Pretty in peach

Peach is the new pink. More youthful than girlie, it brings freshness to the cheeks and brightness to the lips. Clarins picks up on peach for its new Opalescence spring make-up collection. It’s delicate and light with a wisp of the romantic. Their Cream Blush melts like ice cream into the skin to sculpt, smooth and add a wash of colour, where lips are given a choice of Gloss Prodige – an ultra glossy, non sticky formula that smoothes lips, making them look naturally fuller thanks to the smart Suprashine Colour Complex, or Joli Rouge Brilliant Sheer Shine Lipstick. Semi-sheer, it adds a jolt of colour and is lip-tastic to apply. You can swipe without a mirror as the bullet is incredibly soft. So the collection doesn’t come across as too saccharine, it’s pulled back with their Mineral Eyeshadow in Smoky Plum. Giving a modern smoky eye, it’s highly pigmented and can be used wet for added drama. Balances out sweet cheeks and a peachy pout something wonderful.

Clarins Opalescence make-up collection on counter now.

Cream Blush, £18.

Mineral Eyeshadow, £17

Gloss Prodige, £17

Joli Rouge Brilliant Sheer Shine Lipstick, £18

www.clarins.com

the cream-off to pollution

I don’t normally go cock-a-hoop over a cleanser, but as the cornerstone of all good skincare, I’d like to platform Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream. My skin gets it very fair share of pollutants. Commuting and working in the city I’m sure my pores are begging for their own oxygen masks. To be honest, I’ve always used a wash-off cleanser as I like that fresh feeling skin water can bring, plus psychologically it makes skin feel clean. But I’m doing a somersault on that thinking after trying this cream of cleansers.

The ritual is somewhat different. It’s suggested you take a small amount in the palms of your hands and bring it to skin temperature by rubbing briefly. Apply the cream to a dry face. Now, this is the fun bit. Lift hands briskly off the face, repeating this movement around 7 times from the middle of the face to the sides, then 5 times on each side of the neck. The cleanser thickens and creates a ‘suction’ effect to lift off make-up and pollution without irritating the skin. I then wipe off with a muslin cloth. I like it for two reasons. The formulation is very velvety and comforting with nourishing ingredients of jojoba oil and mango and shea butter. It feels lovely if skin is particularly parched. And secondly my skin has taken on a bloom. It may well be that slap and tickle suction action that revs up skin circulation, but then again it maybe Moringa Seed – the anti-pollution active ingredient. Then again, it may be a combination of both. Who cares – it works!

Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream, £25

www.clarins.com

Clarins score an A star for their BB Cream!

Yes, beauty shelves are groaning with the weight of BB creams, but I thought I’d mention this one, as it’s new this month and from Clarins – so you just know you’re going to get more beauty bang from your buck!

Decidedly more  than just a tinted moisturiser, Clarins Skin Perfecting Cream SPF25 is make-up that actually behaves like a skin treatment. Many say it, but don’t deliver it. A creamy, barely-there veil, it firstly offers 100% natural mineral sun filters from both UVA and UVB protection. I like to think of it as the Jack Bauer of skin protection – you're covered from all angles! Secondly it helps reboot skin with anti-fatigue and energising extracts. One of these is the I haven’t-heard-of-it-before Katatfray Bark. Apparently this helps stimulate natural hydration and minimise the appearance of fine lines. Finally, skin looks smoother and more even thanks to their great sounding 3D Radiance along with light-correcting pigments, which all-in-all goes to Hollywood up your skin. Shadowy areas are brightened without looking cakey. Available in three shades – light, medium and dark, I give this BB Cream an A Star!

Clarins BB Skin Perfecting Cream SPF25 costs £28  

South America here we come!

SUMMER BRONZING COMPACT

We are still wearing beanie hats. We are still wearing gloves. But it doesn’t mean our faces have to look frozen in time! Cheat the weather and add a spot of spring time loveliness to your make-up bag.

Clarins aren’t feeling the cold, not not one bit of it. Their The Splendours collection is a riot of hot gorgeous colour inspired by South America. Driven by a heady mix of bronzes, golds and gem like jewels, together they deliver a passionate warmth and glow to the face.

INSTANT SMOOTH CRYSTAL LIP BALM

The two standout products for me are the Limited Edition Summer Bronzing Compact embossed with a South American inspired motif. Soft browns and terracottas make up the palette, and once swirled across the face – pay attention to cheekbones, temples and the tip of the nose for a genuine sun kissed feel, looks au natural and pretty. The added fragrance gives a fleeting taste of summer too. My second picking is their Limited Edition Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms. Very Andy Warhol, their pop art appearance is edgy, but they are one of the easiest lip balms to work with. Ultra smooth they practically glide on all by themselves. Lips are treated to an explosion of subtle colour whilst keeping them super hydrated and lip smacking comfortable. In fact, they’re so fool-proof to use, you don’t even need a mirror to apply.  Now, if that isn’t enough to melt your cold cosmetic heart, I don’t know what is!

Clarins Summer Bronzing Compact, £30

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm is available in four shades at £18 each.

The collection is available from April.

Clarins blooms for spring

THE IRIS. A FLOWER OF INTENSE BEAUTY

Just had to do a short and sweet post on Clarins two star products for their gorgeous spring colours inspired by the beauty of the Iris flower.

