Anyone else got that creeping Beach Terror feeling ? The one where you know you could have put in more time in the gym, and less in your favourite lunch spot ?

Never fear – the lovely people at Clarins know just what it’s like, and have formulated two incredible products to restore the hail-damage on your thighs to their previous pristine smoothness !

I’m always amused by products that tell you they are targeted at “Stubborn Cellulite”. As opposed to what – the kind that willingly gets lost when you tell it to ? We all know the stuff loves to cling, so here’s how to loosen its grip.

Clarins High Definition Body Lift redefines the hips and thighs, minimizing the appearance of cellulite with a dual toning and smoothing action for a smooth, stunning, sexy silhouette. The refreshing cream-gel texture contains active microspheres, little red power-balls that melt into the skin upon contact and blast cellulite, creating a lovely feeling of lightness and va-va-voom-worthy results. The gel leaves your skin feeling silky and tingly – whether this means that it’s working is debatable, but it certainly makes it feel like it is!

Hi-tech ingredients in this power cocktail include Blue Button Flower to optimize the release of localized fatty deposits, and Baccharis which helps strengthen collagen fibres, keeping skin firm. Sunflower Extract and Horse Chestnut Blend increase the penetration of caffeine, optimizing its draining action, while Maritime Pine Extract boosts skin’s microcirculation, maximizing draining action.

To optimize its effectiveness, apply the product every day, using the new Clarins Self-Massage Body Contouring Method, beginning at the ankles and working up to the waist. It’s all explained in the booklet enclosed with the product. I also used it on my upper arms, and found that it gave a good result there too.

Here’s the disclaimer – Don‘t expect miracles – you have to apply the product every day to continue to see the benefits. As with all cellulite treatments, the massage technique is half the trick to improve the circulation, while the caffeine-rich gel smoothes the skin surface and drains fluid away to the deeper tissues, where it can be eliminated. If you stop using the product, you will stop seeing results. Sad, but true…

Now that we’ve got the thighs sorted, what about the rest of your wintery body ? The hard little spots and bits that could be just that little bit firmer and tighter ?

Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream is arich, velvety cream to pamper the body, with regenerating and firming plant extracts which restore the skin’s youthful density and elasticity. Moisturizing and nourishing, this comforting body cream instantly smoothes away lines, leaving skin soft, satin-smooth and supple.

The miracle-workers in this lovely rich cream are lemon thyme extract, which protects elasticity for more supple skin, extracts of bocoa and centella asiatica to encourage the production of skin-firming collagen, and Shea butter and jojoba oil to moisturize and nourish.

Apply morning and/or evening, concentrating on the stomach, bust, and inner arms for more toned body contours.

Most people love the smell of the Clarins products, with good reason – they really are scrumptious ! This one smells good enough to eat, and left my skin feeling extremely well-hydrated, and silky-smooth. Not cheap, but a real spoil and, if you can make the splurge, will really make a difference to the tone of your skin.

Both products are highly recommended – look out for them in the beauty departments of the major retailers, and start getting your bod beach-ready. I’m trying some others once my Clarins tube is finished (and before I have to get the bod on the beach !), and will send in an update soon.

Article By: Janine Catlin