Kiehl's Hair Creme Beloved by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr.

The iconic apothecary brand's styling cream was a go-to for the '90s style icons.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. were known for their understated yet polished 1990s New York style. One product that was reportedly a shared favorite in their grooming routines was Kiehl's Creme With Silk Groom, a lightweight styling cream that helped create their signature effortless looks. The brand's Original Musk Eau de Toilette fragrance also aligned with Bessette-Kennedy's minimalist aesthetic. Both products remain cult favorites among celebrities today.

Why it matters

Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr. defined 1990s New York style with their polished yet relaxed aesthetic. Their shared use of Kiehl's products highlights how the iconic apothecary brand has maintained its status as a go-to for understated luxury and timeless grooming essentials over its 175-year history.

The details

Kiehl's Creme With Silk Groom was reportedly used by both Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. to achieve their signature polished-but-natural hairstyles. The lightweight styling cream delivers soft hold, subtle shine, and flexible movement, helping to tame flyaways while keeping hair touchable. Kiehl's Original Musk Eau de Toilette, with its warm, second-skin fragrance profile, also aligned with Bessette-Kennedy's minimalist approach to beauty. The fragrance, which blends classic musk with soft floral and woody notes, remains a celebrity favorite today.

  • Kiehl's has occupied the same 13th Street corner in New York City since 1851.
  • Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. were a prominent couple in 1990s New York.

The players

Kiehl's

A New York-based apothecary brand that has evolved from a neighborhood pharmacy into a globally recognized skin-care institution under L'Oréal.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

A style icon known for her razor-sharp minimalist tailoring and barely-there beauty in the 1990s.

John F. Kennedy Jr.

Bessette-Kennedy's husband, known for his relaxed suiting and effortless grooming that defined 1990s New York style.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Amanda Cook Tucker, Hairstylist (newbeauty.com)

“Charlize Theron has called the fragrance her 'ride or die,' even describing it as a total 'love potion.'”

— Charlize Theron (newbeauty.com)

The takeaway

Kiehl's has maintained its status as a go-to for understated luxury and timeless grooming essentials, as evidenced by its enduring popularity among style icons like Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. as well as modern celebrities. The brand's ability to cater to evolving beauty trends while staying true to its apothecary roots has allowed it to transcend eras and remain a trusted name in the industry.