The promo image for Clarins Spring 2013 collection really caught my eye… mainly as it’s not typically Spring. The collection does contain the usual pinks and corals, but they sit alongside richer hues that add depth and an almost ethereal quality. I love the softness of this model’s eye makeup, exactly the look I’m loving at the moment, her lightly flushed peach cheeks and deep lip. In my mind this look would work just as well with jeans and a tee as an evening gown: my kind of makeup!
Here’s a few more pieces from the collection before I show swatches of the lipstick.
Eye Quartet Violette - four shimmering mineral eye shades embossed with the iris flower - an intense violet plum, white highlighter , khaki-golden taupe and a deep black liner. My highlight of the collection, this contains a delicious mix, again adding a twist to pretty pastels and brights - enabling a range of looks that could actually carry you through the year. This is one Spring item that could definitely work right now in bitter cold January!
Face Palette - like last year, this palette incorporates powder with little streaks of pink and peach designed to be used as blush. The fact that these are closer together should make them easier to use separately than previous designs.
Joli Rouge Lipstick in Watermelon & Gloss Prodige in Vibrant Rose
Joli Rouge Lipstick in Sweet Plum #18
I adore the lip shade in the promo pic, (which I’m assuming is Sweet Plum as the other colours have pink or peachy tones). In this natural light shot it looks quite deep and dark, though a blue undertone is clear.
With flash you can see there is quite a lot of shimmer, a definite blue undertone and more deep fuchsia than plum. Initially I was a little disappointed, but this colour does seem to change when in contact with my skin - here are some swatches…
The swatches show just how sheer this lipstick can be worn; a single pass provides the slightest hint of colour, which can be built to the intensity you like. The darker swatch is 4 or 5 passes. The texture is deeply moisturising and feels very comfortable on the lips.
The second lip shot was taken in natural light about 20 minutes after application. Note how the blue shimmer has softened if not disappeared; it does in fact settle to a soft Sweet Plum.
Clarins Spring 2013 launches this month, so keep an eye out next time you’re near a counter. I’d love to know what you think of this collection… would the Eye Quartet Violette be your top pick too?
