I am no fortune teller.
No way, no how. I’ve never picked the winning lottery numbers, haven’t foreseen any major historical events, and I did not divine my evolution into a cat lady…although really, in hindsight, that one I should have seen comin’. 🙂
I can’t tell you if that guy/gal you’re dating is THE one (I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!), but I can tell you this: if you plan to spend any time with these Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms this summer, you’ll be spending much of it swiping these balms back and forth across your lips. Back, back, forth and forth, as the song goes.
Yeah, these four new limited edition tinted lip balms require some serious swiping. A LOT of swiping. I think it has to do with the tinted inner core.
Released with the Clarins Splendours Colour Collection for summer, Crystal Rose, Crystal Mandarin, Crystal Gold Plum and Crystal Berry ($26 each) each have a yummy-looking tinted inner core surrounded by a transparent balm.
Don’t they look cool and almost good enough to eat?
Mmm… Like lipstick gummies. 🙂
I’ve been wearing and liking three of the four shades this week. Like a fancier, more pigmented species of Burt’s Bees lip balm, they have a lightweight but heavy-duty moisturizing formula that also packs a peck of shine. Non-sticky, they last around 2-3 hours for me.
Thing is, they also take a bit of work to wield. Lots of that swiping I mentioned, as in swiping the lipstick across my lips at least 5-6 times to evenly apply the colors.
I think there’s something up with that tinted inner core, like it’s a different texture than the softer outer balm. With the first pass across my lower lip, the swipe ends up patchy and uneven…
…but bringing the tip back and forth a few times smooths things out.
I don’t mind the swiping, though. Even with it, I think these are still pretty casual and cool.
Like, if the MAC RiRi lipsticks were five-inch heels, these Clarins Instant Smooth Balms would be like Tory Burch flip-flops. 🙂 Laid back but still kinda fancy.
I think it would be cool to just wake up with lips that looked like this every morning.
Best for: Gals/guys who love laid-back lip looks and moisturizing, pigmented balms.
PRICE: $26 each
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, and available in four shades now at Clarins counters and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
My new neighbors…
About a month ago I started paying attention to a couple of finches that I kept seeing and hearing around my upstairs deck at home and one of the oak trees outside.
Turns out the reason I kept seeing them was because they made their nest…inside the deck!
I haven’t actually seen the nest itself because it’s safely tucked under some planks in the corner, but I know it’s there; I hear the baby birds chirping for food every couple of hours and see the mommy and daddy birds guarding the nook.
Tabs is now banned from the deck, at least for the time being. 🙂 It is now the official home of a family of finches, who are lovely neighbors, by the way. They keep me company while I work.
I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of the baby birds as they take their maiden flight. Fingers crossed.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
pretty swatches karen 🙂 the nest looks cool 😛
Thanks, lady! Have a nice day!
I am a huge fan of lip balms, and finding the perfect balm is almost like finding the perfect man lol! A little pricy, but I love how it looks, do you find it to be very moisturizing?
Hi Hafsa,
I find these very moisturizing. Maybe not as intensely hydrating as the Clarins Instant Lights (MY FAVE), but these are still great.
Ooh! These look (and sound) gorgeous — I know colour core balms get a lot of flack for unsolvable patchiness, so it’s good to hear that these eventually smooth out! Even if it takes a little while 😉
I hope those baby birds are out to play soon, Karen!
Hi Rae,
They’re really pretty and natural on. You would rock ’em.
Hope things out your way are good!
As a flip-flop devotee these might work well for me.
LOL, Darbie! Team Flip Flops all the way. 🙂
My favorite pair is one by Reefs. They’re black with pink and black straps and soooo comfy!
What adorable neighbors you have!! 😀 So nice of you to protect them, too!
And these Crystal Balms are super pretty but probably I will pass on them in favor of more sheer, balmy lippies that are a bit more worth the money
You might like the ones from Burt’s Bees! They are a touch sheerer.
The colors are nice but it’s too bad that these are a bit finicky to apply. Speaking of tinted balms, I only had a Fresh Sugar balm in my bag last week and one of the boys had horribly chapped lips so I told him to use that (while I was driving). When I parked and he turned toward me, he looked like the Joker with a reddish patch from his nose to his chin and about 1″ wider than his lips all around. It was too funny.
That’s so nice that you have new neighbors. They must enjoy dining at Chez Karen. 🙂
LOL, I love that story! Too funny. I bet his lips were really soft though. 🙂
I’m going to try to set my camera out there and catch a few pics of the birds. Here’s hoping!
Anywho, is it Friday yet?!
It did help with the chapping! 🙂
Good luck getting some pics of the birdies. Hopefully they cooperate!
Gosh, I wish. This hasn’t been the best week. But, my bright spot was watching Silver Linings Playbook last night (I was a bit late getting on the bandwagon). I loved it and thought Jennifer Lawrence was terrific. Actually, the whole cast was great, imo. 🙂
These are really cute. And they look like they have decent pigmentation.
Yup! Very pigmented.
Cute neighbors! These are cute but I’m not sure about the colors for light girls… thoughts?
You could do it. Try the pink.
Dear Lovely Karen,
I absolutely LOVE your makeup in these photos…especially the one where you are wearing Chrystal Plum. Please please tell me what blush you are wearing in that pic. (aside : I am obsessed with blush these days. That is the first thing I notice. 😀 🙁 ) So before I run out to grab these lip balms I would like to know the blush you are wearing 🙂
xo xo
S
On our last lunch date, I tried to describe these lippies to my friend, who just couldn’t picture it. I have never seen anything like these! they are kinda space age-y to me, I am really tempted to fall for this crystal gimmick. Loving the look of the Gold Plum, which was not at the counters I searched.
They do sound like quite a bit of work (the lippies, not the finches), but the colors look so beautiful on you that I think they’re worth the effort. The finches are a delight.
These look like fun, and very pretty on you!
The Gold Plum looks beautiful!
Those all look like pretty colours.
😀 I love your new neighbours! We have one sparrow guy who always hangs out in our frontyard. He has unique markings which make him look like he’s wearing a bandana around his neck. Birds are adorable.
these look like avon’s shine attract lipsticks.