Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms SS13

For the last couple of years I’ve really looked forward to the Clarins summer make-up collection and this year’s, Splendours, is one of the prettiest yet. I did an overview of the whole shebang over on beaut.ie but today I want to focus on what, for me, is one of the standouts of the whole collection.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms Summer 2013

Rich but translucent colour is a massive trend this year, but with this product, Clarins was way ahead of the pack. They first appeared in 2010 with new variations appearing every summer since (check out last year's offering here).

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Gold Plum

In their earliest incarnations, these really were just a tinted lip balm – an extraordinarily aesthetically pleasing lip balm, but just a lip balm nonetheless.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Berry Summer 2013

More recent collections have seen the brand add a core of pigment to the product which means that it’s possible to get a lovely colour from these as well as all the hydrating, smoothing, plumping goodness of the balm.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Rose Swatches 2013

Clarins recommend that you apply the centre pigment first, then turn the product and apply a layer of balm. With gelled oils to combat dehydration, and Vitamin E to protect from free radicals, these slick on smoothly and are lovely and comfortable on the lips.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Mandarin Swatches 2013

Four shades are on offer this year with two of them particularly demanding our attention. Crystal Gold Plum and Crystal Berry are rather astonishing shades of green and blue, respectively, but don’t worry, they don’t show up like that on the lips. The tinted balm complements the inner core of pigment, so you end up with a very wearable shade of berry or plum.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm Swatches Summer 2013


I’m completely in love with this product. Not only does it feel hydrating and look pretty, but it also smells just like sweeties – and the shape reminds me of a Push Pop, too.

My favourites are the Rose and Mandarin shades but for sheer novelty value I expect Gold Plum and Berry will sell out first. A word of warning though – these are limited edition, so if they’re tickling your fancy I wouldn’t hang about.

They’re all €22 – like the look of any in particular?

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