Clarins

Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in Sweet Rose

May 15th, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

Who’s that weirdo girl at the makeup counter with her nose in the blushes?

That would be me. 🙂

In case you were wondering (because I totally was), this Clarins Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour in Sweet Rose does not smell like a sweet rose.

It smells like Axl Rose when I watch him in old Guns N’ Roses videos on YouTube…which means that it doesn’t really smell like anything because you can’t smell a YouTube video (yet).

Sweet in name and looks only, it’s a powder blush from the Clarins spring collection that has been out for a while. There are four different rosy pink blushes in the pan, all flush up against each other, two mattes and two shimmers.

You know the drill — mix ’em together or wear them apart, although the thin strips of blush on the left side are fairly narrow, which makes applying them on your cheeks using the included mini brush somewhat challenging. I recommend using a tapered eye brush instead and having some patience.

I end up just swirling all of the shades together with a blush brush 1) because it’s easier that way, and 2) I actually prefer the combined rosy pink color. Looks very natural.

Obvs, there are a ton of pink blushes out there, but this one, when you wear the colors mixed together, has a sweet whisper of warm peach. The color is just a little different than usual. It makes you look like you just got back from a bike ride or a brisk walk, and it’s available now ($31 for a 0.2-oz. pan) online and at Clarins counters.

P.S.

You Can Always Count on Cat Butts…and Something Casual and Summery From Clarins, Like Their New Lip Balm Crayons

May 30th, 2014 by Karen 28 Comments

The new Clarins Lip Balm Crayons, $20 each

There are some things we can always count on, like…

That cats will stick their kitty butts in our face, often at inopportune moments
That Clarins will knock out a new line of lovely lip products for summer

Clarins is just so good about the whole glossy, effortless lip look thing — the kind of makeup where it looks like you were summoned by the gods and washed up on a tropical shore solely for the purpose of looking seductively pouty, with your luxuriously wavy hair (seaweed artfully woven into it); bronzed, glistening skin and your lips that shine bright like a diamond (Shine bright like a diamond).

Clarins Lip Balm Crayons from the left: 01 My Pink, 02 Tender Pink, 03 Tender Coral, 04 Sweet Cherry, 05 Delicious Plum and 06 Soft Coffee — From the left: 01 My Pink, 02 Tender Pink, 03 Tender Coral, 04 Sweet Cherry, 05 Delicious Plum and 06 Soft Coffee

Their new line of limited edition moisturizing Lip Balm Crayons (which taste and smell like vanilla milkshake, OMG, YUM!) totally nails that summery lip look. Each retractable pencil lavishes lips with sheer color and glossy shine, while a moisturizing, lightweight mix of mango, apricot and shea butter hydrates your parched pout.

Clarins Lip Balm Crayon in My Pink — 01 My Pink

You might find yourself craving all six shades, but you may only need one (or two), because at some point, I think they all start to look the same, especially if your lips are quite pigmented like mine.

I suppose you could blank out the natural color of your lips first using something like OCC’s Tarred + Feathered Lip Balm Duo, and then layer a Clarins Crayon on top to coax out more of its color (you makeup overachiever, you!), but, you know, it’s a lip balm… I don’t think it’s supposed to be that complicated.

Clarins Lip Balm Crayon in Creamy Pink — 02 Creamy Pink

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Current Hair Styling Product Obsessions From Oribe, Kerastase and Clarins

March 13th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

New hair obsessions from Kerastase, Clarins and Oribe

Hair are a few products that have been rocking my mop lately.

Get it…? Hair? 🙂

Oribe Foundation Mist ($24)

My stylist buddy Alis at Fox + Stone Salon has been raving about Oribe Foundation Mist for ages, but I decided I needed a bottle after I hair modeled (is that even a phrase? Hair modeled?) for that Oribe class at the salon a few weeks back.

Basically, it’s hair primer. Sprayed on wet or dry hair, it smooths the hair cuticle so that styling products apply more smooth and evenly. It also detangles, enhances shine and provides UV protection.

The effect is subtle…but it is noticeable and I dig it.

I mean, it’s not a dramatic, in-your-face difference that’s gonna make you go “WHOA!” when you see yourself in the mirror, but my hair is definitely shinier, less tangly and easier to style when I prep it with this. I also see a little more volume.

