China Glaze Fall 2012 Collection - On Safari

We have just finished up one of my favorite weeks of the year, I love looking at all kinds of French brands and products.  However we now are back to fall collections and looking at everything new that is coming at very rapidly.  In fact, having one week where I didn't touch new products or collections has left me with a list of new releases and collections to check out.  I have lots to catch up on!

One of the fall launches that I am most excited for is that of China Glaze.  Their summer collection came out so late that I never bought anything from it because I already owned every polish hue that I was going to buy for the summer months.  I find it interesting that their fall collection came out in early July, actually only one month after their summer collection.  Very strange timing on the part of this nail polish company...

On Safari is a range of deep fall shades for the nails and toes.  Ten of the shades are full pigment shades and the other are glitter shades that can be used either alone or as top coats.  I loved China Glaze's collection from last fall and I hope that this one is just as lovely.  I have been using bright hues for the past few weeks and I am now beginning to crave buying some deep jewel toned polishes.

Here are the shades in On Safari!

- Man Hunt - bright denim blue with a cream finish
- Exotic Encounters - medium muted teal with a cream finish
- Elephant Walk - medium cool gray with a slight silver shimmer finish
- Jungle Queen - deep gray purple with a silver shimmer finish
- Purr-fect Plum - deep berry with a cream finish
- Prey Tell - very deep red with a cream finish
- Adventure Red-y - deep blue red with a cream finish
- Call of the Wild - deep burgundy brown with a cream finish
- Desert Sun - medium orange caramel with a cream finish
- I Herd That - mixture of gold, copper, and red glitter
- I'm Not Lion - mixture of gold and silver glitter
- Kalahari Kiss - sandy beige with a cream finish

This collection isn't as strong as last fall's (at least in my opinion) but I still ahve some shades from it that I really want to own.  My favorite from this collection is the shades that I have pictured, I'm Not Lion.  This gold and silver glitter mixture is so unique and will work so well with many outfits for the fall.  I must have this shade since I can wear it now and then all next season!  My second favorite shade is Exotic Encounters, I love the teal cream shade.  I have teal shades but all of them have a shimmer finish and I love how the cream finish looks in this hue. 

After I purchase my two top choices from this collection, I have a list of other hues that I wish to own.  Man Hunt is a great blue shade that will match much of my wardrobe.  Elephant Walk is a great gray, I wear grays as neutrals all year long and this shade is seasonless.  I like all of the red and berry hues in this collection however they are not the most unique shades that are offered.  Adventure Red-y is my favorite red, it will work with all of my blue red lipsticks to create a ladylike look for fall.  I would buy both of the other reds but they don't excite me as much as the first one.

This is great selection of fall polish hues, there are some very unique shades and some that are slightly more office appropriate.  I have two top choices from this collection to add to my polish collection and I can't wait to start collecting new hues for the fall months!

photo courtesy of China Glaze's Facebook page

My Current Favorite Beauty Products!

In the middle of June, I did a Favorites list and I was on the fence about doing another one, I am still loving many of the products that were on the list and I didn't want to write up a list that was exactly the same this month.  I am still into keeping a great fake tan and making sure that I don't fall into the hot weather rut of simply grabbing the same products over and over again.  I have fallen into that trap for a few summers in a row and I refuse to fall into it again this year.  That being said, I still have some of the same favorites but my tastes have been changing over the past few weeks.  My self tan is now fully developed and I have fallen comfortably into that routine and have been choosing shades that complement it.  I stopped summer product shopping well over a month ago and am now beginning to collect shades that I can use both now and in the fall months or products that I am putting away for after Labor Day.

Being that I am really into the self tanning routine now, I am all over bright shades for my tips and lips to complement the bronzed look.  Illamasqua's Collide Nail Varnish was on my last Top Five List and it still tops this one, this neon pink is simply one of the best pinks and a consistent favorite of mine.  I believe that it will remain a favorite hue of mine all through the beginning of fall.

So what am I loving right now?!

