About Clara International

The Founder & Pioneer

“It is my pride to dedicate my life to the world of beauty, making others beautiful through safe and ethical practices.” – Prof. Datin Dr. Clara L. Chee

Founder & Chairperson of Clara International Beauty Group
A pioneer and legendary icon in the beauty industry in Malaysia, Asia and around the world.

In 1977, she founded Clara International Beauty Group, a beauty salon and academy. Starting with a single outlet in Petaling Jaya a district in Malaysia, the brand has now evolved into one of the largest beauty chains in Malaysia and with affiliates in various parts of the world.

Clara International boasts over 50 centres in major towns in Peninsular and East Malaysia and in countries such as China, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan, Brunei and Dubai.

The Story

Prof. Datin Dr. Clara started her career in the beauty industry since 1967 as a beauty consultant. Seeing great potential in the beauty and wellness industries, she decided to set up her own beauty salon with the help of two friends and two qualified aestheticians. Her consummate interest in beauty led her to acquire further knowledge in Britain, the University of De Montfort UK (formerly known as Leicester Polytechnic) for research studies and the U.S to further her medicinal, cosmetics chemistry and formulations. She later attained her honorary doctorate in cosmetics formulation and technology from Western Pacific University in 1996.

Prof. Datin Dr. Clara is widely recognized for her dedication, achievements and relentless search for beauty perfection. Apart from her positions in Clara International Beauty Group as a Chairman, Head of Research & Development (R&D) for Best Cosmetic Laboratories and Director of Clara Beauty Products in Shenyang China; she assumes many other positions in various beauty and cosmetic organizations. In Malaysia she is one of the five outstanding women in the Medicinal Service Industry.

“Prof. Datin Dr. Clara has not stopped at Founding Clara Group but also continues to Find the perfection of beauty.”

The Beginning of Quality

Being a product formulator herself, Prof. Datin Dr Clara has profound interest in the formulation of skin care products that is most suitable for the tropical climate. Thus, her foresight has led to the setting up of their very own manufacturing facilities in Malaysia and later in China, Shenyang, bringing in state of the art homogeniser ensuring quality products that equally match overseas standards.

In order to instill greater confidence in our customers, the manufacturing plant is accredited with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) status endorsed by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia and the MS ISO 9001:2000 certifications.

Essentially, Clara International’s herbal- based skin care products are uniquely formulated and sold exclusively in its aesthetic salons. Clara International skin care products are also ideal for all skin types and all age groups. All Clara International skin care products are Halal certified by Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) the authority of Malaysia Halal Registrar, 100% free from alcohol and animal by-products or derivatives. They are environmental friendly products as well. Clara International products were later endorsed with the Superbrands Malaysia 2003/2004 award.

State of the Art High Technology Machinery from German

The manufacturing plant uses efficient homogenising technology and machinery to produce products of the highest quality and efficacy. It undergone and continue to undergo a multitude of process evolutions along the years. Clara International is proud to be able to purchase and use this sophisticated technology to produce high quality skin care products. With this technology we are able to produce nano-technology products that offer higher level of absorption into the skin and ensure the highest efficacy level.

Research & Development

Clara International team of chemists and microbiologists lead by Prof. Datin Dr. Clara L. Chee perform stringent quality testing to ensure products produced are performance-driven, safe, superior in quality and highly efficacious. Their efforts have been recognised by the Malaysian government and were bestowed the “Industry Excellent Award 2000” by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia, thus giving a global stature to Clara International Herbal Skin Care Products.

Grooming Beauty Experts

The Clara International Education (CIE) Division is today the largest internationally recognised beauty academy in Asia. Back in the year 1979, another milestone was set when the company introduced its education division. To date, the CIAC has successfully trained more than 10,000 local and overseas graduates who are highly demanded by the beauty industry. In fact, Clara International competitors seek to employ CIE graduates the moment they graduate.

Students are trained by highly qualified, dedicated and professional lecturers who hold internationally recognised qualifications. Practical hours were extended to ensure students are well trained and exposed to hands-on practical experiences on live customers in actual salon environment. CIAC offers many locally and internationally recognised professional courses which include Clara International Diploma, CIDESCO Diploma, CIBTAC (UK) Diploma, GLOBAL International Diploma, SKM Certificates, World Complexion Certificate and many more.

Looking back, Prof. Dr. Clara L. Chee was instrumental in bringing in the CIDESCO training programme to Malaysia. As a pioneer who sets high standard for the country, she was awarded the “Medaille du Merite” (CIDESCO Professional Standard and Status Award) in recognition of her professionalism and commitment. Clara International Education is also the first beauty academy awarded the MS ISO 9001:2000 certification in 2002, a testimony of high quality skills and knowledge provider.

CLARA International Beauty Salons

Since inception, Prof. Dr. Clara L. Chee’s hard work together with her husband Dato’ Woo Ser Chai’s strong support has brought the business to greater heights with rapid growth and expansion.

Many Clara International salons were seen mushrooming in all major cities in both Malaysia and around the world. From a humble beginning, the company has evolved into a beauty conglomerate with a with network of beauty salons in Asia and around the world.

Clara International beauty franchise program is flexible and allows enterprising individuals and corporations to participate in the beauty and wellness industries. Franchisees will receive a comprehensive and integrated business model as well as continuous support from the corporate office.

On a similar note, Clara Network (M) Sdn. Bhd. is currently a Life Member of Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA), and was the country’s Top 10 Franchise for the year 2001/2002 and 2003/2004.

In the year 2003, Clara International introduced franchising as a main stream expansion strategy to expand its network overseas. The sister company – Clara Network (M) Sdn. Bhd. was established to manage the franchise business.

This approach once again brought in great success as the company’s network of salons spread its wings to other parts the world, namely China, Brunei, UAE, India, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and The US. Continuous flow of inquiries is a further testimony of a steady expansion internationally.

Clara International beauty franchise program is flexible and allows enterprising individuals and corporations to participate in the beauty and wellness industries. Franchisees will receive a comprehensive and integrated business model as well as continuous support from the corporate office.

On a similar note, Clara Network (M) Sdn. Bhd. is currently a Life Member of Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA), and was the country’s Top 10 Franchise for the year 2001/2002 and 2003/2004.

Education & Awareness Campaign

Every year, Prof. Datin Dr. Clara L. Chee conducts beauty talk entitled “Professionalism & Ethical Practices for Life Long Health Wellness & a Healthy Naturally Lovely Skin”, advocating the importance of selecting the right skincare products as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility. The campaign highlights important issues such as ingredients used in skincare, care and concerns of quick fixes and treatments, as well as numerous case studies compiled from her decades of skincare practices and treatments.