An Introduction: AS.AP

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I feel terrible that it has taken me this long to discuss AS.AP with you - a beautiful line that has found its way into almost every aspect of my skincare routine. There is not a single AS.AP product that I have not fallen completely in love with. A rarity indeed. Perhaps it's the small batch distilling process, maybe it's the masterfully chosen ingredients - whatever it is, there is something deeply special about this line. Rather than simply throwing together pretty ingredients, AS.AP's products are thoughtfully crafted so that their effects are more than superficial. The essential oils incorporated into each blend actually address the underlying problems stressing our skin. Let's get into the weeds, shall we?

Face Cream #6 - Meet my new favorite day cream. The light, fluffy texture absorbs easily leaving behind little to no shine. More importantly, it keeps my skin happy and hydrated the entire day. Additionally, it layers beautifully beneath sunscreen and makeup. While most skin types could use this cream morning and night, those with dry skin (me!) may require a little more oomph at night. I recommend layering it over a more hydrating serum. I chose #6 because it contains essential oils proven to fight acne-causing bacteria, including lavender, sandalwood, and grapefruit. And while I love it, my adventurous side has me itching to try Face Cream #3 next - the combination of rose, myrrh, and frankincense sounds fantastic! 

Lavender Aromatic Water #20 - Oh lavender, how I love thee. I never expected to fall so hard for such a well-known scent, but I have to say, lavender is one of my favorites. That's why I had to try AS.AP's rendition. English lavender is distilled on site to create this breathtaking aromatic water. Though this can be used for everything from insect bites to ice cream, I went the more traditional route using it as a toner/mist. And what a beautiful toner it is - calming, healing, and cooling. And once again, while I loved it, I'm thinking of sampling Clary Sage or Rose next. (As an aside, if you haven't tried lavender ice cream, you are missing out. I'm willing to go so far as to say that it's the best flavor ever. EVER.) 

Cleansing Oil #5 - A small bottle, yes, but a little goes a long way. And one look at the ingredient list had me ridiculously excited to cleanse my face. Jojoba, borage, calendula - I can't think of a more perfect combination of oils. The feel is light and it spreads easily over the skin. Unlike some cleansing oils that cling to the skin for dear life, this one is easily removed with a few swipes from a damp washcloth. And it removes makeup with ease making it the ideal first step in your double cleansing routine. 

Lip Balm #9 - I am obsessed with this tiny little jar of lip balm. OBSESSED. It's far and away my favorite lip balm in my collection. It's soft, cushy, and insanely moisturizing. I use it day and night. A simple perusal of the ingredient list may leave you scratching your head and asking "what makes it so amazing?" And I really don't know. Maybe it's the honey or maybe it's the craftsmanship. I'm leaning towards the latter. I purchased #9, which is scented with rose geranium and myrrh, but I am loving the sound of Lip Balm #7, which contains lavender and vanilla. (Did I mention that I like lavender?)

Body Butter #6 - Last, but certainly not least, I received a small sample of Body Butter #6 with my order. The texture is rich and almost creamy, yet somehow manages to avoid the heaviness and greasiness typical of most body butters. It might be the choice of lighter oils like jojoba and almond that make this body butter such a success. I really can't say, I just know that I love it! I might just have to buy this one in bulk come winter. It's fantastically hydrating.  

Oh and did I mention that Amanda, the founder/creator/distiller extraordinaire, included a small sample of silver-tinged lavender essential oil with my order. Perfect for dotting onto blemishes and anywhere else that needed a hit of antibacterial action. Just another perk of purchasing straight from the distiller! 

Truly a beautiful line that I cannot recommend highly enough. In fact, I'm planning my next purchase as I write this!