Critics are calling Smoky Plum “The sleeper hit of spring shadows!”
Well, not really… I have no idea what they’re calling it, but I’m calling it ohmygoshLURVE! 🙂
Watch out! — or this shadow will steal your heart (like it stole mine).
I mean, I love Clarins and all, but when I think of sultry, pulse-quickening smokey shadows, Clarins doesn’t usually spring to mind. Most of the time I head over to NARS, MAC, Chanel or Tom Ford for that.
But Smoky Plum, one of 14 pieces in the new Opalescence spring collection, could confidently hold its own with the smokiest of the smokey. Surprisingly complex, I think it’s definitely worth considering if you’re on the prowl for your next great smokey shadow.
A shimmery bronzed purple with taupe tendencies, it’s designed to be worn wet or dry, which just means that applying it with a wet brush head coaxes out more of the pigment and enhances the metallic finish.
Either way, applied wet or dry, I think Smoky Plum is pretty damned hot, and I used a combination of wet and dry applications for my makeup in these pics to get those light-to-dark gradients I love when I wear smokey eyes (incidentally, I like to spell smokey with an ‘e’ before the ‘y,’ while Clarins spells it without one).
Wait ’til you get this purple puppy on your lids. Smoky Plum swatches beautifully on the back of a hand, but I think it’s infinitely prettier on eyes.
The first time I applied it, I remember looking in the mirror with the finished look and blinking incredulously a few times. Suddenly, tiny little flecks of silvery glitter appeared out of nowhere!
Oh, and did I mention that it blends like a dream? On top of that, it lasts all day.
What do you get when you combine plum, taupe and bronze with a soft, silky formula and a shimmering, sparkly finish? How about this: the je ne sais quois that takes this eyeshadow from “Yeah, that’s pretty” to “Oh, my gawd, Becky, if I don’t get it I will cut a b*tch!”
I’m talking zero to rabid in less than 10 seconds, no joke. For me, Smoky Plum is the must-have morsel from the Clarins spring collection. Love with extra 
.
PRICE: $21
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Clarins counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
Enjoy the silence…
No, I’m not quoting my favorite Depeche Mode song of all time (Somebody runs a close second…although you might not want to listen to that particular tune if it’s raining and you’re nursing a broken heart. Just an FYI from personal experience.), but since I brought it up, why don’t we blast it for old times’ sake? 🙂
Construction on our condo is officially done. Like, DONE done, and I couldn’t be happier! 🙂
Finding that out was the best part of my day. How about yours?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
This makeup is absolutely beautiful on you.
I haven’t been this excited to try an eye shadow single in quite a while! It looks so lovely on you, Karen!
OMG that is absolutely gorgeous. I must have it. MUST HAVE IT.
What a gorgeous color.
I’m glad the construction is over.
Really beautiful!
It’s funny how the plum tones show up on the skin but are barely noticeable in the pan. Looking at this pan I thought it would be a dark gray-taupe!
I love this look on you! So sexy and sultry 😉
You look gorgeous! The perfect smoky shadow on you
You look gorgeous! The perfect smoky shadow on you
Thats a gorgeous shade! loved that look!
Gorgeous! Out of curiosity, what are you wearing on your bottom lid? On my screen it looks like a green shadow or pencil with a bit of shimmer blended out, but you only mentioned Smolder. Thanks for sharing!
Oooh that smoky eye is simply stunning. I just hate renovations, construction and moving house. We’re moving into our first home tomorrow and the packing is driving me insane. Maybe a nice new eyeshadow to soothe me…
This is the first Clarins eyeshadow I’ve bought in ages, and I love it – which is a total surprise.
Phew! So sexy! 😀
You’re so good at these smoky eye looks, Karen! I am envious 🙂
It looks aaaahmazing on you!!!
Ahhh this is so pretty! I definitely like it much better when it is used wet. It brings out all the dimension!
OMG I think I need to make my first ever Clarins purchase! That is the new hotness! Depeche Mode is my favorite band of all times!
The packaging and color are really pretty. I really like it wet! The look you created is beautiful as always. You make me want to play in makeup lol
This look is stunning on you!!! Gorgeous!!! Need this one.
Initially I didn’t think I was going to like this shade, but it’s gorgeous!
This really is gorgeous, and thank you for the swatch on NW25 skin 🙂
You look stunning with these colors.
Love you for showing us a swatch on some paler skin too! Sometimes these shifty shades can look drastically different on darker/lighter skin tones or even on different undertones. You’re the best!
P.S. can you tell us what that gorgeous gray you used underneath your eyes is? You’re inspiring me to test out using shadow underneath my eyes too. I loved your brown smokey eyes vid because it showed me exactly how you do it, something I haven’t really found in other other tutorials!
My goodness that looks amazeballs swatched and on your eye! I would’ve passed it by in the pan.
That’s a pretty eye look! This shadow reminds me of Chanel’s Illusoire eyeshadow which I love a lot. I’m going to get this, I love smokey plums!!
You look stunning and this shadow looks great on you! Perfect soft, smoky look.
You look fabulous! Love the smokey plum color! Jen
Hahaha that line ‘Oh, my gawd, Becky, if I don’t get it I will cut a b*tch!’ deserves to be an absolute classic. The eyeshadow is so smoking on you.
Such a stunning color!