Is it worth investing in a full set of Clarins?

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I had my makeup done yesterday by the woman on the Clarins counter and I really liked the result. I'd been the weekend before for a new foundation and she gave me loads of skin advice and testers so I've been using them all week and am very impressed.

Realistically I don't look after my skin well at all but feel I should start now at age 30. Is it worth splashing out the full set - hydraquench serum, face wash, blusher, lippie? That'll be over £100 but I'm due a bit extra in my pay this month...Also she gave me a ton more testers including the lovely facewash which I think will last me 2 weeks, by which time I'll be paid.

Any thoughts on Clarins?

Buy the products if you like them and they work for you OP.

I am quite sure you are smart enough not to buy things you do not want or need in future, simply because you feel you owe the SA a sale in return for some freebies.

She gets her commission (shock, horror - yes, these people work on commission!!) and you get some samples from the bulging drawers she has of them. As long as you only buy what you actually want, I reckon you both win.

If you like the Clarins HydraQuench serum and moisturiser (and I did, and used both for a couple of years) give the Bioderma Hydrabio equivalents a whirl. I've been using them for over 18 months and now like them better than Clarins, which strikes me as over-scented, for at half the price.

Make-up is Kanebo or Laura Mercier foundations, No 7 navy mascara, and powder shadows and blushers, which last forever. My extravagance is buying Dermalogica special cleansing gel by the litre; a bottle lasts a year. I'm 58, lightly lined myopic but presentable enough.

I love Clarins and I don't agree that cheap is fine with cleaners. My skin is noticeably better with a good cleanser. I also splash out on moisturiser, mascara and foundation. I'm happy with cheap eyeshadow but that's about it.
But I can afford it so if you can't, maybe it's best to pick and choose

OP The short answer is 'no'.

At your age you are young enough to get away with using cheap ( but that doesn't mean rubbish) products- well, anyone is at any age, really.

I would recommend looking- and really reading- all the info on the website www.beautypedia.com

It gives the low-down on every brand.

Clarins does not come out well. It's highly perfumed. Their Blue Orchid and other oils get slated on Beautypedia for being potential irritants due to loads of ingredients and perfume.

I used to cover Clarins and when I was your age used to buy myself Clarins treats at Harrods- it was a 'cult' brand and not available in many stores. But I can honestly say that it didn't do anything for me that far cheaper products didn't do either.

Cleanser is not a miracle product. As long as your cleanser is not harsh and doesn't strip your skin or make it dry, then as others have said here, it's on your face for 30 seconds, then wiped off. One of the best I've used is a Boots own brand - cleansing lotion- for about £1.25 a bottle!

Clarins foundations are nice. I'd use them except even Ivory is too dark for me, but I loved the texture of the Extra Firming. Their blusher was nice too but you can get just as good results with Rimmel or MUA for far less money.

I spend my money on:

-a good sun block to use under make up 365 days of the year ( start now and cover your neck with it too.)

• a nice moisturiser (currently Olay Regenerist 3-point which has won awards for being cheapish.)
• a good mascara - Lancome
• the best foundation to give me the cover and colour that suits my skin- so will pay £30-£40.

Go to Aldi and buy their restorative day, night and serum. Will be less than a tenner for all three and I swear it's off the same line as Clarins. Even comes in a glass jar. Spend the rest on wine and chocolate

What cressetmama said about Bioderma 100% agree - it's not worth paying the extra for Clarins

Oh and as someone else has said, sales assts are on commission and have targets each month! I used to know someone who worked - not for Clarins- but as a sales asst for a high brand . They were always under huge pressure to reach their targets but at the same time try not to be pushy.

Hello, just quickly resurrecting the thread to say thanks again for all your input. I won't be investing in any Clarins, unfortunately as
a) Had to spend £200 on car, unexpectedly and
b) my entire face has got patches of dry scaly skin which won't seem to shift! I've been following the regime religiously, using the testers. My skin feels tight and looks awful. Really, really disappointed.

Get some Aveeno cream for your dry skin, OP.
I used to use Clarins Hydraquench but stopped when money became tight after having DS.
I now use aveeno, it's a quarter of the price and so much better. No more red and angry dry patches!

I switched to the Lidl moisturiser - £1.99!! - from Clarins - my skin looks lovely - even if I say so myself !

Thanks for both these suggestions!! Due to the unepxected expense this month with the car I will have to grab a cheaper option for sure. Can't actually believe how unhealthy and scabby my skin looks like after 6 days of expensive products!

Clarins is far too harsh for me too, ok for a couple of days then I pay for it there's one that is ok, a night cream. Oddly the sensitive range irritates me the most. The Aldi version does not.

Go back to the Clarins person and tell them! I'd be well miffed if that happened to me. Sorry about your car :(

I agree, don't buy everything from one brand. No single brand does everything brilliantly. Buy the 'stars' from each brand.

I'm not a huge fan of Clarins skin care overall, I find it too fragranced and harsh. Like you, I get red, tight, reactive bits. I'm sorry about the car but on the plus side, you've saved yourself a load of cash on stuff that was no good for your skin type.

I love Clarins skincare range - it's easy to see why they are one of the top selling brands. I would Google the products as I once found an oversized cleanser at debenhams for 20 pounds which lasted ages. Their moisturizing creams are also very good - my skin is combination and I find it hard to find products that don't irritate it. Why not start with a few items rather than a whole lot? Also love their tonic body polisher for a treat.

The OP has reacted to Clarins Becasue.

good point, op have you tried cetaphil? It's not glamorous but is cheap and doesn't irritate.

CtrlAlt sorry about the reaction and the car stuff

I think the scaly patches will heal quite soon after you discontinue the products but if they are flaking and you need something soothing, I've found Eucerin 5% urea cream excllent. It sounds gross but is super hydrating. Aveeno is a great choice too.

Go easy with Cetaphil, it's got some real nasties in it and can be very drying for sensitive skin, God only knows why it's is so recommended by dermatologists, I think they must be getting back handlers from the manufacturers

Eucerin is nice stuff I agree.

DameDiaz I think I know now why Cetaphil is such a favorite among dermatologists. It's a Galderma company and I think they have drug reps.

I second Cetaphil cleanser, I have sensitive and acne prone skin and it is the best I have ever used.
Also agree with acid toner, I use REN or clearisil pads. Really refined my skin texture.