fortunate enough to be invited along to try out their new service.

Step 1: Diagnosis
At your one-on-one consultation with a Kiehl's customer representative, aka KCR, your skin will be diagnosed. The surface oil on your face is measured to help identify your skin type (normal, oily, combo or dry). I'm a combo, as I'm oily on my T-zones and normal to dry elsewhere.

Then a dehydration analyzer will be used to measure the water in your skin, 1 being the lowest and 100 the highest. I was told you don't want anything less than 50, I, unfortunately, got a disappointing 34. What does that mean? My skin is dehydrated, and I need to start drinking lots more water.

Step 2: Selection
Next, you discuss with your KCR a series of skin-related issues, like texture, dullness, redness, wrinkles and pore size and identify which two are your main concerns. This determines the two skin boosters that will be mixed in with your base concentrate, to create your individual serum. I went with Brightening and Pore Minimizing.

Step 3: Personalization
You leave with a box and bottle with your name plus details of your personal formula and directions for use.

Your personalized serum is recorded in the system for future reorders.

Apothecary Preparations is currently available at 21 of their stores and retails for $95. Go to kiehls.com to find your nearest location.

CAT'S MEOW eight statement rings for your next cocktail party

NEW WORK: CHICAGO MAGAZINE

INDEX FINGER:
18 karat white gold with 38.48 carat Aquamarine and pave diamonds ring, $60,200, Sidney Garber, 118 East Delaware Place.
Swarovski Crystals triangle ring $169 (part of a set), Swarovski, 540 Michigan Avenue.

MIDDLE FINGER:
18 karat white gold and 1 carat diamond criss cross ring, $4,490, James & Son, 1457 N Halsted St.
18 karat yellow gold and.60 carat diamond wraparound comet in ring, $4,990, James & Son, 1457 N Halsted St.

RING FINGER:br /> 18 karat white and rose gold, 11 carat center lemon quartz and diamond ring, $5,800, Pomellato, 41 E Oak St.
Platinum Spessartite 13.24 carat ring, $65,000, Tiffany & Co., 730 N Michigan Ave.
18 karat blush gold, platinum and 1.21 carat center diamond with 49 pave-set .32 carat diamonds ring, $9040, Eve J. Alfillé Gallery & Studio, 623 Grove Street, Evanston.

PINKY FINGER:
Sterling silver Prasiolite ring, $1,300, David Yurman, 40 East Oak St.

FASHIONABLE INVITE: Gilt City Warehouse Sale

WHO: Gilt City
WHAT: Warehouse Sale
WHERE: Museum of Contemporary Art Warehouse, 1747 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60622
WHEN: Friday, May 19, 2017
• Friday Night First Access Session: 7pm-9pm, $25
• Friday Night Late Entrance: 9pm-11pm, $20

Saturday, May 20, 2017
• Saturday Morning Session: 9am-11am, $10
• Saturday Early Afternoon Session: 11am-1pm, $10
• Saturday Late Afternoon Session: 1pm-3pm, $10
• Saturday Early Evening Session: 3pm-5pm, $10

WHY: The Gilt sale is back with a makeover. Along with up to 80 percent off retail prices of designer fashion you will also be offered onsite styling, makeup touchups, luxurious pop-ups, complimentary monogramming and more.

Tickets are now available at giltcity.com/Chicago