Exclusive Video Interview: The Courtin-Clarins Daughters Spill Their Skincare Secrets

When I visited the Clarins lounge at the Empire Hotel this week I expected to hang out with my PR friends and learn more about their new blog, the Beauty Flash Blog, which showcases the world of the Courtin-Clarins girls, the four women who are the granddaughters of the founder of the brand.  To my surprise, I was able to catch the girls when they got back from lunch (at PJ Clarkes no less) inbetween shows and did a fun video interview!  Check out what these chic Parisians had to say about their NY Fashion Week experience, their grandfather's skincare secrets and how they beat cellulite.

Life Outside the Tents as A NYFW VIP: Lounges, Swag Suites & Dinner Parties

When you think of Fashion Week you may think of the backstage scene that I've been tweeting about all week, or the runway shows themselves, but truth is, there's so much more when you're a NYFW VIP.  Since all editors, bloggers and influencers end up in NYC for the shows with the same goals, brands take full advantage and host dinner parties, pampering lounges and after parties all for a little face time.  Here's some of my fashion week extracurriculars... I know, it looks like a lot of work (wink).

Birchbox Lounge

Set up conveniently across from Milk Studios where a variety of shows took place this season, I popped in before attending Christian Siriano near by on Saturday.  First things first, I got down to business by creating my own Birchbox.  Next, I indulged in a little pampering with a mani (shade: Color Club in Status Update), grabbed a snack from WichCraft and caught up with some friends.

Style Coalition Lounge

I popped in the Style Coalition Lounge at the Empire Hotel before going backstage to Zac Posen on Sunday night to catch up with my friend Yuli, who runs the organization. They partnered with Microsoft and my fave stylist, Ted Gibson.  The best part?  It was exclusive so there weren't a thousand people running around and it really was a break from the hustle and bustle.  While there, I had my hair touched up by Ted Gibson's stylists and left looking glam!

Dinner with NARS

Each season NARS rents out parts of restaurants in the West Village and throws a dinner party.  This is what I was most excited for this season.  Between all the running around and waving hello to friends backstage I got to catch up with my media friends over wine, cheese plates and chocolate covered strawberries in the garden of Palma.

Allure Beauty Lounge

After going backstage to interview Reem Acra before her show (see post here), I headed to the Empire Hotel to stop by a few suites.  Allure had SkinMedica preforming facials, Maybelline giving makeup touch ups and manis and a whole fragrance bar set up with samples from different brands along with Sephora pulled up on iPads for easy purchasing.  Smart.  I would have loved a SkinMedica facial, but my makeup was set for the day and I didn't have the time.

Clarins Lounge

The brand just launched their Beauty Flash Blog so I was eager to see my PR friends and learn more about it.  The Courtin-Clarins girls were there (the granddaughters of the founder of Clarins) so I filmed a video interview with them, which will be live soon!  I'm so glad they're getting involved with the brand.  They're super chic and approchable.  Other editors were getting makeup touch ups and mini massages in the suite as well.

Eva Mendes' the New Face of Angel by Thierry Mugler, Get Her Look

Last week I was invited to a party for Thierry Mugler Beauty to celebrate the new face of the fragrance Angel by Thierry Mugler, Eva Mendes.  You'll probably kill me if I told you, but I didn't go.  A paid gig came up (which I'll tell you about soon!) and unfortunately paying my rent came before meeting the A-lister. Eva obviously looked stunning at the event (pictured above) in a mint Mugler dress and her makeup only accentuated her natural beauty, which I love.

She always looks so fresh. Key products used by her makeup artist, Genevieve Herr for Clarins, were Blush and Light Powder in Brown & White for contouring, Eye Liner Cream in black (lined inner corner to outer corner on upper and lower lid), Eye Shadow & Lights Quartet in Sublime Nature, Flash on Lashes Mascara in black, Rouge Unique Lipstick in Heaven and Vinyl Gloss.

A New Additive to My Regimen: Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning

I've been on a self tanning testing kick for the past two months because I was writing an article called "The Best Way to Bronze" for iVillage so I have a slew of product.  Lately I've been using something that I have to tell you about – Clarins Instant Smooth Self Tanning, $32.50. Normally I'm skeptical to apply different self tanning products, especially creams, to my face in fear of break outs, but I was so pale I thought I'd give it a go.  After all, this is my job.  I love it.  I apply it as finishing touch to my skincare and as the beginning step to applying your makeup (which really just consists of bronzer).

The creamy consistency almost acts as a primer smoothing out my skin and instantly adds a natural glow that washes right off.  Bottom line, it gets the job done. You can get it here.