Ready for my closeup…
It works! Case closed. Want to know more? Read on for an honest review of my experience with the Biologique Recherche RFM Triple Lift Facial.
“I have been dreaming about this machine since I was first introduced to the brand. It’s an expensive piece of equipment and a very strong machine that fuses three currents into one treatment. We trained for four days on how to use it and then all practiced for six months before we added it to the menu. I want to push the boundaries of what we can offer for anti-aging before clients go to injections and face lifts,” says Amy Leavell Bransford, owner of the lovely Aviary Beauty + Wellness, who invited me into the Summerhill, Atlanta location to try the service.
Things to Know Before You Book the Triple Lift Facial
The maker of the facial products and Remodeling Face Machine (RFM), Biologique Recherche, is a luxurious French skin care brand that has developed products and treatment protocols for more than 40 years. It’s the real deal, with formulas and treatments backed by science.
The brand touts the machine used in the treatment for lifted skin—hence the name of the facial. So, think firming and toning the contours of the face, neck and décolleté. Like a subtle, needle-less facelift! Because of this, it’s best suited for those with maturing skin. You 20-year-olds out there, start a beauty savings account for when you’re an old bat like me and things start a-droopin’.
It’s hard to find. Biologique Recherche is particular about with whom it’s affiliated. Compared with other lines, there are only a handful of beauty boutiques and spas that offer it. In Atlanta, for instance, there are only three that I could find, two of them Aviary’s locations in Summerhill and Old Fourth Ward.
This facial is expensive. The cost at Aviary is $350 (60 minutes), and I saw pricing in the $500-$600 range at spas such as Tres Belle in Brooklyn, New York and Ciel Spa in Los Angeles.
My Personal Review of Biologique Recherche's RFM Facial
I’ve done laser facials, HydraFacials, microdermabrasion, holistic facials, peels, dermaplaning and more, but this was a first: a service that combines all the facial-y things like cleansing, layers of product application and mini massage PLUS three currents in one. The Biologique Recherche RFM Triple Lift Facial is said to oxygenate, firm, reduce pore size, lift, sculpt and tighten your visage with the combination of galvanic current, microcurrent and high-frequency current.
Step 1: Check me out.
Starting with a skin evaluation after a thorough cleanse, Esthetician, aka Facial Wizard, Sophie Audibert decided I needed to address hydration and brightness.
Esthetician Sophie Audibert applying a divine eye mask via massage during Biologique Recherche RFM Facial at Aviary.
Step 2: massage.
“Lymphatic drainage and sculptural massage are important to increase circulation to the skin,” says Audibert. Plus, it’s everyone’s favorite part of a facial, including mine. It feels sooooo good, as you can see from my expression in the above video!
The soothing treatment room at Aviary Beauty + Wellness with RFM Triple Lift Facial machine at left, ready to make me glow.
Step 3: Exfoliation.
Next up was the crucial application of p50 (a chemical peel) to gently exfoliate and prime my skin to better receive the following steps. It went on cool with a facial paint brush. “I cocktailed a brightening-refining mask with a more hydrating one and used the probes on top of the mask,” explains Audibert.
Step 4: Oxygenation.
Audibert then did a three-minute pass of oxygen on each side of my face. “This helps maximize absorption of the mask, oxygenate the skin and refine any dead skin on the surface,” she says.
Throughout the facial, I noticed that there was no hot steam, hot towels or hot at all (except for the table warmer that kept me toasty) and instead the facial focused on cooling the skin. Leavell Bransford explains Biologique Recherche’s reasoning: “Cryotherapy helps to regulate blood circulation to tighten and shrink pores, reduce puffiness, minimize dark circles, reduce redness and even out skin tone. Steam and extractions are also nice, but honestly not everyone needs them and a lot of skin that is red and/or couperose [rosacea prone] actually is intolerant to them and steam and extractions can make it worse.”
Step 5: Serums.
Once the mask was removed by facial towels, Audibert applied a serum infusion that emphasized brightness, regeneration and hydration. “The Biologique Recherche serums are very active and can be combined to address any issues a client might be concerned with, allowing the service to be extremely personalized,” she says. “They are made even more potent as conductors for the RFM machine’s high-frequency modality.”
I personally love the smell of Biologique Recherche products—they are neither perfumey nor uber earthy, but smell like subtle, carefully crafted essential oil blends.
Photo credit: From the Hip
Step 6: RFM Face Lift.
Audibert ran the RFM wands, which look like round sponges, on top of the serums and over my face again. This time, she did seven minutes on each side of my face, starting from the chest up to the hairline. This process focused on lifting and stimulating muscular tissue. There are several levels of the machine and it was most comfortable for me at a beginning level. It didn’t hurt but I could feel a slight current. Audibert kept checking in to make sure I was comfortable, and I was. Also, I was forewarned that I might experience a metallic taste in my mouth when it ran over my jaw and cheekbone, and sure enough I did. The taste comes from the microcurrent probes running over taste receptors. Science. Huh.
Step 7: More Yummy Products.
Once finished with the machine, Audibert worked in some of her favorite Biologique Recherche products into my toned and radiant skin (if I do say so), including a light emulsion to seal in all the goodness of the serums, an eye cream and hydrating oil.
All a-glow. No filter ;)
”Biologique Recherche is really big on education. Our estheticians train a minimum of three times a year to stay up on techniques and product knowledge. I love that it is important to the company that the customer has to come to a Biologique Recherche spa to buy a product or at the very minimum do a virtual consultation to receive their products,” says Leavell Bransford.
This educational aspect was definitely felt with a highly knowledgeable esthetician working her magic on my skin.
The Results
With my newfound refined, oxygenated and circulated skin came a noticeably lifted, plumped and hydrated surface with softened fine lines. Would I do it again? Absolutely. This would be a fabulous treatment for maturing skin to do on a quarterly basis for maintenance or a pick-me-up before a special event.
Editor’s Note: The service was complimentary, thanks to Aviary Beauty and Wellness. However, I was not paid to write this review and all opinions are my own.
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