Kiehl’s celebrated its 160th birthday at its flagship Third Avenue, New York outlet on 18th May, 2011. Last week, Kiehl’s Malaysia threw a birthday bash at the Pavilion, KL outlet. Kiehl’s started out as a classic pharmacy in New York’s East Village neighbourhood in 1851.

In conjunction with the celebrations, Kiehl’s introduces the Limited Edition New York Heritage Collection, four historical formulations that are still customer favourites today adorned with black and gold packaging inspired by Kiehl’s New York’s roots. The collection features Ultra
Facial Cream and Lotion, Calendula Toner, and Original Musk Oil.

(1) Original Musk Oil

Formulation Date : 1921

Re-introduction Date : 1963

Retail Price : RM150 for 50ml

Original Musk Oil, a “cult classic,” is shrouded in myth surrounding its origins. Kiehl’s lore has it that the oil was formulated in the early 1920s by a relative of Kiehl’s founding family – an actual Russian prince! According to legend, the formula was stashed away in a vat labeled “Love Oil” in the basement of Kiehl’s venerable Flagship; the vat was not opened again until 1958, at the time of its discovery.

Officially introduced to Kiehl’s customers in 1963, Original Musk Oil is believed to be the first incarnation of the musk scent ever offered to the public. It was called “original” because there was no scent known to the formulators at the time to be associated with the word “musk.” A scent synonymous with Kiehl’s nearly 50 years after its introduction; the company formulates the popular essence in the same manner for customers to this day.

(2) Ultra Facial Cream

Formulation Date of Ultra Facial Cream : 2005

Retail Price : RM190 for 125ml

1960: Ultra Hydration

Kiehl’s original Ultra Facial Moisturizer was first offered in the early 1960s and since that time, remains one of the most requested products among patrons and is a “must have” among Hollywood’s professional make-up artists. It is perhaps the most versatile and widely used facial moisturizer in the Kiehl’s line due to its lightweight, silky feel and suitability for both normal to dry and normal to oily skin types.

Adventure-tested since 2005:

Kiehl’s was a proud sponsor of the “Greenland First Ascent” expedition, the inaugural climb of peaks rising from the island’s ice-covered glaciers. This extreme location was where Robert Anderson and his expedition tested early samples of Ultra Facial Cream, a 24-hour, light-textured daily hydrator and richer version of the company’s iconic Ultra Facial Moisturizer still popular today. In 2010, Kiehl’s sold over 1,480,000 pieces of Ultra Facial Cream around the world!

(3) Calendula Toner

Formulation Date : Late 1960s

Retail Price : RM135 for 250ml

Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner became an instant classic in the 1960s in part for its soothing and refreshing properties. Calendula, derived from the Marigold flower, is sprinkled into this alcohol-free formula to gently tone oily prone skin. Made with real whole flowers that are still handpicked to this day and placed in each bottle, Kiehl’s has received countless letters from patrons raving about this classic toner.

Kudos for Calendula! Calendula Toner remains one of the top five selling products in Asia, and it was also voted as one of the “Best Beauty Buys” in InStyle Magazine in 2010 (UK).

The Collection is available from Sept-December 2011.

Here are some more pics of the celebration courtesy of Camie:-