Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30~ Review

About a month ago I secured (despite the fact the counter lady fought me on it at first) a sample of the Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30. In spite of it being a huge mouthful to say this little product is an absolute gem! But first let me tell you a bit more about it and the reason why I wanted it in the first place.

A little while ago I noticed that the lines under my eyes that I was blessed with due to allergies and my high-stress lifestyle, were getting worse. "I'm 21, I refuse to have lines!" Was the exclamation that came from this and as I know that the sun is the worst aging factor on skin I decided that I really needed a sunscreen that was suitable for my eye area. You would think this would be an easy feat to accomplish, a quick nip to the drugstore and I should have this solved right? Wrong! I put anything near my eyeballs and I get major stinging (of both the super sensitive skin around my eye as well as when my eyes run from wind and the sunscreen gets in them!). Not to mention the redness the pawing in pain and then subsequently the fact that I've removed what I put on in the first place due to irritation and my eyes watering. (My eyes water alot, just as a note. Allergies and Canadian winter winds just don't like me very much I'm afraid.) Then someone recommended this product by Clarins.

Clarins claims that this product is "More than just sun protection, this technologically advanced sun product is designed for the eye contour area. Formulated with a revolutionary plant-based complex that helps prevent lines and wrinkles and stops photoaging in its tracks. This light, oil-free, non-irritating formula won't sting or irritate sensitive eyes."
Certainly sounds good so far yes? But on top of this they go on to say "Phyto-Sunactyl 2 Complex (extracts of senna, olive, pea, plane tree, and baobab) helps protect the formation of premature lines and wrinkles as it fights photoaging's worst enemy, the AP1 factor, as 100 percent mineral filters provide triple, protection against hazardous UVA/UVB and infrared rays."

I don't know many people out there that would say based on the description alone they wouldn't want the benefits of this. And the best thing is as far as I can tell this lives up to it's claims!
Eye Contour is super light-weight (you don't feel like you have anything on once it has soaked in). It doesn't break me out, it's non-greasy, sinks in quickly, and doesn't have any scent that I can detect. As a bonus it also seems to prime my undereye area really well for concealer, making it go on smoother and without emphasizing my flaws as much. (A great property all on it's own, don't you think?)
In addition to this you only need the tiniest amount. Like half a pinky finger nail sized amount for both eyes. I dab it beneath both undereyes then spread it around and up onto the eyelids too. No stinging, no watering, no irritation at all. I've even got this stuff in my eye and there wasn't an issue. Yay!

I'm not sure about the anti-aging properties to be honest. However, I'm not counting them out of the running, I'm just saying my lines haven't really gotten better either (which is unlikely to happen anyways). I figure they may help a bit to prevent things from getting worse so I'm all for that.

The Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30 is available at your local Clarins counter or at Sephora, Nordstroms, The Bay or Sears Online. I'm sure it's available other places too. It costs $28 USD for 0.7 oz of product, and comes in a white and orange squeeze tube.

Overall, despite the price and small size of the tube this product is worth your time and money if you have sensitive eyes like me.

Sprite Rating: 9/10- Lost a point for high price.

Lemming List!

It's been awhile since I've done a lemming list! These are things I'm currently lusting after, and might be of interest to you too, or if you already own it I'd love to hear what you think about it! It's lists like these that occur after hectic weeks like the one I just had!

1. Nubar Reclaim- Green Holographic polish (vegan too!)

Image from bynubar website

Green is my favourite colour and this one is awesome! What isn't there to like about grass green holographic polish? So beautiful, I just wish Nubar was easier to purchase here in Canada!

2. Chantecaille Turtle Eyeshadow Palette

A stunning eyeshadow palette and part of the proceeds go towards helping Sea Turtles! I love the colours too. Chantecaille has blow themselves away yet again!

3. BB Couture polish in Dragon's Breath

(Image from BB Couture site)

Dragon's Breath- Purple Glitter Jelly, Check out Varnish Vixen's Swatch here!

4. Rescue Beauty Lounge Polishes- Anne, Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Howard

Anne- Image from Rescue Beauty Lounge website

Catherine Howard- Image from Rescue Beauty Lounge

Catherine of Aragon- Image from Rescue Beauty Lounge Website

These were released by Rescue Beauty Lounge as part of the Real Housewives of Tudor Dynasty collection and I've fallen in love with all three of these expensive ladies! Look at the stunning shimmer though! *Drool*

5. Urban Decay Revolver Matte Eyeshadow

Urban Decay has decided to discontinue this! WHY!? I was just going to take the plunge and buy it and *wham* my Sephora doesn't carry it anymore and there isn't any left in stock! It's such a smooth, pigmented light grey with a matte finish! Do you know how difficult it is to find a matte light grey that doesn't run warm/brown? 

