BEFORE the Christmas rush?and parties?take a toll on your skin, prep up and prettify.

Especially now that French cosmetics brand Lancôme has recently launched its flagship store in Greenbelt 5. Used to be found in department store counters, Lancôme now has a ?mother ship? that guarantees individualized service and VIP treatment.

?It?s the third in Asia, after Shanghai and Hongkong,? says Dia Lacaba, group product manager. ?We have trained beauty advisers and therapists for skincare advice and procedures.?

Customized facials

Apart from your beauty and fragrance faves, Lancôme GB5 also offers facial treatments.

To know which one suits you best, your skin will be evaluated using the Diagnôs Expert?a machine with two cameras and three high-performance sensors that measure oiliness, hydration, firmness and presence of lines and wrinkles.

The customized hour-long treatment is done in a facial cabin with mood lighting and relaxing music.

Extreme Purity Treatment for normal skin deeply cleans and balances using Pure Ritual products and Lancôme masks. It consists of makeup removal, exfoliation, steam bath and purifying creams that re-energize the skin.

The Rehydrating Replenishing Treatment addresses dry skin with the Hydrazen line. It moisturizes parched and dull skin, while a ?fusion? face massage soothes and recovers elasticity.

Fairness junkies and those with dark spots should try the Whitening Treatment, which uses a special whitening serum from the Blanc Expert line.

Look younger with Youthful Radiance, Toning and Firming, and Deep Replenishing Facials. All treatments involve makeup removal, steam cleansing and massage using products from the Primordiale, Absolue, Platinium or Renergie range which is inspired by a plastic-surgery technique that tightens and repositions very mature skin.

For extra pampering, there?s the Youth Elixir Treatment infused with Secret de Vie?said to drain and detoxify using facial reflexology, and Eye Contour Treatment, which prevents puffiness and diminishes dark circles for brighter, younger-looking eyes.

If you?re tagging a special guy along, let him try the Powerful Anti-Age Treatment that cleanses and refreshes with items from Lancôme Men.

Holiday party look

Silver and red dominate the holiday look, says Zerline Chan, Lancôme Asean marketing operations manager.

?It?s silver for the eyes and red for the lips. Cheeks are kept muted with sparkly loose powder. Another option is navy blue eyeshadow.?

She recommends the sexy C?est Magnifique Holiday Collection with flamboyant-red and deep-blue hues. The line illuminates the skin, magnifies the eyes and plumps up the lips.

Dust the apples of the cheeks, decolletage and shoulders with Diva Magic Powder for added oomph.

For the makeup-shy, a brush of silver eyeshadow and plum gloss for the lips will do, Chan says.

Newbie must-haves

For makeup newbies who need a new look for the holidays, Lacaba lists five must-haves:

Light and airy foundation like the Maquicake UV Infinite Foundation (test it on your jawline and remember that the two-shade-lighter rule is a big no-no).

Blush for a rosy glow

Lipstick or gloss like Juicy Tubes (One is sold somewhere in the world every two seconds.)
Eyeliner like Crayon Khol for definition

Mascara for bigger eyes. Try the long-wearing, smudge-proof Virtuose Black Carat mascara.

Lancôme GB5 also has a Makeup Artist Bar for makeovers, Skincare Area for specific needs, and Fragrance Wall and Bar that houses favorite scents, the latest being Magnifique with Hollywood?s Anne Hathaway as image model.

All products sold here are formulated for Asian skin, so you don?t have any excuse not to look like a Christmas vixen this holiday season.

Lancôme flagship store is at G/F, Greenbelt 5. Call 7299394 or 7299395.