There’s something about Biologique Recherche. Whether it’s the fact that to get hold of their products you have to do an online consultation, or the myriad of testimonies attesting to the life changing nature of their products; they hold some sort of mythic status in the skincare world. Their products all have confusing, almost-coded names, come in prescriptionesque packaging, and are no frills, with high results. They’re also expensive, and for this I’m sorry.

One product from BR which has long been on my wish list is their cult classic Masque Vivant. One aesthetician claimed that if you do the mask twice a week, you will never age. On top of that it’s supposed to purify, exfoliate and balance. Basically, it’s designed as a do-it-all step, for those who just want compliment-worthy skin. Not asking too much, then.

I’d used samples before so I knew what I was getting myself into, but as your BR guide, I feel a duty to warn you: this product stinks. Most reviews I’ve read describe it as a soy-saucey aroma, but they’re wrong. This product straight up smells of Marmite. It also looks like Marmite, which makes me wonder if Marmite might make a great budget face mask for the extremely brave. Either way, I love Marmite, but if you hate it, you have been warned.

Now for the important part: I love this mask. Every time I do it, I notice that my skin just looks better afterwards. Redness is reduced, pimples are shrunken, flakes are gone and glow is restored. Makeup glides on and looks airbrushed, and your face has a babies-butt feel, which if you discount the creepy image is a great thing.

The mask is expensive, sure. But based on my calculations, twice weekly use should give us around a six month relationship. If you enjoy skincare and like seeing visible results, I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed in this mask. Unless you are totally nauseated by Marmite, in which case I feel doubly sorry for you.

Annie x

Get your Skin Analysis at: biologiquerechercheuk.co.uk