Full disclosure: I'm a skincare junkie. To say my bathroom drawers are exploding is an understatement: my collection of lotions, potions, and makeup has spilled over into my "office"... AKA that room in my house where I dump everything. Do you have a room like that too? I desperately need an Ikea trip to figure out some storage. But I digress.
I've been obsessed with skincare since I was a teenager because healthy, happy, glowing skin looks great even without makeup. And some days you don't have the time or the care for makeup, right? I'm also extremely pale and wound up with skin cancer at just 23 years old, so sunscreen's a daily fixture in my skincare routine. That's 24-7-365, not only in the summer, folks. I'm always on the hunt for a good one.
The lovely people at Clarins reached out and offered to send me their best-selling facial scrub, their sunscreen, and their newly launched Multi-Active skincare line. The Multi-Active line was made specifically for women in their 30s... hey, that's me! Clarins has a long history of creating effective, plant-based skincare (French women have sworn by this brand since 1954), so naturally I jumped at the chance.
I've been testing the Clarins line for two full months and I'm ready to share my thoughts with you lovely readers. Let's get started, shall we?
Although this one's labelled as a cleanser, I generally start with micellar water and cleansing wipes because I feel strange using an exfoliator to remove makeup. But if you've got a bare face, go for it! Clarins One-Step is made with orange extract and has a lovely fresh scent that's light and clean, not overpowering or cloying. I found the scrub itself very gentle; if you're oily you could probably use this every day. I'm on the dry side so I use it twice a week, and it leaves behind a squeaky clean feeling. You'll feel fresh-faced after this one.
Clarins Multi-Active day cream is available in three different formulas: All Skin Types (a whipped crème texture), Combination/Oily (a lightweight gel), and Dry Skin (a richer crème). I'm normal-to-dry and I love intense hydration so I opted for the Dry Skin formula. The glass jar feels substantial and luxurious in your hand, like you're really treating yourself and your skin. And it smells beautiful! The scent isn't strong and doesn't stick around, but if I could bottle it and wear it as a perfume I would. It's an ever so light floral and feels divinely pampering.
My skin ADORED this moisturizer. Two dabs on your fingertips will do ya because it spread and absorbs beautifully (I didn't experience any of those weird pilly bits some creams cause). Two months in and my skin is bright, luminous, and even. I've actually taken to skipping my foundation most days of the week, this cream is that good. Sinks right in and creates a perfect canvas for makeup.
Just like the daytime formula, Clarins Multi-Active Nuit is available in a few formulas to make sure there's something for everyone: there's Light Night for oilier and combination skins, and Night Comfort for dry or sensitive types. Since I lean dry, I went for Night Comfort. My gosh is this stuff amazing! It's silky smooth on the skin and really does feel comforting when you smooth it on before slipping into bed.
After two months of testing, my skin feels quenched and firm, and I feel like the little lines around my eyes aren't quite as noticeable even though I'm approaching 35. The night formula has a gorgeous scent too and I'd bottle it if I could. Think Parisian screen star; it just smells glamourous. My skin can be sensitive at times and I had absolutely zero issues with this formula, it's wonderful.
So like I said: skin cancer. It ain't fun and I don't recommend it. Prevention is always ALWAYS smarter (and more effective) than correction so pretty please wear sun screen every day, okay? Do it for me. And for you. I'm constantly on the hunt for sunscreens that work well, absorb easily, don't give me a white cast, and don't make a dog's breakfast of my makeup. This one by Clarins is available in translucent SPF 50 formula, as well as a tinted SPF 40 formula with three shade options.I tried the non-tinted / translucent one.
The name is a bit of a mouthful (there's a whole lotta text on that wee bottle), but in short, this formula absorbs *extremely* well and disappears into my skin instantly. And I mean instantly: no greasy mess and no white chalky stuff. Unless my eyes deceive me, it gives my skin a subtle sheen or glow, like I've got a soft focus lens pointed at me. It's like wearing an Instagram filter!
Here's a foundation-free selfie for ya. See? Freckles! I used my Clarins Multi-Active Day followed by their UV 50 sunscreen, did my brows, threw on mascara, then lippy. DONE.
where to buy clarins
Aside from the fact that their products are lovely, one of the best things about Clarins is that it's so widely available. You can find it:
- at Sephora
- at Hudson's Bay
win $200 in clarins skincare
Want to win some Clarins? Sure you do! They've kindly offered up a premium skincare package worth nearly $200 that's tailored to your skin's needs. That's right, the winner gets their choice of formula for both the Multi-Active Jour and Multi-Active Nuit.
This contest is open across Canada and the lucky winner will receive:
I've given you a whole slew of entry options in the Rafflecopter widget below: enter as many ways as you like (all are optional), and the more actions you complete the more times your name goes into the hat. Good luck everyone!
Remember, this one's open ACROSS CANADA and I'll announce a winner next Wednesday July 13, 2016.
