I was very, very tempted to let the pics do the talking for this post, as they have a lot to say. Unfortunately so do I! Ladies may I present Clarins’ Christmas limited edition collection, Odyssey, consisting of a face palette and an eye quartet. Odyssey by name, odyssey by nature, this collection is designed to see you through your journey from office, to shopping, to bar, to party this silly season. More on that to come.
The packaging is luxe, gold and embossed (which we have come to expect of Clarins) and very, very gift-worthy. I can see many a mam/sister/friend swooning over it and displaying it proudly on their dressing table. The face palette is sturdy and satisfyingly heavy in the palm, containing a decent mirror and a powder pan which is almost too pretty to use. Almost. Underneath the gold glitter oversprayed design lies a beautifully fine milled powder. It’s not illuminating or iridescent, it’s much more subtle than this, and disappears into the skin leaving even tone with a hint of glow. Perfect no-makeup makeup. Love.
The eye quartet is very cleverly designed with complimentary shades that can truly take you from day to night. The very office appropriate matte neutral shades are buttery soft, can be used wet or dry, and aren’t the slightest bit chalky. This, cosmetic houses, is how you make a matte shadow. The darkest brown can also be used as a liner, and I’ve been using a combination of the dark and medium shades to fill my brows. The lightest shade can be used to illuminate not only the inner eyelid, but brow arch, cheeks and bridge of the nose. What I love most about the palette is how you can go from a neutral, work appropriate look, to glam party sparkle in the blink of an eye. The gold shimmer shadow does its job beautifully, leaving an almost foiled effect behind without fall out thanks to its almost tacky consistency. Define your brows and add a touch of the dark brown liner under your eyes and Cinderella is ready for the ball!
I think it’s safe to say that Clarins, as usual, knocked it out of the park with this collection. I know I’ll be toting it around with me for at least the next three months, or until I scrape the pans, whichever comes sooner.
The collection should be available on counters now for those super organised people getting their presents in order already! What you think ladies, is this something you would treat yourself or a loved one to this Winter?
