Here we bring to you, in the extended version, the article that Alice Cheron, a blogger and travel writer, published in her alidifirenze.fr  blog some time ago. She testifies to the genuine relationships that we build at Hur: syntony, trust, a bond that extends far beyond the ordinary exchange of information between customer and supplier. Which is what makes us feel deeply connected with each of you. 

I enjoy being surprised, having my convictions challenged by an incisive conversation and a convincing experience, and then change my mind. That is exactly what happened with  Roberto Bonfanti, the creator of the hur® beauty products brand.  I would rather describe it as a beauty protocol that goes beyond the mere products. Roberto, owing to his working experiences and knowledge, has created a veritable method. He has also created a lot of products ( over 200) meeting every need. Because no two women are alike, no two contexts of life are ever the same. For Roberto, the contact with the skin is a very intimate act, because it speaks of us, of our good and bad habits. In his opinion, apart from the skin types ( dry, mixed, oily), what matters is skin sensitivity, which needs to be treated. He also takes into consideration the seasons and the advancing of age which, as a consequence, brings ever-changing needs. The contact with customers has always been the " red thread" running through his reasearch work and creation of fresh and effective products. 

What is Roberto's background?
He soon specialized in the development of professional treatments by creating products, in the early stage of his career, designed for several professionals in the field and hairdresser's salons. For instance, he invented an eye contour cream that was applied to customers while having their hair set. A huge success! He loved this professional field because it allowed him to realize right away what women needed, what traditional products did not achieve. So he started offering a customized anti-aging cream, which was already 100% organic back then. 

And his philosophy?
Organic active principles, without preservatives or additives of which large-scale retail trade makes excessive use. A short supply chain, hand-crafted in Florence at the brand's headquarters. He attaches the greatest importance to packaging to best protect the formulas and the environment. The products never come into contact with air and some are sealed in a light-proof bag, the label always shows the preservation temperature used and the use-by date, just like fresh produce. The products are, in fact, made with fresh fruit, vegetables and plants directly at the laboratory. The basic ingredients come from all over the world and are carefully selected. For instance, Roberto brings Argan oil from Morocco and roses grown at the foot of the Atlas mountains. 

What about his beauty protocol?
It is a skin sensitivity test during which Roberto checks the skin's pH level, acidity and reactions. The whole test lasts about fifteen minutes. Roberto or one of his assistants apply a pea-size amount of gel and cream on the clean skin in order to cause a reaction ( the skin darkens or reddens and then goes back to its normal state five minutes later). The assistants' training is essential, hur® products are sold only by qualified beauticians and pharmacists. 

Based on the results observed, Roberto writes down the skin intolerances, which may be caused by food too, on a prescription. Then he goes searching, among over 200 products, for those most suitable to your needs. 

For Roberto, the skin is a sensory organ, there is no need to wait to see the difference, the results are immediate. 

 Hur® customers?
Very loyal, of course! Their protocols evolve over time, according to the periods in life (pregnancy, hormonal imbalances and seasonal changes). Customers go back two, three times a year for a checkup. The prescription usually changes based on the season or  particular sensitivity. 

My experience?
I have a mixed skin type, rather sensitive and that tends to be drier on the forehead and cheeks, with hormonal spots on the chin ( and a lot of scars from my teenage years). The test immediately revealed intolerance to:

• Preservatives (contained in beauty as well as in food products).
• Nitrates and sulfates (which means also food intolerance. So, for instance I should rather drink red than white wine).
• Beauty products' fragrances (I'm intolerant to home fragrances).
• It appears that my skin has a low pH level. 

Roberto immediately gave me a donkey milk cream, much more moisturizing than the one I usually use, with a light texture as a day cream. I have also a light scrub and moisturizing mask to be used as much as possible in the morning (Olive +  Sesamum milk +  Ananas mask). In the evening, I use a soap (Canapa) and a moisturizing Elix serum.

