To say I’m obsessed with skincare would be a huge understatement, I’m an esthetician after all, among many other things, and in constant search for the next miracle product, antioxidant-rich superfood, or beauty sanctuary to increase my outer-glow.
When I heard Rescue Spa (*RS) of Philadelphia was opening a New York City location, my beauty prayers had been answered. I discovered their e-commerce site a few years ago when I realized they carry cult-favorite skincare brand, Biologique Recherche (*BR). A super effective french skincare line that uses a clinical and holistic approach to skincare using pure, concentrated, and raw ingredients. BR was developed 40 years ago to please dissatisfied professionals in the beauty and skincare industry, and boy did they. It’s one of the most coveted skincare brands to-date with a product inventory ranging from face, to body, to hair-care.
Being a skincare nerd, it was both a privilege and honor to meet Rescue Spa owner and founder, Danuta Mieloch, who’s also a master esthetician. She’s delightful, full of pure positive energy; one of those lovely people you meet and immediately feel at ease with. Not to mention, she’s a serious badass in the skincare industry. Danuta is a wealth of knowledge and made talking about skincare easy and approachable. She performed their most popular facial, the ‘BIO-LIFT’ using you guessed it, BR products. What’s unique about the BIO-LIFT facial is that it uses round foam pads with electric current to stimulate, tighten, and tone facial muscles.
The BR product line is so advanced in treating different skin types, the products are totally customizable to your OWN unique skin type, which is one of the reasons their products are so effective. Before the lift portion of the facial, Danuta began with a warm steam, cleanse, extractions (zero redness afterwards), and a light microdermabrasion before the microcurrent (the lifting part), which produces a slight tingling sensation on the skin and subtle metal taste in your mouth (which is totally normal). Following the microcurrent is a facial massage before being layered in a wonderful blend of serums and moisturizers. Skin glows SO hard after this treatment, I didn’t have to wear a touch of makeup for a week.
The treatment left my skin feeling refreshed – smooth, even, firm, and plump – no puffiness, hello, cheekbones! A perfect treatment for a special occasion, but also for monthly maintenance to keep your facial tone lifted the natural way. Essentially, this treatment is as if you sent your face to a gym for the day, minus the sweat and hard work. Danuta explained our skin regenerates every 28-days, give or take a few depending on age, so this treatment is perfect for keeping skin in tip-top shape on a monthly basis for a serious glow
For those who call NYC home, or who are planning a visit, make sure Rescue Spa is at the top of your list for serious pampering from head-to-toe. Their NYC location offers full-body treatments, massages, manicures, hair services – cut and color, makeup application, and their detailed facial menu has the perfect solution for every skin type. If there’s an oasis in NYC, this is definitely it. Guests are greeted by sweet smiles and warm personalities. The space is a large, white,loft-like space, filled with beautiful light and located in the Flatiron section of NYC. The front of RS is filtered with exceptional skincare and beauty products, and guests are escorted to a “tea bar,” with fresh fruits and cucumber water upon arrival. Once in the treatment room, it feels like you’re states away from NYC – white brick walls, brass mirrors, and natural wood shelving make you feel instantly at home and super cozy as you tuck yourself under the sheet in prep for your treatment. Rescue Spa is the ultimate destination for self-love and for getting your inner and outer glow on. If you can’t make a visit to their NYC (or Philadelphia) location, you can access the next best thing: using BR products (available here) for achieving your ultimate skin-glow.

While at RS, I took this opportunity to get the 411 on Biologique products from Danuta to see what the hype is on using the one-and-only P50 toner that’s a must in almost everyone’s beauty cabinet.

THE LOWDOWN ON BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE PRODUCTS

Q. BR is praised in the skincare world, why are their products so loved and coveted by all? Is it worth taking the plunge to use Biologique Recherche products?

A. There’s so much love that goes into the process of creating and developing BR products. It’s about craftsmanship with this brand and family heritage, which is greatly respected and appreciated in France. The products are produced and made in a highly concentrated hand-crafted way that’s sustainable in a beautiful lab outside of Paris. The smell of most of the BR products are musky and strong, but it’s because the ingredients are raw, fresh, and active. Activating skin cells and penetrating for optimal results. There’s a beautiful authenticity behind the products and great love that makes it so desirable and the products produce exceptional results for various skin types.

Q. What’s your top selling BR product? (Like I should have even asked, ha.)

A. P50 1970, hands down. It’s basically a facial in a bottle, or a magical potion if you will. It exfoliates and balances the pH of your skin. Think of it as a probiotic for your skin. It also hydrates, but having a healthy pH means healthy, beautiful glowing skin and so for that alone it’s worth it and makes it stand out over other facial toners on the market.

Q. What’s the best product to start with if purchasing BR for the first time?

A. Of course it’s going to be our best seller, the P50 toner. We P50 1970 for everyone. It’s the most effective version of the toner and most commonly used, but for more sensitive skin, there’s a milder version available, too – the P50V.

Q. What is it about P50 toner that makes it so great?

A. Aside from balancing your skin’s pH level and overall promoting healthy skin, one of the superstar ingredients is Lactic Acid, which helps to brighten, exfoliate, and even skin tone, but in a gentle way without drying skin or causing peeling like so many other toners can do. It’s effective and packs a serious punch, while still being gentle on skin, which is why it is so cult-worthy.
by Carla Harshman for The S Life Mag