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Aquadelic - "China Glaze is a professional-level nail enamel made with a special balance of polymers and resins that combine to create a nail lacquer that is long lasting, chip-resistant and resistant to color and shine fading.  Will not thicken in the bottle, no thinners necessary."  Aquadelic is a shade that came out with the spring Electropop collection, this shade is a bright turquoise cream that pops out against a tan.  I initally tried this shade on my toes and was a bit hesistant to wear it on my hands during the spring months but now that summer is in full swing, I have been rocking it as much as I can.  I never fail to get compliments on this color and I get two to three full days of wear from this shade with very minimal chipping.  I love this shade and this is one of my summer favorites, I am very glad that I left my comfort zone and bought this at Ulta several months ago.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Collide - "Leave your mark with bold, rich, vibrant colours that stand out.  The formula is hardwearing and chip resistant and contains individual finishes from matte to high gloss.  Apply two coats for high intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish.  Make a statement and talk with your hands!"  Collide is a "bright neon pink" with a satin finish.  I have been wearing this pink hue for about two months now and it is one of the few polishes that I turn to at least once a week.  This bright pink is very vibrant against my fake tan and simply screams "Summer!" to me.  I just bought a vintage Lilly Pultizer dress and this pink shade is the exact same shade that is used in the dress, yet another reason for me to love this polish!

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash - "Our mint-infused body wash provides an invigorating sensation while cleansing and refreshing skin.  Wake-you-up formula deeply nourishes with Vitamins A, C, and E to keep skin extra-healthy and looking its best.  Infused with cooling peppermint for an invigorating experience."  This body wash and matching products are my savior during the hot, humid months of the summer.  The cooling peppermint oil acts like an air conditioner for your body and manages to cool me off even while I am still in the shower.  This wash is perfect for morning or night; in the morning, it helps to wake me up and help me start my day and in the evening, it helps to rinse all the sweat and dirt from the day off.  I also use this after going running and it is the perfect product for an after workout shower.  This product is best in the summer, it is too strong for any other time of the year.  This is one of C.O. Bigelow's best body product blends.

NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Schiap - "A modern semi-matte lipstick that provides full-bodied, velvety color in a highly pigmented and non-drying formula.  Longwearing, full coverage finish.  Rich, vivid shade range from neutrals to high fashion hues.  Patened blend of conditioners and antioxidants hydrate, nourish, and protect lips."  Schiap is a "shocking matte pink" and works well with a bronzed or pale complexion.  I have been reaching for this shade when dressing up for day or night recently and it has taken the place of my beloved red lips for summertime drama.  I will be wearing it all the way through the fall since bright matte lips will remain a top trend.  This lipstick formula lasts for several hours and stays on well through eating and drinking.  The formula can be slightly drying after an hour or two so I do need a separate lip balm with it.  This is one of my favorite lipstick formulas and I add to my collection of them almost everytime that I head to Sephora.

Chloe L'Eau de Chloe - "L'Eau de Chloe is elegance injected with a modern twist.  It's an utterly innate sense of chic with the fresh feeling of springtime pastels, light dresses, and rose petals.  This smooth and comfortable fragrance is a toally addictive floral mix.  Made with 22 percent natural rosewater, the scent is fresh, carefree, and feminine with a delicate and lively mix of rose, floral notes, and green outdoorsy notes.  The notes of this fragrance are - Grapefruit, Cedrat, Peach, Violet, Rose Petals, Natural Water of Rose, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Amber."  I originally bought and reviewed this perfume earlier in the spring and had no room for it on my dresser.  Having finally used a few body products at the beginning of this summer, I cleared enough room to get it out.  This light floral scent starts out with the grapefruit notes and then goes quickly into the rose notes.  This is one of the few grapefruit scents that I really wear since it contains all the rose notes and rosewater in the  formula.  The fragrance develops into a floral mix of rose notes and the cedarwood that lasts all day on my skin.  I wear the original version of this scent all year but this version is special for the warmer weather months.

