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BY DEBORAH FERGUSON
Skincare ( with natural ingredients) has been an ongoing obsession of mine; I'll credit my mother and grand mother both whom had the ultimate skincare regime with a mix of products and spa facials. The many years I lived in Europe where luxury skincare products was then and is now a quiet status symbol, similar to buying a Hermes Birkin bag.
My first experiment with natural ingredients was at a young age (12) I wanted to have the glowing glamorous skin my mom and her socialite friends had. Being too young to join them for spa treatments; I would instead study pages of Vogue magazine's beauty tips and started creating my own natural face masks by raiding my parents kitchen for fresh avocado , yogurt , oatmeal, honey, lemons, cucumbers, olive oil etc. I will admit that the messy, edible face masks perhaps didn't leave me with the same spa glow, but it was a secret personal achievement knowing it was natural care rather than synthetic.
Fast forward to now ; my skin has sun damage and often dehydrated due to the toxins I'm exposed to daily. It's time for a new regime that is above and beyond the regime recommended by my established dermatologist consisting of prescriptive level retinol A and Glycolic acids.
Whilst wandering through Bergdorf Goodman beauty department ( the holy grail of Internationally exclusive skincare brands I will not find at Barney's, Sephora, etc) I noticed a small counter with an understated looking skin care brand so chic it could have been a CHANEL limited edition perfume competitor. The all black , chic packaging , and only four products. How is this possible I thought to myself and it's unisex.
I was greeted by a kind, knowledgeable brand ambassador of RETROUVE and felt like I discovered the secret platinum of natural skincare . I was impressed by the fact that Retrouve was developed over a period of 10 years by Jami Morse Heidegger and Klaus Heidegger. Jami the heiress of iconic beauty brand Kiehl and an incredibly knowledgeable woman was able to lead the Kiehl brand with her husband Klaus to become one of the the most iconic skincare brands and sold Kiehls to L'Oreal in 2001. Jami was not in the mindset to create another brand to compete with Kiehl's.
'Retrouvé represents an anthology of over thirty years of collective experience, research and collaboration resulting in a super-luxurious bespoke skincare line distilled from this extraordinary family’s deep knowledge and aesthetic vision of skincare.'
Retrouvé pays ode to two of Jami’s favorite historical periods: the Italian Renaissance - the golden era of art and science, and the Romantic Period. Jami is inspired by each of the movement’s aesthetics. The Retrouvé skincare line was created over a decade with the formulae continuously upgraded as new ingredients and technologies became available. Jami regularly received batches of creams for her critical approval. She would then guide the process, communicating descriptions of the textures she had in mind, suggesting alternative ingredients she’d like to incorporate, the way she wanted the products to feel, and their ability to be absorbed, depending on their function. “It’s not just choosing the right ingredients, its getting the right feel whilst ensuring that nothing utilized would block the absorption of the nutrients,” explains Jami.
Jami Heidegger
I had an immediate crush on the brand packaging when the box arrived, I didn't want to open the boxes as they were far too beautifully designed. I wanted to set the boxes next to my expensive perfumes collection.
Knowing; Jami and Klaus decided to create their own skincare brand for their personal use. Produced with the finest resources in available to the elite in the world of skincare at their finger tips, Jami's mandate was to have the most exclusive, natural, effective in the highest levels of concentration; to create ultimate natural anti-aging skin care. There wasn't a ceiling on the cost to develop the four skin elixirs, as the elixirs were initially for their private use.
Of course I was more than excited to try the mastery of RETROUVE, knowing the ingredients were concentrated and result driven. I thought the best environment to try the rich serums and creams was in the Lake Tahoe , Nevada area over the Christmas holidays; knowing I was going to be exposed to very cold , dry weather. Nevada is very dry zone and my skin is always compromised in this environment.
NUTRIENT FACE SERUM
The perfect first layer of skin nutrients; high concentration of Vitamin C, ( brightened my skin) , while the Ambiaty extract activated my collagen Synthesis/ firming and soothing. This serum is my new daily skin 'vitamin', it's healing , anti inflammatory ingredient ; Hydrolyzed Algin and its luxurious texture absorbs quickly leaving skin ready for one of the two RETROUVE moisturizers.
