Few couples defined ’90s New York style quite like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. With Bessette-Kennedy’s razor-sharp minimalist tailoring and barely-there beauty paired with JFK Jr.’s relaxed suiting and effortless grooming, the duo created a blueprint for understated luxury that still resonates today.
Their aesthetic was polished, but never overdone (as seen in Love Story)—smooth hair, luminous skin and fragrance that felt intimate, rather than overpowering. And one source of their understated routines traces back to a quintessential New York beauty brand that still sits on the same 13th Street corner it has occupied since 1851: Kiehl’s.
Founded as a small apothecary, the brand has evolved over more than 175 years from a neighborhood pharmacy into a globally recognized skin-care institution under L’Oréal.
The Hair Product They Both Used
One product in particular stood out in the couple’s shared grooming lineup: Kiehl’s Creme With Silk Groom ($26).
According to the brand, the lightweight styling cream was reportedly used by both Carolyn and John to achieve their signature polished-but-natural hair. The formula delivers soft hold, subtle shine and flexible movement—perfect for Carolyn’s sleek low buns and tucked-behind-the-ear styles, as well as John’s smooth, side-swept hair.
Its ability to tame flyaways, while keeping hair touchable, helped create the kind of effortless finish that defined their aesthetic.
Decades later, the cult favorite still counts plenty of high-profile fans. Kate Middleton, Julianne Moore and Charlize Theron have all been linked to the styling cream. Middleton’s longtime hairstylist, Amanda Cook Tucker, has used it to “smooth flyaways” and keep the Princess of Wales’s hair looking hydrated and polished throughout the day.
The Musk That Matched Carolyn’s Minimalism
Another Kiehl’s staple tied to the couple’s understated beauty philosophy is Original Musk Eau de Toilette ($50).
The warm, second-skin fragrance blends classic musk with soft floral and woody notes, an intimate scent profile that mirrors Carolyn’s famously minimal approach to style.
It remains a celebrity favorite today. Charlize Theron has called the fragrance her “ride or die,” even describing it as a total “love potion.”