I know that we have been looking at the fall collections of the past few weeks but summer is still in full swing and I will be making use of all of my summer beauty products until Labor Day!

photo courtesy of Bath and Body Works

French Week Day 7 - Guerlain Champs Elysees

It is now the last day of this year's French Week and I hope that you have found at least one or two new products and fragrances that you want to try.  Today we are going to look at a fragrance from the House of Guerlain, one of the most iconic French beauty and fragrance houses.  The House of Guerlain introduced the first iconic perfume, Jicky, back in the end of the 19 Century and has come out with a series of best selling, cult fragrances for over 100 years.  The fragrance that I am the most enthralled with from this line is the iconic L'Heure Bleu, created in the beginning of the last century for the French actress Yvonne Printemps.  However, this line has created so many wonderful fragrances that I find it impossible to pick only one of two fragrance to wear.

The Champs Elysee is the major boulevard in Paris, the one that has many of the most famed monuments and shop on.  This is the major area of the city that tourists want to see that most and I consider it one of the most beautiful parts of the City of Lights.  This area is one of the highest rent areas of the city and contains some of the most famous spots in the city.  When walking down this avenue, you will start at the Place de la Concord and continue on past the Arc de Triomphe and then the Grand Palais.  On this street, you will pass the flagship Louis Vuitton and the Guerlain store itself.  Every year on Bastile Day, the city hosts one of the largest militay parades on this avenue. 

This fragrance is getting harder to find in the United States, I pulled all of my information on it from the Guerlain website.  I believe that I have found it only in New York City so far.  Many of the Guerlain fragrances can be found on the Sephora website but only a select few are in the stores.

The Sephora website provides a description of the brand's history.  "Guerlain was founded in 1828, when Pierre-Francois-Pascal Guerlain opened his first boutique in Paris.  Trained as a doctor and chemist, he enjoyed immediate success thanks to his revolutionary work, which lead to many innovative 'firsts'.  Guerlain was the first to create scientifically based skincare and to sell kohl eyeliner and mascara.  Then in 1840, he introduced the very first lipsticks.  Even years later, The house of Guerlain continued this tradition of 'firsts' by introducing Terracotta, the benchmark for all bronzers, and Meteorites, the first product to incorporate colored pearl to create luminosity and even out skin tone.  Add to its oeuvre more than 700 fragrances (several of which are considered to be among the masterpieces of perfumery), the Guerlain name has become internationally recognized as a symbol of artistry, superlative quality, impeccable style, and ultimate grace."

From the Guerlain website itself, "The symbol of prestige and the influence of a city in perpetual motion, Paris' famed avenue is where the world meets - the Champs Elysees is the center of this perfume, and the center of everything.  A thrilling breath of life and the promise of infinite love.  For a chic and avant-garde Parisienne, Champs Elysees is a fragrance of intense seduction.  Life takes on an exciting, improvisational air and becomes a game for this joyful floral fragrance that celebrates the rose and mimosa.  An homage to the female form, the Champs Elysees bottle takes the shape of a strong silhouette.  Crowned with a broad cap, its polished glass extends and embellishes its evocative curves.  Its beautiful and complete fullness is solidly anchored on the triangle of life: It can be evocative of the perspective of the world's most beautiful avenue that stretches from I.M. Pei's pyramid to the Arc de Triomphe."

Instead of simply providing the notes of the fragrance, the Guerlain website provides a full description from the perfumers.  "Fruity floral.  Transparent, luminous, sparkling.  The perfume bursts forth with a crystalline laugh: The transparency of rose with frosted petals softens the rise of tender, crushed mimosa leaves.  In parallel, the light, acidic tempo of cassis berries harmonizes with the subtly of almond tree flowers.  The supremely refined and delicately sensitive heart palpitates with the silky shudder of mimosa flowers.  The minuscule sums catch fire and lend the skin unexpected sensuality, a buoyant dancing light that illuminates Buddleia, that enchanted tree known as the butterfly bush, which each spring welcomes clouds of butterflies that flock toward its spellbinding, lilac-accented scent.  This long caress becomes pure voluptuousness when the dry-down blends carnal accents of hibiscus seed with the softness of almond tree wood."