Key Ingredients:
Vitamin C - Pomegranate - Squalane - Vitamin E White Tea - Ambiaty Extract - Morinda Citrifolia Extract Pichia/Resveratrol Ferment Extract - Laminaria Extract Padina Pavonica - Hydrolyzed Algin
DYNAMIC NOURISHING FACE CREAM
This is lighter texture of the two face creams. It's a rather elegant feel and absorbs to the point of leaving your skin with a slight hydrated glow. It's ideal as a day cream as I have sensitive skin and found the ingredients a unique natural sugar based technology as well as the lamellar gel technology effective and almost protective. Tis cream is ideal under makeup and a great hydration base for make up.
Key ingredients:
Squalane - Pomegranate - Vitamin C Vitamin E -Vitamin B5 - Coenzyme Q10 Palmitoyl Oligopeptide - Retinyl Palmitate White Tea - Laminaria Extract - Hydrolyzed Algin
INTENSIVE REPLENISHING FACIAL MOISTURIZER
The Piece de resistance of RETROUVE; the ultimate overnight miracle cream treatment. It's a thicker, heavier texture. The high level of nutrients and ingredients not only have an immediate hydration effect but the powerful proprietary blend is unlike any other face cream. The gel like luxurious texture is best for 40+ skin mature dehydrated skin,and or perhaps after a long haul flight. The Stem cell rejuvenating properties , revitalize your skin as though you just had the $1000 facial. I woke up with a soft, rejuvenated 'new skin' feel.
Key ingredients:
Vitamin C - Vitamin E - Squalane - Pomegranate Apple Stem Cells - White Tea - Coenzyme Q10 Palmitoyl Oligopeptide - Laminaria Extract Padina Pavonica - Superoxide Dismutase
REVITALIZING EYE CONCENTRATE
In need of a Botox touch up ? Not when you try this revitalizing eye treatment. The balm contains a highly exclusive ingredient ; Morinda Citrofolia Extract. Apparently it protects the delicate skin around your eye from the UV rays while hydrating and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Yes my eye area was hydrated , less lines and the most important footnote of this product was; I didn't have to re-apply , one dose was more than effective for 10 or more hours. When I'm busy and not wanting to stare at my self in the mirror every 2 hours to check if my skin and looks great, this is the ultimate product that has a lasting, hydrating effect.
Key ingredients:
Squalane - Cholesterol Esters - Vitamin E Retinyl Palmitate - Palmitoyl Oligopeptide Morinda Citrifolia Extract - Padina Pavonica Vitamin C - Resveratrol - Yeast Amino Acids
I highly recommend RETROUVE if you are 25+ and take the condition and look of your skin seriously. It will save the health of skin your skin and deliver results beyond it's price, reducing the need of facials. The mastery and integrity of this skincare brand is un-comparable. RETRIEVE is not mass produced, the quality is not diluted or compromised. My skin is no longer in need of the retinyol A or glycolic products, which I thought was un imaginable.
Jami-
“At that time, it was for my 40+ skin, and my desire was to have the strongest, most beneficial anti-aging ingredients.” Jami has had an unwavering dedicated interest in the latest scientific research and the entire development process of products, including the function of preparations on the skin. A passion for beauty runs in her genes after all. She can recall dabbling with potions at her father’s side in the Kiehl’s lab at age four. “The more I learn about new processes and new ingredients allowed, the more fascinating it becomes,” declares Jami. Each product in the Retrouvé facial skincare line was developed exclusively for Jami and Klaus, forming a rare arsenal of high-performance unisex beauty elixirs.
Jami emphatically protects the luxury credentials of the line. Retrouvé will not be mass marketed, partly due to the Heidegger’s desire to safeguard the integrity of the product and the highly complex manufacturing process. High concentrations of premium ingredients do not lend themselves to high-volume production. Retrouvé is a line focused on heavier, more labour intensive, rich treatments and creams. The Retrouvé skincare line debuted in a select number of exclusive stores in Europe in 2013.
Retrouvé incorporates a distinct blend of : White Tea, Pomegranate, Coenzyme Q10, Super Oxide Dismutase, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Plant Complex of Wheat, Sunflower, Horsetail and Myrrh, Yeast Amino Acids & Tricalcium Phosphate & Morinda Citrifolia Extract
Available at Bergdorf Goodman
Like Jami, the Retrouvé skincare line inherently possesses an aura of mystique, and she is committed to adhering to the skincare principles taught to her by her father - “beauty, quality, health and education are what we’re about.