Aesop

Stopped in on for a quick look and was abruptly told not to touch or smell the products on the shelf. If I wanted to smell or touch anything, I was told to do so at some sample table. They could’ve easily put up a sign saying that much more nicely than their representative. Needless to say, their prices don’t warrant such an experience. I won’t be back.

Aesop has expanded to Harvard Square (there’s another location in Back Bay), and this location is lovely. This used to house the Colonial Drug Store, which was an old school pharmacy. While charming, they weren’t able to stay in business. The interior funnels the old drug store, with the old paint and marks from the shelving still on the walls.
The staff here are incredibly patient and helpful. I came in here with a largish group (5+ people) and they were kind and helpful, letting us try many things and helping us with our purchases, while still serving other customers that came into the store. The atmosphere is incredibly relaxing and minimal, and the people working only served to reinforce that, with offers of chilled water and soft voices and so much information about the design of the interior and skincare as a whole.
It is a very pricey store, but all Aesops are. I genuinely appreciate how each one moulds itself to the area surrounding, while still holding onto the flair that makes it the store I love.