The art of beauty and touch at Clarins

SHANGHAI — The secret to beauty is in your hands. To mark Clarins’ 60th anniversary, the brand features a new treatment that brings together a reenergizing and relaxing experience, right to the core.

In 1954, Clarins’ founder Jacques Courtin-Clairns established Clarins Skin Spa in Paris. There he taught his physiotherapist and beauty therapist his exclusive new massage method, which would change the traditional face and body treatments. From the first institute to today’s international network of Clarins Spas located in prestigious locations around the world, Clarins has maintained its exclusivity with unique application methods that enhance the effectiveness of its products.

THE ART OF TOUCH

To pay tribute to the Clarins touch, a new face and body treatment called The Art of Touch is introduced to celebrate its 60th year as a skincare pioneer. Clarins’ first-ever face and body treatment combines exclusive manual techniques and new products especially for the anniversary.

This new treatment combines the Clarins techniques and products to tone, relax, firm, contour and rejuvenate the skin. It is dedicated to three energetic touch techniques: relax, revitalize and regenerate while the new ClarinsPRO formula mixed with Treatment Waters and ClarinsPRO Supplements is applied to the skin. This new ClarinsPro formula — the Pure-Melt Massage Body Butter — has a unique texture that melts immediately upon skin contact.

Step 1: Balancing Touch

This step creates a sense of touch before relaxation and total relaxation can take place. The hands are reassuringly placed on the key areas of the face and body, creating a feeling of serenity.

Step 2: Stimulating Touch

The stimulating touch encourages energy to flow freely through the body. Inspired by the rhythmical movement of shen shiatsu, the beauty therapist progressively applies pressure along the energy lines with her palms and hands. The energies are then channeled to the center of the body and harmoniously distributed to the extremities.

Step 3: Enveloping Touch

Devoted to the entire body and face, this step represents the intense and striking conclusion of the treatment, drawing on an exclusive and targeted selection of Clarins products. Areas of tension are relieved and the body gradually melts into absolute wellbeing.

Pamper yourself and take pleasure with this Clarins signature treatment, The Art of Touch. You will certainly have a blissful sensory experience.

EXPERT ADVICE

During an exclusive interview in Shanghai with Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins who is now at the helm of the family business together with his brother Christian, we talked about his book, The Courtin Concept. Acting as a “personal trainer” for the skin, Dr. Courtin-Clarins reveals the secrets behind good skin health. The guide demonstrates that women of any age should focus on the basics to achieve radiant skin. Here are the secrets he shared:

• Cleanse gently.

• Take a cold shower. It stimulates circulation and encourages firmness.

• Every morning, look at the mirror and tell yourself, “I am beautiful.”

• “Me” time is essential. Make time for pleasure.

• Have a beauty regimen.

• Eat right.

• Be active. Engage in sports.

• Fight stress. Choose an activity like yoga or have a massage.

He regrets the fact that beauty is not taken seriously. “I hate it how a woman’s gullibility is used to make her buy expensive products just because a marketing department decided it should be so. It really makes me sad because it just shows the lack of respect towards the person. The ‘best’ does not have to mean the ‘most expensive.’ Some of our competitors continue to move in this direction, but there are boundaries one should never cross,” he said. “Clarins focuses on what a woman needs — offering scientifically-advanced solutions for every skincare concern, and makeup formulas that treat skin beautifully.”

THE ART OF BEAUTY

Clarins’ pioneering beauty, with 60 years of Plant Science expertise, has given rise to legendary products. The French family brand innovates constantly and listens to women all over the world, particularly Asian women. Take a look at the Ultimate Collectors, 60th Anniversary Limited-Edition Box where you will find Oil Collectors, Double Serum and seven iconic products in travel sizes.

Here are the products you must try.

The Double Serum has consistently been a worldwide bestseller for its anti-aging results. Powered by 20 pure plant extracts, it boosts the skin’s vital functions.

Then there’s the Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil made with 100-percent pure plant extracts. This hydrating treatment restores vitality and radiance to dehydrated skin. Patchouli and blue orchid extracts tone and revitalize to give moisture to depleted skin, while hazelnut oil softens, smoothens and seals in moisture to help minimize the appearance of fine lines.

The HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase intensively hydrates, renewing vitality to extra-dry skin types — even in the most severe climates. It is made with Katafray Bark extract, hyaluronic acid and alfalfa extract. Apply under your daily skin care.

The Extra-Firming Day Wrinkle Lifting Cream–All Skin Types is a revolutionary anti-aging treatment that firms, lifts and tones with powerful plant complex with extracts of organic green banana, lemon thyme bocoa and oat sugars.

A non-drying cleanser, the Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed removes impurities, makeup and excess oil while respecting skin’s natural moisture balance.

Choose your products with the help of expert advice. Skin care is personal; customize a treatment routine expressly for you. And don’t forget, keep it simple and be consistent.

THE ART OF BEAUTY AND TOUCH

To get optimal results, the right products and proper application methods must go hand-in-hand.

Here are the three tips to effectively use the application methods:

• Warm product in your hands to bring it to skin temperature and encourage better absorption of your products.

• Apply products with the whole surface of the hands. Do not pull or rub skin.

• Apply firm but gentle motions to stimulate microcirculation and more effectively eliminate toxins from skin.

Now, remember, the secret to beauty is in your hands.

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Email Joyce Oreña at jo@joyceorena.com or follow her on Twitter @joyceorena and Instagram @jo_joyceorena.

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Clarins is exclusively available at Rustan’s Department Stores in Ayala Center Makati, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Alabang Town Center, Essenses Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Ayala Center Cebu and Gateway Mall Araneta Center.