Clarins Summer 2010: Instant Sun Light Eyeshadow Palette
Clarins Instant Sun Light Eye Palette ($36.00) is a really wearable, easy-to-use summer palette that’s particularly suitable for those with warmer skin tones. The palette includes four shades of eyeshadow: a pale, shimmering champagne-peach; shimmering copper; satin medium-dark brown; and shimmering peachy-melon. It also includes a gel eyeliner in a light chocolate brown with gold shimmer.
Each eyeshadow is smooth, pigmented, and blendable. What I really love about this palette is how workable it is–all the shades belong and work together with ease. This is a great everyday palette, but it’s also perfect for traveling. Whether you want a lighter, softer neutral eye or a smokier eye, you can do both with this one palette. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t necessarily the most innovative shades, but they are high-quality eyeshadows that will do you well, if you’re in the market for some neutrals or want them all in a convenient palette.
The eyeliner also suits the palette, because it’s dark enough to be smoldering, but it’s not so dark that it can’t be worn during the day, too. I like the subtle shimmer in it, and I didn’t experience any smudging or fading when I wore it. The included brushes are just mediocre but will get the job done if you’re in a pinch.
Clarins packaged this well–just a nice metal compact with a velvety brown bag–and I’m really surprised at the price. Typically, Clarins eyeshadow quartets retail for $40, while this limited edition summer palette is just $36. This made me curious to see if perhaps they just went with minimal quantity, but you get 0.15 oz. of product here. Quartets contain 0.21 oz.–so I can see why there is a price differential.
Nonetheless, while it’s always great to get a ton of product for your money, we don’t always need the amount we buy, so sometimes just the initial investment cost is more important at the end of the day. I think the amount you get is plenty to last you, even if this becomes an everyday palette (think of it as about 0.03 oz. per shade, as compared to the average eyeshadow at 0.05 oz.).
I really love this palette because of how well each shade coordinates with the others. I see so many possibilities, and it’s definitely something I’d take with me on a weekend getaway.
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- Product: 29/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
Recommendation: If you love warmer neutrals, Clarins Instant Sun Light Eyeshadow Palette is a good match for you. Each shade is well-pigmented, smooth and soft to the touch, and blendable.
Availability: Clarins
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how do you think this compares to mac colour 4 quad?
Yeah, I could see it being similar
I lovved
im a big fan for clarins eyeshadwos
Very pretty! I wouldn’t mind investing $36 on it. Hopefully Sephora gets this product, or I’ll go to the Clarins counter to swatch them.
OMG, this palette is GORG…such pretty shades…perfect for me who loves neutral looks…great swatches and pics
I’m a sucker forbrowns and these colors are gorgeous. I’ve never tried anythingby clarins I hardy see or hear them mentioned. Great colors though.
This is so pretty! I’m very fair, but I love a brown smokey eye. And the lighter colours would still work for everyday. I might have to check this out!
is it like the bb color strip palette?
Kind of – not quite as frosty or as warm.
Soo pretty.
Love neutral eyes – love this palette!
(:
this palette is so pretty!! love the flower design!
Wow, that looks beautiful!
So pretty! great swatches. I always forget Clarins. I really should check them out more often
Brown and gold everything is great (at least for me) pairing those two… Have to check if the Clarins counter has it….
So pretty! Could you do a look with this, Christine? Please?
Done
I so want this palette. I do a lot of neutral looks and I will use this everyday. This is a must have for me.
I love the pan!! Looks like chocolate or dessert :3
Beautiful palette…it was a love at first sight
Oh my gosh, I should be condemned. It’s a beautiful palette, but…don’t the individual petals look a little… intimate? ESPECIALLY because they’re flesh toned? >< I can't possibly be the only one that sees this.
LOL!
I am in the market for a good neutrals quad that I can travel with, but I am thinking of going with MAC. The darker shade in this one looks like a Satin Taupe dupe to me anyway!
Gorgeous palette and so wearable. Love those swatches as well. Will definitely be picking this up.
Thanks for the review, Christine!
No prob
This looks great! Wonderful brown sahdes and not as expensive as e.g. Guerlain!
Thanks, Andreea! Very true
I love the swatches of the colors, but I don’t know how I feel about the flower design after some one commented on the Make-up and Beauty Blog by Karen on how they remind her of vaginas… haven’t been able to look at it the same since.
LOL! Awww!
Can you recommend MAC dupes for this quad?
Retrospeck, Bronze, Espresso, Motif
Is this permanent or only a summer release? It’s gorge!
Limited edition as far as I know!
Cute design!