I’ve been using it daily, and I’ve already decided to get another bottle when this one runs out.

Kerastase Spray a Porter ($35)

Game changer!

Seriously, where has Kerastase Spray a Porter been all my life?? If you want big, messy bed head/beach hair, it’s right here.

It even passes the “El Hub Test.” He normally never notices when I do something different with my hair (seriously, it took the man TWO WEEKS to notice that I added pink streaks), but whenever I wear this, he usually says something like, “Babe, your hair looks hot.”

LOL!

It’s very similar to Bumble & Bumble’s Salt Spray but less drying and doesn’t leave my hair feeling crunchy. Sprayed on wet or dry hair, it adds texture, volume and light hold. Perfect for lightly lifted, bombshell Victoria’s Secret beachy waves.

I use this after the Oribe Foundation Mist. I just spray it on my roots, on the ends, in my bangs — basically all over the place. Really great for sulty, slightly messy hair that isn’t too messy.

Clarins Sunscreen Spray Oil-Free Lotion SPF30 ($35)

Clarins Sunscreen Spray Oil-Free Lotion SPF30 is really freaking cool. It’s a new dry oil sunscreen spray for body, hair and scalp! It’s like sun protection multitasking to the Nth degree.

It’s water resistant, sweat resistant, doesn’t leave my skin or hair feeling greasy, and it smells like a tropical vacation. For use on wet or dry skin or hair.

Bay Area Clarins fans, pop by Bloomingdale’s in SF to visit the new Clarins spa opening this Friday, March 14. Just Call (415) 856-5459 to book an appointment.

U Luxury Color Protectant Hair Perfume in Bianca ($35)

OK, U Luxury Color Protectant Hair Perfume in Bianca hasn’t officially made it on to my Hair Obsessions list yet because I just started using it, but I still think it’s worth mentioning because it’s kind of interesting and neat.

Hair perfume — just like the name says — but with UV protection. It has a citrusy grapefruit scent (you know I loves me some grapefruit), although I do have to say that when I first smelled it, the alcohol was very, very strong. It’s the first item listed on the ingredient list, so I hope it doesn’t dry out my mop.

One Pan of Eyeshadow, A Trio of Looks! A Smokey Plum Eye Makeup Tutorial Trifecta

March 3rd, 2014 by Karen 22 Comments

Are you ready for three ways to work a smokey (or smoky, depending on your preference) plum eye?

Here are THREE different ways to rock the new Clarins Smoky Plum Ombre Minérale Mono Eye Shadow ($21)…or any other eyeshadow you like.

(Click here to watch the video on YouTube.)

The first look is the most casual one, good for daytime. The second is slightly turned up, like for grabbing drinks after work, and the third is a full-on smokey look with lashes, drama and the whole nine yards.

Definitely one for a big night out…or perhaps just to run errands around town, if you’re a diva like that. 😀

I’m using a shimmery purplish taupe shadow in the video, but you could definitely swap that out for another purple or taupe from your collection.

OOH! I think something like MAC Satin Taupe or Shale would look really pretty.

Or, you could skip the purple entirely and go with something like a shimmery bronze, brown, green, gold or blue. Seriously — whatever your heart desires at this moment! The most important thing is that you like it. Whatever it is, you’ll do great. 🙂

Clarins Smoky Plum Eye Shadow — Lashes, BAM! (Yup, this is the third look…)

A smokey plum eye makeup tutorial — A better look at my lids from the final look…

Products mentioned in the video…

Clarins Ombre Mineral Mono Eye Shadow in Smoky Plum ($21)
MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder ($16)
MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25)
MAC 217 Blending Brush ($24)
Katy Perry Lashes in Punk Princess ($6.99)

Thank you for watching! If you give it a try, snap a quick pic and tweet it to me @karenmbb, or tag me at hashtag #makeupandbeautyblog on Instagram. Please!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

New Clarins Smoky Plum Ombre Minérale Mono Eye Shadow Ignites Hotter Smokey Eyes

February 26th, 2014 by Karen 29 Comments

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.

