The one thing Christian Courtin-Clarins never ever does when he travels

SINGAPORE — Take it from the man who runs Clarins: It is impossible to pack light when it comes to beauty products.

“I don’t do it so I don’t expect women to either,” joked Christian Courtin-Clarins, president of the beauty brand’s Group Supervisory Board. “My wife would even bring her hair-dryer in her suitcase. You bring what you need to feel comfortable — there shouldn’t be restrictions.”

In town to mark Clarins’ 60th anniversary, the jovial father of four revealed that a major reason for its continued success comes from listening to both their staff and customers.

“I’ve opened up 128 countries for Clarins and everywhere I go, there’s one rule: I want to have lunch and dinner with the beauty therapists because they’re the ones to tell me how customers respond to us and what customers want.”

Q:You’re been credited as the one who took Clarins global. Has the travelling been hard?

A: I’m born under the sign of Sagittarius, on Dec 17. That’s a travelling sign. I’ve been travelling since young. When I was 14, I took off on a world trip by myself as I was a tennis player and was playing in competitions. At the time, you didn’t need to be a big name to do that. My father (the founder of Clarins) doesn’t like to travel, but he knows I love it so I’ve been doing this job — exporting the genius of his products.

Q: How do you get over jet lag and prep yourself to look your best the next day?

A: I do sports to get over the jet lag. If it is 7am in Singapore but 1am in Paris, I will exercise first. And I’ll schedule my first appointment at noon so that gives me time. At night, I apply our Hydraquench masque, especially if there’s air-conditioning. That way, I won’t have dry skin or look like I’m jet-lagged. I’m not used to air-conditioning — we don’t use it in Europe. I always bring my gentle foaming cleanser. It’s important to wash your skin property and use day-cream. I also always travel with the Clarins double serum, which works like a multi-vitamin for your skin. I’m careful not to use the amenities in the hotel bathroom. I know how they are made. (laughs)

Q: There is much admiration for the way in which the French do things with books such as French Women Don’t Get Fat and Bringing Up Bebe. Can you tell us what makes the French attitude or people so special?

A: One of the capacities of the French is that we like to do things different from others. If people say, “don’t eat too much”, we eat a lot. The French also like to think in a different direction — when people were covering up in the ’60s, we went topless on the beach. It’s still in the blood of the French to be proud of being different. It’s in our roots. We still say we have the Gaulois spirit.

Q: What is your favourite place in France to visit for a holiday?

A: Dordogne in the southwest of France. It is the main city in Bergerac and even the smallest restaurants serve such good food. Every ingredient is from the region. Everything taste wonderful. Serene Lim