I’m writing this post just a couple of days after the treatment (despite my period cramps) because I don’t want to lose the euphoria of the exquisite experience of Biologique Recherche facial treatment over at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.
If you don’t know yet, Biologique Recherche is famously known in the beauty world for their exclusive treatments. It’s so exclusive that the products are only sold at a very few handfuls of spas across the globe. Not just that, they’re actually reluctant to sell the products without having a consultation beforehand, ensuring us (as clients) can get the best match for our skin and achieve maximum results.
Biologique Recherche is also synonymous with its Lotion P50 (and its variants) for being the top authority on exfoliating acid toner. I believe, Caroline Hirons is the one responsible for making this product incredibly popular.
With the brand’s existence along with their treatment services (face, body, and hair) almost a year ago, it definitely adds another excitement to the ever-growing local beauty scene. So, without further adieu, let’s begin.
Image from Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.
Upon entering The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta, I was welcomed with a warm greeting with a cup of cooling Rosella tea with a refreshing hand towel. While they’re prepping, I filled in a form with the information of my skin type, skin concerns and the goals with this facial. I also need to state for any allergies/sensitivities and whether I’ve tried any AHA/BHA and/or Retinols previously.
For my goals, I want to have a better texture, hydrated and moisturized skin. Pretty simple, eh?
Once the therapist was ready, she took me into the room and let me change my clothes into a robe. Before we started, she soaked my feet with warm water and had them scrubbed for a little bit. Just to relax the entire body, making it ready for the facial.
The very first thing that she mentioned was that at Biologique Recherche, they avoid using any hot water, towels or steam. This is to prevent irritation on the skin. Well, I personally agree with her. I dislike using warm water on my skin, especially on the face because it creates such a discomfort and causes redness, sometimes itchiness. So, cold water? Right up my alley.
Not just that, the brand use cold processing in manufacturing the products to keep the integrity of the ingredients intact.
Pardon for the shabby photos. I humbly took these with my iPhone just to take a peek on the trolley full of BR products.
As with any treatment, Biologique Recherche facial starts by cleansing the skin. She used Eau Micellaire Biosensible first, massaging it through the face, neck, and decolletage. Then Lait U as the second cleanse (gotta love cleansing milk for this). She also removed my eye makeup as well. After the skin is clean, she proceeded to do a skin analysis on me. She was right on the points where I have pores on my forehead, nose, and cheeks and said my T-zone has more sebum. She also took notes on the data that I filled in earlier. After chatting for a bit, she decided the course of products that will be used on my skin – this makes every Biologique Recherche facial customized accordingly to the client’s skin and needs.
She did a “welcoming” massage that is out of this world! I’ve never had my skin massaged in that way before. The lymphatic massage also went under the eye area as well. This stimulates the blood circulation, in a way of prepping the skin to accept the products that are going to be applied later on. I have to be honest, that it was a bit uncomfortable in certain areas because the movements are quite deep into the skin. Especially when she was “smushing” my cheeks. The pressure was quite intense. That being said, I have a low tolerance for pain.
At the same time, I can sense that the motions are quite specific for lifting the skin UP!
After that, she applied the Lotion P50T with cotton pads. I’m taking notes on how she did this. She took cotton pads for each side of the face, soaked them with P50T and pressing the pads against my skin ever so gently yet definite. She made sure every bit of the skin is covered with the solution. At first, I thought my skin might sting/tingle a little because I haven’t used any strong acid toner for the past year now, but it didn’t. It actually felt very pleasant. Lotion P50T is actually Biologique Recherche’s gentlest exfoliator with anti-inflammatory ingredients. However, I suspect the therapist might have pre-soaked the cotton pads with water first before adding the toner, just because I felt the pads were really soaked through and through. But since I didn’t see it, I couldn’t know for sure. Edited to add: this is confirmed! The therapist did use damp cotton pads.
The next treatment is Lift C.V.S. and it is only available for professional treatments only. This product consists of a lotion and an exfoliating powder. She applied the lotion first and pressed it into the skin with her hands. The next step is possibly the most unique, also nerve-racking part of the session. She started to apply the exfoliating powder particles, in small sections. For every section, she will do multiple pinching motions with the powder scrubbing against the skin and make little noises. The pinching motion was also done upwards to further lift the skin. It’s so peculiar and I needed the time to digest the process.
You know what went in my head? After Lotion P50T and then physical exfoliating! How can I not be nervous! I haven’t had this kind of intense exfoliating for a very long time. Scratch that, this is probably the most amount of exfoliation I’ve ever done in one day. Yes, there was discomfort. But there wasn’t any pain or blisters inflicted, thankfully. I think the powder particles are incredibly fine that it ended up still being relatively gentle to the skin. There was no doubt in my mind that my skin will be well-polished after this. Lift C.V.S. was also applied on the neck and decolletage as well.
