*Now that crisp fall air is upon us, I thought I would re-publish my “Winter Skin Care Solutions” blog post with originally ran in December 2010. Enjoy!*

Dry winter skin happens to the best of us…even a top notch Grade A (my words, not yours:)) Beauty Editor like myself. I generally have fairly oily skin, so you can imagine my shock and dismay over my recent bout with parched, winter, sandpaper skin. After returning from Paris (where is was 20 degrees), my skin decided to betray me and behave as if it’s one hundred and eighty five years old. My cheeks were dry and wrinkly, my forehead was extremely dehydrated…with every facial expression, deep dry lines road-mapped my entire face. So very un-pretty!

If you’ve noticed, I am speaking in the past tense and using words like “was” and “were” because thanks to a few incredibly effective skincare products from my beauty closet, I am healed!!! In a matter of two weeks, my skin’s balance has been restored and supple hydrated skin is mine. Not one to keep a good thing to myself, I created a quick video to demonstrate my step by step regime for combating dry winter skin. This regime worked for me and I hope it works for you! Here are the products used:

jeune d’âge organics Premiere Cleanser

jeune d’âge organics Marin Toner with Mister

Clarins Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate

Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum

And here is my video tutorial. I would love to hear your thoughts on my regime.

Now that we’ve got your dry skin in check above the neck, let’s journey south. Annet King, Director of Global Education at The International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica shares her top tips for winterizing skin. To add to my tips above, here are Annet’s top to do’s for a beautifully hydrated body!

Lower humidity levels, extreme cold, and varying indoor and outdoor environments can all damage the skin’s protective outer layer, causing irritation, sensitivity, dryness and even stinging. We all know the look: Dull, flaky, dry skin around the eyes, red cheeks. Winter can wreak havoc on all skin types.

Here are some simple tips to protect your body from the elements, while keeping your skin hydrated.

For the body and hands:

• Avoid hot water as it removes moisture from the skin. Instead, use lukewarm water and pat skin dry, don’t rub. While the skin is still damp, apply your body moisturizer immediately. Try Dermalogica’s UltraRich Body Cream for supreme nourishment and protection from the elements.
• Nylon and wool can worsen any sensitivity or eczema, so try to wear 100 percent cotton and natural fabrics.
• With shower and bath products, avoid soap, artificial fragrance and high-foam products, as they dehydrate the skin. Alternatively, add a few pumps of aromatherapy oil to your bath. Try Dermalogica’s Stress Relief Treatment Oil and Conditioning Body Wash.
• Slough off dead cells effortlessly by adding Hydro-Active Mineral Salts to the bath for a relaxing and exfoliating soak. If your prefer to shower, try Dermalogica’s Exfoliating Body Scrub and use in gentle, circular movements paying special attention to knees, elbows and hands. For super all-over-smoothness, use with the Ultimate Buffing Cloth.
• Opt for the paraffin dip the next time you get a manicure – it’s good for locking in moisture.
• Wear 100 percent cotton gloves to bed over a healing cream like Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment; this practice speeds up absorption and you’ll wake up with super-soft hands.

This past Thursday, I was invited to a glittering french themed fete to toast Eva Mendes, the new (and incredibly gorgeous) face of Thierry Mugler’s Angel campaign. A full fragrance review is en route, however, the first order of business in Ms. Mendes’ makeup…it was pitch-perfect in every way. The complexion, the lips, the cheeks — all divine. Celebrity Makeup Artist Genevieve Herr spills the beans:

Eva’s skin was primed with Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and Multi-Active Day Cream.

Using Thierry Mugler Beauty, Genevieve created a sultry, summer look to complement Eva’s mint green MUGLER dress.

First, Genevieve used ‘Cooling Effect Compact Foundation’ in Color #50.

To contour Eva’s features, then brushed on the ‘Blush & Light Powder’ in Brown & White.

To prep the lips, Genevieve applied  ‘Flash Lips Foundation’ in Nude and blended with ‘Rouge Unique Lipstick’ in Heaven.

