Remember last summer’s bad ass Clarins Summer Fever collection? Gawd, I loved that release! It had a beach party vibe that felt very young and fun, and it was *so* poppin’ with its bright teal, purple, hot pink and orange colors.
With this summer’s Instant Sun Light collection, Clarins took a completely different route. Available now, the nine-piece release ($20-36) features a subdued palette of warm brown, coral, pink and gold shades in matte and shimmer finishes.
There’s a ton of powder blushes and bronzers in this collection, as the look focuses on glowy bronze skin rather than bright pops of color.
The look is elegant and mature (it totally screams Chanel!), and it brings up images of sophisticated little black dresses, crystal champagne flutes, yachts and tuxedoed high rollas.
Initially, I was a little bummed that Instant Sun Light wasn’t as bright as last year’s Summer Fever, but after playing with six of the products I found there’s still a lot of great stuff here. It’s not as blingy, for sure, but it’s pretty, natural makeup, and I can totes get behind that.
Soleil Irise Shimmer Palette for Eyes, Cheeks and Decollete, $36
Soleil Irise’s three shimmery shades (pink, coral and gold) look like sunrise in a palette. You can swirl the colors together and apply the mix as a highlighting powder on the cheeks and body, but I prefer to apply the colors individually as single washes of sunny color on my lids. It’s a tiny compact for $36, but the fine texture and rich color payoff make up for the steep price. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
Shimmer Glow Palette SPF 15, $36
Swirling the five shades together in the Shimmer Glow Palette creates a warm, peachy pink glow. This powder feels finely milled, buttery to the touch and weightless on my skin. I like to wear it either as a blush or a highlighter. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Bronzing Duo in Bright Sun, $35
The light side of the Bright Sun Duo applies as a matte honey beige, while the dark applies as a matte orange-brown.
Light-skinned lovelies who wear warm colors well could use the light side as a blush and the dark side to contour, while dark-skinned beauties could use the light side as a highlighter and the dark side as a blush. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Bronzing Powder Compact in Golden Sun, $35
A few swipes of Golden Sun equals instant tropical tan. When I wear this warm orange-brown powder it adds a sun-kissed glow to my cheeks. The finish is mostly matte with the slightest touch of shimmer, and I have a feeling it’ll photograph *really* well. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Swatches from left to right: Summer Glow Palette, lighter shade from the Bronzing Duo in Bright Sun, darker shade from the Bronzing Duo in Bright Sun, Bronzing Powder in Golden Sun
Sun Colour Lip Balm SPF 6 in Sunset Coral and Sunset Bronze, $20 each
Sunset Coral (a creamy coral) and Sunset Bronze (a shimmery bronze), feel thin and very light on the lips. Both Sun Colour Lip Balm shades apply sheer with plenty of shine to spare, and they taste and smell like brown sugar, yum! Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
The bronzers and shimmer eye palettes in the Sun Light collection come with a brown pouch with bronze trim.
Final thoughts
If you wear warm colors well and like bronzy, natural makeup looks, you’ll find a lot to love in this release. Cooler-toned gals, however, might want to consider holding out for future Clarins collections with less orange-based shades.
Overall, I really like Instant Sun Light. The shades look natural, some of the products come with SPF, and I dig the easy-to-wear palette.
Now, if I could only find a yacht party with some high rollas to rock this makeup the way it was meant to be rocked, LOL! Call me, Jay-Z and Beyonce…
What are your thoughts on Instant Sun Light? Do you likey?
Summer reading
Thanks for all of your summer reading suggestions! I ended up ordering Something Borrowed, along with the first book from the Sookie Stackhouse series. I figure you can’t go wrong with chic lit and vampires. 🙂
Tonight, I’m heading to the BEAST (aka the East Bay) for a joint birthday celebration with my lil’ bro, who turns 28 this week. My mom and dad are firing up the barbeque, and I’m assured that there will be a Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream cake from Baskin-Robbins in my future. WOOT!
How’s your Tuesday? Got any plans for tonight?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Glosslizard says
June 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pmThat all looks breathtakingly beautiful! The eye palette is amazing! I will admire it from afar!
Oh! Oh! I want Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream cake!! Have a great time, and happy B-day to your little bro! I’m going to another Aikido seminar tonight, it focuses on high falls! Eek!
