Dear Areti, are hands the new luxury?
The answer crystallizes from the definition of today’s luxury. Of course, quality, craftsmanship and transparency are among the most important criteria for the new luxury. But the “new” luxury consumers are not just buying high-quality products, but a complete lifestyle. Today, luxury is no longer just about possessions, but increasingly about an individual experience for which one invests time. A luxurious hand care ritual not only gives the hands a professional, attractive and well-pampered appearance, it also offers a self-care experience that appeals to the senses. Beautiful hands are definitely associated with luxury.
You are the brand´s manager, idea generator, branding creator and formulator – what makes you an expert in hand care?
Hands have a special meaning for me because they are not only a gripping and sensory organ, but also a fascinating means of communication. I have been working intensively on beautifying hands since 2004. After several training courses in hand care & nail design, I opened my own nail studio and a Hand & Nail Academy. From the very beginning, there were important criteria for me when choosing my products. Harmful ingredients had no place in my studio. The health of my customers and, of course, my own health was my top priority. Hygiene in the studio and the selection of non-toxic products played an important role in this. To ensure this, I tested and researched every single cosmetic ingredient in my products, e.g. their functionality, positive/negative effects, compatibility, viscosity, origin, processing, skin compatibility, and safety. From a small test laboratory in the basement of my studio, I have developed my research and manufacturing process to such an extent that, together with my team (chemists, laboratory technicians, cosmetologists), I have developed, produced and sold over 1000 formulations for the hand and nail care sector to professionals over the last 18 years. I am very grateful for everything I have been taught over these years and that I have been able to apply my expertise not only in theory but also in practice in the laboratory. The daily exchange with customers and the close cooperation with experts helped me to understand the needs and functions of our hands and to develop the right products for them.
The world doesn’t need new products. Why does the world need The AICONIST?
For me as a founder, it’s not about simply launching a new product into the world. My opinion is that you should concentrate on what you do best. The AICONIST is a hand care specialist and all research and development is dedicated to the needs of this part of the body. Unfortunately, hand care is often only associated with hand cream, but there is so much more to it. With my hand care line from The AICONIST, I want to sensitize people to take more care of their hands and pay more attention to them. Judging by the work they do every day, they deserve a regular beauty routine that makes them shine again and again.
The world doesn’t need new products. The world needs better ones.
There are so many interchangeable products on the market – what makes The AICONIST iconic?
How does The AICONIST differ from other hand care products?
The AICONIST stands for luxury, quality and modern lifestyle. A symbolic hand care line made in Munich that impresses with its performance, quality and design and that everyone who values their hands should use! The vegan luxury hand care line is professionally curated – from gentle cleansing to rich extra care. For each individual product, I have carefully selected exquisite ingredients from controlled organic cultivation to achieve the desired effect. I always keep an eye on sustainable origin, processing and manufacturing processes. The correct selection, purity, precise dosage and synergetic effect of the INCIs create the magic effect. Our customers know that a sustainable hand care is not about a daly hand cream. Your hands will love nourishing wash, a soothing scrub preparation, regeneration in the night and a specialized serum against age spots.
The line is not really the cheapest – what is the reason?
Quality has its price. High-quality, effective ingredients, complex manufacturing processes, years of research and development, testing procedures and luxurious packaging all play a major role in the pricing.
What counts is: Everything.
To what extent does the line form a ritual? What synergistic effects were considered here and why?
A) Proper hand care starts with washing your hands. To protect the skin barrier and natural oils, you should use a mild, pH-neutral hand soap. The sensitive hand wash with 70% organic aloe vera juice, mild plant-based surfactants and the moisturizing Aquaxyl complex is ideal for this. Apply one or two pumps to moistened hands, rub in for 30 seconds and rinse with lukewarm water. Make sure that you pat your hands dry and do not rub them. Your hands will not feel dry after washing, but hydrated and nourished.
B) Two to three times a week I recommend a hand scrub followed by a hand mask. The best time for this is before going to bed as the skin can regenerate better overnight. After washing your hands, pat them dry and gently exfoliate with the “smoothing hand scrub”. Rinse off the scrub with lukewarm water and pat your hands dry. The microcirculation is stimulated, the skin structure is optimized and the skin is ideally prepared for the hand care treatment that follows the scrub. After the hands have been patted dry, apply a generous amount of the “revitalizing hand mask” and wait until it has been absorbed into the skin. For best results, apply the mask as an overnight treatment. Personally, I don’t recommend wearing cotton gloves, as cotton is often chemically bleached and leaves unwanted residue that you don’t want on your skin. It is also much more comfortable and effective if the skin can breathe freely and regenerate overnight.
C) After washing off the mask the next morning with lukewarm water, massage two to three drops of “Natural Hand and Nail Serum” into dry hands. Thanks to its special molecular structure, this unique formula of our 100% natural serum is absorbed very quickly into the deepest skin and nail layers and replenishes the moisture deposits. It has an antioxidant, deep nourishing, preventive and regressive effect against pigmentation spots and the anti-ageing effect is immediately visible. The skin barrier is supported and remains intact, providing the best conditions for healthy and soft hands.
