{"id":58837,"date":"2016-04-25T18:54:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-25T07:54:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.booktopia.com.au\/?p=58837"},"modified":"2017-08-31T12:36:56","modified_gmt":"2017-08-31T01:36:56","slug":"58837","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.booktopia.com.au\/blog\/2016\/04\/25\/58837\/","title":{"rendered":"Want the secret to beautiful skin…at any age?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Booktopia Book Guru asks<\/h2>\n

Christine Clais<\/strong><\/h2>\n

author of French Complexion<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ten Terrifying Questions
\n____________<\/h2>\n

To begin with why don\u2019t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am a facialist and skincare expert.
\nI was born and raised in the North of France.
\nI\u2019m also known as The French Facialist.
\n<\/span>I currently live in Melbourne, Australia.
\n<\/span>My skincare philosophy is simple: to look healthier and younger, treat your skin as a living organ within its own ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Christine<\/p>\n

What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

At 12, I wanted to be a \u2018majorette\u2019 (the French equivalent of a baton twirler). I liked the sparkly uniform and the idea of performing in parades accompanied by an orchestra. My parents didn\u2019t share my enthusiasm!<\/p>\n

At 18, I had no idea what I wanted to be, so I left France and worked as an au pair in England as a way to improve my English. It ended up being a great idea as this helped me land a job as a long-haul flight attendant for Air France.<\/p>\n

At 30, I decided to study Health Science to become a qualified facialist. I have never looked back: 20-odd years later, I am still as passionate about skin and my work.<\/p>\n

What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you do not have now?<\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

At 18, I (naively) believed that I knew better than my parents.<\/p>\n

\"Christine<\/p>\n

What were three big events \u2013 in the family circle or on the world stage or in your reading life, for example \u2013 you can now say, had a great effect on you and influenced you in your career path?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My fascination with skin and skincare began as a young girl under the wonderful influence of Bonne Maman, my paternal grandmother. I remember Bonne Maman telling me about the benefits of using rainwater to cleanse your skin.<\/p>\n

I have vivid memories of the creams that she used. I was mesmerised by the magic of those pots elegantly displayed in my grandparents\u2019 salle de bain (bathroom). I can still clearly recall how they looked: light pink and translucent white jars with luxurious gold lids. Sometimes, I would be allowed to take one home with me. The ultimate treat! To me, it did not matter that they were nearly empty: they were the best presents I could get. I would then try to emulate Bonne Maman\u2019s beauty rituals at home.<\/p>\n

\"9780670078646-4\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I also recall my first visit to a beauty salon. It was in Saint-Omer in the north of France, where I grew up. I was 15 and Maman, my loving mother, decided it was time I experienced my first nettoyage de peau (deep cleansing facial) as my skin was going through the typical teenage pimply stage. There I was like a grown-up, proudly lying on a facial bed as the expert hands of Madame Dumont cleansed, exfoliated and massaged my skin. I was sent home with a few products and my skin quickly cleared.<\/p>\n

While these early experiences ignited my interest in skincare, it wasn\u2019t until I started working as a long-haul flight attendant for Air France (before migrating to Australia 26 years ago) that I started to take a more serious interest in facial products and treatments. I wanted to look for solutions to treat my own very dehydrated, frequent-flying skin.<\/p>\n

Considering the innumerable electronic media avenues open to you – blogs, online newspapers, TV, radio, etc \u2013 why have you chosen to write a book? Aren\u2019t they obsolete?<\/strong><\/p>\n

While I love online media platforms, there is a special beauty in \u2018real\u2019 books. I wanted to create a tangible book that you can hold in your hands and refer to from time-to-time. Because my book is beautifully illustrated, it looks great on a coffee table too.<\/p>\n\n\t\t