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I’ve been a big fan of French skincare brand Clarins since I first started writing about the beauty industry many years ago as editor of Cosmetics magazine and a style writer for the National Post newspaper. Having visited the labs in Paris, interviewed the family members and spent time with the head of research and development, I’ve gained an inside understanding of why the brand is so beloved around the world. At first, I thought it was because of the company’s expertise in plant actives, a passion for founder Jacques Courtin-Clarins. But over time, I began to understand that it was also the expertise from their spas around the world that made the products so efficacious. It wasn’t just the products themselves, but how they are used that led to healthy, glowing skin. I thought I’d share some of these techniques, insider tips and spa methods in hopes that you might find them helpful in your daily skincare regimes.
In the days leading up to March 2020, most of our lives were hurtling along at warp speed. The mantra seemed to be “How to pack more into fewer hours in a day.” Martha Stewart once declared she only slept three hours a night in order to be more productive. But Martha could have taken lessens from a Hollywood actress who took time management to a whole new level. I had the pleasure of interviewing Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria for the launch of her signature fragrance years ago and was shocked to learn that she schedules every minute of every day. “It’s the only way I can get everything done I want to achieve,” she told me eyeing her watch. She would schedule business phone calls from the time she left her car at the studio to the time it took her to walk to her dressing room. Hair and makeup? She scheduled meetings with her agent and publicist. And in between takes on the tv set, she’d study for her business degree. She was the ultimate multi-tasker. And for the record, I was allotted three minutes and thirty seconds for the interview. I can’t imagine how much time she had for skincare in the morning? Her prevailing theory is you could have it all if you maximized efficiencies.
This concept extended into the bathrooms of many North American women who snapped up multi-purpose skincare products that promised to give you 15 more seconds of sleep in the morning. Anything that promised “faster” became bestsellers.
Then the global Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020. Our ultra-fast lives screeched to a halt.
Full stop. Lockdowns spread across continents and we were suddenly forced to stop our hectic lives. Many people slowly gained an appreciation for the smaller things in life – taking time to enjoy the moment. Mindfulness became a trending term as gratitude journal sales soared.
Meditation, quiet, yoga practice became daily rituals. And yes, women and men revisited their skincare regimes.
The Beauty of Slowing Down
French women knew the power of slowing down and being in the moment all along.
“It’s important to understand that for French women, the morning and evening skincare regime is a special time to slow down and to self-pamper,” explains Francois, a friend of mine who lives just outside of Paris. “Women take the time to work the products into their skin by gently massaging in upward movements. They will lock the bathroom door, maybe light a scented candle and will take the time to really enjoy their products. Fragrance is very important and they will take this time to slow down and self-care.” And spa treatments are a regular part of life. “Oh yes, visits for regular facials and treatments are considered essential for many, many women. Scented oils, hydrating creams and botanical serums help to create glowing skin.” She says that their makeup maybe minimal, but skincare is very important.
Jacques Courtin-Clarins’ skincare empire began in the spa tradition of France when in 1954 he opened his first Beauty Institute on Rue Tronchet in Paris. A talented masseur, he blended his own treatment oils and applied them using signature methods and motions. This direct contact with customers gave him invaluable insight in what products to create next.
From the beginning, Jacques encouraged his clients to take the time to enjoy their morning and evening skincare routines. This was a time to shut off the world and enjoy the fragrance, texture and feeling of the products. Taking deep breaths and slowly massaging products into your skin could help rejuvenate you and give you new energy.
Tip 1: Take Time for Yourself
The first French skincare secret is to set aside time for yourself morning and night to really enjoy your skincare products. Don’t race through it. Take the time to enjoy the fragrance. Really work the products into your skin. And breathe. This simple step can make a big difference in how you look and feel.
Tip 2: A New Way To Cleanse
Inspired by treatments used at Clarins skin spas, here’s a special cleansing routine that removes, lifts and eliminates all impurities without inflaming or irritating the skin. The key here is that it doesn’t irritate the skin in any way. Thanks to Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins for sharing this method.
1 Begin by warming the cleansing cream in the palm of your hand until it is at skin temperature.
2 Apply the cleanser with the entire surface of your hands by simply patting your hands on your face. Don’t apply any pressure on your face, simply place your hands flat on your face and neck.
3 Pull your hands away as quickly as possible. Repeat this gesture five or six times as the cleaning cream thickens. You will notice this creates a suction which pulls the makeup and impurities off without dislodging or irritating the tissue.
4 Rinse or wipe your face gently.
5 Finish by applying a toning lotion to remove the last residue of the cleansing cream. Applying a lotion is essential as it will rid your skin of the harmful effects of hard water.
Tip 3: How To Best Apply Eye Serums
If you have concerns around the eye area, you might want to incorporate Clarins’ techniques for applying eye serums. After warming the serum in your hands, gently press your fingers under your eyes to help drain any pressure and to gently apply the product. Repeat the gestures above the eyes. Finish by pressing between the eyebrows. This is a technique perfected in the Clarins Spas. Notice there is no rubbing or moving your finger back and forth – all this does is move the product away from where you really need it. Gentle pressing directs the product exactly where you need it.
Tip 4: Always Tighten The Caps On Your Jars & Tubes
Here’s a valuable skincare tip that you don’t read about often: Be sure to always tighten the cap and lid of your products to prevent humidity and air from reaching the formula. This can accelerate oxidation and shorten its lifespan. By tightening the cap, you’ll help your products last longer in peak condition.
