MAC To the Beach Look: Clarins + Neon Orange

This is the look I ended up wearing to attend my local MAC’s To the Beach event.  I had originally planned to do something bolder and brighter on the eyes, but I ran out of time, so I just went with the look I started the day with!

I’m happy to say I snagged the one item that really had me smile — the MAC To the Beach Bag ($49.95).  It’s huge and cute and the perfect beach bag.  It makes me want to go to the beach ASAP!  Some photos of its loveliness and size comparisons included in this post!

You will need the following…

• Eyes: Benefit Stay Don’t Stray (neutral base), Clarins Instant Sun Light Eyeshadow Palette, MAC Opulash Mascara (black)
• Face: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation (140), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (translucent)
• Cheeks: MAC Marine Life High Light Powder (coral-red)
• Lips: MAC Temperature Rising Lip Pencil (neon orange), MAC Easy Lounger Lipglass (sheer pink)
• Brushes: 249 (flat, firm brush), 239 (fluffy shadow brush), 226 (fluffy crease brush), 219 (pointed crease brush), 116 (dense blush brush)
• Substitutes: Marine Life = NARS Deep Throat; Temperature Rising = Neon Orange lipstick; Easy Lounger = Prr

For eyes, start by applying Stay Don’t Stray as your eyeshadow base all over the eye area with the 249. With the 239, apply the light peach eyeshadow on the inner half of the lid. Next, apply the medium brown eyeshadow on the outer half of the lid, softly into the crease. To define the crease, apply the dark chocolate brown eyeshadow with the 226. Blend the lightest shade above the crease and highlight the brow bone. Bring everything together by applying the dark brown eyeliner on the lower lash line. Finish by sweeping lashes with Opulash mascara.

For cheeks, apply Marine Life high light powder to the apples of the cheeks and sweep upwards towards the temple with the 116.

For lips, apply Temperature Rising lip pencil first, and then layer Easy Lounger lipglass for a complementing lip.

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Coral on one side, conch shell on the other; canvas

I originally tried to put Mellan *in* the bag. I got his butt in there, but I couldn’t quite manage the get the two front feet in… but hey, his big butt fit!   He threatened to eat the bag if I took a photo… he wanted to hold onto his dignity.  In all honesty, this bag is the perfect size for a beach bag, but I’ll probably use it more as a doggy bag myself.  Mellan doesn’t travel light!

See, it’s HUGE! Mellan is a purebred labrador — 70 pounds, lanky and lean and mean.

He’s totally thinking those handles look like his tug ropes…

He’s two seconds away from getting his snack on, I swear!

Unpleased dog is unpleased!

See, isn’t the bag HUGE?

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.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

• 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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