Not exactly the bloom I had in mind but these are some amazing roses! If you guys remember I introduced the Lancôme Absolue L'Extrait about 4 weeks back. Read post here. A few days after that post I managed to bring myself to open the jar and start using the cream that promises wonders with a super high price tag. Did I see a difference? Oh yes I did!

 

 

Before I go on to the review, I'm going to do a short recap on what the Absolue L'Extrait is about just in case some of you guys might be lazy to read the full intro post. But do read it though to better understand this luxury cream.

Lancome Absolue L'Extrait is a concentrate of Lancome Rose stem cells which stimulates the cells found in the dermal layer of the skin thereby trigering the self renewal process. Which basically means it is suppose to make your skin more youthful with improved radiance and smoother texture.

It is housed in a heavy onyx glass jar with a gold top which is beyond luxe. I didn't get the full package with the gold box but I tell you even without it you just know it's something special.

Despite being excited about pampering my skin with such a lavish product, I was a tad apprehensive about it at first. Reason being the rich texture that is usually not suitable for my skin. So the first four days I used it at night only on my face and neck. I scooped it out using my own spatula as I wasn't provided with the fancy double sided petal. I used about half a pea size. Any more I think would be a bit much for my skin to handle. Amazingly enough the rich cream absorbs easily into the skin without leaving a greasy feel at all.

After the application, I went on to massage bit. Alan, Lancome's Skincare Trainer taught me to massage the cream into the skin using a part of my hand. Yes, it's possible. Using the same circular motion which would have been used with the petal, I moved my hand upwards. My skin felt refreshed after.

Looking at how well my skin took to the cream I decided to use it in the mornings as well.  Using the same amount with the same massage technique. My foundation stayed on surprisingy well despite the thick cream texture. Ooh and the gorgeous Lancome signature rose scent is loads more intense in this cream and I'm so lurving it!

So here's what I noticed after the first week. My skin feel well moisturised and hydrated without feeling extra oily. The intriguing part is that I found my skin to be a lot more balanced. Meaning it's less oily! I kid you  not! I didn't think that was even possible. 

After the morning use trial, I continued using Absolue L'Extrait morning and night for 4 weeks and I saw significant improvement with my skin and complexion. As a whole I noticed my skin to be a lot more balanced and better moisturised. My skin tone evened out slightly and my skin texture feels smoother. My complexion was loads more radiant and brighter too. I'm blowing my own trumpet here but I think it looks good even without makeup. I'm impressed! Though I don't think I managed to capture the difference in the before-after photos. *new camera? sigh..*

*Note: I had no make up on in the before-after photos except for mascara and lippie. The after photos are taken 4 weeks after I started using the cream.

I know it's a hefty price tag on this product and I'm not sure if I will purchase it on my own at present but it is a product that is at the top of my list if my budget allows me to splurge a bit more in the future. To the awesome people at Lancome Malaysia, thanks loads for the oppurtunity to try out this amazing product!

Lancome Absolue L'Extrait retails at RM1,500.00 and is available at all Lancome counters nationwide. Don't forget to follow Lancome Malaysia on facebook for latest updates.

*Note: Product courtesy of Lancome Malaysia.

Dubbed the ultimate regeneration elixir, Lancome Absolue L'Extrait is a concentrate of Lancome Rose stem cells capable of stimulating cells found in the dermal layer of the skin. I was recently invited to preview this new holy grail of Lancome skincare. Alan, Lancome's Skincare Trainer was great at explaining what the Absolue L'Extrait was about.

 

 

Using a state-of-the-art biotechnological extraction process called Fermogenesis. It is a biotechnology cocooning process developed by Lancome research laboratory. It allows the stem cell to grow on its own within a stress free environment while preserving its regenerative potentials. After 10 weeks of carefully observing the growth of the stem cells, researchers harvest the quintessence and strength of the Lancome Rose.

From that process comes a concentrate of 2 million cells per jar of Absolue L'Extrait which offers life renewing powers to reactivate the visible signs of youth. It works both on  dermal as well as epidermal levels. It is actually a lot more effective in the deeper layers on the skin. The cells from Lancome Rose stimulate the dermal cells thereby trigering the self renewal process. Which basically means, your skin has a very high chance of staying and looking younger. *rejoice!*

Question: What's so special about the Lancome Rose? Isn't it just like any other rose? Answer: Well, not excactly. Baptised La Rose Lancome, it was selected amongst 20,000 new varieties of rose after being cultivated in an experimantal center for over 4 years. It was chosen not only for its surpassing beauty but also for its exceptional qualities of liveliness, resistance and unusual capacity to adapt. It is only blooms and collected each May in the French region of Chateux de la Loire.

After all that explanation from Alan, I couldn't wait to try the Absolue L'Extrait. The jar full of roses comes in a light pink cream-elixir formula. Trying it out my hand it felt rich and heavy but it absorbs into the skin amazingly fast leaving a smooth satiny feel. Loving the signature Lancome rose scent. I couldn't possibly not try it on my face!

To ensure that your skin reaps the maximum benefits, the cream comes with an exclusive message petal. The black portion is for applying the cream and the golden portion for the massage. The massage procedure uses an alternation of warmth and coolness which offers specific benefits to the skin.

Using the Petal, a small amount of the cream was scooped out of the jar using the black side and applied to five spots on my face - cheeks, chin, nose, forehead and spread evenly using your hands. Dip the petal in warm water for five seconds and using the gold plated side massage with small circular motions moving the petal inwards to outwards. Move the petal from chin to temple, cheek to temple, nose to temple and forehead to temple. This is to stimulate the skin's microcirculation and also relaxes the facial muscles. 

After that dip the petal in cold water for five seconds and then massage the face again this time using a zig zag motion moving upwards. The coolness massage is to make your skin feel toned and more radiant. My face was enveloped with luxury I tell you! Just like on my hand, it quickly absorbed into my skin. Needless to say my skin felt soft and smooth. It does feel a a bit heavy though. If you have oily or combination skin it is best to use it either at night only or on alternate days, like what I'm currently doing with Genifique.

Lancome counters have also been fitted with an Absolue Lounge and Absolue Skincare Bar where you can learn more about the Absolue range which features Julia Roberts as it's ambassador for the range. The photo below is the Lancome counter at Isetan KLCC in case you guys are wondering.

Absolue L' Extrait is housed in an avant-garde iconic jar which comes in a gold box. Lancome Absolue L'Extrait is available at Lancome counters for RM1,500.00 (1.7oz/50g) per jar. Gasp right, but this is a cream that could possibly be an elixir of youth.

I have been given the chance to try out Lancome Absolue L'Extrait and I am crazy excited about it. I'm currently still starring at the jar, which means the review will only be up some time next month. :P

Me, Traclyn, Jean and the awesome Lancome Team

Until then be sure to keep udated with all things Lancome on their facebook.

Up soon: How to tame crazy frizzy hair.. like mine. *moans*