New Clarins AW13 Collection Review

Clarins AW13 collection

Whether it's the regal red velvet-smooth gold packaging, or the slightly higher price bracket, I just didn't think Clarins was a brand for a metropolitan girl in her early twenties. 

But after trialling out a hefty cross-section of the AW13 collection, I have been swayed. The products are classy, soft, pigment-rich and beautiful... and I definitely didn't look like my powdery-at-the-edges Aunt Maude. So it's a side order of humble pie for me, please. 

NEW: Clarins Instant Concealer, £20

This new concealer is REALLY good. It has a creamy, rich texture that gives long-lasting coverage of those pesky dark circles, and has caffeine extract to reduce puffiness. The packaging is lightweight and handbag handy, perfect if you're a busy bee. One of my top concealers of the year. 

Extra Comfort Foundation SPF15, £35 (107 Beige)

I'm quite fussy when it comes to foundations, but this one feels really lovely on the skin. It's like a hybrid of a moisturiser and a foundation - really thick and creamy - and smells like fresh cucumber wipes! 

It did sit a little bit awkwardly on dry skin patches, but this was easily fixed with a spot of moisturiser.  The science part is quite impressive, with anti-aging plant extracts, omega 9 and 6, and organic argan oil to preserve suppleness and protect from dehydration. It also claims to plump skin, and contains 'soft focus pigments' to reflect light in the most flattering of fashions. Ohhh la la!  

I gave it a good trial and was impressed with the smell, feel, finish and lastability. The only thing that didn't hit the mark was the packaging, which is not travel friendly and is nigh on impossible to use without getting foundation EVERYWHERE. But maybe I'm just a mucky pup! 

Clarins Extra-Comfort SPF15 foundation swatch

Clarins Crayon Khôl in Platinum, Intense Blue, Taupe, £17 each

I haven't stopped wearing these pigment-rich Crayon Khôl pencils since I added them to my make-up bag. So soft and flattering due to the shimmering, beautiful colours. They are double ended with a natural hair brush applicator on the other side, really handy for creating subtle smouldering finish.

Clarins Crayon Khôl in Platinum swatch

Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in 736 Pink Camellia, 737 Royal Plum, 738 Spicy Cinnamon, £18 each

736 Pink Camellia, 738 Spicy Cinnamon and 737 Royal Plum

My favourite launch from the AW13 are the three beautiful colours added to the Joli Rouge Lipstick range - 736 Pink Camellia, 737 Royal Plum and 738 Spicy Cinnamon. They are SO hydrating and glossy, simply lovely on the lip. Unlike other lipsticks, I didn't get any of the dreaded dry-out, and the colour stayed put for hours. The Royal Plum shade is a bold deep aubergine that was really popular in early 2013, and I expect it will come back strong as we head into the winter months. Pink Camellia is my personal favourite, it looks fantastic with green eyes. 

Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in 736 Pink Camellia, 737 Royal Plum, 738 Spicy Cinnamon swatch 

Clarins Be Long Mascara, £21

This clever little mascara is packed with genius ingredients, like a peptide to promote lash growth and panthenol to strengthen. I was surprised by the tiny brush, but it was great at catching all the little lashes in the corners of the eye. Great precision for super-defined, clump-free lashes. 

Clarins Be Long Mascara swatch

Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Forest, £31

I am in love with this magical-forest inspired Eye Quartet Mineral Palette. It may be on the pricey side, but it is so beautiful. The packaging is classy through and through, and the shadows are shimmering delights. With khaki green, satin taupe, intense bronze and pale gold shadows, this palette is fantastic for complimenting green and brown eyes. I wear with the Crayon Khôl in Taupe to complete the look.

What do you think of the new AW13 collection? Let me know by leaving a comment below or by commenting on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page, or tweeting @PoutOutProud xx

A Glossybox Delight!

Everyone loves a parcel at the door. I even love a letter, unless of course it contains the most hideous of parchment… the dreaded bill!

Glossybox have come up with a really cute little service, whereby a beautiful box filled with five beauty ‘taster’ delights arrives on your doorstep every month.

The boxes are a nice gift idea and a handy way of discovering new products. The boxes themselves are so pretty that I re-use them to package presents! They also do tailored boxes, such as ‘Glossybox woman’ aimed at beauty lovers aged 40+, which is £14 (plus £2.95 packaging) and is delivered every eight weeks.

Redken Diamond Oil Review

The Redken brand is already well-known for its extreme hair-repair credentials. That's why I was so excited to trial their latest product launch, a smoothing oil for strength and shine...

Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine, £31.99

Firstly, big praise goes for the fact Redken have thought to deliver TWO variations of the same product, one for fine hair (in an amber bottle) and one for thick/coarse hair (black bottle). I’m sure fellow fine-haired beauty buffs will breath a big sigh of relief at hearing this.

