From the Apothecary to Instagram for Android

I felt like such a slow learner when I finally discovered how to use Instagram for Android, but this photo was so worth it, don't you think?  After downloading it, I activated the camera settings and kept trying to go to my phone's default camera to see if the settings applied there.  A week after I downloaded the app, I accidentally pushed the camera icon (that was already highlighted) and voila!  Now if I can only figure out how to stop my camera from making that loud robotic sound when I adjust my focus, I'll be completely happy with this app.

Now back to the subject of my mobile photography.  While walking across South Coast Plaza mall, we passed by this shop that had a lotion tester at one side of its entryway.

My husband practices massage so he is always on the look out for products he can use to make his sessions better.  He tried the Creme de Corps lotion and made me promise to come back to purchase it.  When we wandered into the pharmacy, I was immediately struck by how stark and mostly white their product packaging was.  Then a friendly sales associate came up to us and explained their new program to encourage people to bring back the empty containers of the products we purchased so they can recycle them.  Now it makes sense, the containers were mostly all the same, just with different labels so that it would be easier to recycle.  I applaud the effort they are making to reduce plastic waste so I will never again complain about their product packaging.  It's better to be environmentally friendly than be pretty on the outside.

I bought this maximum strength hand salve because my hands tend to be dry to the point of the skin being red and painful.  I applied it once yesterday and my hands stayed smooth and soft all day.  I did some hand laundry and dish-washing before I applied it on today and I feel like it has coated my hands with a moisture glove.  It feels really nice!

Their very knowledgeable sales associate assured us that they don't use animal products.  The Squalane (note the spelling difference from Squalene that comes from sharks) they use is from olive oil, which helps their products get absorbed by the skin easily.  The lotions are hypoallergenic and at one point the formulation was used to treat radiation victims as commissioned by the US government.

The romantic (and maybe a little of the chemical engineer) in me loved that 160 years ago Kiehl's Pharmacy started as an old-world apothecary in New York.  Don't you think the term apothecary evokes magic spells and potions too?  I'm glad I was able to get to know this shop and I hope to be able to try and purchase more products that will help my skin.

Established, earth-friendly and carrying an excellent product line - I will definitely be a returning customer and will be happy to recommend Kiehl's Pharmacy in South Coast Plaza to all my friends.