The Limited Edition Face & Blush Powder, £30 (below) has the Iris imprinted on the trio of complexion enlivening shades to give skin a spring glow and even tone. A silky-smooth compact, simply whirl a soft brush over to pick up all shades and dust over the face. The Light-Optimizing + Complex reduces the intensity of lines and imperfections for a flawless finish.

The Limited Edition Eye Quartet Mineral Palette, £30 (above) is a line up of four shimmering mineral eye shades. The Iris is a 'showy' flower and this reflects in the shades of an intense plum, white highlighter, nutmeg brown and a deep black liner. Smudge, blend and shade for a bewitching eye.

In store now or online at www.clarins.co.uk

A lipstick worth talking about

Mwah! It’s beauty rumoured that women who wear lipstick kiss their partners more often than women who don’t. It's also said they're ready to kick off their heels and enjoy life more than those who prefer to leave their lips slick bare. Doesn’t that say something about the increased confidence women get from wearing lipstick?

Hot on the lip-licious factor is Clarins new Rouge Eclat Satin Finish Age-Defying Lipstick which is launching in January. With lips at their pout best around the age of 16 – after the first flush of youth, lips gradually lose their pillow fullness with age unless you resort to fillers; Clarins have created a long-lasting colour along with an injection of their Nutri-Youth Complex. Protecting lips against dehydration and helping to boosts collagen, the formulation feels super nourishing and cushioning thanks to the inclusion of vitamin E and plant waxes. Remember, a dry lip adds up to a thinner looking lip. Plus, they’re lip-smacking tasty too with a blackberry and liquorice flavour. Beautifully encased in gold, cherry pick from 15 gorgeous shades catalogued under subtle nudes, rich and warm and vibrant brights. An Angelina Jolie mouth is not guaranteed, but surely this has to be a lipstick lust for the start of the new year.

Clarins Rouge Eclat Lipstick, £18.50 available from January.

Clarins Christmas Crackers

Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and desire

Twinkle. Sparkle. Special. Everything you would expect from Christmas cosmetic collections. Far from looking like you could be decorating the Christmas tree, Clarins have brought out  classy compacts that gives the Midas touch.

 

 

 

Odyssey Face Palette

Odyssey Eye Quartet Palette

Odyssey takes inspiration from the Greek Gods – mythical, strong and enchanting by showcasing a collection of two limited edition compacts which would be worthy of  Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty and desire or Dionysus, the god of wine, parties and festivals! Either way, the collection truly does bathe your beauty in the best possible light – minus a Hollywood technician, as the coppery and warms golds alongside metallic tones and jewel-like powders flatter every complexion. Each palette is embossed with the Odyssey emblem of Ancient Greece.

Odyssey emblem of Ancient Greece

The Odyssey Face Palette is a silky-smooth powder with a light-optimizing+ complex with helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections. Skin is left looking deliciously bronzed with a slight golden-y shimmer, but not overly tanned – now that would look ridiculous in winter!  The Odyssey Eye Quartet Mineral Palette is a collection of four last-the-day-and-night eye colours which can either by worn solo or layered up for a more bewitching evening look. The gold leaf highlighter adds the gilt effect. Give a wink to your Santa and I’m sure they can be slipped into your stocking!

Odyssey Face Palette, £35 and Odyssey Eye Quartet Mineral Palette, £30 both available this month.

www.clarins.co.uk

Clarins does pretty with pink

Clarins are on fire for next season. A month or so ago I highlighted their 3-Dot Liner – a new generation, easy peasy eyeliner, this week I’m championing their new Skin Illusion Mineral and Plant Extracts Loose Powder Foundation.

I’ve been using mineral powder foundations for a while – Bare Minerals being one favourite. I prefer the way they leave the complexion looking under make-up and not too try-hard. Their USP is giving a natural coverage - it's almost like dusting on a second skin. Mineral foundations  triumph in humid weather too as they don’t slip like a traditional foundation. Moreover, I personally think they make the skin look younger. Some say they find powder, however finely milled collects in fine lines, but honestly, that can be true of all foundations, whether powder or liquid if you’re too heavy handed. Flatness to the skin can be another grumble with powders, but not this one. No sir-ry!

Clarins secret skin twinkle comes from the inclusion of Pink Opal Powder, a radiance enhancing mineral silicon. Pink Opal is extracted in Brazil and is recognised for their powder to diffract the light. In otherwords, they create an optical, luminous effect on the skin’s surface. When my skin is looking a little below par, I always gravtate towards a pink scarf or sweater. Worn near the skin it immediately gives the impression of putting bloom back into my cheeks. I liken this powder to wrapping a pink feather boa around your neck. A lightness of pretty in seconds!

Now for the innovative packaging. Twist off the lid and inside is a flat, round brush you simply pop out. How clever is that? Perfect for quick touch-ups without any spills or fuss, dip the brush into the powder, tap off excess and swirl and buff onto the skin until you’re good to glow.

Clarins Skin Illusion Mineral & Plant Extracts Loose Powder Foundation costs £28.
Available in six shades from House of Fraser from 6^th September and nationwide from 24^th September.