In the spirit of Aesop’s Solais Replenishing Hand Serum, we invite four craftspeople to speak to their main work tool, shedding light on how the gift of touch has moulded their passions, giving their inner worlds a means to manifest and materialise in our shared one. Read Anna Du Toit’s and FURA’s Christina Rasmussen and Sasha Wijidessa’s love letters here.
Junz Loke, Creative Director and Co-founder of 35A
If my hands could talk, they’d probably ask for a little more care. They’ve been my main tool all these years: shaping hair, building textures, bringing ideas to life through every cut, colour, perm and style. They’ve learnt precision, but also patience. They know when to be gentle, when to take control, and when to trust instinct over technique. But I’ve also put them through a lot: chemicals, heat, constant washing, and long hours without rest. They’ve stayed consistent even when they’re dry, tired, or worn out — still showing up for every client, and every vision. So, if I could say something now, it would be this: “I see you, and I’m learning to take care of you the same way you’ve taken care of my craft.” Good work isn’t just about what you create — it’s also about what you preserve. And these hands? They deserve to be treated with the same intention, care and respect as everything they touch.
Solais Replenishing Hand Serum
By some stroke of kismet, the roots of the Solais Replenishing Hand Serum were born in a space similar to Junz’s salon. To be specific, it comes from improvised but inspired blends of vegetable and essential oils by founder Dennis Paphitis at his fabled hair salon and the birthplace of Aesop — Emeis. Now, Aesop’s laboratories bring botanical extracts together with laboratory-made ingredients to allow the best of nature and science, efficacy and sensorial intrigue, to collide. The Solais Replenishing Hand Serum is the latest chapter of this practice.
Photography Zantz Han
Creative Direction Izwan Abdullah
Art Direction Danessa Tong
Story and Production Charmaine Tan
The Solais Replenishing Hand Serum is available at all Aesop stores and online. Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our May 2026 issue.