To create the dramatic eye, Genevieve lined the whole eye from inner to outer corner on both the upper and lower lash lines in black “Eye Liner Cream”.

To highlight the lids, Genevieve swept on ”Eye Shadow & Lights Quartet” in Sublime Nature to contour the eyes with beige and golden hues.

Finally,  “Flash on Lashes Mascara’ in Black was applied to the lashes, but the secret weapon was a final coat of ‘Vinyl Gloss’ on the lashes to leave them looking wet and glossy.

All products are all available via clarins.com and www.mugler.com

Photo credit: Getty Images

Fridays with Felicia: An intimate look behind the curtain as I share my favorite style/ beauty discoveries and ThisThatBeauty shenanigans from previous week.

Bon jour! I spent part of last week and this week in Paris working on a very cool beauty project. While there I had the opportunity to take in the Paris beauty scene and experience products and services not available in the US. Yes, exclusive products!…a beauty girl’s dream.

First up on my beauty itinerary was a trip to Clarins Institut Paris for a body treatment and facial. The experience was so life changing that it deserves its own blog post…full deets shortly!

While in Paris I popped into H&M and spied a mother load of Lanvin for H&M Faux Fur…yes, THAT faux fur jacket! The one that had folks in select US cities loosing their ever loving minds.

Well in gay Paree, the faux fur was not flying…there was plenty to go ’round. I took a quick picture and kept it moving…not quite my aesthetic. #justsaying

Given the depressing value of the dollar against the euro, I pretty much had a death grip on my cash….and dug into my pocket infrequently to make purchases.  During my five day trip, I purchased only a handful of memories. For starters, I could not resist this little number….an ivory and black polka dot frock with a vintage feel.

I love the girly allure but decided to rough up the dress a bit by partnering it with:

- Black opaque tights (Target)
- Cognac studded thick leather waist belt (Anthropologie)
- Almost-to-the-knee thick wool socks in navy (Target)
- Black Suede knee boots that slouch below the knee (Tahari)
- Vintage whiskey mink…this was my daily coat…it was 20 degree in Paris!

I wore my new Parisian acquisition to the Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibit at the MUSEE D’ART MODERNE. Seeing the Basquiat exhibit of 150 works was by far the cultural highlight of my time in Paris.

If ever in Paris, “Miss Cupcake” is a MUST visit bakery. I highly recommend the lemon cupcake…and the carrot cake cupcake. But not necessarily at the same time like I’m doing here:

This next photo montage is what I like to call “The reason my clothes no longer fit“. I ate the most delicious food ever and I do not regret a single morsel. I’m already back on the running trail and will have wiggle room in my size 4′s very shortly…perhaps in two to three weeks…perhaps! LOL:)

A trip to Paris is incomplete without the purchase of Rouge Baiser lipstick…so all of my beauty girls tell me.

Naturally I copped Rouge Baiser in RED…..and I thought I’d take a walk on the wild side and give ORANGE a try. My dear Beauty Girl girlfriend Paula, of OlderGirl Beauty, wrote a lovely post on the history of Rouge Baiser. Here is the link to the back story on this alluring highly pigmented lipstick with a cult like following.

Here are my pics of Rouge Baiser….Rouge Baiser in Orange

Rouge Baiser in Red

Here I am wearing Rouge Baiser Red (and no other makeup–pls forgive me).

I LOVE! Do you like?

I have been to Paris before but this was my first trip in Winter…the snow was picturesque. Have you ever been to Paris? Do you have a favorite French Beauty product? Please leave a comment and share. I am told I’ll be back in Paris toward the end of March 2011…so I want to hear your thoughts on beauty acquisitions!

More soon! Au revoir for now! xoxoFelicia

The first holiday collection to capture my heart this season is Clarins Holiday Barocco, a four piece offering  inspired by the dramatic, daring and sensual style of the Baroque period — a time of excess, glamour and mystery. Yes!

