Clarins The Essentials Eye Make-Up Palette – Review & Swatches

The Essentials Palette by Clarins got a sultry new makeover with a beautiful selection of icy silvers and sexy midnight hues that range from royal blue to blackened navy. Previous palette designs featured purple hues and everyday neutrals but these smoldering pigments create bold contrast for the perfect smoky eye.

The packaging is simple yet sophisticated and comes with a small mirror and double-ended brush. I’d prefer a magnetic closure instead of the red band but it fastens securely for travel.

The shadows are enriched with plant extracts and there are 4 different textures: 5 pearl shades, 1 silvery diamond pop, 3 satin finishes and 1 matte. The radiant silver shimmer stands out among the other colors because the bright metallic finish is highly saturated and creamy. You can apply it subtly or layer heavier for a dramatic chrome effect but there may be some fallout as you smooth it on. The deep blues are silky and intense for easy blending and long-wear coverage but some of the black undertones appear quite similar on the skin. These shades can be used to define the crease and accentuate the lower lash line.

I always recommend a good primer to enhance color and when using the lighter end of this palette you are going to need it. These shades are much softer (which is fine) but the color payoff is very sheer. The second grey and the light blue beside it appear very faint which makes them harder to intensify. I use the first 3 shadows to highlight but more variation and vibrancy among these shades would have made the palette even better.

If you’re in the market for beautiful blue pigments, the Essentials Palette ($62.00) creates iridescent eyes worthy of the red carpet.

Now that we’ve talked makeup, let’s move onto skincare essentials. There is always an incentive to purchase Clarins products and I’m not just talking about the nourishing formulas that make your complexion look amazing. Sometimes you receive cute gifts with purchase including bestsellers and this month there were 3 beauty routine bags designed for busy women on-the-go.

The Glamour Set comes with a cute beauty bag, SOS Hydra Mask, Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream, Extra Firming Body Lotion and one of my favorite lip treatments – the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil. These are perfect for travel and during a long, drying flight they boost hydration levels and keep your skin balanced.

These products are available at Clarins counters nationwide, department stores (including Hudson’s Bay), Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and online at calrins.ca. 

The Essentials Eye Makeup Palette & Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil by Clarins: Review & Swatches

When I first laid eyes on the Essentials Eye Makeup Palette by Clarins I knew it was a match made in makeup heaven. These bold, brilliant shades coincide with my style perfectly and whether I’m in the office or heading to a swanky event it provides the versatility to create a variety of fashionable looks. The development of these products also supports the Pur Project - dedicated to helping the Amazonian Indian community preserve their autonomy and culture. The packaging is eco-friendly and traditional plant ingredients in the formula nourish, heal and comfort the skin.

The finishes range from neutral, satin, matte, shimmer and glitter for an interesting assortment of textural contrast and the 10 flattering hues are suitable for all complexions. The first half of the palette contains neutral, soft tones that are great for daily wear and fresh spring looks. The pigmentation varies by shade but for the most part the shadows are buildable (when used with a good primer) for more vibrancy. The glittery hues are bright and luminous but tend to apply a bit chunky so blending is necessary and the particles do create some fallout.

The grey-purple hue in the middle is very sheer and difficult to enhance but beyond that, towards the deeper end of the spectrum things really start to pick up! The dark, smoky purples are gorgeous and I love the shimmery rose-gold purple, matte plum and blackened purple with red flecks. The texture is quite smooth and some shades are a bit creamy for easy blending. This side of the palette is also more concentrated for full-coverage, crease sculpting and definition. Overall I think certain colors could use more pigmentation, consistency and intensity but I am able to create some stunning effects. The Essentials Palette retails for $62.00.

The Lip Oil in the shade Red Berry smells sweet and delicious! I love the seasonal packaging and the juicy color makes lips appear healthy, plump and luminous. The consistency of the oil is a bit thick when removing the wide paddle applicator (great for one-swipe coverage) but it spreads well, melts in and nourishes instantly with no stickiness or grease. For dry, peeling lips and winter care, the formula heals, protects and alleviates with loads of long lasting moisture.

I also use it as a hydrating lip treatment prior to applying full-coverage lipstick, lacquer or matte formulas. Start by applying a generous amount to coat the lips, let it soak in for about 10 mins (or until you finish your makeup) and blot off the excess. The oil retails for $25.00 and Clarins is available at clarins.ca, department stores and select drugstores including Hudson’s Bay and Shoppers Drug Mart.