Clarins Smoky Plum swatches on NC42 skin dry (left) and wet (right) — Smoky Plum swatches on NC42 skin dry (left) and wet (right)

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).

A swatch of Smoky Plum swatch on NW25 skin — Swatches of Smoky Plum swatch on NW25 skin dry (left) and wet (right)

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!

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Is the New Clarins Opalescence Face & Blush Powder Out of This World?

February 21st, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

Took me a while to say goodbye to this gorgeous design. I didn’t want to mess up the pretty pan.

Is it just me (probably), but doesn’t it look a little astronomical/sci-fi?

Whoa! Did you see that? I thought I saw a satellite fly by… 🙂

I actually don’t think it’s supposed to be interstellar. I think Clarins was going for graphic design.

I like it — the contrasting lines and circles. Very artsy-fartsy, isn’t it?

Clarins Opalescence Face & Blush Powder — Face & Blush Powder is one of 14 products in the new Clarins Opalescence Spring 2014 collection

I must say…kudos to Clarins for being so consistent with their limited edition blushes. I can pretty much always count on them to 1) never leave me looking like a deranged clown, 2) smell great (this one smells like jasmine) and 3) be really easy to use.

Opalescence Face & Blush Powder ($40) is no exception.

Technically, it’s designed to be used as an all-over face powder, a contour powder and a blush. Just dust the matte pinkish beige on your shiny spots, sculpt your cheekbones with the matte tan, and add a little color to the apples of your cheeks with the matte coral. (The shimmery gold, by the way, is an overspray and disappears after the first few swipes.)

Clarins Opalescence Face & Blush Powder Swatch — All three of Opalescence’s shades blended together

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A Cream Blush Crush in the Making: The New Multi-Blush Cream Blushes by Clarins

February 20th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

If you fiendishly covet the Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel cream blushes ($38 each), you just may love these new cream blushes by Clarins ($30 each).

They have a similarly satiny, natural-looking finish, comparably kick-@ss wear time (6-8 hours!), and I think they’re just as easy to apply and blend, whether atop bare skin or foundation.

I’ve been wearing them on top of NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation a lot lately for fresh-faced cheeks. 🙂

To apply them, I’ll use either a skunk brush or fingers, and both work well. But FYI — if you do use a brush, be prepared to bust out your heavy duty brush cleanser later, because these creams really cling to brush fibers.

For cleaning these and other brushes, I like Dr. Bronner’s All-One Magic Soap. It always gets my brushes squeaky clean.

All four of these shades are part of the new Clarins Opalescence spring collection, blooming now on Clarins counters and online for $30 each.

Clarins Multi Blush Swatches from the left: 01 Peach, 02 Candy, 03 Grenadine and 04 Rosewood — Multi-Blush Swatches from the left: 01 Peach, 02 Candy, 03 Grenadine and 04 Rosewood

Clarins Multi-Blushes in Peach and Grenadine — Wearing a mix of the Peach shade and the Grenadine shade on my cheeks

The Cool New Hues in the Clarins Vibrant Light Eye Quartet Mineral Palette Love Warm Skin Tones, Too

February 19th, 2014 by Karen 26 Comments

Well, well. Quelle surprise!

I really did not expect the cool-toned plum, pink, gray and white shadows in the new Clarins Vibrant Light Eye Quartet Mineral Palette to get along at all with warm-toned skin like mine, but then what do I know? I also didn’t think that watching Bravo every day for a month would turn my brain to curdled cheese, which it has, haha!

I guess if there’s a lesson here, it’s that you just never know when it comes to eye quads or reality television.

That is, unless we’re talking about The Millionaire Matchmaker, in which case you pretty much do know what’s going to go down, but you (I) keep watching anyway because you (I) can’t look away. 🙂

(Incidentally, does anyone else miss Dustin and Rachel? I think the show is pretty lame without them…)

Vibrant Light. One of 14 pieces in the new Opalescent spring 2014 collection. Cool-toned, fo’ sho’, but surprisingly wearable, even on warm-toned skin.

Par for the Clarins course, these shadows perform exceptionally well, blending without a hitch and lasting a full 8-hour day without exhibiting any fallout, and only the slightest fading. They can be worn wet or dry, too (I’m wearing them dry).

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