I love going for facials – they are my one regular monthly luxury treat that I never fail to skip. Whilst facials are not always necessary, they are nice to go for especially when you have had a rough week.
I’d been going to the same salon for a couple of years now but recently tried the Lancome Beauty Institute at Bangsar Village II (ground floor next to Delicious cafe). The Lancome Beauty Institute conducts facials and body treatments using Lancome products so if you know Lancome products work for you, then you might consider going for their facials. However, if you know for a fact that the products do not work for you then you might want to skip it.
After a sip of hot Lancome Tea (yes, they have their own blend!) a short consultation involving cranking up machines and scary looking images of my skin I had a whitening facial. Now I’m not one for “whitening” so I prefer to refer to it as “brightening” instead. The products used were from the new Lancome Blanc Expert range.
High Tech Clinical environment
Unlike the other salon I frequent which feels more “homey” the Lancome cabin feels rather high-tech and clinical. The chair which transforms into a bed is quite comfortable although I prefer a wider bed. I always have a fear of falling off narrow ledges when I sleep 😛
Your chair/bed is cocooned with white curtains which help block out external sounds and soothing music is played and coloured lights are used depending on the treatment you are there for. The lady doing the facial told me the chair could be heated up if I was cold but I did not try it because it did not feel all that cold. Next time I go, I will for novelty sake!
Relaxing Professional Treatment
I found the facial relaxing with the facialist talking me through the products and procedure. There was no painful facial extraction done and it was all very professional and soothing as she went from one machine and product to another without pause except when I had a mask on. Even then, she was busy giving me a hand massage so I knew she wasn’t “stealing time”. 😛
The whitening facial (RM180) started with a thorough cleansing of the skin followed by treatment using the Blanc Expert emulsion with ultra-sonic techniques and a whitening peel. Then, there was a hydrating mask and application of spot eraser again using the ultra-sonic machine and a facial and decolletage massage before toning, moiturizer and sunblock was applied.
After about an hour plus, I left with clean and glowing skin. I believe that to see better whitening/brightening effects you will need a long term use of products but I was impressed at the nice glow I had on my skin which was clearly more even toned!
If you prefer, you can have your makeup touched up with (what else) Lancome makeup before you leave the institute. I did not because I don’t believe in clogging up my skin with makeup again after purifying it with a facial!
Perhaps due to the different styles and products used, I found that my skin felt dewy and moist after the facial. After my facial at the other salon, I usually feel that my skin is matt because they usually end off with a dusting of silk powder. So moist skin takes some getting used to.
First Time Discount!
If you are a first timer at the Lancome Beauty Institute at Bangsar Village II, you are entitled to a 30% discount on your first facial. Shh… they don’t tell that to everyone 😉 Prices for facials start from RM150 up depending on the sort of treatment done. A discount is a good way to try a new salon to see if you like it; and men are welcome for facials too! 🙂 I’m keen to try the other facials on offer next time although I might go back for another session of the whitening facial and this time, maybe I’ll fall asleep instead of being curious about what is being done to me.
Have you tried going to the Lancome Beauty Institute for facials? Do you go for regular facials?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
prettybeautiful says
March 26, 2009 at 9:43 amtrue that. their room looks more high tech compared to other saloons. never got my facials done at lancome before, but i do go for regular facials, like 2x a month. but still cant get perfect skin! 🙁 no thanks to stupid breakouts and all the black/white heads
p/s: i just realized that most of the salons offer first time trial, just need to ask for it 😀
ParisB says
March 26, 2009 at 10:40 amHi prettybeautiful
But imagine if you didn’t go for facials at all! 🙂 And your skin is pretty decent from what I have seen. Some facial salons make more of the fact that they offer specials for first timers – others like this Lancome one are more subtle – just ask!
Shay says
March 26, 2009 at 2:06 pmHi prettybeautiful,
Do you get massages at facials? If you do, you will probably breakout more. I saw that massaging the face would bring sebum to the surface.
I find it quite true because I sometimes will rub a red spot on my face and the next morning it becomes a full blown pimple. If I did not rub it, it will stay red for a longer time. And sometimes harden to a dark spot.
That might be why you find that you still got breakouts even if you go 2x a mth.
unforgettable says
March 26, 2009 at 8:59 pmHi Shay,
I beg to differ but I do get massages at facials but I don’t experience ‘extra’ breakout.
My face condition was terrible previously and then I started going for facials (plus the massages) and my face got better until now.
Not too sure if massages really cause breakouts but in my case they don’t.
prettybeautiful,
Could it be that the products or the salon is not suitable for you?
If you have been going to the same salon for quite some time and your skin condition doesn’t improve, maybe it’s time to try somewhere else. 🙂
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 9:50 amHi unforgettable
I love facial massages too. But I suppose different people may react differently e.g. some people have more sensitive skin than others. So, if a firm facial massage is performed on them, they might find themselves breaking out.
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 10:14 amHi Shay
I think rubbing a spot is quite different from a facial massage because rubbing a spot irritates the skin thus causing it to erupt. If one has sensitive skin then maybe a facial massage might cause the same problem. I don’t have this problem and I find that my skin usually looks nicer for a week or two after a facial. But I guess we are all different 🙂
Nikki says
March 26, 2009 at 11:49 amI haven’t PB! and I want to try!!!! I’ve seen where our local Lancome Beauty Institute is located!!! I have to give it a try, it is a VERY stressful week for me 🙁
ParisB says
March 26, 2009 at 12:10 pmHiya Nikki
Sorry to hear its been stressful – take some time out for a facial and to relax maybe? 🙂 *hugs*
Kahani says
March 26, 2009 at 12:19 pmOoh thanks for the heads-up on the discount PB. May give it a try when budget is less umm… blown. Where do you have your regular facials? I always get turned off these beauty parlors because of their hard-sell techniques. I like being presented with options but HATE hard-sell ploys when I’m trying to relax. I’ve even walked out before getting my facial (and paying of course) because they (New York Skincare) would not let up on the hard sell even when asked.
