Continuing on my splurge at the Clarins counter I bought Clarins par Amour Real Heart Bath and Shower Cream. I also bought but aren't reviewing lipstick and lip gloss which I like a lot.

About par Amour:

par Amour is marketed as a cream to be used after a shower or bath. Clarins makes a matching perfume which I didn’t buy.

I was so taken with the makeup I was buying that I wanted to treat myself to something for my body. At $40.00 this 6.8- ounce bottle isn’t an outrageous price for a high end name.

Clarins calls par Armour a “delicate yet luxurious shower cream fragranced with sensual, floral, woody notes.” Personally the phrase they use “that’s as precious and enveloping as love itself. Pure, pristine, white, pearly drops caress the skin for a refreshing shower or a relaxing bath morning or evening. Draw us a picture of love…”
(www.clarins.com) is so sappy I might not have bought it had I read that first.I bought it because I liked the smell and it felt good on my skin in the store.

What it is like:

It comes in a bottle with a red heart and red cap. It would make a nice Valentine’s present! At first sniff it smells wonderful.

The company describes it as having sensual, floral-woody notes. In general I don’t like floral smells but in the bottle it is subtle. There is definitely a floral aroma. Woody? To me that means musk, pine, or sandalwood. I think it smells too feminize for me to say I smell those notes. The sandlewood is not strong. It is a smell I really like and would like to have more of in par Amour.

This is a creamy, white lotion. It starts out feeling a bit greasy and thick but absorbs nicely leaving no greasy feeling at all.

It immediately offers moisture to my hands and legs which is where I use it. The scent lasts for hours. The smell is strong when it first goes on and of course dissipates as the day wears on.

What is in it?

The notes are that of Ottoman Rose which Clarins says is “full and bursting with femininity.” Sandalwood, “a mature wood with a sweet, exotic fragrance.” Pink Peppercorn and Black Currants which “deliver a burst of spontaneity and spicy freshness.” Shea which nourishes and sunflower which “Sunflower oil is loaded with vitamins (A, D and especially E) and also contains calcium, zinc, potassium, iron and phosphorus - wonderfully nourishing to the skin.” (http://www.prairielandherbs.com/ingredients.htm)

There are a whole host of ingredients on the box. Getting out my magnifying glass I see water, sodium laureth sulfate, linalool and many ingredients I can’t pronounce. I will be glad to write them out if need be. Sodium laureth sulfate has been known to cause allergies in some people. There is much research on this. I have tried to stay away from this product but I pick my battles.

My final thoughts:

I liked par Amour but I don't love it. I wouldn't buy it again. It leaves my skin feeling soft and a little goes a long way.

I would only recommend it for those who want a scented moisturizer. The smell is above subtle so you will not be able to put this on in the morning unless you wear the matching perfume.

I have found that it is easy to get sick of if I use it every day. It would be nice if it were offered in a smaller, less expensive size.

592 words. This is an entry in sleeper 54’s Lean-n-mean Five write off.

Clarins Instant Light Perfecting Touch Concealer
Clarins Hydra-Balance Tinted Moisturizer SPF 6
Clarins Blush Powder

Recommended: Yes