beauty shot

Joel Siocco Beauty Center is located a stone’s throw from the Madeleine Church. Getting into it by accident is a difficult task. And it’s not about face control. It’s just that the institution has neither a loud name nor a sign, and it occupies an apartment on the second floor of an old residential building. In addition, the record here is very dense. Monica Bellucci, Letizia Casta, Demi Moore, Renata Litvinova and other famous beauties regularly visit Madame Siocco and the staff of her center (and there are less than 10 of them). Also, sheikhs, businessmen, politicians and members of their families fly to Paris from different parts of the world, sometimes specifically for the sake of skin care from the legendary cosmetologist. However, for the employees of the center, each guest is a star. At least that’s the impression I got.

Haute couture care

First, I fill out a detailed questionnaire. It will help the specialist to choose the optimal program of salon and home care. However, Madame Siocco is convinced that it needs to be reviewed every three months. “Makeup is like clothing for the skin,” she says. “After all, you won’t go out in a sundress on a snow-covered street, will you?” So cosmetics should be used in accordance with current needs. For example, there is no need to systematically use a night cream. But if you have a flight the next day or you have a hot time at work, then it will really help the skin recover.” In general, Joel Siocco considers the best cosmetics in the world to be the one that our skin produces: “It has an exceptional ability to regenerate and auto-regulate. All she needs is a thorough and gentle cleansing, adequate nutrition and rest.” This approach appeals to me.

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“Where do you live?” “How long do you sleep?” “Do you smoke?” “How often do you drink alcohol?” “How many times a week do you play sports?” – Nothing out of the ordinary. All the factors that affect the condition of the skin are already familiar to me. I hand over the completed questionnaire to the specialist in whose hands Madame Siocco entrusted me, and through a winding narrow corridor, which sometimes I have to walk sideways, I find myself in the room where the Akulift procedure will take place. It was described at length on the menu as “An intensive anti-aging treatment based on the principles of Chinese medicine that relieves muscle tension. The result: deep relaxation and oxygenation of the skin. As I concluded from the name, “Akulift” should be a point massage. But my expectations are very different from reality. This disappoints me: for me, facial massage is the most pleasant cosmetic procedure in the world.

After cleansing the skin, the specialist sticks about 20 miniature needles in my face. Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s completely unnoticeable. I try not to move and hardly breathe so that she does not inadvertently miss. After 20 minutes, after removing the needles, she applies a Joëlle Ciocco propolis mask. The tool is designed to reduce inflammation, cleanse the skin of toxins and normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands. Another 20 minutes – and “Akulift” is coming to an end. Finally, the specialist recommends that I do not wash my face in the morning with a gel, as this “breaks the protective barrier.” Floral or plain water and tonic is enough even for oily skin. In addition, I solemnly promise not to neglect my lunch break again. And hold it away from the computer. Otherwise, my profile satisfies her, especially the daily use of facial sunscreen, long walks with the dog, and no Botox.

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The result of the procedure

There was no trace of needles on the face. She was refreshed and seemed to be stretched. And the muscles were so relaxed that I couldn’t wrinkle my forehead or frown. This effect persisted for a couple of days. It was only when I returned to Moscow that I noticed that the two vertical wrinkles between my eyebrows had disappeared, as did the fine line to the left of my mouth. That is why I have been looking in the mirror with pleasure for several days now! Now flying to Paris for the Joel Ciocco center does not seem so crazy to me. This 40-minute procedure may not be the most pleasant in the world, but it is definitely one of the most effective. If you do “Akulift” systematically, then Botox and other tricks simply will not be needed. Too bad we don’t have it. But the famous and, as they say, no less effective rejuvenating facial massages of Madame Siocco are offered in Moscow, Samara and Krasnodar. Salons that have received permission from the author for this are listed on her official website.

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