Lancome Beauty Institute #B2-40, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands 6688-7667
Back in 2007, the first Lancome Beauty Institute made its debut at the Goodwood Park Service Apartments, with the 200-sq-m institute slated as an outlet for fans to experience the French label's products in a faster and more efficient manner.
Over the past four years, the institute has grown in favour with both locals and tourists, so much so that a second outlet was only logical.
Launched in December last year, the new institute is located at the Marina Bay Sands and was set up with the aim of catering to a whole new group of customers.
"The first institute is much larger and is located at Goodwood Park Service Apartments, which is more private and exclusive, hence catering to women who really take time to enjoy a luxurious treatment," explains Lancome's brand manager Jamie Ong.
"At Marina Bay Sands, women have a choice to also have a full luxurious service, but also express facial and makeover services for women on the go. The unique selling point would be these express services which can give you a wonderful skin result and a luxurious experience even if you have little time."
Like all Lancome Beauty Institutes, the outlet at Marina Bay Sands focuses on giving women a polysensorial experience. "We combine the performance of our products... to boost the skin's natural mechanisms, with cutting-edge devices such as combining with ultra-sound and micro-vacuum technology," says Ms Ong.
"We also use massage techniques that are in sync with special music and light therapy designed for each specific treatment, so that your skin is in total harmony."
One of the main draws at the new outlet is the Absolue range of treatments.
The Absolue Precious Cells Regenerating and Restoring Treatment ($320, 90 minutes) for instance uses the Absolue Precious Cells formula to reconstruct skin's stem-cell environment, micro-vacuum probes to stimulate collagen production. A super-relaxing massage using white hot and cold jade is added to purify the skin and improve circulation.
Another signature treatment would be the Absolue Essential Treatment (60 minutes, $168) which is available exclusively at MBS. It uses a special mask which is unavailable elsewhere that helps to restore a healthy glow to the skin.
The Absolue treatments aside, one of the best things about the institute is that its owners also own a hair spa and salon next door called Salon 360º. This gives the institute a distinct advantage as it allows customers to make use of the hair facilities should they choose to do so.
For example, to cater to busy guests who want to kill a few hours pampering themselves, the operators have created the the 360º Ultimate Indulgence Treatment (promotion price of $360 for 3 hrs 30 mins) - a one-stop-shop experience that pampers you from head to toe.
All in, says Ms Ong the presence of the institute really complements the retail side of the brand's business in Singapore, even though some formulas are solely for use within the outlets.
"The institute allows a woman to have a faster and more efficient result on her skin with her favourite Lancome formulas, which she can complement with the use of her regular Lancome products at home," she concludes.
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This article was first published in The Business Times.
