Clarins was first founded in 1954 by medical student - turned physiotherapist Jacques Courtin-Clarins, as a salon where he treated his clients using massage oils based on pure plant extracts. His customers were so enthusiastic about these that it prompted Clarins to create more products using the same plant-based oils that they loved so much, and he did, ending up with a line of cleansers and toners, day and night creams, body and sun care preparations and make-up, plus the first treatment fragrance, Eau Dynamisante.
Over fifty years later, Clarins is still a family owned business (with Clarins' sons Christian and Olivier at the helm) and an instantly recognized name for products such as their cult classic Beauty Flash Balm - revered by women across the globe for its ability to create glowing skin - and their excellent skincare ranges. I have waxed lyrical many times about their HydraQuench Rich Cream moisturiser, which resurrected my distressed winter skin from the depths of dryness, and I also love their Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter. Some of Clarins' bestsellers include the Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil for Dehydrated Skin, which uses Rosewood, Patchouli and Blue Orchid to tone, revitalise and restore radiance to moisture-depleted skin, and their legendary Hand and Nail Treatment Cream which has a very high up royal fan (although that's to be expected, given that Clarins have a Royal Warrant).
Their make up collection combines great quality with beautiful packaging and on trend colours, plus thoughtful touches, like the firm, pointed eyeshadow applicator that comes with the eye palette from their Spring Colour Breeze collection (you don't usually get such good quality brushes with the product), which we recently reviewed here. They haven't forgotten their salon routes either: there are Clarins Skin Spas all over the country offering a whole range of treatments based on their 'The Clarins Touch' massage technique, which uses different rhythmic strokes to "stimulate the lymphatic system and blood circulation, to maintain the integrity and health of the skin and to restore the natural balance and energy of mind and body." Sounds amazing.
Shop them at Clarins.co.uk, or find your nearest spa here.
