Ruin is the Road to Transformation
In bed. Sick.
But feeling so well and alive at the same time.
Sometimes, it is when you are at your lowest that you feel the need to breathe again, take complete breaths, long hearty ones. Maybe that’s “fighting spirit”?
So I washed up, put on my skincare and here I am, jotting it all down.
Because today, I feel like telling you my story of this road I took in January.

Read With Me.
A Week That Made My Year
I went on a trip, a press trip with Rene Furterer. Filled with thoughts of hair and scalp and of course my favorite city, Paris, I couldn’t wait for the day. But when the trip ended, I came home with that and more.
The history, the philosophies, the dedication & most of all, the people.
The love the founder of Pierre Fabre Group has for his hometown, his employees touched me.
Every detail and care displayed by his staff impressed me.
And the walk, the places we visited, enlightened me.
I came home, enriched and inspired.

A Special Moment, after the case of Lost & Found.
I can’t possibly note them all down although I’d love to. But let’s just start with some daily notes of that week.
The week that gave me all I need to fill the year.

Toulouse, South of France in January.
Notes taken from my Journal
Jotted them In the room, in the plane and mostly during bus rides.
Day 1
Landed in Paris with less than an hour for the next boarding gate to Toulouse.
Though frantic, I had a warm welcome of salmon skies and first lights of the day. Dawn has broken.

Salmon Skies Await
Caught the first glimpse of the city before we land. It was pink. And yes, Toulouse is also known as the Pink City, named La Ville Rose by the locals after the distinctive pink stone used to construct many of its buildings.
Met the representatives from China and Japan at the arrival hall as Ms. Martine, greeted us with the warmest smile.
The day has just started with market stalls setting up alongside our ride to the hotel, Crowne Plaza.
Breakfast first, then came 3-course lunch and city tour.
Church bells ringing, children laughing. Why do I feel like its Christmas time again?
Toulouse counts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, The Canal du Midi and the Basilica of St.Sernin (below). The bells were ringing just as I stepped foot into the church compound.

Basilica St.Sernin Toulouse UNESCO Site
It was a cold day and I have never felt a warmer embrace from myself.

Toulouse, the Fourth Largest City in France.
Ended the tour with Nutella crepes and coffee at the square before I rest my eyes a little in the hotel.
Dragged myself out of bed for dinner but cod fish and Chardonnay was all worth it :)
Back to the hotel, I tried on the Rene Furterer products, the Complexe 5 Scalp Oil and soaked in the tub.

Nutella in the square, Capitole.
Day 2
Good morning! Soft hair and a good sleep do wonders!

Happy Hair, Happy Me.
Hair was easier to style as it was less frizzy (though I still miss my hairstylist back home).
Destination 1: Pablo’s Headquarters.

Pierre Fabre Headquarters in Toulouse.
In 20 minutes, Martine gave us a whole 50 years of history through her presentation.
Pierre Fabre is a French multinational pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetics company. It has 10 brands, 10 nationalities and 500 employees here. 2020 mission is to have 130 countries and 45 branches globally.

10 brands, 10 nationalities and 500 employees in 2017.
During our visit, there’s construction underway to accommodate 160 new employees by July 2017. The open space office concept was refreshing with trees surrounding the glass building. I was told they have horses and bunnies visiting at times. Imagine, just when you’re running low on creativity, nature comes knocking to inspire.

HQ under construction to accommodate the expansion.
One message that stood out to me most was how Mr. Pierre Fabre referred the company as his home, “La Maison.” And how he loved and gave back his hometown, Toulouse by providing employments.

The Angels in Pierre Fabre.
How his love for his staff is still deeply rooted and displayed in them. I felt it in my conversations with them. Perhaps that is the essence of the organization. Perhaps that’s all it takes; legacy.

Open Space Workplace at Pierre Fabre.
Destination 2: Botanical Conservatory
By now, we were freezing. But the sky, the clouds look promising.

Pierre Fabre Botanical Conservatory.
And the greenhouse, so dear to Pierre Fabre Group kept us warm inside. It’s the world’s biggest private collection of 1200 plant species.
Some are poisonous, some protected. And some, extremely popular with the crowd :)

Hello there, I’m most popular here!
Destination 3: Le Carla Private Villa

We made it here to Pierre Fabre’s Private Mansion, Le Carla!
Le Carla! This is where all the representatives went crazy, bonded rather, not over coffee but over the interior décor.
Mr. Pierre Fabre had all the 14 rooms decorated with its distinctive theme and furnishing.
We spent hours wandering in the property, weaving in and out of each other’s room.

Wefie with Representatives from China.

My bedroom for the night.

The Japanese Decor Room, reserved for the Representative from Japan.

Back to Room for Skincare Time. Need!
Day 3
What do you do when you wake up in this wonderful mansion feeling princessy?
You refuse to go back to reality, let the fairytale be.
And for most part of the morning, I felt like I live there. I have proof its all mine (see below).

Mine. All mine!!
So we goofed around in my garden after breakfast like little kids. Yes, there’s more proof (see picture again).

