The world’s first and only Christian Dior beauty center has opened in Moscow. The ceremonial opening was timed to co-incide with the major French holiday, Bastille Day (July 14).

The newly opened beauty center, located on the Red Square, is a joint project that has been accomplished by Christian Dior together with the Vostok-Zapad Moscow International Trading House, a leading retailer company promoting foreign goods to the Russian market. The center is the result of the expansion of Christian Dior’s Perfumes boutique which, since opening in 1991, has been the only place in Moscow offering genuine Dior cosmetics and accessories.

Located next to the GUM department store, the beauty center boasts similarly monumental architecture with fancily curving arcs, stucco moldings and marble plated walls.

Designed by the Christian Dior’s merchandizing department, the beauty center’s building complements the glamour of the GUM architectural complex. Underlining brand essence, the interior shines with gold, silver, pearl lacquer and marble floors imported from Burgundy. The lighting is stylishly low, strengthening the subtly refined atmosphere.

The beauty center has three basic areas – make-up, perfumery and skin-care.

In the perfumery section you can choose from a wide range of Dior’s front-edge products, such as Diorness – J’Adore (30 ml, $34).

The make-up room glitters with thousands of colors and tinges, inviting patrons to try all conceivable combinations and make the best choice, with the help of professional consultants. The salon offers three types of make-up: ‘It’s a talent to be beautiful’ day/night make-up ($50), ‘Dior Spirit’ make-up ($70) and ‘The happiest day of my life’ make-up ($120, better known as the wedding set).

The center’s assistant director Marianna Lemekhova explains the services: "The Dior Spirit make-up is a unique lesson in cosmetic art. During a session you can experiment with various types to find the best to suit your mood, style and wardrobe."

Equally important is the exclusive face and body skin-care department. Latest developments of Christian Dior labs include Diorclassic (for all types of skin), Diormat (for fat skin), Diorplume (for sensitive skin), the Lady Dior skin cleansing program, manual drainage of the face and body (without the use of cream) and Dior Prestige (a unique procedure involving cotton gloves impregnated with silk proteins).

"If you are here for the first time, are not familiar with our skin-care products and wish to take a course of treatment, our specialists will give you an extensive consultation and create an individual program for you, depending on the type of your skin, your specific problems and even season of the year," Mariana Lemekhova said.

Many people are prone to minor skin disorders, especially during summertime, such as skin drying and thinning, pore expansion or greasing. To overcome these problems Marianna Lemekhova recommends the Hydra-star program ($90).

Most popular among women are the ‘Dior Against Wrinkles’ ($100) and ‘Dior Prestige’ ($150) programs. For men there is ‘Dior Homme’ ($90). This program is designed to smooth and mask wrinkles, making them less noticeable. ‘Dior Against Wrinkles’ involves time-fighting serum ‘Capture Essential’ which lifts, strengthens and rejuvenates skin. "‘Dior Prestige’ is the most exclusive program employing the ‘Prestige’ series products which are not for sale, but used exclusively in the salon," Melekhova said.

‘Prestige’ products contain pure nectar of a very rare flower, Knipkhofia, which was found in Madagascar and is cultivated in southern France especially for Christian Dior. Cosmetics-grade Knipkhofia has to be gathered by hand, early in the morning, before the bees get to work.

In addition to the latest exclusive products of Christian Dior labs, the new center widely employs smart machines and equipment, such as steaming, electrophoresis and many others.

Waiting for your turn, you will sit in luxurious Christian Dior Couture armchairs, sipping coffee from Plumetis Dior rose or blue cups.

The procedure rooms are stylishly furnished – designed to create an atmosphere of ultimate relaxation and satisfaction. A more than comfortable environment offering the highest level of beauty service.

CHRISTIAN DIOR BEAUTY CENTER
3 Red Square Metro: Teatralnaya
Tel: 929-3430 Open: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sun.)