Naturally, I am drawn to the red lip…come to momma! Unlike the reds in my current red lipstick arsenal, the red in Clarins Holiday Barocco collection beautifully infuses a dose of purple. Women who find “fire engine red” a bit intimidating, will likely find Rouge Prodige Barocco extremely wearable and an excellent go-to option for the holiday season and beyond.  I generally wear semi-matte to matte lipsticks so the rich, velvety, nourishing formula and total comfort is a nice change of pace!

Though the collection is labeled “holiday”, I am totally wearing the Barocco Eye Colour Trio every chance I get. In fact, I have decided to take it with me to Paris next month…and here’s why: The trio of shades is the perfect “all you need” palette to transition from day to evening with just a simple tweak. The center shade (a bronzey tone) makes a wonderful little wash of color for day. Pump up the volume for evening by defining the outer corners of the eyes with the rich dark shade. For added drama, use the first shade (a luxurious gilded gold) to pop the inner corners. And if you’re a major major drama queen, smudge the top and lower lash line with the elegant black. Owwww, party over here! (Oh, and don’t even get me started on using these shadows wet – Gorg!)

The Barocco Face Palette is a soft, light compact powder that delivers a lovely peachy-pink/ sandy-beige flush to fair complexions. For tan to dark complexions, the powder works nicely as an illuminating  highlighter or mattifyer. The gold and black compact is luxury defined!

This holiday season, no girl should be without Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder for Face and Décolleté. I mean why wouldn’t you want to direct attention to your, ahem, assets? Delight your Décolleté! I always feel like holiday is the one time of year when it’s permissible to throw your hands in the air, and sparkle like ya just don’t care. Holiday is all about celebration, merry making, and giving thanks. Go ahead and sparkle like you mean it! NOTE: I think this product would also work well for summer as a body shimmer…mix a little Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder with your favorite lotion or bronzing gel and ta-da!

Here I am below rocking Clarins Holiday Barocco (wearing every product). Can you stand it??? I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this collection (for all of the aforementioned reasons). It’s no coincidence that I am kicking off my holiday collection coverage with Clarins….it’s most definitely a ThisThatBeauty fave!

Lastly, this collection’s wearability is phenomenal. After applying the products, I partied several hours, danced up a storm, had a glass of wine and ….here’s my end of the night face back home…not a single touch up!

Please leave a comment and share your thoughts on Clarins Holiday Barocca. Would you buy this collection? Does it feel unique and worth your dollars?

PS: Congrats to @TheGorgeousBlog for winning a Clarins lipstick as part of my Twitter contest over the course of the weekend. @TheGorgeousBlog correctly guessed that my “Face of the Day” twitpic was Clarins Holiday Barocca. Girl, you’re good!

Honorary mention to @MissWhoEverUR for being the second to guess correctly. And a big “hey” to @StyleNBeautyDoc who went out and purchased Rouge Prodige Barocco lippie after all of the twitpics. Hey girl, send me a pic

xoFelicia

So here’s the scoop…Clarins has recently announced that renowned makeup artist Pati Dubroff (the cutie pictured left) has joined the brand as the resident Celebrity Beauty Artist. If Pati’s name sounds familiar it’s because her clients include A-listers like Charlize Theron (the cutie pictured right), Eva Mendes, Katherine Heigl and Naomi Watts.

Won’t you join Clarins in celebrating Pati’s arrival?

On Friday, October 22^nd (from 11:30am-6:30pm) Celebrity Makeup Artist, Pati Dubroff  will bring her red carpet skin care and makeup techniques to real women at the Clarins counter at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street. Pati will also offer beauty tips and touch-ups! And if that’s enough incentive…receive a Clarins gift with any purchase (your choice of two limited edition face palettes).

Feel free to stop by or call to book an appointment at Bloomingdale’s at 212-705-2891/2892.

In my day-to-day beauty grind of running from press event to press event, product launch to product launch, and everything in between, I am often asked the following question:

What are you wearing?

