Beauty Spot: Bvlgari

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Neiman Marcus product specialist Catherine Sun was joined by Bulgari's national trainer Monica Rivera, senior account executive Jeanette Sukalac, and West Coast territory senior account coordinator Fariba Hobadifard, during a Bulgari skincare master class.

When using any skincare line, whether budget- or luxury-oriented, effectiveness is moot if you're not using the products correctly.

That may not be as much of a concern if you're paying $20 or less for drugstore brands, but if you're shelling out more than $100 or $200, you want to be sure you're getting your money's worth.

Toward that end, Bulgari hosted a couple of master classes at Neiman Marcus on May 14, giving a couple dozen women, in two afternoon workshops, an opportunity to try and learn effective application of products from its Bvlgari Gem Essence line.

After hydrating from within with mock mojitos created with muddled basil and mint, lime juice, honey and soda water, women were put to work on external hydration, starting by removing their own makeup, exfoliating, toning, moisturizing, and finally, applying a protective layer of tinted Source Defense Moisturizer.

Bulgari's national trainer Monica Rivera led the class in learning to gently pat serums and moisturizers onto the face, spa style, rather than using the typical fast rubbing motions of a person in a hurry. Correct application, following gentle exfoliation, helps more of the serums to penetrate the skin's surface rather than sticking mainly to one's hands and fingertips, though of course hands need protection too.

Cheryl Suzuki applies Bvlgari Masque Precieux to a volunteer.

To give an idea of how effective skincare products can be over time, cosmetitian showed how the back of her hands have remained young looking over time because she's used them as palettes for skincare application demonstrations throughout her career. Hands are notorious for betraying age because women don't tend to them they way the do their faces, but in XX's case, her hands looked 20 years younger than her arms, which betrayed the wrinkling and dark circles caused by sun exposure and aging.

From initial presentation of Eau Parfumée Au Thé Vert-scented oshibori towelettes to cleanup with hot towels, the slow, luxurious pace of the afternoon did indeed feel like a spa, but one in which each woman was her own facialist!

The Bvlgari Gem Essence line is beautifully packaged and scented. It's one of the most effective lines I've found for my aging skin. Others would be two Japanese lines, Rice Force, available at The Kahala Spa, and Love Renaissance, available at the Royal Hawaiian Center.