Karen says
June 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pmHi Glosslizard,
EEK! Does that mean you’ll be falling from high places? When did you become a stunt woman? J/K!
Tali says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:09 pmThe eye palette..oh god why did i have to see that!! Now i need to buy it!
Enjoy tonight..happy birthday to your bro and hope you enjoy the cake. It sounds amazing!
.-= Tali’s last blog post… ILLAMASQUA: Soul Lipgloss =-.
Karen says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:36 pmHi Tali,
It’s *really* pretty. I think you might go ga-ga over the gold!
Thank you… I will have to run a few miles to work off the cake but it will be worth it!
April says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:12 pmI’m so glad you’re brown too! Your swatches help me decide what to buy next. Thanks!
Karen says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:35 pmHi April,
Happy to help! What do you think you’ll get?
Rachel says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:26 pmSoleil Irise Shimmer Palette is gorgeous, and I love the pouches.
Karen says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pmHi Rachel,
I usually don’t keep the pouches but I’m keeping these, for sure! The side trim and the button have the cutest little sparkles.
I hope you give the Shimmer Palette a go… it looks really pretty as a wash.
Glosslizard says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:30 pmWhat, I never told you about my day job? 😉
Karen says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:32 pmHi Glosslizard,
LOL! Hey, I bet it pays for the makeup habit! One high fall = two lipsticks.
Maggie says
June 16th, 2009 at 5:39 pmThe Soleil Irise Shimmer Palette looks so pretty! too bad it’s that pricey. 🙁
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… Project 5 Pan Update + I’ve been tagged! =-.
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 7:55 amHi Maggie,
Yah, but that’s Clarins. The good thing is you don’t have to use much because the colors are very pigmented!
Caitlin says
June 16th, 2009 at 6:37 pmHahah the BEAST? That’s pretty funny. I’m packing to go to Colorado for a few days. Oh boy oh boy. And those brown bags the bronzers come in remind me of these Native American coin purses I used to have. The sunset-y eye shadow looks gorgeous though!
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 7:55 amHi Caitlin,
Yup, it’s “East Bay” in pig latin.
Have a safe trip! How long will you be there?
Paris B says
June 16th, 2009 at 7:08 pmWhew thanks for your warning. I’m holding out for future Clarins releases since I won’t wear warm well. Still that sunrise palette looks so pretty in the pan!
.-= Paris B’s last blog post… Upcoming: Lancome Oscillation Powerbooster Mascara Primer =-.
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 7:54 amHi Paris B.,
It is super pretty. You might be able to rock it… the yellow is on the cooler side!
tanya says
June 17th, 2009 at 3:48 amI LOVE Clarins–so I’ll definitely check this out. That instant light lip protector is calling out to me… 🙂
.-= tanya’s last blog post… double vision =-.
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 7:54 amHi Tanya,
Yay! If you get it please let me know if you like it. I am kinda lusting after it now, aye!
Catherine says
June 17th, 2009 at 10:48 amOh man, another bronzer to check out!
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… I’m BACK! 😀 😀 😀 =-.
Sandy says
June 17th, 2009 at 11:16 amI just got the Clarins eye palette and I love it! The colors are perfect for summer. It’s interesting though that it only costs $30CAD here vs the $36USD price tag. Usually, makeup is more expensive for us here in Canada.
Marina says
June 17th, 2009 at 12:44 pmoh, WOW!!!
Soleil Irise Shimmer Palette for Eyes, Cheeks and Decollete is AMAZING. and Coral Lip Balm is gorgeous. I need them both:D
as for today’s evening – I just had sushi with my bf. and today is my Daddy’s BDay – so I’m going to visit my parents:)
and as for books – now I read Scandinavian literature.
hope you are having a great one, too
.-= Marina’s last blog post… L’oreal Glam Shine Swatches =-.
Karen says
June 17th, 2009 at 1:03 pmHi Marina,
How fun! Have a great time with your parents… and happy bday to your daddy!
Cindyrella says
June 17th, 2009 at 1:07 pmWow, it all looks gorgeous. Saving for Nordy’s Anniversary Sale though.
Marina says
June 17th, 2009 at 2:26 pmthank you, Karen 🙂
.-= Marina’s last blog post… L’oreal Glam Shine Swatches =-.