A Bit of Brightness: New Clarins Purchases

If you're anything like me, this is usually the point of the year where you start getting a bit restless and eager for spring and summer; that feeling that it's just around the corner is starting to build.

In the hopes of making my skin a little more luminous to suit this frame of mind, I stopped by my local Clarins counter to try out a couple of their Instant Light products.

I realize that these products are already cult favourites, but they just fit so well with that luminous and light makeup look that reminds me of summer so I figured I would toss my two cents in as well.

I picked up the Natural Light Enhancing Lip Perfector in 01 (there's a mouthful) last month, wrote a bit about it in my last I was bad post and have been so in love with it since.  Now, I am not picky when it comes to lipgloss.  As long as it's not insanely sticky, I will probably be willing to give it a try, especially on those low maintenance days (I've been having a lot of those lately). Generally I don't notice too much difference in glosses but holy moly.  I am so in love with this one that I have to restrain myself from using it every day.  It's not sticky, it lasts a decent amount of time, smells nice, and looks absolutely gorgeous on the lips. I could probably rave about this for days so I'm going to cut it off here but even though this isn't the cheapest of gloss options, I truly believe it's worth it.  I know they are coming out with a few new colours for spring which I can't wait for!

Natural Light Enhancing Complexion Perfector

(On right side of my arm)

It's difficult to describe exactly what it is about this product that just adds that little extra to your look but the result is a glow that makes you look lit from within.  It doesn't have any noticeable glitter or even shimmer.  In the light, it plays off the skin to add a bit of reflectiveness without being shiny.

You can also use this shade to lighten a foundation that is a bit too dark, like a shade that suits your skin better in the summer.  

I know in the winter, it's easy to feel like your skin looks dull, causing your makeup routine to feel a little ho hum.  I would highly recommend giving this one a try to get that (word of the day) luminous finish.  I mix a little bit with my foundation and I've been so happy with the result.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about these products, or anything else that helps brighten up your late winter/early spring makeup routine!

Kendall

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I Was Bad Again: Another Haul

For some reason, the other day I decided it was time to knock off a few of the items on my ever-growing "products to pick up" list.  Probably because I had gone at least a solid week without purchasing any type of cosmetic product and it was killing me.

Most of the damage was done at Shopper's (a Canadian drugstore for my non-Canadian friends) but I also managed to give my bank card a workout at Sephora and Lush.

I'm planning on reviewing most of the products I purchased at Lush, so to avoid being redundant, I am leaving those as a surprise for next time.

I'm also planning a little review and compare of a few of the products pictured above, so stay tuned for that!

So starting my little reign of terror at Shopper's, I picked up a L'Oreal Color Infallible Eyeshadow in Hourglass Beige.  In my recent drugstore favourites (which you can check out HERE) I mentioned the colour Iced Latte as one of my favourites. If you were wondering if the two colours are the same, they sort of are; you probably don't need both.  But for some reason I felt like I did.

I finally got my hands on a Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfecter in (01), a rosy pink shade. 

Next were two colours from Maybelline's new Vivids collection in (870) Shocking Coral and (895) On Fire Red.  I am really excited to try these and if they are particularly good or bad, I'll be sure to do a review with swatches. So far, I've noticed they smell a bit like fruit-scented Play Dough.  So take from that what you will.

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara was the next to make it into my basket.  I usually am not one to branch out mascara-wise, but spidery, clumpy lashes are one of my biggest annoyances, so I decided to give it a go.

I also picked up two more shades of Maybelline Baby Lips in Yummy Plummy  and Coral Crush.

Moving on to Sephora, where I was very pleased with my restraint.  I picked up a gift for a friend and for myself a YSL Glossy Stain in 10, a gorgeous red.  In my Lipstick Alternatives post, I mentioned that I had a couple of L'Oreal's Aqua Lip Lacquers which are supposed to be a dupe for YSL's Glossy Stains.  It was killing me a little bit that I hadn't even tried to original so I gave in.  

Finally, I just wanted to share with you this friggin' amazing 100 point gift Sephora is currently giving out!

Look at this!! 

Yes that is a full sized Benefit High Beam ($30 CDN)! For (sort of) free.  Even though I already have one of these and it will likely last me quite a while, I just love getting full-sized products for free.  It also came with a Benetint and a mini the POREfessional primer, which I have been wanting to try.  This is definitely one of Sephora's better moves in my opinion.

So that is (mostly) all of the damage I did.  I hope you got some enjoyment out of my complete lack of willpower.

Kendall

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