Clarins Spring 2017 Makeup Collection Review: Contouring Perfection

The Clarins Spring Collection is not your average range of pastels and florals. The brand has strayed from conventional color palettes and incorporated cool grey tones elegantly contrasted with fresh blush, subtle contouring and innovative multi-functional liners that are perfect for the modern woman.

The Face Contouring Palette includes a highlighter, shading powder and neutral blush in 3 universal, easy-to-use shades. All of the powders have a silky matte texture that is easy to blend, layer and enhance for seamless coverage. The highlighter seems to have a subtle pink undertone that makes it more flattering on the skin and although it starts off quite sheer, the formula is buildable for more illumination. At first glance I wasn’t convinced the contour shade would be deep enough on my complexion but I was pleasantly surprised! The pigment may seem a bit light but it can be intensified into a rich mid-tone brown that creates natural definition or deeper sculpting for a chiseled profile. The blush also appears darker on the skin and emits a gorgeous flush of soft pink and berry-bronze with a radiant finish. To fully appreciate these simple yet stunning pigments you may have to swatch them for yourself but the palette works wonders and is perfect for beginners learning to contour. It retails for $49.00 and also comes with a handy little brush.

The Jolie Rouge Brilliant Lipsticks ($29.00) are smooth, buttery and hydrating with 3 new shades to choose from. Tender Nude has a pearly pink undertone that enhances the natural shade of your lips and nourishes dry skin with mango seed oil. The sheer, luminous finish is beautiful and compliments most makeup looks effortlessly.

The 4-Color Eyeshadow Palette in Smoky is my favorite item in the collection. The range of grey tones with silver, platinum, and charcoal create a variety of stunning effects that can go from light and fresh to dark and sultry. The texture isn’t ultra creamy but the pigments have good color payoff and dampening them increases saturation. The deepest shade is great for crease definition and accentuating the lower lash line while the iridescent pearl highlights and brightens. The palette retails for $45.00.

The Ombre Iridescent Flash of Light Single Shadow in the shade Silver Grey is luxurious and reflective. The soft, creamy texture glides on rich and highly saturated for ultra shimmery, full-coverage color that lasts all day without fading or creasing. The dazzling micro-glitter particles reflect light to create mesmerizing metallic shine and paired with a deep crease shade like charcoal or navy, the effect is glamorous. The shadow retails for $26.00 and come in a variety of shades.

The 4-Color All-In-One Pen is one of the most innovative products to hit the beauty scene. It contains 3 eyeliners (dark brown, navy and black) plus one nude lip liner. 

To use simply push down on one of the interchanging colors, twist to reveal more of the pencil (no need to sharpen) and then click another color to snap it back up. This sleek pen is ideal for travel and the liners glide on smoothly with great pigmentation to outline, shape and define. Although the pencils don’t seem to be waterproof, they still hold up well and retail for $44.00.

Clarins is available at department stores nationwide, clarins.ca and Sephora