Cute black shoes, jeans that make my bum look good, pictures of men with rippled abs, and wearable neutral eye palettes — these are some of the things I love. 
Cue the band!
The Clarins Instant Sun Light Eye Quartet & Liner Palette ($36) has a lot to offer ladies who love warm, blendable neutrals. With four smooth, pigmented powder shadows and an accompanying cream liner, it’s ready and waiting to help you rock a range of casual to dressy eye looks.
Now available at Clarins counters and online, it’s part of the eight-piece Instant Sun Light summer collection.
First thing I have to say about these shadows is WOW! — they blend exceptionally well (almost blend themselves). If you’ve ever had trubs blending eyeshadows in the past and struggle to avoid those tell-tale lines of demarcation (oh, honey, I’ve been there!), I’m betting this palette helps you step up your game. 🙂
For more on the Clarins Instant Sun Light collection…
Sometimes I try to imagine what the developers of a product might have watched or listened to at the time they created something. I think this time — the Spice Girls, perhaps? After all, they named each of the shades after a different spice and then embossed a pattern in the center that’s supposed to be an anise star (hmm.. who was it that said it kinda looks like lady parts?).
The colors:
- Pearly Ginger Eyeshadow: a shimmery beige
- Iridescent Cinnamon Eyeshadow: a shimmery brown with golden glitter
- Matte Cocoa: a neutral matte brown
- Sparkling Paprika: a shimmery golden peach
- Metallic Nutmeg Cream Liner: a shimmery reddish brown with gold flecks
Clarins usually creates seasonal palettes that feel really lavish and luxurious, and Instant Sun Light fits with the program. While the colors aren’t particularly revolutionary, per se, the shadows and liner feel sumptuous and elegant to me.
As for texture, Clarins shadows have a distinct feel; they’re smooth, soft and almost creamy. I’ve accidentally dug my brush in a little too hard (I don’t know my own strength, ha) once or twice and put a big dent in the pan (NO!).
This softness, however, also makes them wonderfully blendable. Totally fab if you can remember to be gentle when working with ’em.
The included cream liner does a fine job along my lash line but didn’t win over my waterline (it made me teary). I may just stick to using it as a base for the four eyeshadows, where it does enhance their colors.
I already have a favorite way to wear this palette. 🙂 I start by applying the cream liner as a base on my lids and then layer the shimmery brown eyeshadow directly on top. I follow that up by sweeping the shimmery golden peach eyeshadow into the crease and the shimmer beige at the inner corners of my eyes to brighten them. I finish by lining my lower lash line with the matte brown.
Three more ideas for ways to wear the Instant Sun Light Palette:
- A simply elegant look: Apply the shimmery beige over the entire eye lid, and then line upper lash line with the shimmery cream liner for a crisp cat eye
- A soft look for a lunch date: Pat the shimmery peach over the lid and crease and along the lower lash line. Then, line the upper and lower lash lines with the matte brown shadow
- A two-minute smokey eye: Apply the shimmery cream liner to the lid and lower lash line. Then, smudge the matte brown shadow on top; use a finger to soften and smudge the edges
With the help of a good primer, the shades don’t crease much and should last all day without fading. Ladies who wear warm neutrals well, let the Instant Sun Light palette light up your eyes! Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+
You might like the Clarins Instant Sun Light Eye Quartet if…
- You’re looking to grow your collection of neutral eye colors
- You like pigmented, blendable eyeshadows
- You like flexible palettes that give you plenty of options
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Just in from Urban Decay! UD has a limited edition Alice’s Favorite Things ($211) kit available online, with the Alice in Wonder Book of Shadows plus seven full-sized UD products.
What do ya think?
The colors in the palette look so flattering on you!
Thanks, Sophia!
Do you think you might try this palette?
Haha I might – but I’ll have to save up first! 😉
Haha, it was me that pointed out it looks like vaginas. That doesn’t prevent me from wanting it, though =)
HOLY CRAP. IT DOES! hahahahahahaahahahaahahaaha.
Now you have mentioned it…it really does…
.-= Citrine’s last blog post… Rimmel Vintage Pink Moisture Renew Lipstick =-.
Ever since you pointed it out I can no longer look at this palette in the same way, LOL!
I just showed my husband to see if he liked the colors (right) and the first thing out his mouth was “What is that…vagina makeup?” Bad. Maybe someone should tell Clarins. Ha!
Hey Karen,
This quartet is perfection to me 🙂 I love warm neutrals really much, and I love Clarins, they make really good skin care and make up products. Buuut as a girl who’s overly lazy for eye shadows this would only be my beautiful vanity table decor 😀
I really like Clarins skincare too. What items are your faves? I’m all about the Hydraquench cream.