After she removed the exfoliating powder, she resumed by applying a generous layer of cream mask. For my skin, she mixed Masque VIP O2 and Masque Visolastine to add hydration and moisture back into the skin. And also to add radiance. On top, she applied an eye mask with Oligo-Proteines Marines. This serum, not just only can be used on the skin, but also for the eye area to brighten and depuff the bags. I’m actually interested in trying the serum on its own, maybe someday soon! This session is my favorite part because it’s so soothing and cooling, after all of that.
During the mask session, which was about 20 minutes, she massaged my arms and hands. This actually gave me a glimpse of what I would experience if I were to have the body treatment – interesting.
I felt that we’re getting to the end. She chose Colostrum Serum. It contains milk protein that is used to intensively hydrate, nourish devitalized skin and improves its elasticity. Just the exact thing I need! Regarding the ingredient Colostrum itself, I tried to search around about its origin, but to no avail yet. But I’m pretty sure it doesn’t come from the human. I’ll try to look into it more. Second to last step, Emulsion Gel Biosensible. It has a lightweight consistency and I feel that it sinks into the skin effortlessly. Also Creme Contour Yeux et Levres Bioxifine, an eye cream which can also be used for lip contour as well.
Now the very last touch, the therapist applied a finishing serum which name I didn’t catch. It’s such an interesting concept to add another serum on top. The Biologique Recherche finishing serums add more potent botanical extracts, glow and moisture, also prolong and protect the efficacy of the other products underneath. Edited to add: I asked the therapist and she used Fluide VIP O2. It’s said to help reducing signs of fatigue, brightens the complexion while leaving the skin smoother with its Specific Biologique Recherche Oxygenating Complex and other extracts – OK, this is definitely one expensive serum.
She took my headband off and I’M FINALLY DONE.
Few BR products* for me to take home as well.
Now comes the moment of truth. The therapist gave me a hand mirror and from there on, I couldn’t stop gushing at what I’m seeing. MY SKIN. Holy guacamole! IS THIS MY SKIN? I knew those massages were meant for lifting but I didn’t expect it to be this significantly different! The contour of the cheekbone and jawline look more defined. Eye bags are depuffed. I swear that my smile lines faded because the cheeks are lifted!
There’s some redness which is expected but overall my skin looked very even. It’s shiny but not greasy. The pores are clean, tightened and less apparent. And when I touched my skin, I couldn’t believe what I felt. It’s so, so, so smooth. Unbelievably soft but not fragile or thin. It’s creamy and velvety at the same time. ARGH. I can’t stop touching my face (even though it’s bad). I even asked my husband to caress my skin just to show him how soft it is. The suppleness is at a different level!
So, this is what Biologique Recherche mean by an uplifted, youthful radiance. The GLOW IS REAL, y’all. I am absolutely astonished by the results. I don’t do facials often but this is what I would call an instant gratification. When I asked for “better texture, hydrated and moisturized skin“, I didn’t expect to get all of them checked at one go! Of course, to maintain such results, one must do the facial regularly – which is definitely going to be a splurge.
There’s one thing that they could improve on, somehow. In the end, I could still feel a little bit of the Lift C.V.S. exfoliating powder particles on the skin, here and there. I knew that the therapist removed them as much as she could but I suppose it couldn’t beat rinsing the skin directly with water.
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Just a heads up, Biologique Recherche products are known for their uncommon scents. This is because they don’t add any artificial fragrances or colorants into their products to reduce the chance of irritating the skin. I didn’t find them to be that bad, just a little odd at times – although I’ve yet to try Masque Vivant.
Biologique Recherche facial treatments start from IDR 1,250,000 (before 21% tax and service) and up. For the updated price list, please contact The Spa directly. I was given the chance to try Absolute Radiance for 90 minutes. You can find more info on all of the services (including for the body and hair) on Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta’s website here. Keep in mind that the set of treatment you receive might be different than mine, because of the customization. I definitely recommend on making inquiries and have a consultation before setting an appointment. The staffs and therapists are trained directly from the brand and well-informed on the functions of the products they use.
Edited to add: apart from the treatment services, customers can also purchase Biologique Recherche products as well. Again, if you’re new to the brand, I highly recommend making a consultation and a skin analysis first. They carry quite a variety of products and it can get really confusing without a guidance beforehand.
I have a strong feeling that I’m going to enjoy this skin for days ahead. This has been an experience I will never forget. It’s like hitting another milestone. I am blown, head over heels! And I’m still gushing!
Disclosure: the Biologique Recherche facial and products are complimentary from Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. I am not obligated to make a review on this blog. But I decided to because how else am I going to remember such an amazing experience! All opinions written here are 100% my own, as always.
