Get the Laszlo Glow: Asian Media Event at the Erno Laszlo Institute

This past week I had the opportunity to attend an event for Asian media at the Erno Laszlo Institute in Soho where we learned about the rich heritage of this novel skincare line. Founded in 1927 by Hungarian dermatologist, Dr. Erno Laszlo, the history and evolution of the brand is fascinating. From his treatment of royalty in Budapest to his rise in Hollywood, Erno Laszlo’s devotees all came flocking to his exclusive clinic for the “Laszlo Glow.” With his revolutionary and innovative approach to skincare, he can be considered a true pioneer being one of the first to introduce the idea of the skin care ritual as well as customizing and creating a skincare line with products geared to specific skin types. It is no wonder he kept beauty icons and movie stars like Greta Garbo, Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn camera-ready and also the complexions of socialites and power women like Doris Duke, Jackie Kennedy, Gloria Vanderbilt among many others from his exclusive clinic back then on 5th Avenue.

Today, the Institute carries that legacy forward from its home in Soho in a chic glamorous space, the perfect combination of traditional elegance yet airy and contemporary, with a majestic crystal chandelier, spiral red staircase and frosted-glass Lalique antiques. One must become a member to visit the spa and partake in the unlimited personalized peels, masques and other treatments or to relax in the Art Deco-style lounge upstairs. But anyone can come in for a consult and purchase from the vast array of amazing products for all skin types.

What sets Erno Laszlo apart from other beauty lines is his skincare philosophy and principles which revolve around rituals, and I think are also what makes this such an appealing brand for Asians that can appreciate his methodology which all begins with the art of cleansing. The 2 step process is quite unique and we had the benefit of seeing first hand this informative demonstration. It is as easy as pre-cleansing and massaging skin with the ACTIVE PHELITYL OIL ($55) which penetrates pores to dissolve any trapped oils, impurities, and makeup. When combined with their famous Little Black Bar, the SEA MUD DEEP CLEANSING BAR ($45), the treatment oil creates a conditioning lather which maximizes the cleansing process. The bar leaves your skin silky smooth and removes all traces of impurities without stripping moisture. Any roughness is completely sloughed away due to the effective, yet gentle, exfoliating property of the bar. The Sea Mud is key to keeping dead skin and sebum from accumulating causing blackheads and breakouts, so perfect for acne prone skin but also great for normal to dry skin types as well since it exfoliates without stripping natural oils for a clear and radiant glow. To finish off the cleansing ritual, splash your face 20 times with the treatment water and then 10 times with hot running water which oxygenates the skin, flushes out toxins and stimulates blood flow resulting in baby smooth and radiant skin.

For the ultimate pampering experience for your skin, try the highly coveted PHORMULA 3-9 REPAIR BALM ($255), aka “Marilyn’s Cream” (visit the store to see on display the actual jars from her nightstand!) which is designed to strengthen skin and reduce irritation. Formulated with rich botanical oils and advanced nourishing active ingredients, this balm creates a healing Health Dome around the skin to improve oxygenation and reverse dehydration. It is the ultimate healing cream and even contains marine based ingredients to promote collagen and improve elasticity for a smoother and plumper complexion.

For those with dry skin or looking for a boost, especially in preparation for the upcoming winter months, these two masks are game changers. The HYDRA THERAPY SKIN VITALITY TREATMENT ($75) has been a staple for celebrities and women across the globe. This best selling “Famous Pink Mask” requires a bit of simple prep work (whisking the liquid and powder), which actually makes it fun, like preparing a meal for your skin, and well worth the step for amazing results. This peel-off treatment is super hydrating and recharges and refreshes skin while also cooling and plumping.

The most exciting and latest addition to the collection is the HYDRA-THERAPY MEMORY SLEEP MASK ($90) which just launched last week. The best part about this mask besides its super hydrating effects is its consistency. It has a fun weightless gel texture that bounces back, cushioning the skin to restore youthful elasticity overnight and feels amazing when applied. Believe it or not, it is actually NASA inspired, based on memory foam developed for the NASA space program! This overnight mask works while you sleep, delivering maximum moisture and locks in vital nutrients. It contains 24-Hour Smart Hydrators, sourced from nature (mountains, desert and sea) which replenish the skin’s optimal moisture levels overnight resulting in deeply hydrated, revitalized and refreshed dewy looking skin. It also contains unique ingredients like Prickly Pear extract, and Dual-Action Recovery Complex which is an active blend of Raspberry and Tomato Stem Cells that help to strengthen the skin’s defenses and also brightens for a healthy glow. It is a perfect addition to your skincare regimen, excellent for travel and a must have for the transition into the wintry temperatures fast approaching.

Erno Laszlo offers a plethora of options and many other lines like their Transphuse, Firmarine, and even a men’s line. The brand is greatly expanding in Asia with numerous store fronts all over Hong Kong as well as in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and opening in South Korea next month.

For more information about membership and products visit: www.ernolaszlo.com