MY PROTOCOL 1 BEGINS

Week 1
My skin is grateful from the VERY START, it isn't assaulted anymore. The plumpy and well-moisturized effect is visible from the very first days. Roberto explained that, as we get older, the skin's various layers ( think of a lasagna) give in and the most visible layer becomes thicker. As a consequence ( picture it as cardboard), aging signs become more pronounced. It is, therefore, necessary to apply a well-balanced scrub to maintain a thin moisturized layer. Yes, I know, I'm speaking very technical....

Month 1
One month later, my skin is definitely much brighter, I can use less and less foundation. It looks like my scars are less noticeable too. They are still there, but they blend in with my skin. What I like best about my new skin routine? The feeling of a much cleaner skin, rid of all the products that were not right for it.

It breathes.

bip bip bip

Roberto sends me an email asking me how the protocol is going. I tell him that, in the evening, the serum does not seem moisturizing enough and that my donkey milk cream has a grainy texture. He explains that the products are handmade and fresh, so it may happen. We fix another appointement. 

Month 2
Our appointment reveals that my skin is more sensitive than usual. Right now, in particular, because I just got back from a week's skiing. Roberto can see the damages caused by the thermal shock! The problem affects the mouth and nose contour, my skin is under strain and  hypersensitive because congested ( it doesn't breathe enough to get rid of all the toxins). We decide to add two moisturizing creams to the routine ( the first one lets the skin breathe during the day for the toxins, Ossigeno, and another one that should work during the night, Glicosamino). Then we rethink the daily scrub treatment by adding a manual part (Cumino,  it should be very useful on the lower part of the face ). Finally, I should use the fresh Pineapple mask more often.....no problem, I love it! 

I CONTINUE WITH PROTOCOL 2

Month 3
As far as moisturizing is concerned, everything is fine, at last!  And I'm even rewarded with a little surprise for the body. When I changed the facial scrub, Roberto suggested to finish the Olive cream by applying it on the body (nothing goes wasted!) before my usual moisturizing cream. I can't believe my eyes when I see that my elbows and knees are as smooth as those of my daughter after only three-four days. The product has delicately softened all the little rough patches. My skin is so healthy. 

Funny story 1: on one Thursday night, while I was applying the cream, I notice a real seed in my hand. The term "fresh" for the products is definitely well-chosen!

Funny story 2: I get more and more complimented on my skin's glow in the morning when I say my famous « bonjour à toussss ». I am so happy!

Month 4
I pay special attention to Roberto's advice on food choices. Very little coffee ( just one cup in the morning), a lot of water, and GREEN vegetables on my plate, as it appears green is my color. I translate his advice as centrifuged juice as breakfast ( my favorite is with celery, spinach, apple and carrot), but also as an Italian Bowl with vegetables such as fresh peas, broccoli....

My skin routine is well-tested, I know the products and how to use them perfectly. I enjoy having a specific selection of a single brand because the products "talk" to each other. It's very important.

I have had an eczema on my right eye lid for about one year.It started to develop slowly until it turned red during stressful periods. It completely disappeared two months ago!

Month 5
Summer is here again and I go back to Roberto to check my skin and hear what he has to say. I should not change anything in my routine until the month of July when I will begin another protocol. At the seaside, I apply the light scrub in the evening and I have a special sunscreen product, Elix + , a bio-protection ( Roberto tells me that it doesn't contain any solvent because my skin is intolerant to solvents). In the eveinng, I should combine two ultra-moisturizing products, Pera Plus and Borago.

We also talk about the month of October in order to start treating the dark spots under my eyes which appeared after my pregnancies. But first things first, Roberto insists he " knows my skin" by now and that we must proceed gradually. My skin and I, we are a single whole, there is no doubt!

I began the PROTOCOL 3 in July, so I'll be glowy this summer and you'll know why!!

Information:

Headquarters (by appointment ) Viale dei Mille, 90, 50131 Firenze FI

Shop and advice: Via Vincenzo Gioberti, 72/R, 50136 Firenze FI

Price : a cream about 50 - 60 euro

Alice Cheron

Article published in the  www.alidifirenze.fr blog

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