As the celebrations for Clarins 60th Anniversary move into full swing, it’s a pleasure for me to think back on the time fifteen years ago, when I first discovered Clarins skincare products. It was the winter of 2000, and I was writing an article for Beauty Fashion about the launch of ‘Renew-Plus’ Body Serum.
I submitted my article while on a ski vacation where I’d had a chance to try out ‘Renew-Plus’ and other Clarins products (under rigorous conditions), and my conclusion was that, “…. All this adds up to a feeling of enormous satisfaction and confidence that I have put myself into the hands of some of the most highly respected skincare experts in the world. The future can only be bright.”
Fifteen years later, I’ve written double that number of articles about Clarins, benefited from numerous Clarins products and treatments, and my confidence in the brand and its future has grown proportionately. I’ve also grown to think of Clarins as a friend.
In addition to being about trusted products and treatments (‘Renew-Plus’ Body Serum being one of many that have become part of my daily routine), Clarins, to me, is about people. I feel honored to have known Clarins’ founder, Jacques Courtin-Clarins, a man who truly loved and cared for woman, appreciated beauty, understood the healing and restorative power of botanicals, and, as a man of vision, knew that listening and being listened to was essential to wellbeing. Jacques’s two sons, Christian and Olivier Courtin-Clarins, have succeeded in maintaining and instilling their father’s spirit and philosophy in the company AND in their children, notably four talented and committed young (20-something) women, Virginie, Claire, Prisca, and Jenna.
Respectfully referred to as ‘The Little Red Company’ by its much larger competitors, Clarins has a lot to celebrate as a successful family owned business – which amazingly for its size, manages to hold down the position of Number 1 luxury skincare brand in Europe.
And yet, even more than people, Clarins is a community, with a worldwide network of dedicated professionals at Clarins corporate offices and laboratories, retail stands and spas, programs of sustainable development for raw materials providers, and numerous outreach programs, notably the annual Femme Dynamisante Award.
Perhaps, most importantly, and what I like most about Clarins, is that Clarins is real. Real products and treatments based on 100% plant extracts, tested on real people, offering real and measurable results, and no promises of miracles.
Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins is the first to say that in order for even the best products and treatments in the world to effectively maintain and enhance beautiful and healthy skin, they must be accompanied by proper nutrition, exercise – and a smile.
It’s no accident that all Spas by Clarins (space permitting) offer workout rooms and personal trainers as part of the program. Dr. Courtin-Clarins has even gone so far as to develop healthy (and delicious) menus, including the ‘My Blend Salad’ at the hotel Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, home of the Spa My Blend by Clarins.
As the beneficiary (and true believer) of some of these fitness programs, I’m especially happy to see that among the many 60th Anniversary events and programs, Dr. Courtin has published a hands-on exercise user’s guide book offering 60 expert tips and advice – the perfect complement to Clarins treatments and products. Wittily written and illustrated by Soledad Bravi, Doctor, I want to be the most beautiful of them all! is a serious book, which doesn’t take itself too seriously. Dr. Courtin-Clarins calls it ‘…a reflection of my appreciation of women, their beauty, their bodies, their bursts of laughter, their smiles, and their joie de vivre.’ Currently, only available in French, but soon to be out in English. To discover a preview, click here.
Happy Birthday, Clarins! YOU are the most beautiful of them all!
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I am sold. I will try a few Clarins products.But the best testament is YOUR beautiful peaches and cream skin, Babe. Anything to look like you….bring it on!
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