Megan road tests Clarins Nude Inspiration collection and finds it’s not deeply pigmented but that’s the point; it’s a delicate sheer range inspired by "a very natural girl fresh-faced and carefree, emerging from a field of ripe wheat."
Megan road tests Clarins Nude Inspiration collection and finds it’s not deeply pigmented but that’s the point; it’s a delicate sheer range inspired by "a very natural girl fresh-faced and carefree, emerging from a field of ripe wheat."
"The complexion is veiled in transparent beiges and seems bare" according to Thibault Vabre, Clarins Make-up Artistic Director. "The lips are a delicate pink and eyes are dressed in matching tones. The result is a naturally enhanced beauty and the subtle simplicity that those who respect their true nature are looking for."
This may all be very well if you’re 18 and are a perfect peaches and cream girl, but what about if you’re the wrong side of 30? Surely Clarins’ customer base isn’t suddenly wanting a bare complexion? We are urban working women wanting to repair what nature didn’t give and nurture has neglected. So, how does it fare in the real world, far from the ripe wheat of Elysian Fields? I was sceptical.
Two things changed my mind: firstly it looks really pretty after seasons of smoky eyes, and secondly, the concealor stick.
The concealer stick ($61.00) is incredibly soft and melts into the skin around the eyes with the warmth of your fingertips. I liked the fairly high level of coverage it gave, too.
Brows are really strong at the moment, as you can see in the model pictured, left. The Nude Inspiration Eyebrow Kit "Pro" Palette ($70.00) has three eyebrow shades which you can also use on your eyelids, a wax to set eyebrows by itself or after eyebrow shading, and a pink eyeshadow for highlighting the brow line.
The Face & Blush Duo Compact ($85.00) has two tiers of a beige face powder and underneath, a blusher, both imprinted with sheaths of wheat.
If a nude quartet conjours up images of a slightly dodgy string foursome, don’t worry. The Colour Quartet for Eyes in Nudes ($79.00) is an eyeshadow compact of four shades in a Clarins red and silver mirrored compact: a shimmery gold, a matte gold, a matte soft brown, and a deeper brown with gold reflections. Don’t be fooled by how deep they look, they are very sheer and natural, and give lots of shimmer to the skin.
And so you can see it on a real person, I am wearing the nudes eyeshadow compact and brow kit below.
And a close-up of the eye shadow on.
So, whether or not your own lifestyle involves you emerging from a field of ripe wheat or most likely not, the subtle shades of Clarins Nude Inspirations feels fresh and clean. So get nude. It’s a natural decision.
By Megan Robinson, March 2010.
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