Wearing Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Coral
I’ve been trying (“trying” being the key word here) to get into fighting shape by summer, and part of that has meant “trying” to refrain from eating so many sweets. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of willpower when it comes to skipping my ritual après dinner rendezvous with [INSERT SWEET TREAT DU JOUR], so we’ll see how long this lasts.
I haven’t been at it long. Only about a week, but already, everywhere I turn, I see things that remind me of sweets, like these tubes of Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms ($24.50 each), which kindasorta look like Jell-O pops, don’t they? Or fruit-flavored Gummi bears?
Or, be still my beating heart, Jell-O-covered Gummi bears!? 🙂
Shoot, if I didn’t know better, I’d probably try to eat one of these hybrid lipstick/gloss/lip balms. But I do, and note: they’re not edible. Luckily for everyone involved, they’re also unflavored (whew!), but they do have a very faint fruity scent.
Look for the new Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms on Clarins counters this May, where they’ll be striking poses alongside the rest of the new 13-piece Clarins Enchanted Summer 2012 collection, which was inspired by classic Indian colors. The four Crystal Lip Balms join three bronzers, two lipglosses, a quad, two eye kohls and a waterproof mascara.
In the look, exotic, sultry eyes smolder above bronzed, sculpted cheeks and lightly pigmented lips that shine…
Fo’ reals, doesn’t that sound delicious? 🙂
I just love the way these lippies look in their poolside attire. They’re like liquids frozen in time, and everything about their outward appearance says summer to me.
The Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm line has been around for a while, but Clarins says these new ones combine the benefits of three products in one — the color of a lipstick, the transparency of a gloss, and the comfort of a lip balm — all while smoothing and plumping at the very same time.
Because it looks so sunny and cheerful in its tube, I’ve been wearing Crystal Coral (that’s it down below) during this current stormy weather, and dang is it comfortable. And moisturizing, too.
Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Coral
Too bad it also applies a little streaky on me, and that’s probably my one and only gripe. The pigment doesn’t spread across my lips as smoothly or as easily as I’d like, and I’m thinking it’s due to most of the pigment being concentrated in the bullet’s core.
After applying a layer, I find myself having to rub my lips together or pat the product down with a finger to evenly distribute the color. Not a big deal, but it is an extra step, and not one I’m used to doing with a lippie this sheer (most are swipe and go).
Do I think these make my lips look fuller? No, not really, but that’s not unusual. Heck, I can’t remember the last time I noticed fuller lips from a lip plumping product.
I really wanted to fall for these, hook, line and sinker, but two out of three ain’t bad. I do like the slick, moisturizing formula and how drop-dead delicious they look in their tubes, but with slightly patchy pigments, I think they stop just shy of great.
I will keep Sunny Crystal Coral here on my desk while it’s overcast. That way I can reach for it when my lips get thirsty, and whenever I need a beauty break (Tabs has me typing his autobiography, How I Beat the Odds: The Life and Times of Tabs the Cat, Kitty Supermodel). 🙂
PRICE: $24.50 each
AVAILABILITY: Coming this May to Clarins counters and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
And speaking of summer…
The swimsuit I ordered from Haute Look on super deep discount (like almost half off!) arrived today! It’s from a brand called Vix Swimwear, which I’d never heard of before, but I fell for the online pics.
I still have to give it the good ol’ pool/beach test, but when I tried it on quickly this morning, I really liked the way it looked.
It comfy, fits well and, most importantly, makes my booty look cute (I think). Priorities, you know. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
The lip balms look delicious, but I’m still craving for their bronzer! =)
I’ve got my eye on the eyeshadow quad I see there. Such a pretty purple!
Do you know, I haven’t owned a swimsuit in years? I don’t swim (in that respect it makes sense), but I hardly ever get to the beach to just hang out. It’s strange, because I see other women purchase and talk about swimsuits, but it’s the one girly thing I never do.
I think I will finally pick up one of these-I’ve wanted to for so long but never do. I’m really liking the look of this whole collection!
The lipsticks look so beautiful! Have you swatched these yet? Crystal Coral looks so pretty on you, it more pigmented than I’d expected it to be!
Oh man, I need that red shade like right now.
I got one of these from Maybelline (I think?) last summer. It tasted a bit bitter. I think it was a better concept than turn out. PS- is this tube sweating or was that just for the photo?
those lipbalms look so fun! i am just sad its not available at nordstrom.com since their free shipping on anything is always a plus!
Those lippies are discoliscious. Though I do see the Indian jeweled theme as well. My inner crow just loves looking at them!
Oh, you’re killing me with the bikini, though. Make me hungry with your soup info and then show me a bikini to remind me of why I shouldn’t be snacking. Thanks so much. 🙂
Karen I LOVE your bikini!!1
I’m not too interested in this lippy though. Sheerness should basically equal low-maintenance, because otherwise I’d just want to go all out!
Those do look very delicious. I wonder if they have a more nude/natural color. Bright colors don’t look good on me 🙁 . Maybe I’ll check out the counter at Macy’s and see what other colors they offer. Thanks for the review~
Love your hair!
What gorgeous packaging!
These do look sunny and cheerful, don’t they? They just scream popsicles and fun, beachy summers to me!