Clarins Skin Spa

Profile

New York complexion perfectionists have relied on Clarins’ sterling-quality skincare serums since Jacques Courtin-Clarins opened his first Institut de Beauté in 1954, but until recently, US fans had to fly to France to experience the brand’s legendary manual skincare therapy sessions. Now, in a chic red and white spa above the company’s Madison Avenue boutique, highly trained therapists perform the same facial and body treatments developed in Paris on thankful Upper East Siders. During an intensive one-month training program, each esthetician learns to stimulate clients’ blood circulation and lymphatic systems using 80 intricate hand movements�a signature technique that is used in many of the services, which are separated into Face, Body, Men’s, and Express categories. Unlike trendier spas, Clarins refuses to employ microdermabrasion machines, which it believes achieve only temporary results and can cause long-term harm; the skin spa also frowns on chemical peels, and uses only the house line of professional-strength, botanically-based products. By focusing on hydrating, purifying, brightening, and age-defying facials, and tanning, exfoliating, and cellulite-control body treatments, this skincare destination has quietly attracted a fanatic following among New York beauty connoisseurs, including Susan Sarandon and Hilary Swank. The full product line is available for purchase on the ground floor. — Eve Gerber

The famed French spa offers a particularly luxe Wedding Beauty Program: For $625, brides get three 60-minute facials, three 60-minute body treatments, and two makeup consultations (they have a year to use them). Clarins can also accommodate private soirées of five to ten guests in its orchid-filled solarium ($75 to $150 per person)