D) Your hand care routine is complete with the smart “Purity Touch Hand Treatments” to go, which should not be missing in any hand jacket pocket, office drawer or car compartment. The highlight of the “Purity Touch” hand creams is that they both cleanse and nourish your hands. The 2:1 product combines antibacterial active ingredients such as colloidal silver, magnolia extract, lavender oil and thyme extract with nourishing components such as organic aloe, organic shea butter, glycerine and hyaluronic acid. Thanks to the cleansing effect, the nourishing ingredients are quickly absorbed into the deepest layers of the skin, so that every skin care need is met par excellence without leaving a greasy layer. I personally love the small, practical airless pump dispensers and always have them with me everywhere, they are my constant beauty companions throughout the day distributing their delicious scents.
Which special ingredients determine the particular properties of the holistic line?
– Colloidal silver has antibacterial properties
– Organic aloe vera juice and syriocalm complex have soothing, protective and moisturizing properties
– Chlorella stimulates the skin’s own regenerative process and has a revitalizing effect
– Low-molecular hyaluronic acid in combination with aquaxyl and squalane bind water deposits in the deepest layers of the skin and promote skin hydration.
– Organic wild rose oil in combination with vitamin A supports the production of collagen and is known for its brightening effect on pigmentation spots.
– Radish root ferment filtrate is a popular ingredient in the Korean cosmetics industry. It contains enzymes and peptides that help to protect the skin and strengthen its natural protective barrier.
– Organic hemp oil frees the skin from oxidative stress and counteracts skin irritation.
Just Hemp oil alone, with its variety of vital nutrients such as omega fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants, is a highlight with so many benefits for the skin. The valuable ingredients penetrate deep into the skin and make it velvety soft. The natural protective barrier is rebuilt and stabilized and regeneration processes are supported. Hemp cleanses with the power of stearic acid; soothes sensitive skin, allows wounds to heal faster and prevents the formation of scars, combats wrinkles with gamma linolenic acid and binds water in the skin cells. The hands appear plump and vital and small wrinkles literally disappear.
The unique effect is also based on the neuroregulation of intercellular communication and the skin microbiome. It stimulates the synthesis of natural “happiness” neurotransmitters and rebuilds the hydro-lipid barrier. Especially recommended for skin that needs targeted and long-term care, restoring important skin functions and everyday comfort.
Finally, your happiness is literally in your hands!
A scrub is not just a scrub. What distinguishes our hand scrub?
I deliberately chose natural abrasives made from pumice powder, which cleanse very gently without damaging the skin. Conventional body scrubs made from sugar, salt or fruit seeds are too coarse for the sensitive, fine skin of the hands. Furthermore, volcanic ash has been a true beauty secret for centuries as it mineralizes the skin, relieves oxidative stress and has antibacterial properties. In addition, the Smoothing Hand Scrub contains valuable active ingredients that do not remove lipids or moisture from the skin during exfoliation, but make it instantly smoother and softer. Organic aloe vera juice moisturizes and minimizes redness. Hyaluronic acid and glycerine draw moisture into the skin and increase the moisture level. Rich and nourishing oils such as cold-pressed sesame oil and cold-pressed hemp oil provide essential fats, while shea butter stimulates the skin’s own regenerative processes. This scrub acts as a precious treatment on its own, leaving the skin velvety soft. The immediate wow effect is astounding!
Can we also use the mask on the face?
There is no reason not to, but as I have already mentioned, all products have been specially adapted and formulated for the special needs of the hands.
What is The AICONIST’s marketing strategy? How can we support our retail partners in the tough beauty sector?
It is important to me to cooperate with partners who value the quality and the brand philosophy and who stand behind the brand with the same passion as I do. Direct contact with the customer and individual advice is my top priority. In this sense, I am always available for my cooperation partners and answer all questions regarding my products and their application. In addition, I am always happy to support my partners with special events where customers can experience the quality and immediate effect of the products at first hand. For example, relaxing hand massages with our 100% natural Hand & Nail Serum are very popular and convincing. Of course, online marketing strategies are indispensable, but the customer’s trust is won with an individual consultation and an unforgettable experience with a WOW effect.
Can you tell us something about your future plans?
My plans and dreams with The AICONIST are big! I am convinced that the luxury hand care niche has not yet been exhausted and that there is still a great need for education. This is what my brand The AICONIST stands for. We are working intensively on further innovative formulations that effectively and naturally care for, protect and beautify hands and nails. In doing so, we never forget our values of fulfilling a modern lifestyle that respects and does not endanger the health of people, animals and the planet. At the same time, I would like to use my brand to explain why one hand cream is not enough and why you need a hand care routine that requires several steps. The quality of the individual ingredients and the synergy of the right components play an important role here. I would be delighted if in the near future the name The Aiconist is immediately recognized as a hand care specialist and I can lead people to beautiful hands, beautiful experiences and beautiful feelings with my hand care line.
Beautiful hands care for beautiful enconuters. And this is what life is about.
