With iconic body care creams and lotions such as the Body Shaping Cream and the Moisture-Rich Body Lotion, Clarins has always been a leading name in the skincare industry. When I heard about the Clarins Body Shaper treatment, I was intrigued to say the least.
Off I head to the Dubai Mall store, admittedly not my preferred choice of location for spa treatments but as always with an open mind. As I enter the single treatment room at the back of the impeccably spotless store, Clarins do not fail to impress in the ambiance department. I am instantly soothed by the elegant scents of essential oils and botanically enriched Clarins fragrances that are not only bursting with freshness but also nourish and invigorate the skin. My assigned therapist, Ann, swiftly greets me and takes me through the steps of the body treatment, with the added bonus of a revitalizing facial specially tailored for my fatigued skin. Her no-nonsense, à propos confidence would instantly reassure the most inexperienced of spa novices declaring that the results of my forthcoming massage and facial will astound me.
I am told to lay face down on the bed with soft cotton towels supporting my neck and ankles. Comfort and relaxation, as I was soon to discover, were the name of the game this evening. Beginning with a firm pressure point massage of the feet, Ann made her way up my legs, sweeping her hands from the knees to the lower back focusing on the problem areas. Deep kneading of what she dishearteningly called “stubborn fat deposits” ensued with an extensive explanation of the benefits of lymphatic drainage. After a further intensive and somewhat detailed massage of my back and arms down to my fingertips, Ann turned me over and continued with the challenging task of slimming and shaping, pushing and manipulating the curves of the abdomen and beyond.
Moving on to the facial stage, Ann began cleansing and toning and continued with some very precise exfoliation using the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Refiner, fine-grained gommage that delicately sweeps away dead skin cells and boosts micro-circulation. Applying mild pressure with circular motions, she gently scrubbed and polished. Facial massage and a cooling, moisturizing mask were still to follow. I began to get a little restless; was this treatment, dare I even utter the word—too long? The final steps succeeded as planned with the same delicate care and with yet more hand and foot pressured massage.
Ann leaves me for a few moments to inhale the energizing mix of essential oils and then passes me a mirror to inspect the results of the facial. I expect the usual blotchy redness of all my previous facials only to be affronted by glowing smoothness and even radiance thanks to the Beauty Skin Repair Concentrate as I am informed.
Just over two hours later and I am drowsy with relaxation and quite frankly impressed by the lack of redness in my luminescent skin. This treatment is ideal if you are in dire need of some indulgent pampering but make sure you dedicate your morning, afternoon or evening to just this as it is time consuming. I would also suggest booking at a quiet time of day as the outside commotion of the mall can impede complete relaxation.
