A texture finer than cake flour and a fresh, unforced healthy glow? Lovely traits to have in/get from a powder blush, but I crave more from my pans (says the girl whose husband routinely catches her in the bathroom cooing at a Chanel Joues Constraste blush).
Ya know, like a nice scent. 🙂
Known for their Laissez-faire approach to cheek color, Clarins has kindly obliged.
Their brand new $35 Graphic Expression Face & Blush Powder Palette smells ah-may-zing! Evocative of something from a more expensive line like Chanel. When I open the pan and take a whiff, it’s as if a bouquet of freesias appears on my desk beside a tin of violet hard candies as I’m hugged by someone who loves me — all in one sniff!
But the scent isn’t the only reason I heart this multi-colored palette of matte peach, rose and tan. Whether worn separately or mixed together, the shades look like they were made for fall smokey eyes and/or bold lips.
Slightly more pigmented than last spring’s Rouge Éclat Face & Blush Palette, Graphic Expression is also more peachy than pink.
I wear two layers for a veil of peachy rose color on my tanned cheeks and three or four for the bolder look I’m wearing in these pics.
(NOTE: If makeup often oxidizes on your skin, I have noticed that Graphic Expression does slightly darken on my skin over time when it’s worn.)
Clarins Graphic Expression ticks all of my important blush boxes…
Does it keep my pores under wraps? Check. Layers well? Check. Lasts all day? Check. Works well on a wide range of skin tones? Check.
I suppose one could wait for fall to wear Clarins Graphic Expression, but why do that? Late summer’s just as good a time as any. 🙂 Especially with a blush that looks this pretty with a tan, a juicy coral gloss and mascara.
PRICE:Â $35 for a 0.3-ounce pan
AVAILABILITY:Â Available now at Clarins counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+/A-
I need some TLCFMP (Tender Loving Care for My Paws)
I’ve been sporting a seriously janky manicure all week. My paws need an intervention, like, ASAP!
I’m thinking about trying some nail art like this pic I saw on my friend Keri’s Instagram.
I love the gold streaks on her burgundy nails. To get the streaks, she used a MAC 205 mascara brush. So creative, right?
Keri does some seriously cool designs on her blog, Nail Art Junkie. Check it out if you have time.
Have you done any nail art lately? I think I’d try it more often if I didn’t have to open so many cans of gravy for my very hungry boss, LOL!
I hope you had a nice Monday. Did your week get off to a good start?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Love the waterfall nail art!
Hi Sarah,
Yup, it’s cute!
Shade looks gorgeous and love the nail art 😉
Hi Gowthami,
Yes, it does! Are you a nail art fan?
love those nails
Hi Marla,
Me too! Do you do nail art?
Those nails do look really nice.
Hi Hanna,
Yup! How often do you do nail art?
I love this blush. Btw, Karen I bought the Splendours bronzer after reading your review. I’m not into nail arts coz it’s not allowed at my work.
Hi Charisma,
I hope you like the bronzer! Have you been wearing it lately?
Not yet. It should arrive Thursday this week. Then I’ll take photos, then wear and review them. But it’s a dupe of Guerlain’s for half the price. I think I can wear this in lieu of my cheek blush but I will still have to do contouring with my “go-to” baked bronzer from Hard Candy.
Ahh, I love a good contour! Bronzer seriously changes everything, doesn’t it?
Love those nails. From what I’m reading from InStyle magazine, oxblood nails are really in this fall. Personally, I’m not much for nail art, it just takes too long and I change my color often enough as it is. You’ve introduced me to yet another blog I want to read every day!
Hi Rachel,
Yay! I’m glad you liked Keri’s site. She’s cool. I met her through MAC (she’s a senior artist) and she’s also a cat lady, so we get along really well.
As for nails, do you change your polish every week? In my perfect world, that’s what I would do.
I used to work for Clarins Corporate and I have to say, their products are so heavily scented that my not very sensitive skin would actually react!
