Aesop Heights Mercantile — Local services in Houston

Traipsing after a late Sunday brunch and belly and heart both full, I came across an Aesop store. A design group I follow had done a focus piece on Aesop's branding notes, and I happened to be nearby, so I walked in from sheer curiosity.

I stepped into the dark yet softly-lit haven with the rays of the sun peeking through, and my senses became awash in the woodsy fragrance permeating the space.

What brought you in today, asked a cheery voice; I mentioned the brand focus, and the associate indulged me in an overview of the store concept and how each of the Aesop stores are different because each works with local architects. The Galleria store apparently borrows from NASA themes, cavernous, curvaceous, and white, and this particular store in the Heights inside a mid-century building houses fabric drapes and a table of the same era. He even went onto show me the gift boxes and their various curves and edges modeled after some of their flagship stores around the globe - and how their colors stack to model the sunrise. Product packaging to store exhibit, all while encompassing brand identity A how streamlined and beautiful is that?

Tyler, as I learned was his name, then became my guide through the woods, the florals, the citrus. I had only known of hand soaps at Aesop, which I was able to try at the sink. Apparently there's a whole world more of: Hand and body creams Personal fragrance Home fragrance: room sprays and incense Shampoo, conditioner, hair gel Shaving products Mouthwash and toothpaste Skincare products

Of these, I took an immediate interest in the fragrance and skincare lines, even more so after Tyler said Aesop has a presence in Korea (talk about a cutthroat skincare market - if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere). He asked questions about my regimen and made recommendations that showed he was clearly knowledgeable, then offered samples to try at home, with a kind acknowledgment - "I know it's a lot to take in, and I would like for you to try and see which products you like at home." It's one thing to offer samples, and it's another thing to really look out for one's experience, and Tyler accomplished the latter. It's extra-impressive that he was informative and engaging without being pushy. Talk about the epitome of the ideal shopping experience.

Among the samples that he offered that I was also able to try in store, I really liked the feel of the masque, and ended up getting the vitamin C serum (because, who doesn't want more vitamin c serum?). Knowing that it's shelf-stable also was a nice touch.

So step in - don't be overwhelmed by the product lines or intimidated by the minimalist layout. Take in the ambience, enjoy its offerings for yourself or someone dear, and see what draws you in. And if you're lucky enough to meet Tyler, you'll be in good hands, and you, too, may walk out an Aesop lifer - or at the very least refreshed with a sillage of Tacit...

Although my experience was better towards the end. I came in and no one spoke to me but looked right at me. But I notice after I was there the associate (red box braids) spoke to everyone else as they walked in. She was helping me and interrupted me just to speak to customers as they are walking in but did not greet me upon entering store. That was uncomfortable. Rachel was great. To The lady with the matured red box braids, if you make it your obligation to speak to everyone as they walk in you shouldn’t pick and choose who to greet. I felt like it was racially motivated. You see black family come in and dnt say NOTHING ! And she is black herself. But that’s what some do. I will come back just to see Rachel! :) and now that I remember, it was a another older black women who came in and she didn’t speak...

We stepped into Aesop Heights Mercantile and had such a great and educational visit. Their team member Che Viette showed and reviewed a few products with such knowledge that I wanted to purchase every item we tried. It’s just such a refreshing experience to step into a skincare store and have a team member actually step out from behind the counter to interact. As if Aesop’s products weren’t good enough, their representatives take it to...