More than 50 years ago, the future owner of a huge cosmetic empire, dreaming of becoming a doctor, Jacques Courten decided to try himself in a new field ... and turned into the world famous creator of Clarins. By the way, this name was given to a cosmetic brand from a school amateur play dedicated to the first Christians, in which then young Jacques Courten played the role of the messenger of the happy news of Clarence. Perhaps this small role successfully contributed to the future of Kurten, and already in 1954 in Paris he opened the Clarins Beauty Institute.
To this day, the foundation of the philosophy of the Institute of Beauty has remained: careful attention to all the wishes of customers for the products that they want to use. Gradually, the brand’s image also developed, and its main priorities were developed: excellent quality, serious dermatological studies, and the preference for using natural and plant components. Two key colors in the packaging design were instantly remembered by consumers: white and red with a small splash of gold. White is a symbol of science, red is passion and love for everything new, and gold is luxury and wealth.
Our current interlocutor, Mirna Khodr, a training manager at the Clarins Dubai office, decided to share her vision of the company’s development in the Middle East market, as well as talk about the product itself, which gives the skin youth, radiance and vitality.
Mirna, please introduce our readers to the products that Clarins produces?
Our products have been ranked first in the European market for the sixth decade. Every year, starting with the creation of a cosmetic company, the market has expanded and replenished with more and more new and modern skin care products. Among the achievements of Kurten-Clarans in the field of beauty industry are many innovative discoveries. He was one of the first to use only natural vegetable oils and essences when creating cosmetics, subsequently combining them with herbal extracts, which allowed many products to have both phyto and aromatherapy effects on the skin. He was the first to use salt and sugar to create his own products, and drew attention to the protective and anti-aging properties of alpine herbs. The Clarins brand was one of the first to include slimming cosmetics and anti-cellulite products in its collections. In the early 1980s, Clarins was named the best European luxury cosmetics company. In 1991, Clarins launched the first line of decorative cosmetics, and a year later the first female fragrance, together with couturier and designer Thierry Mugler - Angel.
More than ten years ago, our company first launched the men's skin care line, which includes anti-aging creams and lotions for the face and body, shaving foams and gels, various scrubs, in general - everything that can keep men's skin in good condition and toned. This year, we plan to add five more new products for men. In the spring-summer season of 2009, we decided to change our ideas about gentle and natural daytime makeup and offered natural colors, but brighter and more saturated tones in the new Nature Temptations Collection. The basis of the summer palette became: the color of the sea wave, grassy green, sparkling pink and raspberry.
What is the difference between Clarins products and other cosmetic lines on the UAE market?
All Clarins products are made from 100% natural plant extracts and are designed for all ages, from teenage age. The company's concept includes the production of skin care cosmetics at every age stage or stage of skin aging. Without a doubt, the aging process of the skin cannot be stopped, but to make it slower is at the mercy of Clarins.
We respectfully and attentively listen to the needs of consumers, and only after summing up their wishes and their vision of perfect skin, we offer this or that product at affordable prices. We have one of the best cosmetology laboratories in Europe, where the most complex studies are conducted, which doctors, biologists, and cosmetologists are connected to. Each product undergoes 86 quality control tests at all stages of manufacturing. The main keywords of the brand have long been: “moisturizing”, “nutrition” and “protection”. Where can I buy Clarins products? At the end of November last year, our company opened its first boutique in the Middle East, which is located in the largest shopping center in the world - Dubai Mall. Similar boutiques are already operating in Paris, Tokyo, New York, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico and Taiwan.
The store, made in the traditional red and white shades for our cosmetic company, is divided into three parts: in the first, skin care lines are offered; in the second - decorative cosmetics; in the third - there is a treatment room in which our visitors can get advice from professional cosmetologists. In addition to this, our makeup artists will be able to make you signature makeup for the spring-summer season.
In general, in all our stores we always try to follow one of Clarins main principles - a minimum of mechanical devices and apparatus during the procedures, only experienced hands of specialists, efficient products and a sincere attitude towards the client.
Do you have special recommendations for skin care in the local climate?
Many of our customers come to us with a similar question. Constant heat, conditioners, temperature changes, a contaminated environment affect the dehydration of the skin, cause peeling and irritation, as well as the early appearance of facial wrinkles. I recommend taking advantage of last year’s bestseller - the HydraQuench Range moisturizing line for hot or cold climates, which includes face masks, cream gel, lotions, restoring lip balm. This year we have supplemented this line with new products. For those who want to lighten their skin, I recommend using whitening products specially developed for the countries of Asia and the Middle East - White-Plus Essence and special White-Plus Clarifying soap.
Also, I would like to highlight a special tool of the 21st century that helps prevent the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation, including from computer screens and mobile phones - a special Expertise 3P spray that needs to be sprayed on the face from time to time. Using a magnetic complex, it will not only protect your skin from electromagnetic radiation, the harmful effects of the urban environment and free radicals, but also strengthen the skin's natural barrier by activating cellular energy. A similar tool in the cosmetic world was released for the first time, the protective formula of the spray was developed based on the study of the protective mechanisms of plants and microorganisms living in extreme conditions.
In your opinion, has the current global financial market situation affected the Clarins cosmetic brand?
At all times and in any situation, a woman always remains a woman: beautiful and desirable. Whatever the situation today, every self-respecting woman will always try to look at 100%. Thanks to our lines for skin care, anti-aging cosmetics, decorative cosmetics, as well as professional specialists, we can’t cope with a crisis!
On this optimistic note, let me conclude our conversation and wish you, Mirna, and Clarins success in the field of natural and effective cosmetics.