6. Clarins Eye Contour SPF 30

I got a small sample of this a week or so ago and wow, is this a great product! Expensive, but you only need the littlest amount and it doesn't sting, irritate my eyes, or feel greasy! It absorbs in and actually primes my under eye area wonderfully, making my concealer go on nicer! I really want a full size of this.

7. BB Couture Nail Polish in Michael and Eve (Both from the Infamous Lovers collection)

Michael Polish- Image from Body and Soul Beauty Blog

Michael Polish- Image from Body and Soul Beauty Blog

A shout out to Mary at the Body and Soul Beauty Blog, thanks so much for the permission to use your photos, they're stunning! Definitely take the time to check her blog out, her polish swatches are fantastic! And aren't these two great? I love the murkiness of both of these, and the shimmer is great in them. These could satisfy my RBL craving from above. Or you know I could have all 5....

That's it for now! I'm sure I've missed somethings but I'll save them for next time! What do you think> Any of these items you're interested in too?

Clarins Winter 2010 Barocco Collection

She's stunning isn't she? Very classic sophisticated look perfect for the holiday season in my humble opinion! I think Clarins really hit the nail on the head with this collection.

Shimmering Gold Powder for face, neck and chest. These gold nuggets are really metallic looking which makes me want them so much! They cost $ 35 USD and I love the packaging on this as well. Clarins describes this as a powder that is formed into gold nuggets presented in a an elegant black cylinder, decorated with a black scroll. So classy!

Rouge Prodige Lipstick. This lipstick has a stunning case and only comes in this one colour, a "deep purple velvet, for a glamourous, sophisticated look for the holidays". So pretty! This I believe is what the model is wearing in the photo.

Boringly called Barocco Eye Colour Trio. Though this case is anything but boring! Costing $40 USD, the eyeshadows are presented in a black case with a glossy white-gold lid. Love the contrast here!

Image from British Beauty Blogger's Blog

This is the killer of the collection, the Face compact. This beautiful imprinted powder costs a whopping $55 USD and can be used as a highlighter, an all over powder or possibly a very light blush. I suppose it depends on just how sheer it actually is. I love how the design in the powder and the packaging, but $55 it steep for me.

This collection is out in stores now. I definitely want to check these out in stores. Clarins is a brand that has recently come on the radar for me and I must say, I'm excited to see more from them. Anything you've used from the brand before that you were impressed with? What do you think of the winter collection?

More Deals!

Yes, this is a take two post. I apologize for making two but Temptalia updated with even more deals and then Nouveau Cheap reminded me of the Coupon in Glamour's November issue for Revlon nail polish.

$1 dollar off whether you're in the USA or Canada, in any store! How cool is that? I've used Revlon in the past and I quite like the formula, it's a little thin but other than that wears ok and isn't too expensive. Plus they have some great colours out for Winter.

Banner from Temptalia's Blog

Temptalia is always on top of things and she announced that Nordstrom's Bi-annual sale has just started and Clarins has begun their Friends and Family sale! The Clarins sale is for 20% off and free shipping and the code is CLARINSFF. And with Clarin's Winter Collection just released this is a great time to splurge! (Post coming about their Winter Collection)

On top of this Urban Decay's Eyeshadow duos at Sephora have just had a price cut too! Originally Priced $32 USD these were cut down to $19 USD. It still says they're $19 USD until you go to the page (click the Urban Decay Duo above to go there) and it shows they've been reduced to only $10 USD each. How awesome is that? The duos are Chronic (matte grass green) and Sin (Pink Shimmer Champagne), Grind (Irredescent Pinky-purple with silver glitter) and Oil Slick (Black with silver glitter), Narcotic (Matte bright baby blue) and Toasted (Muted Copper shimmer), or Narcotic (Matte bright baby blue) and Uzi (silver-white with silver glitter).

Sephora Friends and Family Event

For those of you who don't know, tomorrow is the beginning of Sephora's semi-annual Friends & Family sale. EDIT: IT'S STARTED! and goes until November 3rd. Everything online is 20% with the code FF2010. Be sure to get you ebates too for an extra 3.5% cash back. Unfortunately this is only available to Americans so unless you have an address or a friend in the states you can ship to us Canadians won't be able to participate. 