Tip 5: How To Best Apply Day & Night Creams
French women understand the importance of hydration in keeping skin looking radiant and healthy. “Water is key to the health of our skin so even anti-aging products are moisture-based,” says Lair. “Our bodies are made of water and use it to communicate between cells – it’s linked to our biology.” She says to always apply products on damp skin to help lock in moisture.
Tip 6: Create A Colourful Plate
“Good nutrition is incredibly important to how our skin looks,” adds Lair. “Our bodies need the nutrients from vegetables, fruits and whole grains. When I travel around the world speaking with influencers and journalists, I recommend they create a colourful plate for their dinner. Incorporate many different coloured vegetables and fruits. The more colourful the better. This will ensure you get a wide variety of vitamins and minerals.”
If you are looking for more healthy eating and nutrition tips to make your skin glow, you might want to read Olivier Courtin-Clarins’ “Beauty In My Plate”, available on the Clarins website: clarins.ca (All proceeds go to the Arthritis Foundation).
200 Comments
Samantha Walker
May 17, 2022 at 8:55 amGreat tips. I love that the overall consensus is to just be gentle with yourself, to give yourself Grace, to be patient with your skin
Susan Capenos
May 15, 2022 at 11:51 pmBest tip is be gentle to your skin during your skin care routine. Pat, do not rub. No hot water. I switched from Chanel to Clarins 10 years ago after trying different products.
CL Chin
May 14, 2022 at 12:07 amTip #2 is great!
Aubrey Daniels
May 12, 2022 at 5:11 pmI love the tips and tricks! Great read!!
Tess Balenbin
May 12, 2022 at 4:06 amTake time for yourself is the best. Being a working mom with a toddler, oftentimes I just rush things.
Ann George
May 15, 2022 at 4:41 pmI used to sell Clarins. I love and wear these products. Theycare great!
Cody Lewis
May 10, 2022 at 8:03 amTaking the time for myself is the biggest takeaway for me I rarely get to do that without kids barging in and people yelling I spend too much time in the bathroom
Bessie Boyd
May 13, 2022 at 2:16 amThese are great tips! I especially love the patting tip & the adding products to damp skin for maximum hydration! @BoydBess
Caroline Lozinski
May 9, 2022 at 8:08 pmTake time for yourself is my favourite tip , because it’s the most difficult thing for me to do , I always put the rest of my family first and skip on taking care of me . Thanks for the wonderful tips 💕
Carolu Thomas
May 9, 2022 at 6:06 pmNo 2 here for me: love the cleansing tips
Carol Thomas
May 9, 2022 at 6:07 pm@kefkat12 (nearly forgot)
TaraP
May 9, 2022 at 9:16 amI really like the tip : How To Best Apply Eye Serums @TaraP18TPT
Khushboo Malhotra
May 9, 2022 at 4:55 amDefinitely Tip 1 ,3 ( often overlooked ) and 6! .these are m favourite but this is an incredible blog post @khushmalhotra
Dani Mabe
May 9, 2022 at 2:03 ammy favorite tip is tip number 1! @fatbabydoll
Ruth Wollerton
May 8, 2022 at 7:02 pmI ❤️ The – Tip 1: Take Time for Yourself
Sanjot
May 9, 2022 at 3:26 pmTip #2 – a nice reminder to take your time cleansing and do it right!
Hazel
May 9, 2022 at 4:32 pmI will try tip #3 in my beauty regimes. And I have to check on the book. I do not eat enough color. Thanks Dave. I
Lucy Zelazowski
May 8, 2022 at 6:05 pmSome over useful tips. I need to take more time for myself there’s ne er enough hours.
Beautiful blog, thank you Dave
@tserings
May 8, 2022 at 3:26 pmNever thought about how tightly I close the lids/covers on products! Definitely the protip that’s easy to apply.
Min K
May 8, 2022 at 2:45 pmmy fave tip – Tip 1: Take Time for Yourself
TRACY MANNING
May 8, 2022 at 12:20 pmThe Gentle Renewing Cleansing Mousse is my favourite. @Tracyy___
Julie Mackinnon
May 8, 2022 at 11:02 amTaking time for yourself is so important
Carisa
May 8, 2022 at 10:34 amSuch great tips, and id i can add -try to choose to be happy everyday to radiate a glowing face!
Angel Mendez
May 8, 2022 at 10:19 amTake time for yourself is an excellent tip thank you
@angelmendez044
Dawney777
May 8, 2022 at 9:14 amVery interesting- thanks Dave. 💕💕
Louise McNicol
May 8, 2022 at 8:57 amI am excited to start applying moisturiser to damp skin, I’ve never heard that tip before. Will be doing this all the time now for sure.
Anna Roszak Robinson
May 8, 2022 at 8:01 amI love all these tips and taking time for myself is something I need to focus on, sometimes it’s hard. Being a mom of 3 humans & 1 fur kid keeps me busy and tired.
#WeLoveClarins ❤️
Simona
May 8, 2022 at 7:37 amReally nice tips.Great!!
Diane Eral
May 8, 2022 at 7:16 amThank you for all this information. The “How to apply your eye care” video was very useful for me.
Sophia Adam
May 8, 2022 at 7:12 amSuch good tips. I really like the tip : How To Best Apply Eye Serums