Sometimes the question “What are you wearing” applies to my outfit of the day, but most times the person asking the question is referring to one of two things:

1)  My Red Lip – Stay tuned for a soon to publish EPIC post

2) My current fragrance crush du jour, Thierry Mugler’s WOMANITY

WOMANITY’s intoxicating blend of caviar and fig is unlike any fragrance I have ever owned.  Ever! The scent is mysterious and engaging. Whenever I wear WOMANITY people can not help but to stop and inquire.  I am usually rather secretive when it comes to signature scents, but WOMANITY I share. Why? Because the fragrance represents and celebrates the feminine power of women and the invisible bond we share. WOMANITY is all about the unique kindred spirit of women. When wearing WOMANITY I feel fearless, confident, and like the sexiest girl in the room! For the ultimate sensory experience, I love the layering trifecta of WOMANITY body wash, body creme, and fragrance.

During the month of October, Thierry Mugler will donate all, yes ALL,  proceeds from sales of the WOMANITY Bath & Body Collection to benefit Look Good Feel Better, a free support program that helps individuals with cancer improve their appearance and self-esteem, and manage their treatment and recovery with greater confidence.

I encourage you to join in and support the efforts of Thierry Mugler WOMANITY…and possibly discover your new signature scent!

xo, Felicia

This fall Clarins delivers the power pout. I am positively in love with the current resurgence of lipstick. A strong lip has been my go-to glam look for the last few years. It brings me great pleasure to see one of my favorite skin care brands, Clarins, embrace the power of a great lip!

The fall collection includes lip shades in pink, plum, coral, scarlet, beige and toffee, with many other variations in between.

I loved the paired down simplicity of the rest of the collection. Cheeks are rosy neutral. Eyes are rimmed with classic black lines.

The complete collection:

• Rouge Prodige: Available in 24 shades from pinks to corals to nudes, in a slim, pale-gold rectangular casing

• Palette Prodige Face & Powder Blush: A pressed-powder compact containing four shades: pale pink, sun-kissed beige, sparkling coral and natural beige
• Instant Blush Magic Colour: New cheek gloss that deepens from a baby-pink shade to a rosy flush once applied to the skin
• Extreme Black Kohl Eye Pencil: Pigment-rich, long-lasting eye pencil

The first time (about 10+ years ago) my dermatologist told me to incorporate sunscreen into my daily skin care regiment, I looked at her like she had two heads. At that time I didn’t understand the importance of sunscreen during non-summer months…and as a beautiful brown woman of color, I definitely did not understand the need to protect my skin against the sun. I mean, hello…I have built-in SPF 15 (I thought). My dermatologist educated me on the benefits of daily sunscreen and sent me home with an MD Forte product that, when applied, made me as white as a ghost. The formula had a severe grey-ish purple tint. Meh! How was I supposed to embrace sunscreen and its anti-aging benefits when it made me look so hideous. Back then SPF formulations were terrible. I wandered aimlessly  from sunscreen to sunscreen trying to find a product that could be worn everyday without making my face look like a pastey purpley greyish mess!

Well that was then and this is now. Sunscreen has come a long way baby. Today, effective SPF products come in many innovative forms (sprays, towelettes, gels, powders, etc) and formulas. I currently faithfully wear sunscreen 365 days a year and have a wrinkle free face as proof. The lovely young woman in my local coffee shop (slash office) thought I was 23…bless her heart!

When it comes to skincare, I’ll step on my soap box in a minute. I LOVE makeup but good skin care is crucial. You all know what my daily regiment is like. However, if you listen to nothing else, listen to this. WEAR SUNSCREEN DAILY. For the record, I pretty much SPF 30 everyday. Sometimes I do the occasional SPF 15  (Clarins SPF 15 Multi Active Day Cream is a wonderful product) or SPF 20 (Clinique Even Better is a solid choice) but my preference is SPF 30 (Mario Badescu Oil Free SPF 30 is my current SPF 30 of choice).

