Clarins Summer 2016 Collection: Sunkissed

Summer make up gets me very excited, especially when it’s a launch like this from one of my best brands who honestly keep getting better and better. You all know how I felt about Clarins a few years back (they didn’t excite me all that much), but fast-track to now and I can honestly say that their products are some of my most-coveted items in my collection (ahem lip oils).

This is their summer collection that is launching in October and it’s one for the books (and one you may want to get in line for). The Sunkissed Collection contains some real beauties and when a collection is all about the bronze and glow then I’m all ears…

Bronzing & Blush Compact – R550 {Limited Edition}

I am not sure which product got me more excited; this one or the setting spray. It was probably a tie. But, please can we just take a moment for this. I love a big bronzing compact in summer to warm up the skin tone. In fact, who am I kidding, I love using one of these all-year-round. This one in particular made me excited as it’s the first Bronze and Blush combo I’ve tried where the apricot blush contains teensy flecks of iridescent gold and the bronzer is part completely matte / part slightly glowey – absolute perfection (without leaving you looking at all shimmery – in a bad way). I have enjoyed swirling a big blusher brush in this compact and because I got my dose of sunshine on my recent trip to France, the colour has been absolutely spot on. I love everything about this product and it feels super luxe with the beautiful tortoise shell packaging. It’s also limited edition, so I assume you will have to be queuing up if you want to get your hands on this!

Waterproof Eyeshadow Shimmer Cream Colour – R295 {Limited Edition}

I swatched these as I opened them up on the back of my hand (as any over-excited beauty junkie would do) and I could NOT believe the longevity. These guys really are waterproof as it took quite a bit to get them off my hand. Anyway, guess that was a good start – they do as they say! The part that makes these so special is the shade offering – never were their 4 more perfect summer eye shades. As you know, I’m not very into using multiple shadows (too lazy and don’t really like the overdone look) so these are perfection as far as I’m concerned. The shimmering effect makes it looks as if you have multiple shadows on and creates that dimension to your eye without looking ‘done up’. The shadows are buildable if you want a more dramatic look, but a teensy amount applied with your finger gives a beautiful result. For me, the waterproof part isn’t what sells it to me, it’s more about the colours but I guess the longevity will be fab for your girls with more oily skin as I assume these will have great lasting power for you. I have used these pretty much every single day since getting them and love them that much more each day, especially the middle one – Copper Brown.

The collection has 4 new shades, I tested three of them. The top one is 02 Golden Sand (bronze shade and really gorgeous), middle is my best 04 Copper Brown (as the colour states, this a a copper shade so more of an orangey/bronze shimmer – gorgeous on tanned skin) and lastly is Silver Taupe (more of a silver/sun-metal shimmer – quite similar to Mac Groundwork if it were a shimmer).

Lip Comfort Oil – R280

These are my best, you guys. Like I think they are my best ever treatment/gloss product. Well it would be these or my By Terry Baume de Rose which costs a bajillion rand and you can’t get it here, so I assume you would prefer to hear about these! I have harped on about the lip oils that launched about a year ago with two shades (Honey 01 and Raspberry 02), this collection brings the launch of their third shade which is 01 Red Berry. I initially thought this one would be too ‘red’ for me but the colour is so subtle. I actually had this on at work the other day and 3 different people asked what it was and wrote down the name to buy when it launches in October. These really are the beautiful. They treat dehydration and make your lips look full and glossy (but not too shiny, more balmy – which I love). Bloody brilliant job, Clarins! Oh, also please note the doe foot applicator – this makes application rather addictive.

Double Fix’ Mascara – R305

This is particularly exciting as it’s an innovative, new launch and I’ve never tried anything quite like it. Again, another product that will make summer beauty that much more easy. It’s a transparent mascara that turns your normal mascara into a waterproof version in one swipe. It also doubles up as a brow gel so is truly a ‘must’ in your make up bag – I love a good multi-use beauty product. I have only been using this to tame my brows and have found it does the job without making them feel too crunchy or look product-heavy. It’s a goodie. Mascara wise, I personally love the below Truely Waterproof Mascara so much that I wasn’t that keen on this for that job. In my mind if I want a waterproof mascara, I will get one that does that. This, however, as a brow gel ticked the boxes for me.

Fix’ Make Up – R335

Last, and most certainly not least is the brand new setting spray. Can you imagine my heart palpitations – firstly, a setting spray and secondly, in a glass ombre pink bottle. DREAMY! This little bottle contains grapefruit extract and organic rose floral water (you can read about my love for rose water here). The difference here is that this has the true ‘setting spray’ qualities – a lot of these sprays that I love are fab at hydrating the skin and refreshing everything but don’t contain the setting quality which we all want.- the ingredients are aloe vera and extract of white tea and succory dock-cress. Don’t worry, I also didn’t have a clue what the last ingredient was – it’s basically an ingredient that assists in protecting the skin against any harmful pollutants and free-radicals (read full details here). The actual mist is a very fine one and the scent is very subtle. The bottle is only 50ml so it was smaller than I expected, but with such a fine mist, this will still last you a long time.

Truly Waterproof Mascara – R295 {Limited Edition}

This is your go-to mascara for beach days if, like me, your mascara makes all the difference to your eyes and overall look. This is a 12hr waterproof mascara that is resistant to salt water and chlorine – this is the real deal! Now when testing this mascara in the last few weeks I have honestly been BLOWN AWAY by it’s hold on your curl. I am a big fan of curling my lashes, but often times it’s a waste as my lashes don’t hold the curl. This stuff, you guys, is sensational at separating lashes and holding the curl. I think it is my new ‘going out’ mascara. I would say my new everyday mascara, but it is a bitch to remove!!! That’s a given, however, as it is waterproof so is doing it’s job well. Plus the pigment is the blackest of black. It’s so good! Oh, and we need to take a moment for this packaging please. So sleek, so luxurious plus super subtle branding with simple black and gold – I just love it!!! This one surprised me!

I also just want to add, for those who have been asking (like I have), South Africa is not getting the Radiance-Plus Golden Booster.