Free skin consultations and glow massages? I’m there

Last week Lancome held an Absolue VVIP event, a pre-brand launch event for selected invitees by Lancome’s partner in the Philippines, Suyen Corporation.

Lancome previewed the complimentary services it will offer customers at its two pop-ups set to open Aug. 15 at Greenbelt 5 and MOA Look: a skin consultation using Lancome’s Beauty Tech machine and a Glow Massage using the prescribed products.

“All of the typical skincare issues of any person — large pores, fine lines, wrinkles, emerging dark spots — things that are not visible on your skin, you’ll be able to have a close visualization of the issues and then it’ll also rate your skin quality,” says Jacky Cayetano, L’Oreal Luxe Division Group Retail and Education manager. “The reason for that is so that we can actually target and identify what you absolutely need.”

She says that just because a celebrity or influencer is using a popular product doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. “That’s a common mistake. But then if you know your skin, you’ll be able to cut to the root of the problem. We’re not going to recommend products just because. It has to target your skin issues so that you get bang for your buck.”

Skin Consultation

Celebrity ambassadors: (clockwise from top left) Amanda Seyfried, Isabella Rossellini, HoYeon Jung, Zendaya, Penelope Cruz and Julia Roberts in the campaign for Lancome’s La Vie Est Belle fragrance.

I got the skin consultation and it’s fun. Like at the ophtha, you rest your chin inside the machine and it takes nine photos to gauge different aspects of your skin — sensitivity, hydration, pore condition, wrinkles, fine lines, texture, UV effect, firmness, and emerging brown spots — before answering a short questionnaire about your skin issues.

I found out that my skin barrier is weakening, thus making it more prone to external aggressors, and I need more hydration on my cheeks.

Some clogged pores caused by makeup and excess sebum need to be scrubbed once a week after cleansing (makeup remover, toner, facial scrub and a clay mask all help).

On the upside, I found out that my pores are tight, skin is firm, and since I’m religious about putting on sunscreen every day, UV damage and emerging brown spots are very minimal.

The best feature of the Beauty Tech is it can also give you a skin-aging analysis, showing what your skin will look like in 10 years.  Though I was scared to view this, it wasn’t the horrific mask I was expecting, and it actually inspired me to get better about my skincare.

Glow Massage

Star products: The Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating collection

Another free service Lancome will give is the Glow Massage, using the products recommended by the Beauty Tech.

First they removed my makeup with Lancome Bi-Facil, which I’m so happy is back because it was my favorite makeup remover for years.

Then they double-cleansed with the Lait Galatee Confort Makeup Remover Milk, followed by the alcohol-free Tonique Confort Hydrating Toner with Hyaluronic Acid.

Then came two applications of one of Lancome’s star products, Advanced Genifique Face Serum, an anti-aging serum with pre- and probiotics to strengthen the skin barrier, increase firmness and target wrinkles. They worked it in with Lancome’s Pro Radiance Machine to maximize absorption.

This was followed by a soothing massage using Absolue Soft Cream, which repairs skin while you sleep and targets all signs of aging.

Next they swept my skin with gently exfoliating Absolue Rose 80 Toner made with 80% skin-soothing rosewater. (FYI, Lancome grows its own roses in Grasse, France.)

Then they massaged in one more pump of Genifique, Absolue serum and Absolue Revitalizing Anti-Aging eye cream, and finally UV Expert Aquagel Facial Sunscreen and Primer, which prepped my face for natural makeup using Lancome’s Teint Idole matte foundation and Intimatte French Tea cream lipstick.

“Absolue products are refillable and rechargeable,” notes Cayetano. “If you have to travel, you just pop up the serum and don’t need to buy the entire bottle anymore, you just buy the refill. We’re shifting to less glass and less plastic. You can also return your bottles, if you want, and then you get something in exchange for that.”

A spritz of my favorite Lancome fragrance, La Vie Est Belle, a floral-fruity gourmand that men find incredibly sexy, according to market research, and I was good to go.

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Lancome will open two locations in Greenbelt 5 and MOA Look on Aug. 15. The first boutique store will open in November in Rockwell Power Plant, while the flagship store in Greenbelt will open in March 2024.