Dermalogica Solar Defense SPF 30 Booster is one of my personal favs from way back. My dermatologist turned me to this product a few years ago and I often recommend it to friends and clients. Solar Defense Booster can be mixed with your foundation or moisturizer or applied directly to the face for maximum SPF 30 protection. The formula is free of artificial fragrance and color. Over time Vitamins C and E, Green Tea, and Grape soothe, smooth and help protect against free radical damage. Solar Defense Booster shields against both UVA and UVB rays.

If a physical blocker is more your speed, try….oh wait a minute. Do you know the difference between a physical blocker sunscreen and a chemical absorber sunscreen? Well lets pause for a quick lesson.

Topical sunscreens are broken down into two groups, chemical absorbers and physical blockers. Chemical absorbers work by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation and can be further categorized by the type of radiation they absorb, UVA or UVB, or both UVA and UVB. Physical blockers work by reflecting or scattering the UV radiation. A few common chemical absorbers ingredients include:

• Oxybenzone
• Octyl methoxycinnamate
• Oxybenzone

Chemical absorbing sunscreens are often mixed with a combination of ingredients to provide broad spectrum coverage against both UVB and UVA radiation.

Certain individuals are allergic to chemical absorbers and can only wear physical blocker sunscreen. The two most common physical blockers are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Physical sunscreens contain powdered versions of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which reflect light, keeping it from penetrating skin. Physical sunscreens are not known to cause allergic reactions. While the aforementioned ingredients are ideal with respect to broad spectrum UV protection, their poor cosmetic appearance leaves much to be desired. When applied to the skin, physical blockers tend to have a whitening effect.

SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 offers broad spectrum protection without the unflattering after effect of a physical blocker. The lightweight mattifying fluid spreads evenly and dries quickly to a transparent finish on light to medium complexions. The revolutionary formula contains 5% Zinc Oxide/ 6% Titanium Dioxide and is ideal for individuals who are allergic to chemical sunscreen or individuals with extremely sensitive skin. This product is truly impressive because the words “sheer” and “physical sunscreen” have never truthfully existed in the same sentence…until now! SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 is my go-to sunscreen for morning runs!

Dr Dennis Gross Powerful Sun Protection SPF 30 Daily Sunscreen Towelettes are perfect for the gal, guy, or mommy on the go. The geniuses in R&D at Dr Dennis Gross deserve a gold star for this little innovation. I keep a few pre-moistened individually packaged towelettes in my purse and whip them out whenever I’m out in the sun for an extended period of time. While the oil-free and Vitamin C enriched formula is perfectly safe for use on the face, I mainly use Daily Sunscreen Towelettes on my arms and legs.  I regularly SPF my face in the mornings but sometimes forget about the rest of my body until I find myself standing in an hour long line at Shake Shack thinking, “oh the damage this sun is doing to my precious body”. During moments like those I rip open a towelette and go to town….wrinkly leathered skin averted!

Another convenient on-the-go sunscreen product is KORRES Sweet Orange Sprayable Sunscreen Emulsion. Packed with Vitamin C and other antioxidants, this oil-free sunscreen is ideal for individuals with photosensitive complexions. KORRES Sweet Orange Sprayable Sunscreen Emulsion provides broad spectrum UVA-UVB-IR sun protection. The sweet orange scent is a pleasant bonus!

Janson Beckett Sun Block Daytime Moisturizer SPF40 is an effective day cream and SPF all-in-one. The greaseless formula contains Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and Soluble Collagen to plump and moisturize skin. I love that the silky formula absorbs quickly and leaves skin prepped for foundation. The finish feels like nothing yet it provides a high level of UVA/UVB protection.

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS is a brand that is new to me and one that I am very excited to share with ThisThatBeauty. The brand offers a broad selection of hypoallergenic products that exclude ingredients that known irritants. VMV’s hypoallergenic products are all rated on a “VH (Validated Hypoallergenic) – Number” rating system. A product’s VH-Number directly correlates with the number of allergens the product DOES NOT contain, as referenced by the list of allergens compiled by the North American Dermatitis Group and the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA). Most VMV products have a VH-Number” ratign of 76, which means it contains none of the 76 known cosmetic and non-cosmetic allergens.

