Baby is 4 months old now. You love him to tears, especially when he smiles or giggles. He is your little sucre d’orge. Everyone thinks the same: ‘He is so gorgeous!’ Good, this baby you dreamt of having is here and everyone loves him.
There’s only one problem. He is growing fast and he wants attention 24/7. You don’t dare to leave him too long on his own. Indeed, Baba gets bored easily. Ma faute, I am guilty of the same trait de caractère… You have some tricks to survive les crises potentielles. Off we go in the buggy: ‘Regarde les belles fleurs!’ And the baby to look at the nature with curiosity. All this entertainment is épuisant. He is not long to be in La La Land and you hurry up to get back home so that you can do your own stuff.
Oui mais voilà, it’s been raining quite a lot over the last few days so you’re damned. No walk and silly talk about flowers today. You have to put up with Baba and play with tous les jouets: Soso la giraffe, Dodo the dog, the little owl… You’re in your thirties, you used to be an accomplished and successful teacher and now you’re talking baby language. All you dream about is: have a glass of wine at 2 o’clock in the afternoon (it never occurred to you before) or check the news online (meaning you actually have the time to read a full article without having to feed and clean Baba or play with him). Don’t even dream about starting this amazing 700 pages book that just arrived in the post today (why on earth did you even think that you could do that?!).
So you look at this bundle of joy. YOU wanted him. You pestered Grumpy Boyfriend for more than a year before he agreed to start a family. Baba looks at you right now; he is smiling ‘Je t’aime Maman, joue avec moi’. Thankfully, Grumpy Boyfriend can see that you are losing the will. ‘Why don’t you treat yourself? You need a break’. Aussitôt dit, aussitôt fait, I arrange to meet up with a friend in London.
Today, Frenchie Mummy goes back to le monde des adultes. Je suis excitée comme une puce! I am getting on an earlier train so that I can enjoy la folie d’Oxford Street a bit longer. Shopping first at Selfridges and John Lewis, I check out the new collection. And ultimate treat on the horizon: I booked a 30-minute treatment at the BeautyBAR by Clarins in John Lewis.
Let me talk you through. I have been a big fan of Clarins for years now. I am so excited at the thought to get pampered again. I used to go on a Spa break every half-term before Baba arrived. God knows how much I miss it… Briony, who is taking care of me today is just lovely. She is fast to show me the room. It looks gorgeous and relaxing. No baby crying here. It’s well isolated from the craziness of the shop and you can easily relax.
First, I am being asked to fill in a form about my skin and my routine. Pretty standard when you have a treatment. As soon as I am done, je m’installe in the BeautyBAR area. The chair is set up so I am comfortably sat and Briony has a feel of my skin. ‘You have a very nice skin, smooth with no imperfection’. The compliment makes me blush like a little girl. I agree to have a Skin Care Workout.
First, she talks me through all the products she is going to use. So many of them, I am already filled with joy. Someone is going to take care of me today; not the other way round for a change! A headband around my face so that no hair is getting in the way, she applies some patches on my eyes and I am off to Beautyland. She exfoliates, tones, massages my face. It smells fresh and I am immediately rested.
Eventually, she applies some magic Beauty Flash Balm. This product is just a miracle. I can’t live without it. The seat is put down ‘Now relax’ my therapist murmurs. She leaves; it’s just me and the skin booster to work its magic. She also mixed it with some oil. The smell is lovely and I can feel my skin already regenerating. ‘Hope Grumpy Boyfriend is fine to look after Baba today…’ Oh non, I am back in Mummy mode. Stop! You are here to relax. I will call later, just to make sure that everything is ok.
Briony is back, asking if I am good. If I am too cold, she can put a blanket on me. OMG, I am feeling like a princess. There’s more to follow. She cleans up the mask and applies some serum mixed up with more oil. My face feels so smooth and I definitely starts forgetting about everything. The truth is I don’t want it to stop. After more massage and some cream applied, she tones up one more time.
