March favorites – Weekday luxury

beauty blog reviews

Clarins is one of my favorite makeup brands. I fell in love with the brand when I first tried their foundations: I noticed a big difference compared to drugstore brands. The quality of their products is top notch, the pigment is really good in every product and they are beautiful to look at. I used to buy their products as gifts too – their eye shadow palettes are super pretty and make a great present.

My personal Clarins collection at the moment is quite modest: only foundations, lipsticks and a bronzer. I’d love to try out their different palettes too and their mascaras – they always seem to come up with the most interesting collections.

Anyway – here are my four favorite products of this month, this time all from the same brand.

Clarins makeup review

Clarins Everlasting Foundation, Sand

This is one of my all-time favorite foundations. This is actually my third or fourth bottle. I remember the first time I bought this – it was the most expensive foundation I’ve ever tried and I instantly saw that it was worth the price. It just performed perfectly – looking flawless and beautiful on the skin and lasting really well throughout the day. My skin is quite sensitive to products and makeup, so one of the important things about foundation is that it shouldn’t break me out. And this doesn’t. I love to use this foundation on special occasions, going out, for photo shoots or just to bring some luxury to my daily life.

If you’re looking for the perfect foundation that offers you great coverage, great lasting power and that’s easily blendable to the skin – this might just be the one for you. This is ideal for combination or oily skin as it leaves a matte finish.

I adore the packaging and I actually keep this on my makeup table so that I can see it.

before after clarins everlasting foundation
Before & after Clarins Everlasting Foundation

clarins foundations are good

Left: Skin Illusion foundation probably in shade wheat / Right: Everlasting foundation in sand

Read also: The foundation for oily skin – Clarins Everlasting Foundation+

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation, wheat

Another foundation from Clarins. (Obviously with my acne going on, my favorite products are for the face, haha.) This I actually got from my sister, who’s also a bit of a fan. The color was wrong for her so I decided to try it. The color is actually a bit too red for me too, but I I love to mix this with the Everlasting foundation. The texture of this foundation is totally different compared to that – whereas the other foundation is matte, this is more radiant and not that full-coverage. I love to mix them together to get just the perfect amount of glow on my skin.  I would recommend this foundation for normal, dry or mature skin or anyone who wants more of a natural radiant finish.

Again, the packaging…  is just beautiful. Needless to say this product sits next to that other foundation where I can see it. I have to say, that I’m not 100% sure about the shade of this, it has rubbed off of the product.

is clarins good

Clarins Splendours Bronzer
You know it’s spring when you start using your bronzer again! When it comes to bronzers – the bigger the better, right? I love that this bronzer is huge and it comes with a mirror. I actually use it as my makeup mirror quite often. Now since this bronzer is so big, it’s super long lasting. I haven’t needed a new bronzer in quite some time. Besides being the perfect size, it’s also the perfect bronze color for my face with just the right amount of shimmer. This can also act as an eye shadow, as in these makeup photos.

march favorites

clarins pink magnolia

Clarins Rouge Eclat Lipstick, Pink Magnolia (pr-sample from Clarins Fall 2014 Collection)

I have four lipsticks from Clarins and they’re all the same formula: really lightweight, moisturizing and still very pigmented. This particular shade is the perfect muted pink shade. Whenever I’m in doubt, I grab this one. The pink shade suits different makeup styles and it still makes me look like I’ve made an effort. It’s funny to think that when I first got this lipstick I thought it was a bit boring. Now I see it’s full potential. I used the lipstick as a blush too in this makeup look.

makeup look clarins

simple makeup blog

What are your favorites of this month? Have you tried any makeup from Clarins? Now is the time to share!