Fresh air and silence….hmmm not with these ones here haha!

Le Carla, I hope to see you again.
Destination 1: Company Showroom

Ruscus Plant, the genesis of Pierre Fabre.
Chanced upon Ruscus, the flowering plant native to western and southern Europe. It is the first plant Mr. Pierre Fabre formulated for his company, a.k.a the genesis of Pierre Fabre.

Pierre Fabre Company Showroom.

Looking from the Inside Out.
Destination 2: Production Site
No photos were allowed, understandably. We witnessed sterilise packaging, the process and how the line is fully covered to prevent air from getting in and to ensure bacteria-free.

Pierre fabre Production Site.
Destination 3: Airport Toulouse-Paris
Lunch at O Saveurs before flying off to Paris.

Cod Fish at O Saveurs.
Destination 4: Paris
You could almost feel the change in atmosphere and the upbeat pace upon landing into Paris.
It would be the coldest week in 10 years for Paris starting from today.

Dior Village for Lunar New Year Celebration Decor.
We were warned. “swallow saliva”.
For dinner, we headed to the oldest restaurant in Paris, Le Procope for lobsters.

Oldest Restaurant in Paris, Le Procope Since 1686
Day 4
Destination 1: City Tour of Paris.

Sundance!
Nearly made a u-turn back to the bus because it was the coldest! But since the sun is out, I decided to dance ;)
Destination 2: International Conference for Rene Furterer’s 60th Anniversary.

At Rene Furterer’s 60th Anniversary International Conference.

Representatives from Various Press & Countries.
Founded by Mr. Furterer, then the 10-year old brand was bought over by Mr.Pierre Fabre as the two founders shared similar philosophy and love for nature and plants.

5 Sens Hair and Body Oil, launching in Singapore May 2017.

What a gorgeous set-up for Rene Furterer 60th Anniversary Luncheon!
Luncheon menu prepared by 2-star Michelin Chef, Thierry Marx.

Michelin Chef, Thierry Marx.
Met a lovely soul, we felt like we’ve met before. I shared “Core”with her and she taught me “Light” (hope if she ever reads this, she will know what I’m referring to). Meet Angela, my new friend from Germany.

Angela from Germany.
Day 5
Palace Versailles
A case of Lost and Found.

Mesmerised.
After two hours wandering from room to room, I realized that one side of my Mikimoto Pearl Ear-rings was missing. As I recalled the distance, the crowd I’ve experienced, I didn’t think it was possible to find it.
So, I gave up.
One of the journalists from China then said to me “What have you got to lose by retracing back? You’re still here, go find it!”. With the encouragement from the rest, the Tour Guide and Manager from Pierre Fabre China, we headed back to Room 1 where we started.
Within minutes, the Tour Guide spotted something beaming under the sunlight at the side of the door. It was indeed my ear-ring.
What are the odds? Never stop believing.
And as I walked in disbelief that I’ve found it, I had even more to learn, to gain.

When Trapped, Follow the Light.

The Red in the Grey. So full of life, I couldn’t just walk by. As long as our heart beats, we can beat the coldest spell. So breathe.

The Light Always Shines Through.

Reflect.

Frozen Beauty.

Surrounded by Beauty. Snow on Ground.

Shadows.

I remember looking up and wondering how these trees seems so cold, so crispy yet brought me such warmth.
And now, it’s time to digest lunch at this 120 year old restaurant in Palace Versailles.
Note: Must order the croissant when here. Best!

120-year Old Restaurant in Palace Versailles.

My favourite Salmon, simply delish!
Day 6
Rene Furterer Hair Institute, Paris.

Rene Furterer Hair Institute, Paris.

My Scalp Analysis. Non-sensitive scalp with a healthy film of moisture protecting hair strand.

Product Recommendation.
After the analysis, the steps were well explained and products recommended accordingly followed by the treatment.

Hair Spa Cabin.

Feeling good….
Should you ever be in Paris, this hair spa is so worth a visit!
Smoother hair and healthier scalp and the effects lasted for weeks even after daily wash. But you have to book early. At the time of visit, it was fully booked out for the next 3 weeks.
It costs about Euro 160 for a 2-hour ritual. And I’ve approached the team to provide me more info to share with you http://www.renefurterer.com/en/en/institute.

Ahhh so soft, I can’t believe it. Haha!
Day 7
It’s homeward-bound! Depart in the evening back to Singapore.
Availability
Latest Update on 2017 Launches: Lumicia Mid April and 5 Sens in late May.
Will share more here once launched. Stay tuned!

2017 Rene Furterer Product Launches.
Available here in Singapore in selected Guardian, Watsons and Unity stores. See www.renefurterer.com for more info.

Reps from China, France and me, Singapore. Missing you all!

Hair is still soft after returning back to Singapore. Love it!

Rene Furterer 60th Anniversary Candle.
Happy 60th Anniversary, Rene Furterer! Thank you for having me ;)
I came home with so much insights, memories and not a “pearl” less ;>
XOXO!
Leanne