I might succumb to that Clarins palette. Its awesome and so pretty in the pan. And the price isnt bad!
That UD Alice Last Chance made me sad … I got the email and I thought – but I only want the palette, not the rest of the stuff w/ it. Plus the price – made me teary eyed, I tell you. Le Sigh. 😉
Have a great evening, Karen & Tabs!
Do it! I really like the Clarins palettes…they’re always very classy!
How’s your week been? Can you believe tomorrow is Thursday already?
The week has flown by because were swamped at work. I cannot wait for the weekend – we have another (the last for this season, I think) out of town wedding to go to. Its in Brenham, Tx and I love that place because its calm and chill. 🙂
I need to BUY SOMETHING this week … just to cheer myself up. I think the Clarins palette is it. Ill stop by the Clarins counter @ Macy’s on Friday before I hit Costco! ::)
Hows your week been? 😉
Wow, you’ve been a busy bee with all of your events.
Oooh! Let me know what you think of the palette once you get it.
As for my week, it’s been okay. Busy, but not so that I feel like tearing my hair out. It feels like it’s going to be a hot one here today! Finally, summer.
Were gonna have a relatively cool day – just in the 80s. Had some rain this morning too!
I know … the events just came one after the other. My last party (I hope) will be end of July – a much delayed graduation party for one of my cousins.
Macys doesnt have the palette I think, so now its in my Nordie’s shopping cart! 😀
That looks awesome on you and the names are making me hungry. I associate those flavors with fall and hot chocolate, though!
I dig this set but I am trying to stop buying the same eyeshadow colors that I already have, no matter how much I love them. I have a tendency to do that with handbags, too. So weird.
.-= Amber’s last blog post… Citrus honey rosemary ice cream =-.
I do it with lipglosses and shoes. 🙂
ohhh I love this palette, there’s ome nice neutrals in there plus pretty highlights and one of the browns is matte which makes me happy 🙂 lol the design does look a bit awkward ehem. how was your day?
.-= makeup morsels’s last blog post… Ellis Faas: The Coolest Makeup on the Block =-.
I got a migraine in the afternoon but other than that it was good! How was yours?
Nice palette esp the ‘star’ design in the center, but I think I have enough neutral eyeshadows and palettes for now.
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Photos: Hauls & Pressies; And A Little Update On Myself =-.
I’m not into neutrals much because I like colors, and it does look like lady parts! Haha!
I got the UD email today and my jaw dropped. However, the bundle set isn’t discounted; I think everything is full price anyway. Still, I think it’d be an great starter set for someone who’s never tried Urban Decay before (Blasphemy! Convert, now!).
P.S. I got the Elizabeth Arden stuff in the mail today! Whee! Thank you thank you thank you for holding awesome giveaways on your blog!
i like that UD re-released the alice book of shadows, though i either don’t need or don’t want the other things that come in the bundle. i’ve been on a mission all year of finding a great palette with tons of awesome colors and thats NOT gonna break the bank.
A nice set of natural shadows!
Yeah, it’s a good one for the neutral girls. 🙂
WANT! It’s the first time I ever wanted a Clarin palette. I remember using their skincare like 10yrs ago. I need to revisit.
I’ve been using their moisturizers lately and loving them. I wish it was cheaper though!
Yeah me too – I still want to try their firming treatments and their self tanning lotions that supposed to smell really good!
I forgot to ask – have you used Chanel moisturizers? How does Clarins compare? I’ve been obsessed with Chanel moisturizers/serums lately. I just wished they were more wallet friendly.
Hmmm, really? I’ve never had any luck with Clarins eyeshadows! I have a bunch of singles and they have beautiful texture and they swatch really well but… No matter which base I use or which brush, as soon as I put them on my lid and try to blend them, they totally disappear! They go on really really chalky on me and just POOF! Vanish! I do have to admit however, I am big on their skin care. And the teal mascara!
.-= Allyssa’s last blog post… Stranded with no camera! =-.
i LOVE this!!!!! i am definitley going to get this and im so excited to try it!!
This is NICE. It seems better suited to fall. Then again, do neutrals ever go out of style? No, I don’t think so.
Regardless, I want this. I love how pigmented these colors are. WANT!
.-= Trisha’s last blog post… How to Look Cute While Jogging =-.
Boy oh boy. I saw this in my Google Reader and immediately thought “VAGINAS”! After reading the comments, I am glad I am not the only one with a dirty little mind here.
But seriously… look at them thangs! Gee whiz! LOL.