TRIED & TESTED! STOP 16 ON THE MONOI ROAD: LEARN TAHITIAN BEAUTY SECRETS

@ Monoi Road

If you are on holidays in Tahiti & her islands, you will probably want to bring some Monoi and other local cosmetics back for your friends and family. After all, it is the oil of the gods and makes a wonderful gift. Of course, you can go to the Papeete Market or any curious shop and find what you are looking for...however, if you want to make it truly special and have an experience out of the ordinary, then the Laboratoire de cosmétologie du Pacifique Sud is the place for you.

Stop 16 on the Monoi Road, in Papara, the laboratory does not only produce gorgeous products from Tahiti & her islands (I would recommend the Gold Sublime Body Lotion without hesitation), it also offers its visitor a journey into the world of beauty and cosmetology. 

Olivier, explaining how it all works @ Labo du formulateur

Olivier Touboul will welcome you at the lab and take you through the various vegetal and mineral substances Polynesia's nature has to offer and through the different stages of creating your own cosmetics.

@ Cosmetic Academy

Explore and discover traditional phytotherapy through the laboratory's unique portfolio of natural extracts, vegetal oils and exfoliating powders to create a truly unique product. Open the door to the secrets of Tahitian beauty and loose yourself in the exciting world of cosmetology.

Monoi galore!

                                    

                                                           so many ingredients to choose from @ Labo du formulateur


Discover the tens of different monoi oils available, from the traditional monoi, combining the properties of Tiare and coconut, to original oils, a combination of monoi and plants (pineapple, basil, cinnamon, lime, frangipani, etc.) or even fragranced oils (ylang ylang, sandalwood, etc.). Be inspired by the palette of fragrances available to you, from the sweet smell of vanilla to the musky sandalwood.

fragrances...

Learn about the specific properties of each plant and design your own product, whether it be an oil, a gel or a cream... Mix the oils that you prefer with your favorite fragrances. You can even add some glitter,    sand, pearl extract and coloring to make it really special and unique.
                    

concentration is key 

The magic is happening

I was lucky enough to visit the laboratory twice. The first time I created a regenerating balm, rich and creamy, with a smell of caramel and golden glitters. Today, I went back to participate to the famous Cosmetic Academy contest. Participants create a product and the marketing around it and the lucky winner will see his creation sold in Tahiti, France and Canada. This year's theme was the Heiva. 

My lovely assistant for the day, showing me the long list of ingredients and their properties

I had a great time and came back home with 2 jars of hydrating gel that I truly love. The consistency, the smell and the feel of it are tailored to my taste. I spent the day testing oils, discovering their properties, their texture, their smell (no not all oils were made equal). Verdict: my favorite monoi for properties is most definitely Kaupe (and it doesn't hurt that such companies as Chanel have used it in their products).

After testing all the Monoi oils in the lab, I finally chose the 2 I wanted to use, Kaupe and passion fruit.

My 6 secret ingredients

Then I went onto testing fragrances, mixing them, smelling them to create the perfect (well almost) balance of Tiare, Jasmin, Vanilla and Sandalwood. And finally, I played with coloring and glitters trying to decide what the gel should look like... I wanted my gel to be special,  a tribute to the bodies of the dancers and athletes I see performing year after year at the Heiva; languorous, mysterious, alluring.

Finally, find a name for your creation: mine was called Arearea (Pleasure). Be original, be unique, this is a truly beautiful experience. You may not become an expert on Monoi (although I can say that I have tested and smelled most of them), but you will most definitely have a lot to talk about when you go back home!

Have you visited the Lab? Please share your experiences with us!

Location: PK 39,5 mountain side, Papara, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Stop 16 on the Monoi Road
Tel: 77.37.64
Open all week
A session lasts approximately 4 hours

MONOI: THE BEAUTY SECRET OF TAHITIAN WOMEN

@Institut du Mono'i

The weather has been amazing for the past few weeks here in Tahiti... Living in a place where it's summer all year round, you sometimes forget the simple joy of a sunny day. As I know most of you are heading towards winter, I thought I’d share a little secret with you so you too can enjoy a bit of my paradise all year long. If you can’t come to Tahiti (yet), bring Tahiti to you, wherever you are.

