Clarins 2016 Summer Makeup Collection Review

I don’t about you, but after ice pellets rained down on Toronto in the middle of May I’m ready to get my summer started with some beach lounging, fun in the sun and island hopping! Tonight I’ll be jetting off to Miami (my home away from home) to hit up a few of my favorite shopping sites and restaurants before heading to beautiful Turks & Caicos for my next press trip! That’s right, aside from the editing and blogging I also review and explore some of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world...did I mention I love my job!

To help me find my summer groove, I’m getting primped and prepped with Clarin’s Summer Essentials Collection featuring a variety of products to keep my skin glowing and my makeup intact! I’m going to start with the swoon worthy Bronzing & Blush Compact because the sun motif and amber case is stunning! This multipurpose powder consists of two bronze hues to create a beautiful sunkissed effect, a golden shimmer wedge to highlight + illuminate and a light peach center for a soft touch of summery blush.

This luxurious, gentle formula is enriched with nourishing plant ingredients suitable for sensitive skin and Clarins anti-pollution complex to protect against irritants. The texture is ultra silky, soft and smooth - designed for seamless blending and light contouring. Although the soft browns don’t provide deep sculpting, they do create shape and dimension for a warm complexion. The powder retails for $42.00 but since it is limited edition, I suggest getting yours before it’s gone!

For a beautiful metallic look the Shimmer Waterproof Eye Shadows are fabulous! There are 4 shades available that are all very bronzy and radiant. The, lush, velvety blend is infused with brilliant pearl pigments and conditioning orange flower to support delicate skin. Initially the formula applies very creamy which allows you to blend or layer and as you do, the pigments transform into a powder. Once dry, they stay put all day with lacquer-like durability.

The shades I have are ~ Golden Peach which has a pretty champagne undertone with medium coverage and Golden Sand - with a bronze base and sheer finish. If you have issues with your eye makeup fading or smudging due to humidity, sweat and heat then these are a great option and despite the limited shade selection there is a color for every complexion. The shadows retail for $24.00 each and are also limited edition.

The last step in makeup application during the summer months should always be a good setting spray and the Fix Make-Up Mist is elegant and refreshing! The lightweight formula consists of aloe to soothe, grapefruit extract and organic rose water to create a feeling of well being. On a sweltering day this light, invigorating spray is cool and calming and along with locking in your makeup and providing great hold it also keeps skin moisturized and protected with the same anti-pollution benefits we all love!

Unlike some of my other setting products, this one doesn’t leave behind water droplets or make my skin oily, sticky or stiff. The mist also enhances the brightness of makeup and reduces the need for frequent touch-ups. It retails for $30.00.

Whether you like to bob around in the pool, embrace the great outdoors on a sweaty day or you suffer from runny eyes and summer allergies we all recognize the importance of mascara that doesn’t bleed or leave behind a dark mess. The Double Fix formula is the ideal solution for all mascaras that let you down at the slightest drop of water. When used alone this invisible gel conditions lashes for enhanced shine and natural curl and layered over your favorite mascaras it provides water resistant, sweat-proof wear! Now you don’t have to be scared of all those formulas that smudge and run! This baby summer-proofs all your lash enhancing, volumizing mascaras and it can also be used to tame the brows and keep unruly hairs in place! It retails for $25.00.

One of our favorite Clarins products just got a new beachy makeover! The Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector is a great way to keep your pout soft and supple plus the delicious candy flavored gel enriched with nourishing shea deeply moisturizes parched skin. This delectable formula smooths, repairs and protects and the translucent, glossy finish makes lips appear lusciously full! The Lip Perfector is limited edition and retails for $20.00.

Last but not least is a product that no one should go without this season - sunscreen! Unlike traditional formulas this spray also supports healthy skin with a multi-filter complex containing olive, baobab and senna extracts for increased protection from premature aging, wrinkles and dark spots. The waterproof, sweat resistant lotion has SPF 20 with UVA/UVB (moderate protection), suitable for those who tan easily. The texture is milky and light so instead of feeling greasy and sticky it makes my skin silky and soft! The sunscreen retails for $36.00.

You can find all these fabulous products in department stores, pharmacies and on clains.ca

Yves Rocher Summer 2014 Collection Review

Summer is not over yet and despite the fact that fall is just around the corner I am still wearing bright colors and fun, eye catching shades. This summer Yves Rocher launched a fabulous summer collection which includes everything from fragrance, polish, gloss, bronzer, shadows and more! The theme captures the essence of summer by the Mediterranean Sea and incorporates varying shades of blues, sandy bronze, sparkling gold and sunny yellows. The collection also includes shades that can transition from summer to fall such as: pink, navy and brown.

 3 Pearl Effect Eye Shadows – retail price: $9.95

I like that the bronze and nude shades in this palette provide illuminating shimmer and match beautifully with the deep blue. Although the palette is small it is ideal for travel and the shadows have a silky smooth texture and good pigmentation. They can also be used to create both neutral and bold looks to transition from light and playful during the day to sultry and smokey for evening wear.

