Despite all the beauty articles we read, I know of quite a few women who still forsake using a daily moisturizer because they feel their skin don’t need it. Au contraire! In hot humid weather, our skin needs moisture more than ever because heat and sun are 2 of nature’s harshest environments.
Clarins has recognized this by introducing a few new products in the Clarins Hydraquench range for introducing and locking in moisture in the skin.
There is already a Hydraquench range but a couple more new products that are already out on the shelves will supplement things further. The key ingredient in the Hydraquench range is the Katafray bark from Madagascar – it was discovered to help raise moisture levels and is now cultivated and used exclusively in Clarins’ Hydraquench range of products.
One of my favourites is the Clarins Hydraquench Cream Mask for dehydrated skin (RM135/75ml).
You slather a good thick layer of the white cream mask on your skin and then, lie back and relax. After about 15 minutes, look in the mirror. You’ll realize that depending on your skin’s “thirst level” a good portion of the mask would have been absorbed into your skin to restore your skin’s moisture level. I usually end up with hardly anything left on my skin! Yep! I have very thirsty skin indeed – and I never realized it!
Tissue and/or rinse off and touch your face. I can never stop because my facial skin feels so soft and moist after using this mask! Star buy! Star buy! 😛 Best of all, when I do this at night before bed, I wake up with moist bouncy skin the next morning. What’s not to love?
I will warn those with sensitive noses that there is a floral fragrance. Its quite strong but I’ll forgive that since my skin seems to love the Hydraquench Cream Mask otherwise. Available at Clarins counters at a retail price of RM135 for 75ml. I honestly don’t feel its super pricey because you don’t use all that much and not all that often so it can last you a while.
Another 2 new products to supplement the existing Clarins Hydraquench line are the Hydraquench Smoothing Gel for Normal to Combination Skin (RM205/5ml) and Moisture Replenishing Lipbalm (RM75/15ml).
I’ve got the Clarins Hydraquench Smoothing Gel and Hydraquench Intensive Serum Bi-phase undergoing vigourous testing by me so I’ll report on them soon enough 🙂
Pros: Hydrates skin well, Leaves skin feeling soft and moist
Cons: Some may consider it pricey, Strong floral fragrance
Clarins facials are lovely and painless!
I was recently treated to a Clarins facial at the Clarins Institute at KLCC (4th Floor) I had the Madagascar Hydrating facial (RM198) which lasts about 1 hour. The products used are all from the Clarins Hydraquench range including some more potent salon only products. Its called Madagascar because the key ingredient in the Hydraquench range is Katafray bark found in Madagascar.
They are purely hands only at Clarins with lovely facial and hand massages and no painful extractions and no machines used. It was lovely and I know I will be back.
Have you tried any Clarins products or their facials? This was a first for me but not a last. The Cream Mask is already turning out to be a weekly staple!
Stay beautiful
Paris B
geekchic says
Madagascar: I LIKE TO MOVE IT, MOVE IT! *lmao*
PB, I’m always game for good facials. Have you come across any good ones in Melbourne that does not cost an arm and a leg and my first born? 😛
You’re making me interested in this mask 🙂
ParisB says
Hiya Geekchic
LOL… You betcha I thought the same about Madagascar! The mask is pretty good for me. Try it? 😛
Heather O'Donnell says
I agree with Paris, the mask is unbelievable! I use it after i cleanse at night, and leave on for 15 minutes. Remove with a cotton pad saturated with the toner. My skin is radient, smooth, and fresh. I think younger too. It is the best product I have ever had, and is a “keeper” The smell is fine, I have sensitive skin-its non irritating. To think it was from a sample too, so was my cleanser. I purchase based on the free samples i get, so i can try.
lemon says
Hi Paris,
i am using the older version of clarins hydramask, i just apply a thin layer for 15 mins and the skin feel moist after that. Just wondering, can it be use overnight?
I have also just started going to their facial, yup, no extraction, just purely face massage to detox and close pores. I have only tried their trully matte facial, as I have combination skins.
You should try their eye treatment too, they will do eye peeling and mask, very refreshing!
cheers, lemon
ParisB says
Hi Lemon
Ooh the eye treatment sounds nice! I shall try that some day. I’d prefer not to use the mask overnight. Firstly, its messy as its a cream. Secondly, sensitive skins may react to masks left on for too long due to ingredients. Best just follow instructions. Thanks for the feedback!
Connie says
i’ll do the mask tonight! ive been using the serum and cream. they make my skin so plump! the facial was superb too. although i didn’t quite need the relaxation so early in the morning.
ParisB says
Hey Connie
The mask is wonderful for me. Helps plump my skin to no end so any old moisturizer works after that 🙂
prettybeautiful says
love the mask too! i use the serum on and off tho, only at night sometimes, coz i find using it in the morning causes my face to be really oily in the day. 😀
ParisB says
Hey prettybeautiful
I think we are all quite universal in our love for the mask LOL…
Jenn Wan says
Hey Paris,
Did the Clarins people push you to buy their stuff when you went for your facial? I have almost given up on searching for a facial place where they don’t tell you their products are your skin’s saviour and manipulate you to buy them
ParisB says
Hi Jenn
I didn’t get the hard sell. Then again, I haven’t gotten the hard sell at Lancome and Kanebo either so for now I’m sticking to these few places for my facial treats.
Julianne says
Hi Paris,
Nice to read on your reviews, sometimes i feel like grap it after reading your review…hehe Luckily, i still able to control myself at the end. 😛
Cream does it oily when apply to the skin, i tried some cream cleanser which i think not very suite my combination skin.
cheers,
Julianne
ParisB says
Hi Julianne
The cream doesn’t feel oily on my skin. Once rinsed off, it felt fine – its not a cream cleanser per se, rather a mask that rinses off leaving your skin feeling fresh and moist – to me any way 🙂
abby says
The cream mask sounds wonderful! I love masks! Maybe that is why? Have never been able to see if a mask has been absorbed before. That sounds fun!
About the facials, does Clarins offer a promo price for first timers? Just wondering.
ParisB says
Hi Abby
I’m not sure if Clarins offers promo prices for first timers. Perhaps you can call and ask?
beetrice says
Me likey very mucho too! 😀 *toing toing on skin* It’s a lifesaver after coming back from Kuching….LOL! 🙂
a.min says
hydraquench? just what i need!
Irene says
Paris,
The Hydraquench cream masque is on my to-buy list but I seldom frequent counter brands. Do they give out samples if I only buy like… one product from them?
ParisB says
Hi Irene
I can’t say for certain but they should. It never hurts to ask nicely. 🙂
CY says
Clarins Sunway has 1+1 for first timers– but i havent tried yet..
just wondering— when they say one hour for the facial, is that really one hour? most facials i have been through is about 1.45 minutes…especially if there are in the RM198 range….
Shelley says
I just bought the UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection cream today. Loved it after trying some of my friend’s. There is a 50% discount for 1st timers for basic facial. I’m so going for it!
Esther says
The mask is definitely a winner!
I apply it i the evenings, wipe off anything that doesn’t get soaked up and wake up with a “plumped up”, nicely moisturized skin.