Hi Beauty Glow,
That’s cool. What was your job?
I worked in creative… it was so much fun and still my favorite job ever!
Oh, that’s awesome? Product development?
Gorgeous packaging. The contents also look fab on you, btw! 🙂 That nail art definitely looks cool and puts me in a fall frame of mind. It won’t be long before things start cooling down and our leaves start turning, so the burgundy/gold is very apropos.
Hi Kim,
I’m ready but not ready for fall. Totally ready for the colors, but not ready to be cold again. NOPE. Not gonna do it!
Have the boys started school yet?
I agree 100%. I absolutely love fall but summer seems to have gone by so fast! That said, there is something so comforting about bundling up in a sweater (but not being cold!).
No, they start on the 4th. They’re pretty excited, so I’m happy about that. 🙂
What grade are they in again? I feel like they’re getting so big so fast!
They’re starting 5th this year. They’re growing SO fast. They’re going to be tall like their father, I think. Already they’re 5′ and wearing men’s shoes (sizes 8.5 and 9!) and they’re only 10 years old. I told one of them to take it easy on his North Face sandals because he will have outgrown them by next summer and they’re coming to mama! 🙂
Ooooh, I’d get it for the packaging alone, so gorgeous! And as for nail art, I never really try… The best I can do is use a special effect top coat instead of just plain normal nail polish, but that’s about it.
Hey lady!
I’m so with you. I feel like I should try more nail art though, since it’s so trendy, and it’s always fun to look at cute fingers. 🙂
Do you usually end up with glitter top coats? That’s what I do.
That blush sounds amazing (and would get me trying something other than Nars Orgasm, my go-to). Nail art is so pretty, but I usually just do my toes because in my current job and my next job you can’t have crazy fingernail paint (my next job it will be clear polish only). I love pieces of luxury like that blush that don’t have to cost 80 bucks like some of the others do. I may buy it at some point.
Hi Katherine,
It’s easy to get stuck on NARS Orgasm. I went through a phase a few years back when I wore it almost every day. It’s a good go-to, but it’s also fun to try other things too! Maybe give this blush a try for non-shimmery cheek days?
When do you start your next job?
Not sure when I will get the job (the application processes can take up to a year), but I know some of the specifications for hair and makeup due to attending applicant orientations. It means keeping everything neutral, and no makeup during the training portion (which is usually 6 months). I will e-mail you when I do hear something though! It is really easy to get stuck on Nars Orgasm, I have used it pretty much every day for about 5 or 6 years (since I read about it in Allure magazine).
I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I know you’ve been working toward the goal for a while. 🙂 When you finally get the gig I guess it will give you the excuse to paint your toes crazy colors (that’s what I would do, LOL). Oh, and do brows count for no makeup?!
If you like NARS Orgasm you might like Amour. Swatch it next time you’re at the counter!
Your hair looks really lovely! Did you blow it out to get that look?
Hi Chris,
Nope, I let it air dry (it’s naturally wavy), then I used a large round-barrel curling iron and some hairspray.
How have you been wearing your hair lately?
lovely shades.. you look beautiful
Hi Kiransingh,
Thank you! Are you a Clarins fan?
Hi Karen. I’m definitely going to try this nail art trick! I love doing my nails and trying different nail art. You can follow me on Instagram (@barb_mcgregor). I post picture of my nails, my crazy cat and dogs and usually beer 🙂 Also, your hair looks fab in this post!
Hi Barb,
Let me know how your nails turn out! Send me a pic if ya want. 😀
WOW this product is gorgeous! Also, I love those nails!
Hi Danielle,
Yay! Glad you like it. Do you wear a lot of Clarins?
The nails look gorgeous! And the blush is lovely too.
Hi Gio,
Did you get the chance to check out this collection?
Love the nails! And the blush looks pretty on you.
Hi Denise,
Yeah, check out Keri’s blog if you get the chance. She has lots of cool designs.