When I went to the Clarins Institut, the premier French beauty brand, to test their new Pro-active Facial Treatment, I was proven wrong within minutes. The Institut has five treatment rooms, a comfort room, shower room, and a display full of Clarins products – a disarming sight.
Don’t be alarmed, facial treatments usually start off with a personal skin consultation. Christine, my beauty advisor, asked me questions about my active lifestyle. Yes, my late nights, poor diet and lack of exercise have taken a toll on my combination skin. Now I have to deal with occasional breakouts and dry patches. But not for long, though.
Recently, I tried the Radiance Facial Treatment that revives dull and lackluster skin. For P2,400, you get 60 minutes of sheer bliss. That is because of the products that contain energizing extracts of papaya, kiwi, and orange that deeply nourish the skin.
So, what makes facial treatments from Clarins special?
"We don’t use chemicals, just 100 percent plant extracts. We use pro-formula products which are seven times more intensive than regular products," says Andrea Dumancas, manager of Institut Clarins. Dig this, one Clarins facial is equivalent to seven facials, so you will really see your face glow.
Well, the goodness doesn’t stop there. Every application of their signature plant-based products – all with aromatic oils – will totally relax your mind and body. It was followed by a massage, addressing every region, from scalp to feet. I was so relaxed to the point that I dozed off and went to dreamland. And the hot pad kept me warm.
The facial started off with Christine rubbing Eau Dynamisante treatment fragrance on my face to invigorate the senses. She then led me to relax further with breathing exercises. Then, she removed all traces of makeup and used the Cleansing Milk with Gentian, a gentle cleansing essential suitable for normal to oily skin. The Toning Lotion with Chamomile relaxed my face, tightened the pores and cleaned up other residues.
I enjoyed the clay mask used to exfoliate my dead skin cells. This Exfoliating Fruit Powder made of lime and pineapple enzymes made my face smell like cookie dough that was good enough to eat. Yum! By the way, she put some on my hands to exfoliate the dry patches. Another thing I loved was the Contouring Facial Lift. This product was applied in a pressing motion to remove fatty deposits on the cheek area to show off the cheekbones.
Since the eye area is very sensitive and 10 times thinner than most parts of the face, Christine put the Extra-Firming Eye Contour Serum to moisturize and ease fatigue. Not forgetting the rest of my face, she put the Aromatic Plant Purifying Mask to perform more wonders on my skin like tighten the pores, de-stress and bring natural radiance. Next was the Energizing Cream. It had a thicker, more concentrated texture that infused my skin with a whole lot of vitamins. The Energizing Treatment Oil was like an energy booster to give my face a radiant look.
Was the facial over? Not yet! Christine put the Extra Firming Concentrate, which acted like a net on the face, giving it an instant lift so as to prevent my skin from aging and sagging. Then came the Multi-Active Day Cream Gel to prevent lines. The Eye Revive Beauty Flash refreshed my tired eyes. To give my lips a pouty and plump look, she put on Extra-Firming Lip Contour Care. What a complete treat!
Only after being roused from my slumber with smooth, radiant skin and limber muscles did I finally understand the Clarins Touch. This is a specialized massage with 80 intricate movements that was developed in 1954 by founder and president Jacques Courtin-Clarins. Highly trained therapists use rhythmic strokes to stimulate the lymphatic system and blood circulation for the ultimate sensory experience.
With Clarins’ Radiance Facial Treatment, results take on a new dimension. I felt so relaxed and my face was so rejuvenated. In the end, I was given the Clarins face care program. Christine, my beauty therapist, suggested products (a home-care counterpart) for the ongoing benefit of my skin. Like the Beauty Flash Balm, a celebrity secret for radiant skin which also acts as a good makeup base.
"The founder believes that the hands are very sensitive and so precise that it doesn’t destroy the skin’s condition. We also don’t do extractions. Plus, the beauty therapists are trained every six months. So, they are updated with the Touch technique. We just want to nurture the mind and body with Clarins."