Pre COVID19, many of us led a lifestyle where we were constantly on the run and doing things. We’d be worrying about all of life’s stresses and trying to push ourselves to do better every day, but as I’m sure many of us are now realizing, sometimes we’d forget to stop and take time for ourselves. Pampering, however you do it, is an important form of self-care that can be overlooked or thought of as expensive. However, there are many different ways to experience that luxurious “you time” like face masks, a hot bubble bath, which can be had at home even now, or like before, you could also get a facial! Before you say that facials are expensive, I can tell you that yes, they can be and for a good reason as you’re getting a professional who knows what they’re doing and deserves the respect for their work. That being said, there are ways around the cost if you wait and look around. For example, when brands want to show people their new product lines, they tend to offer facials or makeup sessions for free, and that´s a great option to get an amazing pampering as well as to get to know their new products!

This is what I was able to do when Guerlain joined with Julieraque, a high-end makeup chain, here in Buenos Aires. They were promoting their new Abeille Royale Skincare range. Basically anyone could sign up and get a short facial, designed to introduce you to their new range, as well as to try some of the other products in the pre-existing Guerlain skincare family. I feel like I MUST clarify that the Guerlain staff, just like any good cosmetologist, asked me questions about allergies, my skin type, routine and any problems I may have in order to not apply any products that may be harmful or unbalancing for me personally. Always be careful and aware when trying any new product that is going to be used on you, as well as the application, as even the best products can cause extensive damage to your skin if you’re not well matched.

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Warnings aside, the experience of my skincare treatment was heavenly and highly recommendable! The woman that did my facial first applied the Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Foam Cleanser to remove any dirt I could have picked up on my way in (especially as I went without any make-up), then she proceeded to use the Gommage de Beauté, a resurfacing skin peel, to gently exfoliate my skin. I have to say, that for someone who suffers from rosacea, the exfoliation did not irritate my skin, nor left it feeling raw or tingly as I have experienced with other types of exfoliants, which was refreshing. Then, gently patting on my face, she applied the Guerlain Super Aqua advance lotion which made my skin feel hydrated, plump and softer than I have ever seen it before (reason as to why I purchased it after the experience!).

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Now, for what this whole facial was about: the Abeille Royale line. First, she applied the Abeille Royale Gold Eyetech Serum, it comes in a tube with a special applicator that helps to decongest, reduce puffiness, and alleviate any dark circles you may be experiencing, but most importantly, it leaves the area feeling lifted and renewed almost instantly! This was a product I was really interested in, being an eye serum that can be applied before your everyday eye cream to boost the care of an already very delicate part of our face. I look forward to purchasing it at some point, because I was totally obsessed!

The next step of my facial was the star product of this range, the Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Serum. This original formula combines the power of two serums in one, to renew and repair your skin at the same time! To put it simply, the renew element of the formula uses an innovative treatment that delays the action of the product to protect the skin from possible irritations and redness, while giving a soft and gentle peeling, that enhances the skin’s natural radiance and texture. The repair part of this combo stimulates your genes to focus on replenishing and tightening your skin. This is achieved by the use of special ingredients like Quessant Honey, which comes from a rare black bee that produces an unbelievably pure quality of honey and has many great properties, as well as Guerlain’s specially developed Royal Jelly. All in all, this is one of the fanciest serums I have ever tried, and I must say that in my opinion, investing in serums is always THE best option. Serums like this one can be expensive but really show their worth not only in one use, but definitely in the long run, and this Guerlain serum is right up there on my wish list!

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Finally, the treatment ended with the line’s Mattifying Day Cream, and relax…there is a version of this cream for those who have dry skin! Similarly to the double serum, this cream also uses Quessant Honey and Royal Jelly, however it also uses a Propolis Complex (which they say is used to regulate the production of excess sebum in oily and combo skins). It not only mattifies your skin but also firms, smooths and corrects small imperfections you may have, as well as helping with the appearance of pores. If I have to be honest, I liked this cream but due to the high price, I would go for their night version, because you can get more out of it than a day cream. That said, it left my skin feeling very soft and mattified!

Something that I absolutely love about this line, and Guerlain in general, is that they have committed to protecting bees, their packaging is being designed to reduce the impact on the environment, something that it is really important nowadays. Also, I must say that it was a lovely surprise that the Guerlain team had some of their professional MUAs to do your makeup after the facial if you wanted to, a touch that I found great. There was this gorgeous older lady having her makeup done that day who was hilarious and so nice. She was so happy with the end result of both her makeup and facial, it put a smile on Indi’s and my face. She bought so many of the products at the end, I’m sure because she had felt so well looked after and was just that excited!

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I wanted to buy some of the new products but, actually, the woman who did my facial said that I was lacking the lotion in my routine and advised me to get that first. Also, my fiancée got me the La Petite Robe Noire Lip Colour’Ink in the shade Black Perfecto (107) and the Météorites Glow Pearls Cushion which is a cushion primer with sheer colour correction that leaves a glow to your skin without making it oily and leaving a flawless radiant base for your makeup. I am smitten with this primer, as it really doesn´t make my foundations look oily but it gives a shine to my skin that sometimes suffers from matte makeup; as for the ink, I like it but it is not easy to use due to its pigmentation (I need to experiment more with this product to talk about the formula). I recommend trying a more nude shade first if you are interested or practice the application if you love more bold colours like myself.

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The only bad thing I feel I have to share about this whole experience was the poor treatment of my fiancée from the employees of the Julieraque store (Recoleta Mall). It’s a pretty consistent thing that they try to drive out customers they don’t feel meet the staff’s narrow aesthetic preferences. My fiancée isn’t one to wear makeup of any kind, especially high end, so she felt a little out of place, but she knows how much it means to me and is always looking and learning! She was constantly mistreated in the shop both during my facial and when I was getting my makeup done, being herded away from products and just treated with a level of disdain. It’s not to be taken too personally, as they also gave the same treatment to the stunning older woman getting a makeover next to me, whose only crime seemed to be that she just didn’t look like a 20-something Instagram model, which is disappointing. Makeup is for everyone, and higher-end products shouldn’t be off-limits to anyone who wants to try them, whether it’s their norm or a first try. It’s pretty bad business to shoo away customers because they don’t look just like you and I can’t imagine how any guy could ever go in and buy something for their significant other in there. Employees own judgments and suggestions she was in the wrong place essentially prevented her from buying fragrances for her family and herself, as well as several gifts for me, which with the attitude they displayed, I’m relieved at. This was not related to the Guerlain staff who were kind, empathic and talented, but the employees of the Julieraque shop, and isn’t uncommon from store to store, unfortunately. This kind of treatment towards people is degrading and should not be happening at all, as no one should mistreat a customer just for being a little different.

Until next time, take care and stay safe.

Xoxo,