This month I am CRAZY ABOUT CREAMS. Stay tuned for some of my favorite cream makeup products all throughout January.
Just to clarify, this is a joke:
And this is NOT a joke:
(Side note: Thank you, Internet, for making me 😂 laugh every single day.)
I’d be remiss to not include my favorite face creams in this series, and… —–> these babies by Clarins ARE NOT PLAYIN’. I always keep at least one jar around because whenever my combo skin starts feeling tight and dry and painful and just plain WEIRD, Clarins is there to rescue me, man. I dab a little on my skin (you don’t need a lot, thank goodness, because these jars, while decently sized, are still expensive), and my tight spots always feel instantly better.
French luxe line Clarins has been around forever, and while the brand may not be as buzzy as Drunk Elephant or Glossier at the moment, I know I can always count on their marvelously moisturizing creams to NOT break me out — and, seriously, EVERYTHING makes me break out.
Also, while I’m using an acid AHA or BHA toner or an anti-aging retinol cream, the Clarins face creams wonderfully counterbalance any aggressive exfoliating products. When I consistently use a Clarins cream, the texture of my skin also looks smoother, as in no dry or scaly patches in sight.
Every single Clarins face cream I’ve ever used layers like a dream beneath makeup, too. They’re the kind of creams that feel thick and rich, so you’d think they’d consequently melt any makeup you layered on top, but nope. They don’t.
FYI, every Clarins cream I’ve ever tried has been scented, and I like the notes (particularly peony and fresh pear). I don’t think the scents are overwhelming, but if you’re sensitive to scented products, definitely give them a sniff first. You should be able to track them down almost anywhere — at Macys, Nordstrom, Ulta, Sephora.
Clarins has several versions of their face cream, each to target a specific issue, and I’ve cycled through a few of them at one time or another. My favorites are the Extra-Firming creams (in the peach jars) and the Hydra-Essential creams (blue jars). Extra-Firming is their plumping line for “wrinkle control” (Not a fan of that phrase, though… As if one could exert one’s will over wrinkles, ha!), and it’s pricier. I don’t have deep wrinkles experience lines at the moment. but I do notice that when I use this cream, my skin, temporarily at least, looks pumped up and fresh for most of the day.
The line with the blue jar, Hyra-Essential, is for straight-up moisture, and I’ve used Hydra-Essentiel Rich for Very Dry Skin for years in the winter!
Speaking of winter, my friends in the Midwest have been posting pics of the Arctic ❄️❄️❄️ weather they’re seeing there now. Stay safe (and warm, oy!).
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Oh, that’s funny about the pics – I looked out yesterday evening and everything had a fresh blanket of snow and it was those big flakes, falling gently. I literally thought “I should take a pic for Karen because, even though it’s cold, it’s SO beautiful”. 🙂 Your midwest friends are definitely more reliable than I am! HAHA!
I’ve tried some Clarins that I got as deluxe samples (neither of your 2 faves) and have liked them, as well. Have you tried the Belif True Cream Moisturizing Bomb (not aqua)? It’s light but I find it really hydrating. Like you, I get some dry, painful spots with the retinol and Belif has really helped.
And that Price pic was awesome. I will be randomly smiling throughout the day over that one. 🙂
Oooh, so I’ve heard about that cream but was very nervous to try it because of the whole breaking out thing. You like it though, huh? Is it similar to Clarins in any way?
Not sure of the similarity to Clarins, but my 75 yo mom loves the Belif cream. I believe you can buy a small pot at Sephora, although the 1.something oz normal sized pot is fairly cheap anyway, I believe.
That was one of the reasons why I was curious about it — the price is right!
I REALLY like it and am almost ready to get the full size. I find that a little goes a long way. It seems much more lightweight than the Clarins but it’s been so long since I’ve tried it that I don’t know if my memory can be trusted. I haven’t had any bad reactions and it soothed my over-exfoliated under eye area overnight (though it did sting when I put it on, because it was very sore). I use it mainly on my very dry/sore areas (generally on my occipital bone where I often, accidentally, over-retinol).
Ooo I need that day cream in my life! Thankfully, work was cancelled today! I was able to blog and catch up on reading some posts! 🙂
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Stay warm, Lupe!
It is really darn cold here in the Midwest! I’m working from home today, but should be able to go in tomorrow, thankfully.
My current moisturizer is the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask and I really like it for my dry, breakout prone skin. I also got a really good deal on it with a special offer from Ulta I got in the mail. I also like that you can buy travel-sized versions of it.
Hey Chelsea,
As you know I love Clinique! I haven’t tried that mask but am putting it on my list. 🙂
Have the fur kids been good co-workers today?
Hettie was a little needy, so I had to take hug breaks. Jiji mostly stayed in bed in all the blankets, and I really don’t blame him.
Just got back from Walgreens – my car said -8 degrees, and it was windy too but I don’t know what the wind chill was. And it’s supposed to be in the 40s+ next week so everyone’s sinuses will explode
I love Clarins products even though some are pricey. I love the Hydra Essentials for extra dry skin also. It’s not uber expensive and doesn’t have a strong fragrance. I looooove the double serum, but can’t afford it at the moment.
So I am at work waiting for this snow squall to pass. I was going to run to Trader Joe’s but I think I am going to go straight home and get under the covers. It’s going to be brutal tomorrow.
Hi Jane,
You’ll laugh, but I don’t even go to Trader Joe’s in a light drizzle. (California weather wimp here.) Did you end up going?
Hi Karen
I’m reading your posts even on my vacation, this how much I enjoy them:)
Clarins used to be my fav brand and Origins too , is true those creams never caused any problems.
Thank you for recommendations
All the best to you and yours in a new year
Cheers
Hi Bebe,
Thank you for spending time with me on your vacation. 🙂 Where are you right now? I hope you’re having a wonderful trip!
Interesting. I’ve tried products from most major brands, but for whatever unknown reason, I’ve never tried a Clarins product.
It just started snowing here in Germany too, the ONE day that I decided to go to work by bike… I hope I don´t have to walk the whole way home later.
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Hmm… never tried the Extra Firming Jour but the Multi-Active Day Cream is an HG for me and my funky dry in Winter but super oily in Summer face 🙂 I’m also madly in love with Creme de La Mer, but only when I’m an absolute desert otherwise it turns my cheeks and forehead into a slip n’ slide. It’s -5 windchill here in sunny Jersey today, but with enough gear and a remote start it’s not too bad!