VMV’s Armada Face Cover SPF30 offers intensive protection against skin darkening and melasma. This product is quickly becoming my favorite and here’s why! What I find most impressive (and unique) about VMV’s Armada Face Cover SPF30 is that it offers both outdoor and indoor protection…so that means that it protects against UVA, UVB, and PFV. PFV is visible light protection against indoor light sources like halogens, fluorescents, computer screens, and heat from saunas or ovens.

For those of you who are concerned about hyperpigmentation and the sun’s harmful effects, Armada Face Cover can help. The product has protection so opaque that by using it daily, both indoors and outdoors can help to lighten dark spots and other forms of hyperpigmentation. Don’t let the products claim of “opaque protection” scare you. The formula applies sheer and quickly dries to a smooth soft matte finish.

Experience VMV at a 10% savings. Use code: VMVTHISTHATB. The code is valid until Dec 31, 2010, 12AM EST

Are you ready for SPF on a stick? Next up is Clinique SPF35 Targeted Protection Stick.

Clinique’s SPF35 Targeted Protection Stick is the brand’s latest offering from their Suncare With SolarSmart line. This travel-friendly stick option features vitamin and E jojoba to condition the skin and a blend of photostable sunscreens such as avobenzone to protect against UVA rays. Clinique’s SPF35 Targeted Protection Stick also features Clinqiue’s SolarSmart 3:1 technology, where UVB protection is three times proportional to UVA protection.

This month Lancome introduces Génifique Sôleil Face Cream SPF30 and SPF50. The product is said to be the brand’s “first sunshield to protect skin proteins”. The technologically advanced formulation incorporates a broad-spectrum multi-filter system to shield against UVA and UVB ra. The formula is water- and sweat-resistant. The summery floral oriental aroma is a nice touch!

If you have yet to check out the new line of SPF 50 products from Physician’s Formula you are missing out. The newly launched Healthy Wear collection features pressed bronzer, powder foundation, and tinted moisturizer. All deliver maximum SPF 50 broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection while providing sheer and natural-looking color. The anti-aging formula incorporates Licorice Extract and Tomato Derivatives to help brighten skin and diminish the appearance of sun spots. This Frugalista friendly line of sunscreen products is probably most appropriate for women who are fair to tan. Be on the lookout for an upcoming review of Physician’s Formula Bronze Boosting Glow Boosting Pressed Shimmer Bronzer. Christene Carr, a new ThisThatBeauty contributor, is currently road testing the bronzer…more soon!

Dior Capture Totale Solaire Global Anti-Aging Multi-Protective Suncare SPF20 is an anti-aging skincare product with UV protection. The satiny cream protects skin by forming a UV shield on the skin’s surface. This luxurious product contains the Dior Cell-Protection Complex, which is formulated with jasmine extracts to stimulate the natural capacity of cells to produce their own anti-oxidant defenses. This is most definitely a splurge product!

Earlier this year Darphin launched Vital Protection Age-Defying Protection Lotion SPF50. This sheer, hydrating lotion has a high SPF and incorporates both chemical and natural filters to protect against UV rays. Vital Protection Age-Defying Protection Lotion SPF50 is formulated with exclusive triple biological shield technology: botanical shield, which contains edelweiss, vitamin E and C to neutralize free radicals; enzymatic shield, which contains Venuceane to assist in detoxifying the skin; and cellular shield, which contains Transluce, an enzyme with light-resistant properties.

Naturally active skincare company Liz Earle has reformulated its sun cream using mineral sunscreens. The new Mineral Sun Cream SPF20 is formulated to reflect rather than absorb harmful UVA and UVB rays. The light formula is fragrance-free and contains shea butter as well as natural antioxidants pomegranate, green tea and natural-source vitamin E.

Neutralize free radicals with clinically proven Idebenone. PREVAGE^® Day Ultra Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30 PA++ is a lightweight moisturizer with both high level SPF protection and revolutionary antioxidant Idebenone. My derm first told me about Idebenone years ago…it works to neutralize free radicals and improve improve the appearance of dry, sun damaged skin. This luxurious splurge is ideal for individuals who seek brighter, more radiant skin and an all-in-one product to help achieve maximum results!