As I am planning to go shopping later, she applies just a little bit of make-up, so that I don’t feel naked. A bit of mascara and some blusher. I am fresh as a daisy. I wake up in the bright light. The dream is over. She gives me some time to get back to reality. I feel so fresh and young again. Eventually, the therapist talks me through some recommendations for products and treatments. She even shares with me some tips to use the HydraQuench Cream-Mask on my hair.
Le verdict.
You may have worked it out. I loved it!!!! If like me, you are a busy mummy but still want to treat yourself, the Beauty Bar by Clarins is the solution. Rapide et efficace. With the 30 minute treatment for a small price of £25, you feel human again. And you have a large choice of treatments depending on your needs or what you feel like Skin Care Workout, Facial, Destress treatment… Even better, I have been given some goodies to take home with me: the Exfoliating Body Scrub and the Moisture-Rich Body Lotion.
Check out the Clarins website to book your treat tomorrow!
Oh yes, yes, yes!! I love Clarins and I have heard about their beauty bars but have never tried one as yet. It sounds fabulous! Thanks so much for linking up to the #bestandworst hope to see you again!!
Author
do it, kit’s fab. Loved it so much I am planning to go back next month 🙂
You look radiant – what a treat! I have never been to Clarins Beauty Bar before but it looks as though you have a well deserved break and treat. I’m a big fan of Beauty Flash Balm too 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #lovelythings
A lovely treat for any Mum #MarvMondays
Looking lovely and relaxed in that pic, sounds exactly like what I need. It really makes the difference when we can take a bit of time out, no matter how much we love them! Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo
Ah this looks amazing, I could use some pampering right now! x #fortheloveofblog
Looks like lots of fun! We all need a treat sometimes. Hope you have the time to go back soon. #kcacols
Oh I’m so jealous, that sounds amazing! You look fab too, your skin looks gorgeous! x #KCACOLS
Really glad you enjoyed. I work for Clarins in the marketing team! I’ve had a few Beauty Bar treatments when they were training and they’re great. I even came up with one of the names of the treatments (A Little He-Time in case you were wondering!). #KCACOLS
Author
OMG!!! I am so jealous of you. I love this brand. I have been using their products for years and they make wonder. I am dreaming to be working with them as a blogger one day! That would be top for me…. What treatment’s name did you come up with?
I don’t want to make you more jealous but I get an allocation – a free product a week! Mainly goes to my mother-in-law…and wife obviously! It was “A Little He-Time” – the men’s one!
Author
What?! That’s it, I give up teaching and want to work with Clarins…
I use Clarins products already – the hyrdaquench range predominately. I’ve never thought to use the mask on my hair though?! I have heard of the beauty flash balm but I’m not really sure what its for/when to use it! I’m not big that sort of thing – I think I do well to cleanse tone and moisturise haha #KCACOLS
Author
Just checked your instagram and your baba is gorgeous ??
Author
Yeah use it on your hair, it is great. Feel smoother and lighter, just on the end so it’s not too greasy
ah sounds lovely 🙂 I love a good pamper session! thanks for joining #fortheloveofblog hope you can come back next week!
Oh my goodness this looks like just the thing for a busy mum and what a treat. I am definitely going to look into getting one these, goodness know my skin (and me). Could do with it. Thanks so much for linking at #KCACOLS. Hope you can come back again next Sunday xx
Author
Do it It’s just fab ?
What a wonderful idea. I have never used a beauty bar but I have often bought Clarins products and I think they are great. One of my favourite skin care brands. Pen x #KCACOLS
Author
Me too ☺ xx
Oh wow you lucky divil! I’m so jealous #KCACOLS
Sounds heavenly. #KCACOLS
sounds like a beautiful dream and it was actually real for you….wonderful for you to have some ‘you’ time and a little pampering. I love clarins product, I don’t buy enough products in general anymore so I think I’ll have a little click on the links to see if something calls out my name;)
Mainy – myrealfairy x
#KCACOLS
Author
I hope you found something to buy. I absolutely adore their products!!! Thanks for stopping by x