Clarins

The Clarins Spring 2012 Prodige Lip Glosses in Candy and Blackberry Smell So Good That I Can Hardly Bear It

January 20th, 2012 by Karen 14 Comments

Wearing Clarins Prodige Lip Gloss in Blackberry

Yum, Clarins! Whose idea was it to make these new Prodige Lip Glosses in Blackberry and Candy taste and smell like red gummi bears.

Genius! He/she is a total prodigy, haha!

Sorry, couldn’t resist. 🙂

And the colors? So pigmented, and yet I still like the way they pair with the soft, springy blues in the Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Blue Sky and the sheer Instant Light Blush in Coral Tonic.

Who’d a thunk it?

Wearing Clarins Prodige Lip Gloss in Candy

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From the left: Gloss Prodige in Blackberry and Candy ($20 each), Instant Light Blush in Coral Tonic ($28)
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The Clarins Colour Breeze Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Blue Sky and Conversations with My Cat

January 19th, 2012 by Karen 57 Comments

The Clarins Colour Breeze Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Blue Sky

Conversations with my cat, January 19, 2012

Tabs: It’s cold and yucky outside today, Mom.

Karen: I know, Tabby.

Tabs: I miss the sunshine.

Karen: Me too, lovebug.

Tabs: When it’s warm again, will we go outside?

Karen: Of course. We’ll put your leash on and walk down the hill and explore. Maybe we’ll even see turkeys.

Tabs: Those birds are big, but I could take â€˜em.

Karen: You sure could. It’s one of the pros of being a big-boned boy.

Tabs: Will we ever see blue sky again?

Karen: I know it feels like we won’t right now, but be patient. It’s like this every year. It gets cold and gray for a little bit, but then the sun comes back again.

Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t we take out the new Clarins eyeshadow quad from the spring 2012 collection? It’s called Colour Breeze Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Blue Sky ($40), and the colors look exactly like the sky on a sunny day.

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Tabs: Okay. Maybe I can sit on your desk and look outside for a bit while you do your makeup?
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Clarins Coral Tonic Is a Light Pick-Me-Up for Cheeks

January 18th, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

If delicate, diaphanous cheeks are on your spring wish list, make a note about the new Clarins Instant Light Blush in Coral Tonic ($28) in the margins before you send your list to the Easter Bunny.

Everything about this shimmery golden coral blush says “sweet.” Picture yourself waiting at the curb for the ice cream truck on a sunny spring day (order me a Drumstick, please!). That flush of color on your cheeks? That’s Coral Tonic. 🙂

One of three limited edition blushes in the new Clarins Spring Collection for 2012, Coral Tonic couldn’t be a whole lot easier or quicker to apply.

Not quite a liquid or a cream, it has the consistency of a sheer, fluffy whipped mousse, and it melts into my skin within seconds of blending. Because Clarins dialed back the pigment, the applicator doesn’t draw any high contrast edges that would take a lot of time to smooth.

For a dainty flush, I brush a quick 1-inch swipe on each cheek with the sponge applicator, blend out the edges with my fingers, and wait a few seconds for it to dry. I’ve been repeating the process a second time, but one layer should suffice if you’re much lighter than I. The color lasts on me between 5-6 hours.

Clarins also snuck in an extra touch, a light freesia scent that lingers on my fingers after application. It’s subtle enough that I don’t smell it on my cheeks while I’m wearing it, but the boys in my life (El Hub and Tabs) should get a nice surprise the next time they come in for a cheek kiss.

I tried Coral Tonic in combination with a bunch of different products (atop bare skin, primer, tinted moisturizer, foundation, powder, etc.), and I think the less it’s worn with, the better it looks.

When I want a fresh, dewy look, I start by applying Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer all over my face. Then, I add a layer of MAC Strobe Cream (also all over my face), and finish with one or two layers of Coral Tonic, just on the apples of my cheeks.

Easy, dressed-down and casual — purrrfect for lounging around the house and, say, watching a Real Housewives marathon, or making a quick run to Trader Joe’s for Mango Bars.

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Clarins Colour Breeze Collection for Spring 2012 Pics and Swatches

January 13th, 2012 by Karen 20 Comments

clarins colour breeze spring 2012 (1)

Oh, sweet Friday, how I love thee so…

Happy Friday, friend. 🙂 I hope you’re doing well. Me? I’m dealing with the aftereffects of an almost sleepless night (blasted insomnia!), but I’m beginning to feel better now. Colour Breeze, the new Clarins collection for spring 2012, has certainly helped.

The 12-piece release for eyes, lips, and cheeks can hardly wait for winter to end. Available now at Clarins counters and also online, it’s all about bright and fresh, with shades of pink, blue, coral, red and brown.

Reviews coming soon, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at six of the upcoming pieces. Take a gander, and let me know what you think.