The history of OmoroviczaThe brand’s birth is a real fairy tale:
Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza met 12 years ago in Budapest. They enjoyed visiting local spas together and were amazed by the effect that Hungary's mineral-rich thermal waters had on their skin. Their love for thermal water and spa culture is not accidental. In the 1800s, Rácz Bath belonged to Stephen’s family. The young couple married, and soon afterwards their common interest prompted the idea of opening a family business. In this way, Stephen and Margaret became pioneers of mineral cosmetology.
Hungary's thermal water is special because of the extremely thin earth crust here, allowing a greater concentration of minerals to rise to the surface. The greatest challenge the couple faced was finding a technology that boosts the absorption of minerals into the deepest layers of the skin. They teamed up with the Nobel Prize-winning Laboratory of Dermatology in Szeged and pioneered and patented a special technology, called Hydro Mineral Transference™. It is important to mention that the Omorovicza products do not contain silicones, parabens, artificial colors, or fragrances. Each product has a unique scent developed in Grasse, in the south of France.
International successInterestingly, Omorovicza is better known internationally than in Hungary, even though their flagship store on Andrássy Avenue is their only independent salon, where they offer treatments in addition to the full range of products. The Omorovicza products and treatments are available in luxury hotels and spas worldwide – including the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest – and in stores such as Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Isetan and Tsum.
Omorovicza’s therapists are trained for the standard Omorovicza treatments, thus ensuring the correct and uniform practices utilized throughout the world. Many popular magazines covering modern beauty products have featured Omorovicza in articles, from Vogue to Elle.
The experienceHaving read a lot about the Hungarian brand, we visited the store to experience its products in real life. The store is located at the beginning of Andrássy Avenue near Erzsébet Square: glass surfaces and white dominate the high-ceilinged space, but the lack of color does not create a sterile feeling, but rather suggests luxury. The products are lined up in tall cabinets and we can find a price list in the customer space, so we do not have to ask about prices. The products’ packaging is pretty and sleek, which is very important. It does not matter whether the products are shipped to Mauritius or London – we can find a Hungarian description on each of them, which is a sympathetic business policy, and an excellent way of establishing the Hungarian image in a truly modern commodity. The treatment, for which we have to make an appointment in advance, begins with consultation and personalized counseling. In the treatment room, a comfortable bed with a warm hydrothermal pillow was waiting, providing immediate relaxation.
The therapist, Bea, has a voice that is so calming that if we would not have been talking about the treatment, I might have fallen asleep immediately. During the Deep Cleansing and Pore Refining Facial, I was fascinated not only by the scents, but also by the expertise and delicate touch of the therapist. Being able to relax and trusting the therapist are very important at cosmetic treatments – here, I could do both. The treatment started with a quick spritz from the Queen of Hungary Mist which tones the skin and has a wonderful smell that encourages relaxation. The treatment continued with cleansers of different textures and effects followed by a relaxing facial massage. Our favorite product was the Deep Cleansing Mask, during which we received a refreshing head and shoulder massage. As a climax of the treatment, Bea applied the Gold Shimmer Oil on the arms, containing gold particles and looking terrific on my skin. Based on our experience, Omorovicza treatments differ significantly from the usual, basic cosmetic treatments: the attention, skill, quality of the products, and atmosphere are all extraordinary.
The brand is constantly introducing new products. From September, the new Blue Diamond collection will be available in Hungary. The store on Andrássy Avenue awaits customers not only with the full product range, but also with monthly offers and a great permanent deal: if you spend over 50,000 forints on products, you can enjoy a complimentary personalised facial treatment.
