Prisca Courtin-Clarins’ Beauty Tips – Wall Street Journal

May 1, 2014 5:37 p.m. ET

PRISCA COURTIN-CLARINS GREW UP in the beauty industry. Her grandfather, Jacques Clarins, founded his eponymous French brand in 1954 and her family has worked for the company ever since.

Though Ms. Courtin-Clarins; her twin sister, Jenna; and cousins Virginie and Claire have become fashion darlings, she doesn’t play the all-too-familiar role of scandalous trust fund child. On the contrary, she is a workaholic. In 2010, she opened Nail Factory, a chain of nail salons in Paris, and was often seen behind the counter. Recently, she joined Clarins Group as spa activities strategic director, overseeing the company’s spas in Asia and the Americas.

As a busy businesswoman, Ms. Courtin-Clarins stresses the importance of maximizing every moment. Her beauty routine involves many products—from serums to tanning drops and lifting eye creams—but she boasts that taking good care of your skin doesn’t need to take up too much time.

The foundation of any beauty routine is a good skin care regime. I don’t have time to wake up and get ready for two hours. With the right technical applications and products, it only takes 30 seconds.

Every day I have the same morning routine. I wash my face with [Clarins] Gentle Foaming Cleanser, apply Toning Lotion, Double Serum and Extra Firming Eye Serum.

I love bright lipsticks and choose the shade based on the color of my clothes. If I’m wearing black, I choose a red lip, whereas a white dress looks best with a hot pink or orange lipstick.

Body care is so important, especially in the spring and summer. In the morning, I use [Clarins] Lift Cellulite Control Lotion. It absorbs quickly so I can put clothes on right away.

Every night before bed, I apply Tonic Body Oil, which smells just like my grandfather. He taught me how to properly apply products starting at my feet and working upward toward my heart. A girl can apply a very efficient cream incorrectly, and then it isn’t efficient at all.

Food and beauty go hand in hand. I am developing a new concept around this called “Spa & Lunch.” We opened our first test spa in Lille. You can order a healthy lunch with ingredients based on the herbs in the Clarins products, followed by a treatment with products that relate to the menu.

My breakfast is a homemade juice. I blend bananas, fresh orange juice and strawberries together at home. I know a lot of people mix vegetables into their juices, but I can’t seem to enjoy that combination.

For something savory, I have a green soup recipe. I blend kale and spinach with a little cream. I’m not trying to diet, but eat well. I prefer to be careful with the quantity and eat good things.

For exercise, I work with a trainer twice a week at the Royal Monceau club in Paris. I also do mat Pilates once a week for my core.

—Edited from an interview with Aimee Blaut