It was like going back to school when we recently headed to Lise Watier’s Labrador Tea University event at one of YVR’s oldest private members clubs, The Vancouver Club. The event’s university theme divided an otherwise straightforward presentation into a rather fun and interactive multi-course ‘curriculum’ as guests were handed a report card of sorts upon entry. The large ballroom space had been converted, separating it into a flowing classroom with various presentation areas – we had to make our way ’round the scholastic stops to learn all about Lise Watier’s new Age Prevention Supreme products using Labrador Tea.

First off, we popped by the bar for a bevy (because, you know… it was well past cocktail hour). Next up, it was over to the Labrador Tea history class where we were greeted and seated on little log stools covered with pelts. Labrador Tea was served, and we learned all about its traditional Native usage, healing factors, and what had led Lise Watier to incorporate it as a key ingredient in their latest line. Sourced from the Boreal forests of Quebec, Labrador Tea contains antioxidant properties (three time more than Vitamin C) and ursolic acid. What does that mean for the ladies? Basically, it’s great for battling those fine lines and wrinkles, as well as preserving the skin’s elasticity and fighting the signs of aging.

Next stop, guests made their way over to a ‘science lab’ where we met Lise Watier’s version of Bill Nye the Science Guy and got the low-down on just how the company is able to extract all the good stuff from Labrador Tea leaves (in an environmentally-friendly way, FYI).

Test tubes, beakers, and boilers had us enraptured with his presentation as we had fun learning all about the tea’s ties to the Inuit and Athabaskan people who use it as an all around cure for everything. We learned that Lise Watier has partnered with Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) for the past five years to study the benefits of Labrador Tea and worked diligently to design their latest products.

Before heading over to the next class (Marketing and Sales) we made sure to pause for a few quick bites of passed appetizers expertly prepped by the Vancouver Club’s culinary team.

Once at the interactive computerized info table we learned even more about the Age Prevention Supreme line. Super high tech (and impressive) products placed on the table would prompt various tabs to pop up, with even more informative sub tabs listing information about the items. Think CSI and you’ve pretty much got the right idea. It was a great way to learn all about what goes on behind the box. Basically, it gave us a chance to learn about the various aspects of packaging, ingredients, benefits, key features… all that information you don’t necessarily get from in-store displays.

Finally, we stopped by the Lise Watier beauty centre to get our look freshened up before making our way over to the graduation area for photos, and then it was time to scoop up our swag and call it a night.

All in all, this was a great event that truly showcased an impressive line-up of Canadian-based and made products we’ll happily be adopting into our regime. Lise Watier is definitely worth checking out when on the hunt for alternatives to your regular skincare line.