“Biologique Recherche is clinical but it is also holistic,” says Dr Philippe Allouche, the co-owner of Biologique Recherche. We met Allouche during the opening launch of the stunning new Ambassade Biologique Recherche in The Starhill Gallery. Inspired by the design of the flagship in Champs Élysée in Paris with five secluded VIP treatment rooms, this is the first of its kind in Kuala Lumpur to offer the brand’s full range of science-driven skin solutions that promise immediate, effective and long-lasting results. While guests can expect a range of facial treatments at the Ambassade store right now, hair and body treatments are expected to be introduced early next year.
What started in humble beginnings over 40 years ago in Paris, Biologique Recherche is now one of the most respected French skincare brands in the world. Founded by Allouche’s parents, Yvan and Josette Allouche, the story of how the brand came to be established in over 85 countries over the world is certainly a unique one.
A renowned biochemist, the late Yvan Allouche worked with various French beauty brands before setting out on his own. It can be said that the brand’s earliest client was his wife Josette, who would use the products formulated by her husband and pass them on to her friends. “(My father) was a little bit frustrated when he was working for mainstream brands because it was always the marketing division that would say to the research and development to create the product,” says Allouche. “As researchers, we know what is good for the skin and it’s not for marketing to tell us what to do.”
Allouche’s mother, who was a licensed physiotherapist and a doctor in osteopathy, introduced a groundbreaking method to be used in facials that cemented the brand’s status in the French skincare realm. “The professional origin of the handcrafted treatments we do here is from my mother, she brought the craniosacral therapy to France,” says Allouche.
It is this combination of science-driven, medical-grade ingredients and gentle hands-on treatments that set them apart. “(My parents) were my gurus, I learnt a lot from them. I learnt from my mother all of the facial gestures and of course, I, like them, am also a perfectionist. So, I will try to get the best results.”
Before clean skincare became a thing, the brand has long been transparent about what goes into each bottle. “Before everybody was putting the formulation onto the label, we were doing that in the 70s when it was still very rare,” says Allouche. “We try to make it as clean as possible and this was way before the others.” A high dosage of raw active ingredients is a major selling point for the brand. Their cult product, the P50 lotion that leaves skin luminous and toned, is something even Hollywood A-listers swear by.
For the skincare novice, it’s easy to get overwhelmed looking at the array of bottled solutions and medical-sounding treatments offered at the Ambassade Biologique Recherche, but the personalised service will get to the root of all your skin problems through an in-depth skin diagnosis and personalised consultation. “Some people are reluctant in the beginning, but once you look in the mirror, you definitely see the difference,” says Allouche. “It’s an extremely educational experience, in the end, you learn more about yourself and how you look.”
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