I usually feel a bit odd talking about Autumn beauty collections at this time of year, but the weather ‘kindly’ fast forwarded this week, helping me get into the vibe. Clarins Autumn 2015 Makeup collection features a mix of daytime neutrals and more sultry evening looks. I’ve been trying out three of the new neutrals, which are perfect for everyday makeup that leaves you looking polished with very little effort.
PRETTY DAY PALETTE | This Pretty Day eye shadow palette includes a mix of matte and shimmer shades. The tones offer exactly what most people want from a day time palette: a matte cream base, a slightly peach shimmer to enhance the brow bone. (I don’t like OTT shimmer in this area - it can look a bit 80s-tastic - especially for daytime. The subtlety of this is on the money.) The middle beige shimmer has the least payoff (not a criticism; it’s a daytime shadow) and can be used as an inner corner highlight or pressed over one of the other shades to add shimmer. I’m not really a fan of either look for daytime, but no doubt many will be. A matte chocolate brown works well in the crease, as liner, or for definition in the outer corner. My personal favourite is the last cool toned brown with a satin finish, beautiful all over the lid and blended up into the crease, I like wearing this one alone. It also works well as a smokey liner as it has the best payoff of every shade in the palette. Speaking of which, I’m pretty happy with how all of them apply and think the payoff of each is in keeping with its role - I tested the same look on one naked eye and one with my trusty NARS primer - and found very little difference in both blendability and payoff.
PACKAGING | The Pretty Day Palette is teeny and the outer casing is shiny gold cardboard secured with a gold elastic. I’ve photographed it with the lipstick on top to illustrate. This will please those who enjoy a makeup bag sized, travel friendly palette, though may bother others who expect more luxe packaging from Clarins. I’m a fan of the dinky size and its packaging doesn’t bother me, though I must admit the usual style feels more glam to handle. What do you think?
Overall, I’d sum up this palette as a great staple that’s enhancing rather than ground breaking. A good buy if you don’t already own a neutral palette - though do keep an eye out for the Pretty Night Palette with beautiful rich bronze and olive shades if you fancy something a little more decadent.
LIPSTICK | After talking about the eye shadow palette in more detail than intended (nothing new there), I have to admit that it’s not actually the star of the collection for me (though I suspect Pretty Night Palette may be). What WOWed me most was the lipstick and brow pencil. Tawny Rose is a new addition to the Rouge Éclat lipstick line (along with Red Paprika, a bright russet). I love the nourishing formula of these with Vitamin E and 100% plant waxes including mimosa and jojoba, giving a creamy, slightly sheer glossy finish. They really do plump and smooth my lips and Tawny Rose is a lovely pinky-brown nude that reminds me of Autumn leaves... I love this kind of shade against pale skin.
EYEBROW PENCILS | I’m already a fan of Clarins eye pencils and lip liners, so it’s no surprise that their new brow pencils don’t disappoint. Neither too hard nor waxy, they have just the right amount of colour payoff for accentuating your shape and filling in the odd gap, the spoolie is soft and distributes the product beautifully and Soft Blonde works well on me. In the swatch it looks a touch warmer than what I’d normally go for, but somehow it works. Also available in Light Brown and Dark Brown.
OMBRE MATTE | Last but not least, Heather is a beautiful new addition to the Ombre Matte pots of shadow - these are highly pigmented, smooth on like silk and can be blended out with one finger. This charcoal grape tone looks amazing with blue eyes and I can imagine it working just as well with green or brown eyes. I need to use these over a primer, but those with less crease-prone eyes could probably skip this step as the payoff and lasting power are great.
SWATCHES
Apologies for not showing a pic of these on my face - I know it’s helpful to see that but I’ve been feeling a bit camera shy lately (aka minging) - anyone else ever have days (weeks) like that? If you follow me on Instagram (@strawbryblonde) I promise to share one over there soon.
The Pretty Day Palette and Heather Ombre Matte shadows are available now at clarins.co.uk and the rest of Clarins Autumn 2015 makeup collection will be on counters and online this month.
