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Clarins Instant Sun Light Collection: Bronze Me, Baby (Aww, Yeah)

June 16th, 2009 by Karen 25 Comments

clarins instant sun light colour collection

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.

clarins instant sunlight bronzers summer glow shimmer palette

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.

clarins instant sunlight lips eyes

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

clarins instant sunlight soleil irise shimmer palette

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+

clarins instant sunlight swatches soleil irise shimmer palette

Shimmer Glow Palette SPF 15, $36

clarins instant sunlight summer glow palette
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

clarins instant sunlight bright sun bronzing duo
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

clarins instant sunlight golden sun bronzing powder
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

clarins instant sunlight swatches summer glow bright sun golden sun
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

clarins instant sunlight sunset coral sunset bronze lip balm

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

clarins instant sunlight swatches lip balm sunset coral sunset bronze

clarins instant sunlight pouches
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

Clarins Instant Sun Light Collection: Bronze Me, Baby (Aww, Yeah) / Originally published June 16th, 2009

There are 25 comments on this post. Leave yours.

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Comments

  1. Glosslizard says

    June 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    That 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

      Hi Glosslizard,

      EEK! Does that mean you’ll be falling from high places? When did you become a stunt woman? J/K!

      Reply
  2. Tali says

    June 16th, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    The 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 =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 16th, 2009 at 5:36 pm

      Hi 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!

      Reply
  3. April says

    June 16th, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    I’m so glad you’re brown too! Your swatches help me decide what to buy next. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 16th, 2009 at 5:35 pm

      Hi April,

      Happy to help! What do you think you’ll get?

      Reply
  4. Rachel says

    June 16th, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    Soleil Irise Shimmer Palette is gorgeous, and I love the pouches.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pm

      Hi 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.

      Reply
  5. Glosslizard says

    June 16th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    What, I never told you about my day job? 😉

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 16th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

      Hi Glosslizard,

      LOL! Hey, I bet it pays for the makeup habit! One high fall = two lipsticks.

      Reply
  6. Maggie says

    June 16th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    The 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! =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 17th, 2009 at 7:55 am

      Hi Maggie,

      Yah, but that’s Clarins. The good thing is you don’t have to use much because the colors are very pigmented!

      Reply
  7. Caitlin says

    June 16th, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    Hahah 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!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 17th, 2009 at 7:55 am

      Hi Caitlin,

      Yup, it’s “East Bay” in pig latin.

      Have a safe trip! How long will you be there?

      Reply
  8. Paris B says

    June 16th, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    Whew 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 =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 17th, 2009 at 7:54 am

      Hi Paris B.,

      It is super pretty. You might be able to rock it… the yellow is on the cooler side!

      Reply
  9. tanya says

    June 17th, 2009 at 3:48 am

    I 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 =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 17th, 2009 at 7:54 am

      Hi Tanya,

      Yay! If you get it please let me know if you like it. I am kinda lusting after it now, aye!

      Reply
  10. Catherine says

    June 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Oh man, another bronzer to check out!
    .-= Catherine’s last blog post… I’m BACK! 😀 😀 😀 =-.

    Reply
  11. Sandy says

    June 17th, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I 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.

    Reply
  12. Marina says

    June 17th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    oh, 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 =-.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      June 17th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

      Hi Marina,

      How fun! Have a great time with your parents… and happy bday to your daddy!

      Reply
  13. Cindyrella says

    June 17th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    Wow, it all looks gorgeous. Saving for Nordy’s Anniversary Sale though.

    Reply
  14. Marina says

    June 17th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    thank you, Karen 🙂
    .-= Marina’s last blog post… L’oreal Glam Shine Swatches =-.

    Reply

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About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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