ParisB says
March 26, 2009 at 12:25 pmHey Kahani
*giggles* I could tell you any amount of horror stories about the salon you mentioned – been there, tried it, told them to stuff it 😛 My regular salon is the Kanebo salon at Bangsar. I don’t get harassed there and I’ve never really seen them harassing anyone – they do try to sell things but if you say no, they don’t push it. Which is how it should be IMO.
jojoba says
March 26, 2009 at 4:40 pmi never do facials but i like going to this place to buy makeup. lol. it looks a bit more classic than a counter.
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 10:02 amHi jojoba
I didn’t know they sold makeup there too.I thought it was just to be used 🙂
~lalala~ says
March 26, 2009 at 5:01 pmi don’t like going to facials, coz im not pretty, and they always like treat me so-so only. beauty counters also the same for me. they either treat me so-so, or don’t bother to help me with anything at all. i know this coz my friend she’s like so pretty and she always get extra special attention during facials.
Shay says
March 26, 2009 at 5:57 pmNo lah. I don’t think good treatment from sales people comes from being pretty or not. It comes from how well dressed one is and one’s attitude.
Next time, try going in with your most expensive looking clothes and have a look on your face that says “All these things seem too cheap for me”. Those sales ppl will treat you well even if you don’t buy, coz they think you have the potential to spend if you come next time.
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 9:56 amHi Shay
I have to agree that being pretty or not has nothing to do with it. After all beauty is in the eye of the beholder! However, confidence is important. So even if you are dressed down, if you have confidence in yourself and your capabilities, the sales people will treat you accordingly 🙂
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 10:01 amHey Lalala
Don’t knock yourself! Next time you go, be nice to the girl and have confidence in yourself. Dressing does play a small part because after all sales people or therapists are still human and have their own perceptions.
Elvira (PinkSith) says
March 26, 2009 at 7:59 pmHi Paris! That facial sounds wonderful and the pictures are great. I don’t go in for facials but I give myself mini ones every week. Salons here are unreliable and It’s hard to find a good one. Plus with my little boy it’s also hard to find the time to go during the day. I usually give myself little facials when he’s asleep and I can relax. Thanks for the great post!
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 9:54 amHi Elvira
I try to do home facials but I’m less disciplined 🙂 Perhaps you could share your routine with us? 🙂
Amanda says
March 26, 2009 at 8:38 pmOhhh.. that looks really nice! There are a couple of Lancome and Estee Lauder institutes around but I’ve never tried them before.
‘I always have a fear of falling off narrow ledges when I sleep’ – Me too! Haha. That’s why I’m always half awake when during the facial.
Facial is a necessity for me. I go to the salon once a month. They use Payot, Decleor and Darphin but I don’t use any of their products.
Vonvon says
March 27, 2009 at 2:20 amHi Amanda,
What’s the rate for an average facial over there?
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 9:52 amHi Amanda
Haha… does your facial salon use narrow beds too? The other one I go to has a pretty big bed so I always fall asleep there 🙂 Out of curiousity, how much does an average facial cost where you are?
Amanda says
March 27, 2009 at 4:50 pmYeah, they use narrow beds! I usually go after work around 5ish, can you imagine I’m always so tired and fall asleep, at the same time I’m afraid I may fall off the bed? *lol*
The average rate is around 35€-75€, depending what kind of facial treatments you choose. The salon I go is small and just next to my place.
hushies says
March 27, 2009 at 12:27 amlancome cosmetics are great too.
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 9:48 amHi hushies
Yes they are!
Vonvon says
March 27, 2009 at 2:17 amLancome facial….ahhh….nice, I just tried a short one last Tuesday. I like the pressure point facial massage.
But at Bangsar Village II, err….I don’t like driving to Bangsar though….sigh….But I think I’ll try at one of their counters. What do you think , Paris?
ParisB says
March 27, 2009 at 9:48 amHi VonVon
Having experienced facials at the counter and at the proper facial institutes/salons, I’ve always found the counter/cabin not as good. Mostly its because you don’t get the experience the full range of machines and treatments on offer and the wonderful environment of the facial institute. I don’t mind Bangsar – its convenient and its usually easy to find parking at BV2 🙂
Vonvon says
March 28, 2009 at 9:56 amWell, I guess I should give it a try then….:)
abby says
March 28, 2009 at 11:17 pmAlways wanted to go for their facials. Curve had a 50% discount long ago but missed it. Sad. Is this 30% one only for the Bangsar outlet? Any expiry date or is it just as long as you’re a first timer?
Glaire says
March 11, 2010 at 5:27 pmSound great>.< Planning to go once later hehehe…..
sugar says
April 14, 2010 at 3:51 pmwell your skin mustve been great, because for me after i did a skin analysis i had to do a facial that DID involve painful extraction and left my face scarred for abt 5 days…but other than that, the rest of my face felt really good, i had the primeordiale one..so i WILL be going back, this time without extractions..=)
Kidult says
August 14, 2010 at 12:32 amI have been try in Lancome Beauty Institute.The treatment is not bad but the price quite expensive.The treatment cost RM260 and the eye treatment is RM120.I have both treatment for my first trial and total cost me RM266 cos 30% discount.But I am not sure I will go second time or not,depend my wallet and my skin situation,lol……..
annachen says
October 11, 2010 at 5:17 pmThat’s sound great, i feel like give a try in lancome. But my face have so much black and white heads, i scare after facial my face will left scare and swelling? lol Anyone know what’s the price for normal facial in lancome@bangsar village II? Thanks 😉