Product Review - Clarins Ombre Minerale Mono Eyeshadow

Recently I picked up three shades of the Clarins Ombre Minerale Mono Eyeshadow. This was my first time trying anything from the Clarins makeup line, so I thought I would post a review on how these worked out for me.

Clarins Ombre Minerale Mono Eyeshadow
back (l to r): Taupe, Silver Green
front: Nude

I knew right away that I wanted the Nude and Taupe shades. They are just beautiful neutrals that can be combined with anything on a daily basis. But as far as a colour to make a bit more of a statement, I wasn't really sure what to choose. There are a couple of gorgeous purples in the collection (Aubergine and Vibrant Violet) and a pretty blue-grey (Slate Blue), but I ended up selecting Silver Green as I don't normally pick greens. This green is more of a neutral grey-green that is not overwhelming for those of us who are unlikely to jump right into an emerald green eyeshadow. I don't mind wearing bright eyeliners, but I normally pair a bright eyeliner with a more neutral shadow. 

Swatches on fingers (l to r): Taupe, Nude, Silver Green 

Below are the swatches - applied dry, you can see that these shadows are quite sheer.I had to apply a very thick swatch of Nude because it is extremely close to my skintone and was not really photographing very well.

Silver Green, Nude, Taupe

Applied Wet:

Nude, Taupe, Silver Green

I've already worn these shades as a trio a couple of times and they looked really pretty. Of course I layered them over a primer (currently using Benefit's Stay Don't Stray), and the shadows lasted all day. I mentioned above that the shadows are quite sheer, but  I actually hesitate to call them sheer, because the colour payoff is quite nice. Perhaps it is better to just say that the colours are muted. You will likely not reach for these for a dramatic evening look. but they are very appropriate for an everyday work look, so overall I'm happy with these and will turn to them often.

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MAC In Extra Dimension Collection

I wasn't planning on picking anything up from the new In Extra Dimension collection from MAC, but as I was browsing the counter on my lunch break last week, these two beauties caught my eye. I have an Extra Dimension highlighter from the collection that was released around the holidays that I have been enjoying, so these were quite tempting to me. 

I purchased the Extra Dimension Eyeshadow in Smoky Mauve and the Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Shape the Future.

The eyeshadow is so pretty - a soft purplish-taupe that shimmers, but isn't sparkly. It is very wearable for everyday, in my opinion.

The skinfinish is great because you get two shades that can be worn separately as a blush and highlighter, or swirled together for a shimmery cheek, which is how I tend to wear it. I love products like this that give you a couple of options. I can see myself reaching for this a lot because it is very neutral and can be paired up with a wide variety of eye and lip looks.

Smoky Mauve allover lid,
blended with Clarins Taupe

Sorry if this collage is a bit creepy looking, but I wanted to show you how the colours looked. This look turned out quite soft and pretty. I applied Smoky Mauve all over the lid, and then blended Clarins Ombre Minerale Mono Eyeshadow in Taupe into the crease. I lined with liquid liner and smudged over it with a matte black shadow.

Smoky Mauve layered over
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk

I played around with the Smoky Mauve shade again the next day, only this time I layered it over my Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk and blended MAC's Cork into the crease and I really liked how this turned out. I just lined with Tarte's Skinny SmolderEyes Liner in Onyx and blended it out with a matte black shadow. On my cheeks, I used Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Blushing Bride that I mentioned here.

Have you picked up anything from the new MAC collections that are out right now?

Thanks for reading!