Clarins Studio

...I had expected but a Clarins 1 1/2 hour special at Selfridges in Manchester !

☺ Booking ☺

This was easy. My voucher for the facial (it was pre-paid) came with a booklet outlining the different beauty treatments available and confirming the one selected by the bearer of the gift which in my case was a Clarins ‘Pro-active Facial’. There was also a card with the telephone number and opening details on. I had ...
...room hidden away behind the Clarins Counter that Joe Public never sees and into a lovely, if rather clinical little room.

Inside this room was a bed (reminded me of the ones at the doctors but this one was covered in sheets and towels and a duvet), a floor length mirror, a sink and a shower as well as a multitude of Clarins lotions and potions. Joanne advised me to take myself comfortable, ensuring that I removed at least my outer ... more

I don't know about you lot, but exchanging Christmas gifts with my other half goes something like this....

Me: "Les, is there anything you particularly want for Christmas this year ?"
Les: "Erm, I'll send you a list"

List arrives about 3 days later looking something like this:

New Car (Porsche 911 Turbo)
Digital Dolby Surround Sound top of the range Home Cinema System thingy
Undies
Socks
Omega Speedmaster Watch

(oh well, 2 out of 5 ain't bad and he isn't to know I have already bought him all his presents and I was just being nice asking)

Les: "What do you want for Christmas ?"
Me: "I'll write you a list"

My list is also supposed to give him ideas...

JPG Perfume
Underwear
A Facial
Leather Purse

I should have learnt by now - he always buys me the whole list - nothing more, nothing less - everything on the list ! I wonder what I'd get if I just wrote 'new boobs' or 'house in the country' ?

Anyway, he came up trumps this year because as well as everything else on the list, I did get my facial only it wasn't at the local beauticians as I had expected but a Clarins 1 1/2 hour special at Selfridges in Manchester !

☺ Booking ☺

This was easy. My voucher for the facial (it was pre-paid) came with a booklet outlining the different beauty treatments available and confirming the one selected by the bearer of the gift which in my case was a Clarins ‘Pro-active Facial’. There was also a card with the telephone number and opening details on. I had already decided that my half-day of pampering would happen on a Friday and that I would take a half day off work and make the most of my long weekend.

I rang the number and a more than helpful girl answered and took my details. I booked my facial for a Friday afternoon (about 2 weeks ago) at 15:00 and that was that. As the Trafford Centre is open until 10pm mid-week, I had no problem booking an appointment as there were plenty of available gaps.

☺ The Build Up ☺

Although I have visited beauty parlours many times before, I had never had a facial and wasn’t sure what to expect. However, I was determined not to turn up with a face full of spots and dry skin so from the day I booked to the day of my facial, I cleansed, toned and moisturised day and night and even went to work wearing only concealer, mascara and lip gloss in my attempt to achieve perfect skin ! Kinda defeats the object somewhat and it reminded me of my mum who cleans before the cleaner comes as she’s embarrassed in case the cleaner thinks she is unclean !!!

☺ The Big Day ☺

I was a bit apprehensive on the day to be honest but I shouldn’t have been. You know what it’s like with those scary ‘Barbie Dolls’ that work on the beauty counters – I just assumed they’d be looking down at me and that I’d feel small. But I really shouldn’t have worried.

I was greeted at the normal make-up counter by the regular assistant who showed me to a seat just behind the stand and then disappeared. Moments later ‘Joanne’ appeared and I liked her immediately. She was really bubbly and talkative and made me feel very welcome and ‘special’. She showed me to a room hidden away behind the Clarins Counter that Joe Public never sees and into a lovely, if rather clinical little room.

Inside this room was a bed (reminded me of the ones at the doctors but this one was covered in sheets and towels and a duvet), a floor length mirror, a sink and a shower as well as a multitude of Clarins lotions and potions. Joanne advised me to take myself comfortable, ensuring that I removed at least my outer garments and bra straps, and to get onto the bed and under the duvet; she then left me for about 5 minutes.

The bed was lovely and soft, warm and cosy and after undressing I climbed in and started to relax. It was then that I noticed the music playing softly in the background; not quite whales and dolphins but very calm and soothing, with panpipes and harps and all things tranquil. I soon felt myself forgetting where I was and totally getting into the experience.

The total treatment time was 1 hr 20mins which included a 10 minute consultation.

☺ The ‘Facial/Treatment’ ☺

Joanne returned after the promised 5 minutes and began by talking me through the forthcoming treatment and what it consisted of. She assured me that I had good skin and being so ‘youthful’ did not require the help of any anti-ageing products, but that she would concentrate on cleaning, revitalising and re-hydrating my skin. She also ‘warned’ me that the treatment was quite intense but I’m not sure I was quite prepared for what was to happen…

Joanne asked me a number of questions relating to my current skin-care regimes (what regimes ?) and explained how the pro-active facials worked, as well as the fact that there were 3 to choose from (extracts taken from the brochure) and that she would be using a combination of products from the radiance and hydrating ranges:

Pro-Active Age-Defying Facial

Rejuvenating treatment conditions and protects skin susceptible to pre-mature ageing. Intensive lifting and firming massage relaxes, tones and stimulates to bring immediate and long-term benefits while the surge of age defying extracts of avocado, aloe vera and apple seed oil gives the complexion a youthful glow.

Pro-Active Radiance Facial

Revitalising treatment revives dull, lifeless complexions. Stimulating massage and an intensive concentrate of nourishing and energising extracts of papaya, kiwi and orange enhance skin condition, boost blood circulation and lymphatic flow to restore the skin’s natural radiance and vitality.

