Clarin's Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Red Berry

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I've been wanting to try Clarin's Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil ($25) for quite a while, so when I saw the new shade Red Berry on Ulta's site I decided it was time to take the plunge.

Clarin's is known for their plant-based oils, now included in a lip treatment that is supposed to moisturize lips while providing high shine. What they don't supply is much color behind a super light tint, although I was hoping that Red Berry would give a bit more oomph than the original Honey and Raspberry versions.

I'm enjoying the plush, oversized doe foot applicator, which feels quite luxurious when applying. The container is sturdy and has a satisfying click top which keeps me from worrying about leakage in my purse.

The oil has a medium to thick consistency that is somewhat tacky without feeling overly sticky.  I like the gloss it provides but despite all the oils, it's not as hydrating and comfortable on as I would like.  I'm very sensitive to dry feeling lips and while initially this feels hydrating, over time my lips still feel like they are craving more moisture.

Bare lips

Interestingly, I'm only seeing Red Berry at Ulta, so I'm not sure if it will be part of the regular line up with the original Honey and Raspberry. Since there is only the slightest tint that is virtually undetectable on the lips, it really boils down more to what color you like looking at in the tube.

I like this and will most likely use it over my Vincent Longo lip/cheek tints, as they definitely benefit from a glossy topper.  But for $25, there are definitely less expensive options out there that provide shine and moisture.

Tonic Body Treatment Oil by Clarins

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I've embraced oils of all kinds - hair, facial, body - you name it, I lik'em. The Tonic Body Treatment Oil by Clarins was part of the Sephora Favorites Skin Wonderland set ($56, no longer available) I purchased during the November F&F sale. I'm still working my way through the items included in the set, but so far it's ranking as one of my favorites of the "Favorites" sets:-)

 

The Clarins' body oil claims to improve skin's elasticity, making it ideal for pregnant women and those going through puberty.  I fall into neither category, but what interested me was the ingredient list that is 100% derived from pure plant extracts:

Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Oil, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate.

The fragrance definitely smells "herbal' to me, which I find pleasant.  I apply immediately after my shower to damp skin and that seals in moisture nicely, leaving my skin soft but not greasy or oily. This is a lighter oil that absorbs quickly, and I don't worry about fabric coming into contact with it. I've got some heavier body oils that did not play nicely with some raw silk pants I own, lesson learned.

The full sized body oil is $58 for 3.4 ounces, which makes it a bit on the pricier side.  I do like it, but am on the fence about purchasing after I finish my smaller travel sized version due to the price and having a surplus of body moisturizers I should be using before they go bad.  Although, a good sale or GWP, which Clarins offers several times a year, could sway me otherwise!

Clarins' Haul

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I continue to be impressed with Clarins' products, from their skincare to their makeup.  So, I took advantage of the recent Valentine's Day GWP offer to pick up another Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster and an item that's been on my wish list - The Lotus Face Treatment Oil. 

The Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster ($30)has become my holy grail facial self-tanner, and a bottle lasted almost an entire year (see full review here).  

The Lotus Face Treatment Oil is formulated for oily skin, which makes it perfect for me. 

I also selected samples of the Blue Orchid and Santal Facial Treatment Oils, as well as the Tonic Body Treatment Oil.  I've actually been using the Santal oil this week, as with the cold weather I thought my skin would benefit from a more moisturizing formula.  So far, I'm loving it.  I also love how generously sized the samples are, as they should last me quite a while.

 

The Valentine's GWP included skincare and makeup items with a sweet white and red makeup bag, which I forgot to photograph.  Here are the items that were inside, however.

Graphic Expression Face and Blush Powder Palette by Clarins

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.  Links provided for convenience only.

When form and function come together, it's a beautiful thing.  I've admired Clarins' lovely face powders in the past for this esthetic appeal, what with the lovely designs and colors.  So, when Clarins recently enticed me with a $20 off purchase coupon (with no minimum price purchase, even), I decided it was time to pick up Graphic Expressions.

