About Vanessa Muri
Montreal City Editor Vanessa Muri has lived in London and Tokyo, but finds the charms of her hometown irresistible. From the latest scoops to the best deals in Montreal and everything in between, don't miss her weekly take on life in the fair city.
Beauty and the Leaf
yves rocher atelier Montreal
(May.22.09)
Have you heard of Yves Rocher?
Probably the answer is yes, but do you really know what it's about? I remember my mother using their products when I was young; I think many girls had the same introduction. (Plenty of samples shared between me and my sisters.)
Well, whatever you remember about France's most popular beauty company (yes, even more popular than names like Estée Lauder), throw it out the window. The line is rebranding itself, and the result is a new, sleeker store, a tighter concept and a lovely place to spend part of your lunch hour if you work downtown. (Short lunch break? No worries: They've got a new 30-minute Relaxing Facial massage or Revitalizing Body Massage available for only $30 each.) 
The Montreal Eaton Centre's Yves Rocher location is the first Beauty Centre to become the new "Yves Rocher Atelier" in North America. The new layout emphasizes the herbal history of the company.
And guess what? Yves Rocher was already eco-minded back in 1959, long before it was even a real consideration. Understanding and protecting the plant world has always been a priority, and this has resulted in products that use the most renewable and organic sources of botanicals whenever possible. And the new Culture Bio line launched in February demonstrates the next level of commitment.
With the boutique now divided into easy-to-navigate sections and a new makeup line just launched in April that offers the total package, I was in herbal heaven.
What I liked most about previewing the relaunch - which is official today, so check it out - was learning that the company is still family-run after 50 years (you mean something isn't owned by L'Oreal??), and that they are doing everything possible to keep as many employees on staff as they can, despite the recession.
Seems I'll be the one informing my mother about the benefits of Yves Rocher this time...