New In: Clarins Splendour Summer Collection

Clarins are fast becoming the pretty palette queens. Beautiful packaging, embossing and colours that make my insides melt. Their summer collection, Spendours, inspired by the ancient ruins of South America, is enough to have me running to counters and I'm pleased to report the actual product inside matches up to the packaging. Here's what's in store for upcoming months...

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel in 01 Crystal Pink £16

Crystal Lip Balm in 07 Crystal Gold Plum, £17

Two lip products to familiarise yourself with - the first is an Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel, a light glossy textured jelly, adding a lovely light glow to the lips and the other are the Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm. With a transparent outer layer and a bright pop of colour running through the centre to create a unique shade. Don't be fooled by the green shade I have, 07 Crystal Gold Plum, which surprisingly applies like a berry, but a Summer appropriate berry. Weightless and glossy you almost forget you're wearing lipstick at all - the slight problem I have with these is the taste which is nothing as pleasurable as the Lip Perfectors and almost medicine-like.

Clarins Colour Quartet & Eye Liner Palette, £31

The Limited Edition Colour Quartlet & Liner Palette features a combination of shades that I wouldn't put together myself but after having makeup artist Jo Frost apply a light smokey eye and take me through how to use each shade I was sold! Using the cream all over the lid, plum close to the lash line and the bronze and pink to blend the two together, created a light day-appropriate smokey eye. With the option of a subtle black liner along the lashline to bring everything together depending on intensity.

Clarins Summer Bronzing Compact, £30

The star of the show here would be what's graced my cheeks daily since it's arrival - Summer Bronzing Compact. There's something about the shade of colours mixed together that none of my other bronzers manage to impart, a peachy bronze glow that puts my Guerlain Terracotta to shame. Light or heavy handed, this shade creamy texture and matte finish somehow requires minimal effort and blending, perfect for slapping on in a hurry. I've even been swirling a smaller brush in the centre for highlighting. Lastly, this rather large compact houses double the powder (10g more) than my previous most reached for Guerlain Terracotta and £4 less in price. Beauty blogger maths at its finest... 

Wearing Clarins Colour Quartet & Eye Liner Palette, Crystal Lip Balm in 07 Crystal Gold Plum and Summer Bronzing Compact

All available from April, Clarins gets a thumbs up all round but my pick of the bunch would be the bronzing powder. A peachy glow that warms up my face like no other - only problem is it's limited edition. Oh you know how I like to stock up on back ups...