Dare I say it? Yes, I do. I think the Redken Diamond Oil is one hundred times better than the market leader, Moroccanoil. Here’s why...

1. The little pipette applicator is a stroke of genius. I hate how much goes to waste you use a pump.
2. The formula is so light and versatile. I’ve used this product as a serum before blow-dying and on dry hair, and both have had gorgeous results.
3. It enhances shine AND strengthens. Most oils only focus on the latter. Redken has used it’s supreme knowledge of hair repair, including its trademark IPN (Interlock Protein Network) technology in the mix – which penetrates to the core of the hair and strengthens from within.
4. It’s nice and natural. The silicone-free blend is formulated with 99% natural oils, including coriander oils to create a protective barrier and apricot and camelina oils to enhance flexibility.
5. It’s good value. Although £31.99 may seem a touch pricey (roughly the same as Moroccanoil) you only need a few magical pipette drops per usage – so each bottle is going to last quite some time.
6. And finally… it looks really, really nice on your dressing table thanks to the gorgeous packaging.

My Holiday Hero Products

'My suitcase shrunk?'

Oh how I love a sun-drenched holiday. The sand, the sea, the sangria... it's just all rather glorious isn't it?
So next week I'm jumping on a big plane and swapping the sodden cobbles of Manchester for the twinkling shores of Cyprus! Needless to say, I cannot wait.

After a long weekend in culture-swathed Barcelona and a fleeting romance with wild Ibiza earlier this summer, I have learnt to select my precious luggage allowance with the meticulousness of a neurosurgeon. And then there's the soaring heat to contend with... As I'm sure you know, my amigos, make-up meltdown is a very real danger. Preventative measures are nothing but a necessity.

Moisturiser:  Clarins HydraQuench SPF15, £34
My gorgeous aunty Jeanie, who lives in Spain, swears by this moisturiser for the warmer climes. It soaks in fast and is a melt-free zone all day.

Primer: Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer SPF30, £29.95
I'm not a huge primer advocate, but this slim number was AMAZING in Ibiza. It helped keep my foundation in place well into the early hours.

Foundation: MAC Cosmetics Studio Sculpt Foundation (SPF 15) £24 with a bit of Laura Mercier Illuminated Tinted Moisturiser (SPF20) £33 to thin the consistency
I've tried so many different foundations, but for me MAC Studio Sculpt is just the one. When my skin is slightly dry I have to use a bit of tinted moisturiser to thin it out, but I love how it sets so flawlessly. The coverage is medium and buildable to full, so nice and versatile for holiday evenings, but I tend not to use it during the day - I just use the tinted moisturiser on its own for a really light coverage (with added SPF, bonus!)

Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, £17
This genius product is amazing for keeping shadow exactly where it should be. I wore really heavy eye make up to go to Zoo Project in Ibiza (complete with leopard body paint... yes really!) and this tube of magic worked an absolute treat, despite the hot temps.

Lippy: Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang £14, with Glide-on Lip Pencil also in Bang £12
Outline the lip and shade with the pencil before applying the lipstick, blot and re-apply. I guarantee this fierce shade (my favourite accessory for a goddess-bronze tan) will stay put for HOURS.

Bronzer: ArtDeco Bronzing Compact Powder, £25
There's no long-lasting hocus-pocus going on with this bronzer, I just think it's really good. The beautiful palette is huge, so ideal for adding a bit of body shimmer.

Eye-Liner: Dior Waterproof Eyeliner Long-Wear Pencil, £18
It does not budge. Hallelujah!

Blush: Benefit Sugarbomb, £23.50
This peachy coral blush palette goes so well with a tan, and there's just the right amount of shimmer to add a sexy glow too.

Posh After-Sun: Lancôme Nutrix Royal £39
For slightly scorched skin this intense repair lipid-enriched lotion is the ultimate soother. If, however, you're a bit on the strapped side Soltan Aftersun with insect repellent £4.49 is pretty good. It really does keep the pesky mosquitos at bay too.

Hair Serum: Liss Unlimited SOS Smoothing Double Serum by L'Oreal Professionnel, £13.25
Holidays may be generally delicious, but they're also rather harsh on the tresses. I use this serum by L'Oreal to banish frizz even in humid climates. It smells rather nice too.

Burn Balance: If you're prone to pink after lounging in the sun try using a colour corrector with a green base, like Smashbox Photo Finish Color Corrector Foundation Primer in Green, £12.50 (travel size) before you put on your foundation. This will counterbalance the redness for a perfect finish.

Let me know your holiday hero products by commenting below, or by writing on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page, or tweeting @PoutOutProud.

xx