This fragrance is one of the softer Guerlains, it is one of the easier ones to wear and I have read that it is often a young lady's first fragrance from this company and then they graduate to the stronger fragrances.  The heart of rose in this fragrance makes it one of the ones that I must travel to New York City to purchase.

Anothe French Week has come to a close and I hope that you all have enjoyed learning a bit more about some of the best French beauty lines and that you are deciding to try something new from several of them!

photo courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

French Week Day 6 - Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Luminous Eye Shadow

The latest Chanel fall collection has me teeming with anticipation for the cooler weather and I have already began to collect pieces from it.  In addition to picking up items from the current fall collection, I purchased one of the major products from last fall's makeup collection, the Illusion d'Ombre Luminous Eye Shadow.  This product was the big hit of last fall and quickly became a sell-out cult favorite, when I went to the counter last year, all the shades that I wanted to try were sold out so I had to wait quite a long time to purchase them.  Illusion d'Ombre is one of the most unique eye shadow formulas on the beauty product market and is a product that French women have worked right into their style and culture.  French women love long wearing, high quality makeup formulas that will take them from day to night with minimal touch ups.  When I have both work and then school in the same day, I am very interested in long wearing products since I will have going for over 12 hours.
Chanel has had so many cult products over the years that it nearly impossible for me to list all of them here.  We have looked at many of them over the years and this product has quickly reached the same status as Le Vernis and Le 4 Ombres.  This might be one of the products that has reached cult status fastest for this company, it is very unique and extremely high quality.  I originally thought that this would be very much like a traditional cream eye shadow, however the texture is much spongier and the application method and wear is more like a high quality powder eye shadow.  After using and wearing this product all day long, I can honestly say that I have never tried anything quite like this eye shadow before!
"This intensely shimmering long-wear eye shadow offers true versatility.  An innovative gel texture that is both soft and cushiony allows it to be worn as eye shadow or eyeliner.  Includes a specially designed shadow/liner brush, developed specifically for this unique formula.", states the Chanel website when describing this product. 

I have tried this product as both an eye shadow and a liner.  I prefer it as an eye shadow, it is a nice eyeliner but is nothing amazing and I really reaped the benefits from using as a shadow.  When using this on my eye lids, I have used it with the included brush and with a finger mode of application.  Either way will work, but I found that the fingertip method allowed me to build the color quicker and the application control was very much the same as with the brush.  I used both of the shades that I tried with Urban Decay Primer Potion underneath (as I would any eye shadow formula), the shadow applied smoothly and blended with next to no effort on my part.  I have only used these shadow shades blended with each other, I have not yet tried to mix and blend them with any other formula shadow and I have not found any reviews on other blogs were people tried to blend multiple formulas.  Based on all the reviews that I read, I made sure that the two shades that I bought could be worn together or stand alone.

This formula eye shadow is currently available in six shades.  All of the shades are very shimmery and have full pigmentation with one application.  If you don't feel comfortable with full shimmer on your eyes, then this might not be the best formula for you.  These are the original shades from the release, I was hoping that more shades would have come out over the year but nothing else has been released. 

- Fantasme - bright white with white and silver shimmer
- Emerveille - soft peach with champange shimmer
- Illusoire - deep gray-purple with silver shimmer
- Epatant - deep olive green taupe with gold shimmer
- Mirifique - deep black with multi-colored shimmer
- Ebloui - deep burgundy with red shimmer

I was originally taken with the Illusoire shade, this deep gray-purple shade was like nothing that I have ever seen before.  I believe that this was the best selling shade of last year since I saw it in every magazine and beauty blog last year.  I planned to purchase that shade and the Emerveille when I went to the counter and I held fast to this thought for about two weeks before I went.  After looking at the products, I thought about not seeing any posts about mxing this formula with others so I decided to buy Emervielle and Epatant instead, these two shades could be worn alone or blended together. 