(Psst, I've heard there may be a VIB coupon for 20% in a couple weeks, but it might just be a rumour)

Many people plan out their list before hand and place the items they want in their carts on the site so that they can checkout right away, as items tend to go out of stock rather quickly during this sale. People especially stock up on staples during the sale so be sure to get those first if you're going to take part!

For interests sake I've added 10 items available at Sephora. They are my potential list and some of my Sephora staples, or items I've recently purchased (but haven't recieved/tried out!), I've also added in some current lemmings of mine. (I have a relative that lives in the states so I ship to her so some of these may actually become a credit card indent :D)

(Clicking any and all images below will take you to the Sephora site)

1. Too Faced Shadow Insurance: Staple item- TFSI really prevents eyeshadow creasing and you don't need very much at all!

2. Murad Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel: A staple, and on my list. With salicylic acid I put this gel on daily to stop breakouts beneath my make-up

3. Nars Penny Lane Cream Blush: I really want this blush! A light brown-pink it's very neutral and pretty and with the cream to powder formula won't feel greasy on! (I may have to ask for it for christmas though as I'm running low on cash at the moment, thank goodness this is part of the permanent line!) (P.s. the picture does NOT show the Penny Lane shade unfortunately, but it does bring you to the Sephora page of NARS blushes. Sorry!) Click Here to go to Karla Sugar's blog swatches of some of the Nars cream blushes including Penny Lane and Cactus Flower (the shade shown below!)

4. Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30: I've heard great things about this sunscreen, but didn't want to pay full price! So this is the perfect time to try it. I believe it's important to put on sunscreen everyday to prevent signs of aging but I need something that sinks in completely with no residue or greasy feel left over. I use Neutrogena's Water Light sunscreen beneath my make-up most days now (click the link for my review), but I don't like it around my eye area as my eyes are super sensitive and sting with the Neutrogena one. I've hear this is wonderful though for that reason so I'm hopeful this will be the one for my eyes (as as eyes need sun protection the most in my opinion). Anyone tried it? If you have please leave me a comment at the bottom of the post, I'd love to hear your views!

5.  Sephora OPI nail polish in Only Gold For Me: List item! This polish I think would look great over a red or orange for a neat autumn inspired nail and will be perfect for the upcoming holiday season too. I may also snag Merry Me as well! :D



6. Blinc Kiss Me Mascara: List Item: I recently got it elsewhere but originally it was on the list! I love tubing mascara. My favourite is Clinique's Lash Power for it's unsmudgable nature, but I wanted to try another brand and cult favourite and see how it compared. Blinc's sees to be a winner from various accounts so I'm hoping it lives up to Lash Power's longevity!



7. Guerlain Ecrin 6 Couleur Eyeshadow Palette in Place Vendome: *Drool* This was on my lemming list a while ago and I still want it! Super expensive so 20% would certainly help out it will drop from the horrifying $84 USD to a frightful but not as much as before $67.20 USD. There are five different palettes total with different shades, they may be more your style if this one doesn't strike your fancy, but gah. So pretty! *Grabby fingers*



8. Too Faced Pixie Pin-Ups Palette: Can we say stunning! Six great shades and a TFSI makes me crave this. Such a good deal if you can get this during the sale (I have a feeling they're gonna run out of these quick!) Too Faced has some other great holiday kits out that are perfect for any season so be sure to check them out too.



9. TheBalm TimeBalm Anti-wrinkle Concealer: No idea about the anti-wrinkle ingredients but I've heard wonderful things about this concealer for undereye circles. If you suffer from dark bruise-like undereyes like I do you know the appeal of a pigmented, non creasing concealer. This concealer is said to be this way. I personally can't wait to try it because as much as I love Laura Mercier's Secret Concealer for this job Laura Mercier's is much four dollars more for less than half the amount of product. I'm hoping this is a winner!



10. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer: Staple! i used this over the summer on my trip to Africa and this stuff rocks! It has the pigmentation of a sheer foundation, looks dewy and youthful on, doesn't cause me to breakout, and has an SPF of 20. The only downside is the price. I match Porcelain (the lightest shade) but there are ten shades in all and considering how easily this stuff blends I think these will cover most skin tones. (I swear I'll do a better review soon, I keep getting distracted by other flashier items!)



That's all folks! Well unless you endanger my bank balance by telling me all the things you're planning to pick up!