I tend to get stressed out and sometimes have trouble relaxing or falling asleep at night. To help me unwind before bed, I rely on a few time-tested bedtime rituals, like massaging foot cream on my tootsies while watching cheesy reality TV.
Lately, I’ve been treating my dogs to the new Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream ($25).
Clarins designed it to tackle multiple foot issues (ala dry skin, foot perspiration, brittle toenails and foot swelling) and infused the cream with plant-derived ingredients like virgin cashew nut oil, shea butter, arnica (an herb from the sunflower family) and myrrh (a dried tree sap).
The Clarins massage method
The product comes with step-by-step instructions — massage techniques for use with the cream — that involve pressure points to increase circulation and promote relaxation.
Slight tingle
I’ve been using the cream and Clarins massage method off and on for about a week and a half so far, and I’m hooked on the slight tingling sensation caused by the product — like my muscles are letting go of my tension. The tingle lasts for about two hours and fades gradually. If nothing else, the sensation is distinctive enough that it distracts my mind and helps me relax.
Moisturizing texture?
I have dry feet, especially the skin on my heels, but applying the cream at night before bed definitely makes them feel softer the following morning.
The texture absorbs quickly and feels thick like a body butter (but it isn’t oily or greasy). I wonder if it’s on account of the shea butter, which Clarins says contains a high amount of unsaponifiables, oils and waxes that moisturize and condition the skin.
I’m also a big fan of the fragrance. It’s light (as it probably should be for this kind of product), like carnations and mint tea. 🙂
Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream
Price: $25 for a 4-oz tube
Use: A luxurious (read: expensive) and highly moisturizing foot cream
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
You might like Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment Cream if…
- you’re a Clarins fan and don’t mind paying top dollar,
- you’re overstressed and looking for a way to unwind,
- you’re on your feet a lot.
CHEESY RHYME ALERT: Clarins Foot Beauty Treatment is an expensive treat and a very good way to be kind to your feet. 🙂
Drugstore alternative
I’ve used a handful of drugstore foot creams but have yet to find one with the same tingly sensation I get with Clarins Foot Beauty. If you can live without the tingle, then check out Sally Hansen 18-Hour Cracked Heel Cream ($6). I just saw it on sale at Walgreens for $4!
Bliss
I really enjoyed SF’s Bliss spa yesterday, particularly the Deep Sea Detox Wrap. Talk about relaxing, although it would have been bizarre to see…
I was slathered with mud and wrapped up like a burrito, ha!
But it was so relaxing that I actually fell asleep. On your next visit to a spa, ask if they do body wraps and consider giving one a try. More and more spas are offering them because they combine relaxation with a treatment for super soft skin. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tiffany says
July 4th, 2009 at 11:20 amHi Karen! The tingle sounds interesting, but I’m debating whether I could drop that much dough on something for my feet. What reality shows are you currently watching? I need some new guilty pleasures!
Karen says
July 5th, 2009 at 9:22 pmHi Tiffany,
I’m enjoying So You Think You Can Dance right now. This weekend a few of my friends this weekend recommended NYC Prep. I haven’t watched it yet, but plan on Tivoing a few eps this week. I’ll let ya know if it’s any good.
How’s your summer going so far?
Glosslizard says
July 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pmHello! I’m back from Disneyland! We had a great trip, and boy, I could really use some tingly foot cream right about now!
I have pretty much decided that I adore wraps above any other spa treatment, they relax me even more than the massages! My fave is the Bliss “herbie” facials, they give you a wrap and a facial simultaneously! Bliss indeed! 🙂
Karen says
July 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pmHi Glosslizard,
I am plotting to go back to bliss soon. Maybe the Herbie facial will be next treatment I try! 🙂
How was Disneyland?
ines says
July 4th, 2009 at 3:35 pmi tried the foot cream – got it as a sample when i bought one of their self-tanners.
i loved it… but alas, i cannot bring myself to spend $24 on about 120mL of cream. does seem to help with post-dance class foot swelling though!
my weekend is going awesome- i just bought a cat tree for cha cha, who is coming on monday!
.-= ines’s last blog post… Top 5 – Office Beauty Emergency Kit =-.
Karen says
July 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pmHi Ines,
YAY! Tomorrow is the big day! Is everything ready for his homecoming?
Nicole15 says
July 4th, 2009 at 9:39 pmGlad you enjoyed your spa trip. I love spa days..although I don’t get them too much. If I’m lucky, I can go once a year. Unfortunately, I can’t do any form of body wrap. I did one once & when the woman left the room for a couple minutes I started sweating, panicking cause i was wrapped too tight, thinking of what if something happened & i couldn’t get out of this thing. It gave me so much anxiety that i didn’t relax at all & instead felt more tense when it was finally done. I remember begging the woman when she came back in the room to unwrap me. I know, I’m such a baby. It just didn’t work out for me 🙁
Karen says
July 5th, 2009 at 9:27 pmHi Nicole15,
I understand how it could go easily wrong in a hot second. I have claustrophobia issues, too. This was my first wrap — thank goodness it wasn’t too hot or too tight, because I would’ve reacted in the same way you did. I think it’s a common reaction, so we’re not alone. 🙂
Anyway, at least there’s a lot of stuff on the spa menu to choose from! There’s always facials, massages, scrubs… ahh, I want to go back!
gio says
July 5th, 2009 at 6:59 amThis sounds great but I can’t bring myself to spend $25 for a foot cream!
I’m glad you enjoyed your spa trip 🙂
.-= gio’s last blog post… Sunday Beauty Reads =-.
Karen says
July 5th, 2009 at 5:19 pmHi Gio,
It’s definitely a splurge. Maybe someday if you’re in the mood for something indulgent you can give it a go!
Glosslizard says
July 6th, 2009 at 11:15 amMmmmmmmm, Disneyland good! 😀
It was a fun-filled trip, we really enjoyed ourselves!