Monday, July 9, 2012

I Love Clarins, But.....


I love Clarins products. If money were no object, I’d probably buy every single item in their skin care line. I have not done a scientific comparison of their products to other skin care lines, so I don’t know if all their products live up to the claims the company makes. I only know what works for me, what I like.

Clarins products just smell so nice! So many of their skin care products are based on essential oils, and that’s a plus for me. I have never been overly fond of Clarins’ foundation, however; other lines just happen to work better for me.

I am a skin care junkie, and while I haven’t tried everything out there, I've tried many. I look around to see what’s new, and lately, I've been experimenting with products that can replace Clarins and still give the same results.

For instance, I love Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. Used alone or under make-up, it smooths and evens out the skin and does a pretty good job of disguising large pores and small wrinkles.


But I have found something that works just as well. At less than half the price, I'll take the L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base, thank you:
Another great Clarins product I've used for several years is the Instant Lights Complexion Perfector. Used under foundation, it smooths and evens skin tone for a luminous glow and dewy finish.
But then I discovered L'Oreal Magic Lumi, which gives the same results at one-third the price.


But there a few Clarins products for which I haven't found a replacement.
UV Plus Day Screen (sunscreen) SPF 40. This is probably my favorite Clarins product. It goes on light, is non greasy and doesn't interfere with anything that goes over it. I use this year round. 


Blue Orchid Oil Face Treatment Oil. The labels tells me it's anti-aging care for dehydrated skin made of 100 percent plant extracts (rosewood, patchouli and blue orchid) to tone, revitalize and restore radiance to moisture-depleted skin. Hazelnut oil helps prevent moisture loss and the formation of fine lines. I use this 3-4 times each week instead of a night moisturizer. Love this oil!

So these are some of my skin care items. What are some of yours?
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9 comments:

  1. BerylJuly 10, 2012 at 12:40 AM

    Blue Orchid Oil Face Treatment Oil sounds like it would smell wonderful. I'll look for it try. And those L'Oreal products aren't familiar to me. I do like L'Oreal. Thanks!

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    1. sandaJuly 10, 2012 at 6:41 AM

      Hi Beryl
      I think L'Oreal has some very good products. Clarins is great but I am trying to be more economical with my purchases.

      Delete
  2. PatriciaJuly 10, 2012 at 2:10 AM

    Thank you for this post, it will be very helpful to me. I have been in the process of switching over to Clarins makeup, one item each week, because it is paraben free and I am trying to reduce my toxic load after recent breast cancer. I think I'll try the sunscreen - the only suitable one I have found to date it very thick and difficult to use. The perfecting base looks good, so I'll try that too!

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    1. sandaJuly 10, 2012 at 6:44 AM

      Hi Patricia
      I didn't know it was paraben free. I hope all is well after breast cancer. I think you will like the sunscreen. I thought of you yesterday as I watched two cardinals in my backyard. I will get a good close-up picture one of these days I hope!

      Delete
  3. MrsLittleJeansJuly 10, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    Dear Sanda,

    I have started re-using Clarins. I have been using Dr Perricone's and I suppose they are good but they smell medicinal. I use a couple of things from his line. I am now using the Clarins night cream and eye area cream and suncream. I love all three. I use a face oil from Occitane and for foundation (if I wear it) it is Guerlain. I love Guerlain and a little goes a long way. I am now going to try your recommended face oil.

    Thank you for this informative post.

    Happy Tuesday to you!

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    1. sandaJuly 10, 2012 at 10:23 PM

      I believe women who use Clarins are in love with the line. I will have to check out the Guerlain foundation the next time I need to buy. I use Lancome Renergie, which I like a lot.
      You have a Happy Wednesday!

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  4. Judith July 10, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Another Clarins user would never be without my little red 'magic'pot of instant perfection must have been one of the first to purchase this gem.Their bath concentrate,face cleanser for dry/sensitive skin are worth every penny,also the handcream really works well on keeping my hands moisturised.
    I am thinking of trying their lipsticks.

    Their foundations do not work for me,my latest find is Giorgio Armani lasting silk,glides on and leaves the skin natural looking. La Roche-Posay tinted cream 50+ for my sun intolerant skin.

    Like Patricia I use Clarins because it is paraben/and other nasties free, as my fair complexion has started to have allergic reactions to these items found in most skin care products. Ida

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    1. sandaJuly 10, 2012 at 10:25 PM

      Hello Ida, oh yes, I love the bath products too. And I also use the handcream from time to time, usually when it's a two for one offer. I've also used the lipstick. Thanks for your input!
      Have a great day; I hope it has stopped raining in your part of the world. We are now getting some MUCH NEEDED rain and the temperature has cooled down.
      Sanda

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  5. Edith KentJuly 12, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    I have used Clarins and love it also for the wonderful smell. Went back to my old standby, Estee Lauder, when I was planning for retirement as it is somewhat less expensive.
    I will check out the L'Oreal products you mentioned - always glad to get this kind of tips. Of all the Clarin products I used, I liked the hand cream most of all.

    ReplyDelete