Institut Azur

Institut Azur is a beauty institute on the second floor of Avenue Paul-Cérésole 22 in Vevey, founded in 2006 by the esthetician Patricia, who still runs it. Its makeup page publishes complete wedding packages with fixed prices, one for the bride at CHF 543 and one for the groom at CHF 286, alongside bridal makeup with a trial at CHF 160. For a couple marrying around Vevey who want the bride's skin, nails and makeup handled in one place, with the cost known in advance, it is an easy offer to plan around.

The institute's own tagline describes professional treatments in a warm atmosphere that supports well-being. Its menu covers facial treatments (including Sothys treatments and machine-based care), body treatments, hair removal by needle and diode laser, hands and feet with OPI semi-permanent polish, a nail studio, lash and brow treatments, makeup and a section for men.

The bride's package

The complete package for the bride, which the page frames as a way to shine from head to toe on the most beautiful day of her life, costs CHF 543 and contains 6 items:

• a complete facial treatment
• a body scrub
• a manicure with regular or semi-permanent polish
• a pedicure (beauté des pieds) with regular or semi-permanent polish
• makeup, with a trial included
• a radiance facial (soin coup d'éclat) the day before the wedding

The last item is the one to plan around. It is scheduled for the eve of the wedding, so a bride arriving from abroad needs to be in Vevey by then, and the rest of the package is best spread over the preceding weeks. The page does not say whether the wedding-day makeup is done at the institute or whether the team comes to the bride, which is the first question to ask.

Makeup on its own

A bride who only wants makeup can book it separately. The page lists day makeup at CHF 79, evening makeup at CHF 92, and bridal makeup with a trial at CHF 160. It describes makeup as a way to bring out natural features and correct small imperfections. These prices also give a basis for estimating makeup for mothers or bridesmaids, although the page does not describe a separate rate for a wedding party.

Makeup lessons and a workshop for groups

2 teaching formats are on the same page. A personal course with self-application costs CHF 99, and suits a bride who would rather do her own makeup on the day but wants to learn the right steps beforehand. A makeup workshop for up to 5 participants costs CHF 50 per person. The page suggests it for friends, family, a bachelorette party (enterrement de vie de jeune fille) or a birthday, and says it can be adapted to the day's wishes, with a demonstration and work on one or more areas of the face. It is the one item here that can double as a pre-wedding outing for the bridal party.

The groom's package

The groom's package costs CHF 286 and includes a relaxing full-body oil massage of 1 hour, a complete Sothys facial and hand care. It sits under the heading Pour lui (for him), next to the bride's package, and there is a separate men's section in the menu.

The team

The team page introduces 3 estheticians.

Patricia has run the institute since founding it in 2006 and has held the Swiss federal certificate as an esthetician (CFC) since 2000. She is a trainer and an examiner for the CFC exams and is certified by O-LRNIS for laser, cellulite and skin. Besides the traditional treatments, she specializes in nails, permanent hair removal by needle and diode laser, and cryolipolysis.

Catia has held her CFC since 2018, completed a 3-year apprenticeship at Institut Azur itself, and is certified by O-LRNIS for cellulite and skin. She specializes in electrical needle hair removal, lash lifts and cryolipolysis.

Joelle has worked as an esthetician since 1993 and cites 30 years of experience gained in 4 institutes in the region. She specializes in electrical needle hair removal and facial and body treatments.

The page does not say which of the 3 does the bridal makeup, so a bride who wants a specific person for her trial and her wedding day should ask.

Booking, hours and cancellation

Appointments are made by phone on 021 921 51 61, through online booking, or by email to info@institutazur.ch. The footer of the site lists opening hours of Monday 10h to 19h, Tuesday to Thursday 9h to 20h, Friday 9h to 19h and Saturday 9h to 16h. The contact page gives slightly different Friday and Saturday closing times (18h and 15h), so a bride planning a Friday or Saturday appointment should confirm the time when booking. The contact page also states that any appointment not canceled 24 hours in advance is charged in full, which matters for a couple whose travel plans may shift.

What the site does not settle

The site is written in French and does not say whether the team works in English or German. It does not say whether the bridal makeup can be done on location, at a hotel or venue, or only in the institute, and it gives no time slot for early-morning wedding makeup. It does not say how far in advance the bride's package should be booked or how the trial is timed. It gives no group rate for making up a wedding party on the day. Each of these is a reasonable question for the first email.

Who it suits

Institut Azur suits a bride marrying in or around Vevey who wants a full preparation program, skin, body, nails and makeup, from one team at a published price, and a groom who would like his own package at the same address. The complete package is well suited to a bride who arrives some days before the wedding and can fit several appointments in.

The caveats are that the site is French-only, that nothing is said about working outside the institute, and that the 24-hour cancellation rule applies to every appointment. A couple planning from abroad should confirm the language, the location of the wedding-day makeup and the timing of the trial before paying for anything.