The Perfect Casual Lip
As I’m on a self-imposed make-up, skincare and perfume buying hiatus this month, I have no new products to show you. There are, however, a few older ones that I’ve wanted to write about for a while, so I’m using January to catch up.
I almost included these two Clarins lip products in my 2015 best buys list, but I could not choose between them. As I had a Clarins concealer in the post already, I thought three products from one brand would be repetitive and so they were both left out, despite my deep appreciation of them.
Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil (I have the shade Raspberry) was (re)launched last year and made it to Sali Hughes’s list of 2015 winners. It’s a very, very lightly tinted lip oil, a pretty innovative concept. It’s quite rich, slightly sticky at first, but super comfortable on the lips. It moisturises and plumps and makes winter lips instantly look and feel better. It may sound silly, but one reason it’s a standout for me is the applicator – its big and somehow cuddly and comforting. I often wear this at home, as it works almost like a treatment, but doesn’t have the scary mask factor. The scent is noticeable and while I find it lovely, do try first if you cannot tolerate any sweetness in fragrance.
Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector is a somewhat older product, but equally good. It’s a tinted lip balm in the stick format and probably my favourite one ever in this category. It is extremely comfortable to wear, soft and balmy and all-around lovely. While the oil has hardly any colour, this one will add some: my favourite is 06 Rosewood, a warm rose, but they are all pretty. It will also make your lips – as it says on the stick – perfect. Or as close to perfect as they can be without looking made up. This is my go-to for work, when my lips are in a miserable state, but I need to look presentable. I often wear it when I’m out on weekends as well, as it’s such a joy to use and very subtle. Again, be careful if you are sensitive to scent – this has a noticeable, refined gourmand fragrance.
As you know, I am a lover of statement lips, but none of my serious lipsticks have seen as much wear as these. Everyone needs good, effortless basics and if you can afford Clarins, these two are among the best there are.
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I so needed this post. Thanks!
Happy to oblige, as always. If yo do try them, let me know what you think.
Those sound like wonderful products! Do you have anything you would recommend doing for very dry, cracked lips? Mine are that way right now and it’s driving me crazy.
Hello I have found the Body Shop hemp lip balm rather good for horribly dry lips.
Thanks, Sophie! I will give that a try. I am pretty desperate right now as my lips are just a mess.
My lips don’t usually get that dry and people like very different lip products, so it’s tricky to recommend anything. For example many people adore Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm, but I cannot stand it (definitely worth checking out, though). Of the high-end one ones, I think By Terry’s is pretty heavy duty (and lovely), but it’s ridiculously expensive. Frankly, I do find Smith’s Rosebud salve occasionally helpful, although it’s just petroleum and doesn’t “heal” anything. If your lips aren’t entirely cracked and bleeding, I think very gentle exfoliation is useful and then slathering huge amounts of lip balm on, whatever it happens to be.
So true that the casual seems to get more wear than the statement although at this time of year something about a dramatic red lip cheers me up. Thanks for the post.
Incidentally, re Fleur de Chine, I am thinking of buying a back up bottle and would happily split if you wish? Also, have you tried Sous les Magnolias by Pierre Bourdon – ridiculously limited distribution so far but evokes a similar feeling as I recall so all is not lost.
Absolutely, red lips are great for winter (or for anytime, really). But facts are facts: when I’m in a hurry or tired, I tend to reach for something super easy. Still, I would never, never give up my statement lipsticks.
Regarding FdC: I would very much be interested in a split, thanks for offering! I’ll drop you an e-mail. And I’d love to try that Bourdon, where did you find it?
Great – do drop me an email (I assume you have my email but if not let me know!). The Bourdon is at Fortnum and Mason which is not great for you, I also saw it reduced online at bath and unwind – am thinking of getting it and if I do I can send you a sample – otherwise worth checking if it’s in Brussels or Paris as I suspect it should be.
I have the lip oil in Honey colour (=transparent) and it is my most used lipproduct after the Catrice cheapie. I love it, and now I am going to see if I can find the Rasberry colour (and I think I will give the lip balm perfector a try, and the concealer is still sitting in a basket somewhere ready for ordering…) I am very fond of the Eclat Illuminatrice I believe it is called, adds radiance and glow to tired looking cheeks. Have you ever tried the Clarins face oils? I am curious about those. Thanks for the post!
The Raspberry one is also more-or-less transparent, I think Honey looks maybe a tiny bit warmer on the lips and this one slightly cooler. Anyway, I highly recommend trying the balm, I might like it even better than the oil.
And yes, I have used Clarins Blue Orchid Oil (for dehydration) and it’s very, very good. I have been tempted by newer and trendier oils recently, but for the quality/price ratio I think the Clarins one is difficult to beat.