Last, but certainly not least — don’t forget to protect your lips! Jane Iredale Lip Drink SPF 15 is a colorless SPF 15 lip product that nourishes the lips! Lip Drink does not contain petroleum-derived products so there’s no chance of the treatment drying out your lips. The formula consists of a base of macadamia nut oil combined with edible zinc oxide, green tea extract, Vitamin E and C. It is flavored with a refreshing mixture of lemon and orange oils. Give your usual lip balm a break and try one with SPF protection!

If sun kissed shades of cinnamon, ginger, cocoa, caramel and vanilla float your makeup boat, please allow me to introduce Clarin’s Instant Sun Light summer collection.

This radiant summer collection relies on the subtle layering of bronzer to create a complexion that appears luminous and healthy. Sheer peach is used to sculpt the cheekbones, while lips are plump with a  juicy slick of a flirtatious coral tone gloss. Vivid gold and bronze, with a sweep of vivid purple is used to pop the peepers!

Meet the collection:

• Eye Quartet & Liner Palette: Featuring a metallic nutmeg eyeliner, four eye shadows in shimmery ginger, iridescent cinnamon, sparkling paprika and a matte cocoa, a double-ended brush and flock eyeshadow applicator and a mini eyeliner brush. The shadows are embossed with a gold star anise
• Instant Smooth Compact Highlighter: Two complexion highlighters in Natural, a sheer, dewy peach and Bronze, a vibrant golden caramel. Housed in Clarins’ signature oval compact, the highlighter can be used on the skin, eyes and cheeks
• Instant Sun Light Click & Gloss SPF6: A vanilla and raspberry-scented lip gloss housed in a sleek pen. Available in three iridescent shades: Vanilla, Coral and Cinnamon
• Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm: Brand new lip formulas containing high-tech polymers, pro-ceramides and lip-smoothing and line-filling ingredients. Comes in three shades: Crystal Coral, Crystal Red and Crystal, a natural pink
• Wonder Violet Wonder Waterproof Mascara: A water-resistant, intense violet mascara designed to add volume, length and curl to the lashes

Clarins’ spring make-up collection, Cotton Flower, is based on white and denim blue tones to create a fresh and pretty modern look.”This spring we’ve focused on two key trends, crisp white cotton and denim blue. It’s a combination that has a fresh, elegant, simplicity especially with white taking the starring role,” explained Thibault Vabre, Clarins artistic director.

A contemporary look with softly smoky blue diffused all over the eyes and highlighted with white on the inner corners for a striking appearance. The use of blue in the collection is soft and romantic. The eyes beautifully balance sensual, shiny lips coated in rose pink. The harmony of the lips and eyes stand out against a satiny finish complexion.

Cotton Flower introduces a strong color palette of blue, lilac, violet, indigo and white hues on the eyes to create a high impact look. Pink is key for lips. The collections boasts caramel rose, sparkling pink and deep blue-toned rose.

Products in the collection:

• Face Palette: Light pressed powder in beige and iridescent white tones embossed with a cotton flower decoration
• Eye Quartet & Liner Palette: Features three powder eye shadow colors in lilac, violet and gentian; an indigo blue powder eye liner and a hyacinth white highlighter presented in a mirrored compact with brush applicators
• Eye Colour Monos: Two new eye colors in Desert Blonde, a translucent beige and Dusky Rose, a pink-toned taupe
• Joli Rouge Lipstick: New shades in Pink Blossom, a rose pink and Rose Berry, a blue-toned rose. Each one comes in a blackcurrant flavor and a touch of licorice and vanilla fragrance
• Joli Rouge Sheer Lipstick: Comes in two shades: Sorbet, a sparkling pink and Toffee, a frosted caramel rose
• Gloss Appeal: Two new glosses with a light almond scent: Iced Pink, a shimmery pink and Sweet Fig, a creamy nude

(European launch)