Inspiration: Conversations With Aerin

Paradise Found

Take a trip with Aerin Lauder for
her newest fragrance, Hibiscus Palm.

AERIN's newest scent, Hibiscus Palm, is a lush blend of dewy fresh palm leaf, hibiscus flower, rich ylang floralcy, and fiery ginger essence. It's inspired by the vibrancy and radiance of a journey to a tropical coast, so what better way to celebrate its launch than with an actual sun-soaked getaway? Leave it to Aerin Lauder, our Style and Image Director and Founder and Creative Director of AERIN, to create an unforgettable experience on Mexico's Riviera Maya. Here, blogger Peony Lim shares her travel diary from the trip.

We stayed at the Hotel Esencia in Xpu-Ha. The whole hotel felt so Aerin—there were beautiful florals everywhere, and everywhere you turned, there was a personalized touch that made you feel you were living inside a glossy magazine. It was such a treat to be there.

The first dinner was so beautiful. It was so special to have our names on the plates. When they lifted them away for the course change, I wanted to shout, 'No!' and keep it, so when I got back to my room and found it all wrapped and ready to go home, I was delighted. Aerin is the master of tabletop arrangements! Each is more beautiful than the next.

The Hibiscus Palm fragrance was beautifully integrated into all our experiences in Mexico, from flavors in our food to the massages and spa treatments that incorporated the fragrance. I loved seeing how the Hibiscus could be used in so many ways.

Early morning yoga was the perfect way to start the day. The warmth means you can really stretch and enjoy challenging yourself. The classes were in a treehouse, which was so fun. It overlooked the pool, so one morning I went for a swim, instead, and I could see the yoga class from the pool—the perfect combination.

The Hibiscus Palm range is so colorful and fun. It has a totally different vibe from the other AERIN fragrances. I love the lighter fun energy of it; it feels like being on holiday. I would wear it on vacation or during the summer—the coconut and vanilla elements are warm and sweet, yet still sophisticated, like floral sun-cream and beachside cocktails.

Aerin spent so much time personalizing the experience for all of us. Every evening we had different gifts in the room, and most were personalized, like this stunning basket that is lined in the Hibiscus Palm print, with a matching beach towel. It was so fun seeing everyone around the hotel with their gifts. It meant that even if you didn't know each other, you could go and chat and know you were there for the same event. A real conversation starter.

The pop-up boutique in the hotel library was the perfect quiet space to enjoy the fragrances on your own time. I got to smell the full collection and see what suited me best. It makes such a difference to wear fragrance and see how it smells on you. The Hibiscus Palm is so tropical and warm, but it smells wonderful with the Rose Hand & Body Cream underneath, too.

Meeting Aerin was so exciting. She couldn't have been more charming, and she totally embodies her beautiful brand. There is nothing more wonderful than hearing about the ideas behind the brand and the fragrance from its creator. This photo was taken before the last dinner, when we had customized piñatas, a fire pit and a beachside dinner.

The last breakfast was so sad! I didn't want to leave and have to say goodbye to everyone. But it was beautiful in the hotel gardens, with leaf menus and hand-painted bottles of the fragrance. I sat next to Jules (of the blog Sincerely Jules) and had a lovely time getting to know her.