Clarins makeup from amazon
Clarins UK
Clarins.com 

This month’s blog posts:

Holbox the paradise island part 2  I already miss Mexico. Luckily I have the tan left from the trip.
Blog recommendation: Amy Evans I introduced Amy and her blog to you. This post was quite popular, which makes me happy. It’s nice to promote new blogs.
My acne-friendly makeup routine My everyday foundation routine, that is especially good for problematic skin, since the products are anti-inflammatory and soothing.
Exciting times Long time no outfit photos! I plan on doing more fashion and style related posts.
Acne update – progress after one month of Apocyclin The title says it all. I love how you have commented on this and shared your experience. It makes me feel like I’m not alone with my acne.
Easy eyeshadow tutorial: purple and light pink One of my favorite go-to eye shadow looks, that is quick and easy to do.

Skincare for eyes

img_0077pieni

The skin around eyes demand care just like the rest of our face. Actually it demands even more ’cause the skin there is thinner and more sensitive. Especially for heavy makeup users it’s the area that takes up the most of the products: primer, eye shadow, liner, mascara, fake lashes, concealer, another concealer.. etc.  Also – I have to confess that sometimes I use a heavy hand when removing my eye makeup when I know I shouldn’t use any force in the area.

So how should you take care of that skin area? It’s really quite simple.

  1. Use an eye makeup remover. Clean your eye area with a cleanser that suits eyes. Using the same product for face and eyes you only cause unnecessary burn and abrasion to the skin. There are 3-1 cleansers out there but as well as they work they irritate your eyes – at least that’s the case with my sensitive eyes. So remove your makeup using a gentle cleanser! I’m still looking for the perfect eye makeup remover but lately I’ve been using Decleor’s Aroma Cleanse Waterproof Cleanser and just coconut oil.

2. Use an eye cream. Moisturize using a cream specifically made for that. Usually eye cream are more lightweight than the lotions made for face. They’re also suitable for sensitive skin and they don’t irritate eyes. Take this from someone (me) who’s tried a face lotion around their eyes – never again! Just buy the eye cream.

img_0114pieni-2

+ If you want your eye cream to be extra refreshing store it in the fridge. You can also try cold spoons. Cold helps with the puffiness.

Massage helps with the puffiness and is a lovely way to pamper yourself. Instructions.

You should get an eye cream as soon as you start wearing makeup. Maybe even sooner if you suffer from dark circles, puffiness or dryness. There are lightweight gels for young skin that help with the puffiness. Mature skin needs more and a rich cream may be a better choice. I have always loved gels so these recommendations are mostly them.

The prices are directional. That’s what they cost in Finland.

Lumene Arctic Aqua Deep Moisture Eye Gel 15 ml / 9,40 € Lightweight / For young skin

This was my first eye cream ever and it was a great choice for that. It’s lightweight, refreshing and moisturizing. Edit: I’m not sure if it’s sold anymore in that name. It may be Lähde Pure Dew Drops  (19.90€) now.

Clarins Eye Contour Gel 20 ml/ 30-40€  Lightweight yet effective / For young & mature skin / Luxury

This is a light gel yet it’s really long lasting and moisturizing. Clarins is more of a luxury brand but this product comes in a basic white tube which is the only downside to this.

Missha Super Aqua Ultra Water-Full 30ml / 21,90€ / Best price-quality ratio / Gel-cream /  *Pr-sample

One of the most effective eye gels I’ve tried. This is a gel-cream which makes it more efficient than those mentioned above. It’s price-quality ratio is great. Usually eye creams come in a small jar but this is nearly the size of a face cream! This makes the skin silky smooth and works great under makeup too.

EkoPharma Herukka Eye Cream 15ml / 30€ Organic & professional cosmetics

I’ve tried both the Raspberry and the Blackcurrant lines from EkoPharma. Raspberry is moisturizing and Blackcurrant is for sensitive skin. The Raspberry eye gel did irritate my eyes a bit but the blackcurrant lotion works just great. It’s a great moisturizer and it leaves my skin soft. The best thing about it is of course it being organic cosmetics. It’s a bit pricey though compared to Missha’s. Half the size yet the price is higher.

img_0112pieni

Now is the time to share your favorite product recommendations or tips to taking care of your eyes! What’s the best eye makeup remover? What about eye creams? Does anyone use eye masks?

Photos Inka Lähteenaro

Scroll to top