Swatches

Summer Collection Eye Pencils- retail price: $5.95 ea

These smooth, bright pencils glide on effortlessly for bold summer eyes. The 4 available shades are reminiscent of the beach and designed to illuminate your look and boost your tan. I like the creamy texture and the ease of blending and application but they do require sharpening and the Royal Blue shade looks more like deep purple. These trendy shadows provide long-lasting color and work best over primer; they are also safe for sensitive eyes and can be used as liners!

Swatches

Mini Summer Nail Polish- retail price: $2.95 ea

For stunning summer nails Yves Rocher has also added 5 great nail colors to the collection. These little beauties are the ideal size for travel and painting your nails as you lounge on a patio. There is even a crackle effect polish available for those who enjoy nail art.

Many of the colors are also suitable for every season and work well for both manis and pedis. They contain full size, thin brushes that make the polish easy to apply and they dry rather quickly.

Bronzing Powder in 3 earthy shades- retail price: $9.95

I love a good multi-purpose product and this lovely bronzer provides subtle highlight for luminous looking skin. It was designed to work for every skin tone and you can wear each shade individually or all together. The formula is light-weight and although it isn't really suited for contouring and shaping it looks lovely dusted lightly on the cheekbones and along the nose.

Glitter Mascara- retail price: $4.95

If you want your lashes to “shine bright like a diamond” then this golden glittery mascara is for you! The light reflecting non-clump formula illuminates eyes for a dramatic, show-stopping effect and the ingredients are gentle on sensitive eyes. The spiral applicator may not produce ultra thickness but you will get a pop of unique color.

Lip Gloss- retail price $4.95 ea

For me no look is complete without lipstick or gloss, this collection has three shades ranging from subtle, shimmery and bold! My favorite is the Bright Pink with red undertones but if you prefer lighter colors then Golden Beige and Copper Sun also offer luminous shine and wonderful hydration. The formula has a non-sticky gel consistency and is infused with raspberry extract to provide paraben free, pretty color that works well for all complexions.  

Swacthes

Overall this collection is gorgeous and for the affordable price the quality is fantastic! If you haven't checked out this line yet I definitely recommend heading to your nearest  Yves Rocher store. You can also find the full collection online by clicking HERE

*Disclaimer: Products were provided for a review

mark Neon Gaze Eye Shadows and Neon Kisses Sheer Lip Gloss

I adore bright colors, especially for summer so when I first laid eyes on the multi-colored, candy cane striped packaging of the new Neon line by mark, I anticipated vibrancy. These cosmetics are playfully bold with an electric, retro flare!

Inspired by the hottest runway trends the Neon Gaze eye shadows pack a punch of pretty pigmentation. The eye catching, dome shaped colors remind me of sweet, colorful candy and come in a variety of dazzling shades such as: Orange Sizzle, Sun Flash, Neon Gaze and Violet Fever.

The color Sun Flash is a pretty yellow and although not quite neon it looks wonderful simply paired with black liner. 

Neon Gaze is a frosty blue shadow that I love combining with both deep and light shades to create a variety of fun effects. I recommend using a good primer to enhance the richness of the colors and I like that the formula is non-creasing and long-wear.

Below is a look I created with these two shades. I darkened up the outer crease with a deeper blue to create some depth.

The texture is smooth, easy to build and can also be applied wet for a more dramatic finish. The shadows look great individually or mixed, matched and paired to create brilliant summer looks that are sure to sizzle! They retail for $10.00 each and you can find them by clicking HERE.

With such bright shadows you can balance your look by toning down your lips. The Neon Kisses Sheer Lip Glosses are ideal for this and are available in four complimentary shades.

Twisted Lime may look a bit daunting in the tube with its green tinge and sparkles galore but it is actually clear with a hint of illuminating shimmer containing minuscule flecks of green. The formula is rich to provide luscious moisture and ultra-shine.

Wild Orange is also quite sheer with a subtle touch of color. The glosses smell sweet and natural like golden honey and have a creamy texture that is long-wear and non-sticky. They feel super hydrating and even after removal my lips feel soft and supple. The glosses retails for $12.00 each and you can find them by clicking HERE.

These colorful cosmetics are limited edition so if you would like to check out the rest of the line you can find it at meetmark.com

**Disclaimer: These products were provided for review. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Summer Sunset Inspired Eye Shadow: Highlighting & Warm Foundation

I decided to so something inspired by the beautiful colors in a summer sunset on a warm night because I love how the colors blend together in the sky. I used deep orange, deep red and corals. I also used pinks and a bit of silver to tie everything together. For this look I used my Coastal Scents palette and my Inglot palette. I also used some of my e.l.f. shadows.

 In total I used 9 different colors to get this effect and blended them together. I also used a warmer (darker) foundation and I tried to make sure the lighting was warm for more of a summer's evening bronzed effect instead of shooting in direct sunlight or with bright lights.

I used a lot of my Lorac Tantalizer Bronzer to give my skin a radiant glow (I did a review in a previous post about this bronzer).