A glimpse at the lips: Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Berry

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Berry

Berry goodness wrapped in Jell-o, that's what I like to think of it [Crystal Berry] as. 

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm is a twofer, a pigmented centre delivers a shot of colour to your lips while the translucent exterior leaves your lips feeling soft, smooth and well-hydrated. 

Concerned about the blue hue? Don't let it put you off as it glides on clear. To boot, the berry scent is lip-smackingly good. I've found myself removing the cap in order to catch a whiff from time to time. 

Swatch of Crystal Berry

Despite Crystal Berry being a seasonal (summer) offering from Clarins, I'd be inclined to use this cranberry shade year-round. It's effortless, feels comfortable on the lips and smells so darn good.

Three additional colours, Rose, Mandarin and Gold Plum, patiently await your next visit to the Clarins' counter.

Wearing Crystal Berry on my lips

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Berry:

• $30.00 AUS (Hits Aussie shelves this November) / $26.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — Berry addictive ;)

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Karen of MBB thinks Clarins Be Long Mascara has a lot to offer.

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

L'Occitane Angelica - a few more goodies

L'Occitane Angelica Essence Sublime, Eye Roll-On & Hydration Cream

Last year we first met, but never fully committed. My rosacea decided to rear its ugly head -- experimenting went out the window as I tried to quell my ruddy cheeks.

Now that I've found a skincare cocktail that works for me, I felt ok about rotating new things in.  What started as a small range, L'Occitane's Angelica collection now offers a serum and eye roll-on.

Essence Sublime

Essence Sublime is a serum which aims to reduce redness, minimise pores while leaving your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Since introducing Essence Sublime to my skin in late May, I've noticed the colour of my cheeks have dialed down from a pinkish red to the subtlest hint of pink.

The serum is dispensed through a pump and has gel-like qualities; as for its colouring, it's opaque with a tinge of mother of pearl. Think Ultima II circa 1992. 

I love sandwiching Essence Sublime between my sunscreen and makeup for its ability to chill my skin out. 

Final verdict: Take two pumps and call me in the morning.

Angelica Eye Roll-On

Since I was a teenager I've struggled with dark under eye circles. No matter how much rest I get, I'll forever have dark blue, puffy patches under my eyes.  Eye gels have helped me to combat some of the puffiness and discolouration, but I have yet to find something that really works.

Roll-on (not so much)

L'Occitane's Angelica Eye Roll-On was very disappointing on multiple fronts. It didn't perform as promised/claimed and I found the roll-on application extremely annoying. Most mornings I would have to run the roller across the back of my hand in order to get the gel flowing -- talk about product wastage.

The scent also had a tendency to irritate my eyes, not a great way to start the day.

Final verdict: a definite skip. 

L'Occitane Hydration Cream

As for the Hydration Cream, I really can't comment on it because I decided against using it on my skin. Still hate the jar and the scent. 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for L'Occitane Angelica:

• Essence Sublime - $56.00 AUS / $52.00 USD
• Eye Roll-On - $29.00 AUS /  $28.00 USD
• Hydration Cream - $52.00 AUS / $42.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 8 out of 10 bags for Essence Sublime
• 0 out of 10 bags for Eye Roll-On  
• Unrated for Hydration Cream

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

L'Occitane's seasonal perfume is always worth a whiff.

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

I've got you covered: Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Powder Foundation in shade 06

Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Powder Foundation

Recently, I hit the pan of Jane Iredale's Pressed Mineral Powder, so I took it as a sign to try something new.

At first, it started out rocky -- the finish and coverage was ok at best, appeared powdery and was slightly difficult to blend.  By mid-week we hit our stride, product was laying down easily, my oiliness was visibly reduced and it wasn't clear if I was concealing anything at all. 

Success! 

Shade 06

Swatch of Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Powder Foundation in shade 06

Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Powder replaces the much-loved Foundation Powder -- Rabid fans, give her newest foundation time and understanding, things will take a turn for the better, I promise!

Here's what you can expect from the Smooth Finish Foundation Powder.. 

".. offers a natural veil that imparts a color-true finish that lasts up to eight hours. It glides on effortlessly, camouflages, hydrates, and blurs fine lines, never settling into them. Ultra fine micronized pigments flex with skin for coverage that is even and flawless. Use it as a sheer to medium powder or build coverage using it wet."

Normally, I don't like messing with my skin's harmony in fear of poking the beast that is my rosacea. Thankfully, my skin has remained clear, calm and hydrated. 

In terms of appearance, Shade 06 is a "medium beige with yellow undertones." I truly took a punt with selecting this shade, but I feel as though it appears to be a match (made in heaven).

Wearing Shade 06

To apply, I like using my Bare Escentuals Flawless Application Face Brush, because I find the bristles do a good job of agitating the product -- this disruption aids with picking up more, I really hate the back and forth (pan>face>pan>face). Once I've finished applying the rest of my makeup, I like to set my look with Avene's Thermal Spring Water.

The only negative thing I can say about Laura Mercier's Smooth FInish Powder Foundation is the size of the pan, it's too small diameter-wise. Although it might be deeper, I would rather trade that depth in for more real estate.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Laura Mercier's Smooth Finish Powder Foundation:

• $59.00 AUS (Hits Aussie shelves this September) / $45.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — make the pan bigger, please.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Fresh Raspberry looks pretty delectable.

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

Beauty in a tick: Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink

Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink

When I caught a whiff of Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel in Crystal Pink I was immediately transported back to my youth. Bang, I found myself standing inside our local candy store. The checkered floor, the confection-littered shelves and the sound of Rich slurping on liquid cherry.  

My teeth hurt just thinking about the slurping sound and the fact that he even ate that crap. Tho, I shouldn't judge as I was the one who always walked away with a pouch of Fun Dip.

For me, Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel is like a nod to my childhood, the scent of cherries minus the tooth decay and calories. 

Swatch of Crystal Pink with flash

Swatch of Crystal Pink without flash

Crystal Pink glides onto lips easily, feels whisper light and lasts for around two hours. My lips were left quenched, non-sticky (sticky gloss ranks low on my lippie hierarchy) with a hint of watermelon-y goodness.

If you're after a low-maintenance fruit bomb for your lips, Crystal Pink is sure to deliver just that. 

Wearing Crystal Pink

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink:

• $30.00 AUS (Hits Aussie shelves on 4 November 2013) / $22.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 8 out of 10 bags — Points for nostalgia and scent.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Perhaps Clarins 3-Dot Liner will take the guesswork out of the cat eye effect.

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.