Pro-active Hydrating Facial

Skin exposed to pollution, environmental aggressors, air conditioning and central heating is prone to sensitivity and dehydration. This hydrating facial combats the effects of modern living to restore the skin’s natural equilibrium. Reviving massage and a concentrate of hydrating extracts of seaweed, cactus, pine and white lupin replenishes vital moisture levels and leaves skin feeling super-soft, smooth and glowing.

From what I can remember (and some of the 70 minutes is still a blur as I was so relaxed) the treatment (and the reason I call it a treatment rather than a facial will soon become clear) went something like this:

1) Makeup removal – Joanne used cotton wool pads and cleanser to remove what little makeup I was wearing and also to remove the grime that your face collects during an average day
2) Cleansing – Joanne cleaned my skin to remove any final traces of make-up / everyday grime
3) Face Pack / Exfoliation number 1 – Joanne applied a warm ‘lotion/cream’ to my skin which she left for approx 3 minutes. During this time, she massaged my neck and shoulders with firm but gentle movements and I disappeared into another world…
4) Oooooo, back into this world with a bang. Joanne starts rubbing my face quite firmly to remove the face-pack. I can feel bits of face-pack/dead skin/rolled up bits of yuk falling down the side of my skin and onto the cloth that Joanne had placed there earlier. Normally this would be embarrassing, awful but it isn’t. It’s calming, relaxing, enjoyable even…
5) Joanne wipes my face clear of any residue / unwanted face pack with a very warm, textured flannel. At first it feels a little too warm, then it’s just right, then it’s bloody freezing !
6) Moisturiser – Joanne massages the creamy lotion all over my face and neck
7) Face Massage next where my face is gently tugged in one direction, then the next
8) Eye treatment – Joanne uses some sort of lotion or potion to massage my eye area, she presses firmly into my eye sockets as if you push away those dratted crows feet and bags…
9) Massage – oh, this was by far the best bit. I lost myself in some sort of dream world whilst I had my face, neck, shoulders and chest massaged. It must only have lasted for about 5 minutes but it was heavenly and I would recommend it to anyone. All of my stresses and worries disappeared in those 5 single minutes and I would have been anybodies…
10) Face Pack / Exfoliation number 2 – this time it isn’t \ peel off but an application of creaminess followed by removal by warm then very cold flannel-thing
11) ?

To be honest, I can’t remember much more. I was in heaven. No really, I certainly wasn’t still in Selfridges in The Trafford Centre, Manchester. The music, the fact I was half naked, the warmth, the pampering. It was 100% heavenly bliss and I absolutely loved every minute of it. I can honesty say that U had to remind myself at least 3 times to remember where I was – I mean, it’s not good to get turned on by a beautician of the same sex that you have never met…. is it ?

Each part of the treatment was different and I’d almost go do far as to say that each consecutive part was the opposite of the one that preceded it. For example, a smooth, cool lotion application would be followed by a warm flannel rub. A more intense massage would be followed by the application of tissues that were pressed onto the face and then peeled away taking with them any residue. None of the sections were painful or uncomfortable. It was 100% pure bliss.

☺ immediately afterwards ☺

I have to admit I was gutted when it all came to an end. Joanne had just wiped the last hint of cream away from my face when she told me my treatment had come to an end. She asked me whether I would like her to apply tinted moisturiser and mascara before I left (presumably for the Alderley Edge types who daren't show their faces without slap). Of course, not one to miss an opportunity for a freebie said of course I did, and Joanne neatly applied the goodies.

She then left me alone to get changed back into my clothes after pouring me a drink of ice-cold water. I must admit, I was very pleasantly surprised when I checked myself out in he mirror – the spots and redness that my friend had warned me about were obviously having a day off and instead, I looked very refreshed and healthy; glowing you might say. Best of all, my skin really did feel like a babies bottom; all smooth and blemish free - it was quite amazing.

I proudly pulled my clothes back on and returned to the ‘front of shop’. Here Joanne presented me with a personalised ‘Clarins’ prescription based on her perception of my skin and it’s reaction during my facial. To be fair, there was no pressure applied with regards to making a purchase and I left hands-free.

☺ Sometime later… ☺

Mmmmm, my new found beauty was short-lived. I had already made plans that night to go into town with my friend and at about 9pm (approx 5 hrs after the treatment) I was shocked and horrified to find 2 HUGE spots forming on my face. As the night progressed they went from bad to worse and no amount of concealer or picking would have rescued the situation. I ended up drowning my sorrows and vowing never to schedule a night out immediately after a facial ever again. This is obviously due to the fact that the treatment focuses on ‘purifying’ the skin and drawing all of the toxins to your lymph nodes in your neck to allow them to be drained away; in my case, they didn’t drain anywhere and were displayed for all to see. You will be pleased to know I am now rid of said mountains and skin is back to normal.

☺ Summary ☺

To be honest, when I first found out that this session cost Les £42 I was gob-smacked, although slightly less concerned with it being a Christmas present. By the time it was over, I had come to the conclusion that I would have paid £142 for it. Ok, slight exaggeration but it honestly was one of the most enjoyable and luxurious things I have ever experienced. Whilst Joanne recommended a slightly cheaper option every 6 weeks, and more during season-changes (ie winter to spring and summer to autumn), I think I will probably be rationing myself to 3-4 per year as a treat.

As a gift for a friend or family member, anyone you love in fact, it is a perfect gift. What better than to treat someone to something which only they will enjoy (and I mean enjoy !!) ? A selfish but deserved experience – I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t enjoy this. I had my treatment at Selfridges in Trafford Centre, Manchester but beauty treatments are available at any Clarins Studio.

The staff were very friendly and not too pushy when it came to sales. Go on, treat yourself…

T21AMY©

http://uk.clarins.com/

 

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