Are you going to scream if I keep talking this much about Paris? Well tough beans, buddy. I had an amazing time and I’m not too modest to brag about it. One of my favorite French adventures came courtesy of the skincare gurus at Clarins, who treated us to facials at the fantastic Clarins Spa and Institut in Neuilly.
After our facials, we each got a customized Beauty Prescription which detailed which products to use and in what order for optimal skincare. Then, Clarins mavens Rose Marie Castanos, who’s been with Clarins since its inception and is somewhat of a Parisian celebrity (prompting cries of “Madame Clarins!” from the locals), and Cassandra Moonen took us to a glamorous lunch where I bravely ordered tartare de bouef. (It looks like they slapped an uncooked hamburger patty in the middle of your plate, but it was actually quite tasty.)
After lunch, we were off to the Clarins Boutique near Bon Marche, but getting there proved somewhat trying. Due to an impromptu strike from the French post office (I’m not kidding), our taxi got stuck in traffic for a good hour before we finally bailed and took the Metro. Rose Marie was wonderfully down to earth and made what could have been a terrible ordeal surprisingly pleasant.
When we finally arrived, Rose Marie acted as the perfect sales consultant despite her corporate background. She poured us glasses of water and gave Erika, Christine and Carla impromptu makeovers, helping actual customers as they came in all the while. I can’t say how impressed I was with her – what a fantastic woman! When I grow up, I want to be Madame Clarins.
Thanks to Tammy at A Mom in Red High Heels for additional images.