When I lived in Europe, I missed my paradise islands, especially during those long cold winter months, so I always had a bottle of Mono’i oil with me. It was a bit of paradise in a bottle.

For those of you who don’t know Mono’i, keep reading, you are going to absolutely want a bottle or two! For those of you who think you know Mono’i, keep reading, you might learn something new.

Did you know?
As natural oils are the newest trend in skin and hair care, Mono’i is becoming a hot product on the beauty scene and today more than 250 beauty brands (among them names such as Chanel, Dior, Mac, Schwarzkopf, Estée Lauder, Nars, to name just a few) use Mono’i de Tahiti as the signature ingredient of their creams, hair products and even lipsticks or foundations.

Nars Monoi Body Glow, voted one of the 5 sexiest beauty products

So

what's all the fuss about?
For centuries, the beauty of Polynesian women has been at the center of travelers’ accounts upon returning from Tahiti and at women all over the world have been trying to uncover the secret to the vahine’s legendary beauty. How could they too have smooth golden skin and long shinny hair? Once again, this ancient secret can be found in our legends, in our culture, in our nature, in our legacy: Mono’i, the sacred perfumed oil. This miracle oil is a unique blend of fresh Tiare (gardenia taitensis) flower essence, known for its soothing and purifying properties, and refined Polynesian coconut oil. Another great tradition which was once a privilege of the arii, the Polynesian royalty and remains part of our everyday way of life.

@ Institut du Mono'i

The legend of Mono’i

It is said when Tane was born, he had the appearance of a giant jellyfish, a shapeless mass. So his father Ta’aroa, the god of creation, used Mono’i to give Tane a perfect skin, and turn him into a man of infinite beauty, making him the the god of beauty and of all beautiful things.

The traditional uses of Mono'i
This elixir of the gods not only has a divine intoxicating smell which will transport you to far away islands and white beaches, it also has myriads of unique exotic properties. In addition to being used in sacred rituals by priests, Mono'i was used essentially as a skin and hair cosmetic, but also as part of traditional medicine. Women used it as a moisturizer for their skin and hair as well as an alternative to perfume. It was also used in traditional massages on both newborn and adults. Basically, Mono'i seems to have all the qualities one could hope to find in a product: moisturizing, protective, nourishing, aphrodisiac, therapeutic, etc.

h

@Mono'i addict

Mono'i in the modern world
One could think that Mono'i would have been relegated to the status of a grandmother's remedy and forgotten. Yet, as many of our traditions, it has found its place in our modern lives. The traditional uses have been preserved and cosmetic companies around the world have revisited Mono'i de Tahiti to create new products and rituals with this exceptional oil in the era of wellbeing.

Fun with Mono'i
So you still think Mono'i is not for your? Wait, I haven't finished. If you are not into spa treatments, wellness and cosmetics in general, there are other ways you can enjoy Mono'i! Here are a few examples:

Mono'i Battle: take a few paintball guns or water pistols, add two teams of modern warriors, put them on a white sand beach and let the fun begin! 

• Cosmetic Academy: an original concept introduced by the Laboratoire de Cosmétologie du Pacific Sud, this competition invites aspiring creators to discover the universe of cosmetic products and try to create an original product with Mono'i as its main ingredient. A fun and great way to discover all the different Polynesian products and types of Mono'i available. The contest is open to French residents with the possibility of winning a trip to Tahiti & her islands. See the creators live on www.labtv.pf

• The Mono'i route: the first tourist road dedicated to Mono'i in Tahiti, with an itinerary of 22 "à la carte" stops, embark on an unforgettable discovery of nature, culture and the art of caring for you skin and hair.

@Institut du Monoi

A few things you should know 

• Make sure you're buying the proper stuff! Many people buy oil calling itself Mono'i thinking that they are getting their paradise in a bottle only to discover that the oil they bought wasn't even made in Tahiti! Before buying, make sure the stamp of Appellation of origin is on the bottle!

@ Institut du Mono'i



• Temperatures below 20°C cause Mono'i to solidify, DO NOT PANIC! Just place your bottle in the sun or under warm water and it will liquify again. The quality will not be affected.

If you know of any other fun or original ways to use Mono'i, please share with us!

Still not convinced that Mono'i should be on your must have list of beauty products? Find out more about Mono'i on these sites:

http://www.monoiaddict.com/

http://www.monoi-institute.org/