 

First impressions are important, and Clarin's brings it with the ruby red coverlet over the shiny gold compact.  Lots of visual appeal here, both inside and out.

The gold overspray brushes off with easily and you are left with a demi-matte combo of apricot/rose/tan that blends together for a warm flush.  Of all the face powders currently on Clarins, this one looked versatile enough to work as both a blush and face powder, and it does. 

Swirling all the colors together produces more color than you would assume give the predominance of beiges and tans in the palette.  However, there is enough width of the tan colors to use those as a soft contour or all over face powder.  I love that the finish is not flat at all.

Graphic Expressions, part of the limited edition 2013 Fall collection, is currently on sale for $24.50 at Clarin's.   With my coupon I paid $4.50 plus shipping, so the bargain shopper in me is very satisfied, Even better, however, is that I will use this a lot!

Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster by Clarins: 3 Drops to Sun-Kissed Skin!

I believe I've found another holy grail item, and it's called Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster.  Brand new from Clarins, it features an exclusive,  99.8% natural formula designed to give a natural looking and even tan on your face and neck.  Plus, it's easy peasy to use.

Just 3 drops, added to your day and/or night moisturizer, give the complexion a sun-kissed glow—no more pasty, winter white skin :-)  Golden Glow Booster must be used in combination with a moisturizer and never alone. Per Clarins, here are the recommended application steps:

Push on bottom of bottle to dispense 2-3 drops

STEP 1: Dispense any day/night moisturizer into the palm of your hand. STEP 2: Turn the bottle upside down. Press the base and dispense 3 drops into your moisturizer. STEP 3: Mix well with moisturizer in the palms of your hands. STEP 4: Apply evenly to your face, neck and décolleté. STEP 5: Wash hands thoroughly and immediately after application.

I've been using mine with my current day SPF moisturizer of choice, Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF30.  Another great item I'll have to post about soon.  I've had no problems such as sensitivity or breakouts after almost 3 weeks of usage.  I do notice one downside - it further darkens age spots and skin discolorations.  That's par for the course, as I notice that on my legs when I use a self tanner.  So, I've had to rely a bit more on spot concealers to deal with that pesky issue, but it's a small price to pay for a bit of color after this long, dreary winter.  

Without Radiance Plus

With Radiance Plus

The price is $30, and a bottle should last me through the summer, as you use so little.  I've been using 2-3 drops daily and there is just a slight dip in volume.  Seriously love this, go Clarins!  That's two for two of the spring release products I've tried thus far, the other having been the Joli Rouge Brilliant lipstick in Coral Tulip.

Coral Tulip Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick by Clarins

I have fallen in love with the Joli Rouge Brilliant lipstick formula by Clarins.  Coral Tulip is actually my first venture into makeup by Clarins, and if Coral Tulip is representative of the quality across the board, I'm impressed!

I'm not sure why the French based Clarins flew under the radar for me, but they've got a lot to recommend them.   Founded in 1954 and with a focus on plant based ingredients, they became the top selling luxury skin care brand in France a few decades later.  Get this - they completely abandoned animal based ingredients way back in 1991!  They are also a socially conscious company and support biodiversity projects and various charities.  Again, I'm impressed.  But hey, you can read more about that here.

Coral Tulip is one of 3 new sheer lipstick colors in the Spring 2014 Opalescence collection.  These lipsticks have the gloss and sheer color of lip balms, yet the wear time was an impressive 3-4 hours for me sans eating.  I found Coral Tulip to be as comfortable as my favorite lip balm, with the extra added benefit of a pop of color that enhanced my lips.  I'm really enjoying the high gloss look of Coral Tulip!

Taken with flash

These are $27, but the heft of the silver tube and the niceness of the formula definitely feels like luxury to me.  I had to restrain myself from buying more colors within a few days of wearing Coral Tulip, although I definitely see myself acquiring more! 

 

I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but I'm not as pasty winter white anymore.  That would be because of another Clarins product I'm crushin' on, more to come about that soon.