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Dior Institute in Marrakesh
TOURISM Just two Instituts Dior exist in the finest hotel spas in the world, one at Plaza Athénée in Paris and the other in Marrakesh at the Palace Es Saadi spa. Our reporter didn’t want to rely on what she heard from others, she wanted to experience it for herself. So she booked herself a treatment at the Institut Dior in Marrakesh.
There I was, all smiles just before my appointment. Left to be pampered, Dior style, I didn’t want to be even one minute late. Upon arrival, I was taken care of by Hajjar "esthéti-Dior", I already wanted to take the Dior brooch she was wearing on her blouse.
Surrounded by serenity, I filled out a questionnaire, then Hajjar asked me some questions to determine if I had any injuries. And that’s when I got round in the face. The verdict without a doubt: the heat and the climate.
Luxurious facilities
I changed and met Hajjar in one of the Dior rooms (a double room does exist, for those with friends or a partner). A glamourous atmosphere with quilted Dior on the walls and a chic colour scheme. As for the decor, well I love it!
Hajjar takes me by the hand. On my back first so I can relax, I’m already in paradise, but Hajjar doesn’t realize it. She find the sore spots and after a few minutes it’s all I can do not to fall asleep. After all, how would I tell readers about it if I slept through it.
After my back treatment, it’s time for the legs, a part which suffers when it’s warm out. Hajjar asks me to return to my back to finish with my legs, which by this time are extremely light after all the massaging.
And throughout the treatment, my ethéti-Dior asked if everything was alright, (my response was yes of course), if the music and temperature were pleasing.
Melting away
Next up, face and neck. Nothing but a band to protect my hair, I melt. The movements are precise, sharp actually. The feeling of the Hajjar’s expert hands. Quite honestly, the Dior expertise is in the air. The products smell divine and to stop myself from falling asleep, I ask questions. The products used in the body treatments are the same for each client. For the face, the esthetician decides which products to use.
“And this scrub that smells so good, what’s in it?”
Hajjar, a true professional, smiles and I understand right away as she replies, “ah it’s a secret!”
“Yes,” I tell myself, “Dior has it’s own blends.”
The Institut Dior also has its secrets to comfort. A warm cushion is placed under my back during the massage. The towels are absolutely sumptuous. My massage therapist, in addition to being talented, is pleasant and gentle. A real pleasure. I feel like a princess. Without a doubt, the atmosphere of the room and the effects of the treatment may have something to do with it.
I’m a star!
After the “75-minute Chrono” treatment, I head to “The Place to Go”, the “star” room. A unique place, the only one in the world. A professional make-up room.
Hajjar takes me by the hand and puts two tissues on my robe to protect it. I feel like a star. Hajjar goes to pick out the make-up best suited to me. It’s surreal. I am sitting in the brand’s make-up room, which feels like it’s backstage at a fashion show. I keep my eyes wide open (expect when I have to close them) and my ears peeled for any professional tips. I confess at the end that the (young) girl that I see staring back at me in the mirror, doesn’t look like me. (I don’t wear make-up that often.) I am stunned to see a rather feminine-looking chic brunette.
Hajjar gives me to “things”. To avoid a shiny appearance caused by the Marrakesh climate, I need to brush on some powder, after having applied the foundation. And for the lipstick to shine brightly, apply a first coat, then a bit of powder with the brush again and another layer of lipstick. And I successfully got the professional tips. If inadvertently you happen to get a bit of mascara or eyeliner on your eyelid, grab a cottonswab and a bit of foundation and it’s quickly corrected. The rest of your make-up remains impeccable.
Before I know it, it’s time to go. Blissfully I think of a way to install an Institut Dior at home when Hajjar hands me a small gift: samples in an adorable little Dior toiletries bag.
One way to keep the dream alive!
Text Lila Manel
Photo DR
Translation Mandy Sinclair
Surrounded by serenity, I filled out a questionnaire, then Hajjar asked me some questions to determine if I had any injuries. And that’s when I got round in the face. The verdict without a doubt: the heat and the climate.
Luxurious facilities
I changed and met Hajjar in one of the Dior rooms (a double room does exist, for those with friends or a partner). A glamourous atmosphere with quilted Dior on the walls and a chic colour scheme. As for the decor, well I love it!
Hajjar takes me by the hand. On my back first so I can relax, I’m already in paradise, but Hajjar doesn’t realize it. She find the sore spots and after a few minutes it’s all I can do not to fall asleep. After all, how would I tell readers about it if I slept through it.
After my back treatment, it’s time for the legs, a part which suffers when it’s warm out. Hajjar asks me to return to my back to finish with my legs, which by this time are extremely light after all the massaging.
And throughout the treatment, my ethéti-Dior asked if everything was alright, (my response was yes of course), if the music and temperature were pleasing.
Melting away
Next up, face and neck. Nothing but a band to protect my hair, I melt. The movements are precise, sharp actually. The feeling of the Hajjar’s expert hands. Quite honestly, the Dior expertise is in the air. The products smell divine and to stop myself from falling asleep, I ask questions. The products used in the body treatments are the same for each client. For the face, the esthetician decides which products to use.
“And this scrub that smells so good, what’s in it?”
Hajjar, a true professional, smiles and I understand right away as she replies, “ah it’s a secret!”
“Yes,” I tell myself, “Dior has it’s own blends.”
The Institut Dior also has its secrets to comfort. A warm cushion is placed under my back during the massage. The towels are absolutely sumptuous. My massage therapist, in addition to being talented, is pleasant and gentle. A real pleasure. I feel like a princess. Without a doubt, the atmosphere of the room and the effects of the treatment may have something to do with it.
I’m a star!
After the “75-minute Chrono” treatment, I head to “The Place to Go”, the “star” room. A unique place, the only one in the world. A professional make-up room.
Hajjar takes me by the hand and puts two tissues on my robe to protect it. I feel like a star. Hajjar goes to pick out the make-up best suited to me. It’s surreal. I am sitting in the brand’s make-up room, which feels like it’s backstage at a fashion show. I keep my eyes wide open (expect when I have to close them) and my ears peeled for any professional tips. I confess at the end that the (young) girl that I see staring back at me in the mirror, doesn’t look like me. (I don’t wear make-up that often.) I am stunned to see a rather feminine-looking chic brunette.
Hajjar gives me to “things”. To avoid a shiny appearance caused by the Marrakesh climate, I need to brush on some powder, after having applied the foundation. And for the lipstick to shine brightly, apply a first coat, then a bit of powder with the brush again and another layer of lipstick. And I successfully got the professional tips. If inadvertently you happen to get a bit of mascara or eyeliner on your eyelid, grab a cottonswab and a bit of foundation and it’s quickly corrected. The rest of your make-up remains impeccable.
Before I know it, it’s time to go. Blissfully I think of a way to install an Institut Dior at home when Hajjar hands me a small gift: samples in an adorable little Dior toiletries bag.
One way to keep the dream alive!
Text Lila Manel
Photo DR
Translation Mandy Sinclair
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