Emerveille is a very easy shade to wear during the day, it applies a soft peach shade with champagne and gold shimmer.  I mostly use this shade alone when I don't want a full eye makeup look and I have used it to blend with Epatant.  This shade is best used for blending, if you only want one shade from this product line, this is not a must have product but it is good solid shade that I will get a lot of use from.  Epatant is simply beautiful, the shadow applies a deep olive khaki and the gold shimmer pops out.  This is one of the most amazing and unique shades that I own and I don't think that I have every seen a shade like it before.  If you are only going to buy one shade, this one is worth the purchase.  I do plan to buy Illusoire at some point but I do want to see if there is a shade in this collection that I can blended with it.  I am hoping that a silver or gray shade will come out within the next few months...

This is one of my favorite eye shadow formulas that I have ever used and I can count on a company like Chanel to consistently release great new formulas and shades to keep me coming back.  One of my dreams is to visit the massive Chanel store in Paris.

We have one more day left in French Week and we will be wrapping it up with a classic French perfume from Guerlain!

photo courtesy of Nordstrom

French Week Day 5 - L'Occitane en Provence Fleur Cherie EDT

Provence is the farming region in the South of France, the South of France is divided into the farming region of Provence and the beach region of Nice.  I have heard fronm many who visited this area that it is their favorite region in this country.  Provence was one of the "free" areas in of France during the Second World War and therefore this area is very different than the rest of the country.  The pace is much slower and the economy is completely different from the Northern, metropolitan areas of France.  One of the best known product lines from this area is L'Occitane, a natural-based body and skincare line that uses the natural ingredients from this region in order to create a high quality line product line.

"Inspired by his childhood in Provence, the 23 year old Oliver Baussan decided to recreate the traditions of his region.  After purchasing a steam distiller, a relic from the past, Oliver harvest wild rosemary and produced Rosemary essential oil.  He sold this essential oil at local markets, this all-natural product was quickly embraced by villagers and L'Occitane was born.  L'Occitane products represent the traditions and valus of the Mediterranean region.  Every year, Oliver seeks out traditional techniques and ingredients once used in the region to ensure the well-bring of the body, mind, and spirit.  The results of these efforts are embodied in L'Occitane's annual Harvest collections, Shea Butter range, Aromachologie range and Immortelle skincare.  L'Occitane is true to itself and its founding principles.  Authenticity and effective natural products designed to procure true well-being."

One of the traditional ingredients from the Provencal region of France is the orange blossom.  This ingredient is used in a line of fragrance and matching body products.  "Light yet sophisticated, fresh yet sensual.  Fleur Cherie brings you a warm and elegant fragrant touch in the heart of Winter.  The fresh aromas of Orange Blossom and sweet black currant notes envelop the sensuous woody scents of cedar and musk.  Fleur Cherie is an ode to the most cherished flower in the Mediterranean, the exquisitely delicate Orange Blossom.  The Orange Blossom aroma has also been known to relieve tension, improve circulation, and fight stress!"
"Orange Blossom is am emblem of the Mediterranean region and truly cherished by perfumers, in the same way as rose and jasmine.  An important perfume ingredient, it still grows in Grasse and is a legendary flower that has inspired beauty rituals throughout the Mediterranean, which still exist today.  Fleur Cherie introduces a new interpretation of orange blossom in our fragrance and body care that emphasizes the magical, delicate, and soft facets of this ingredient.  It is an exquisite, airy, luminous scent with a woody trail.  This flower of feminity is the Cherished Flower - the Fleur Cherie - of the Mediterranean people."

The star product of this Orange Blossom range is the Fleur Cherie Eau de Toilette.  This is one of the products that is only available at the L'Occitane stores or on their website, it is not one of the best selling products but it is one of the prettiest fragrances in their line up.  "All the fragrant magic of an orange blossom captured in a rich, sparkling, floral scent and enhanced by a soft woody trail.  A vibrant carefree fragrance that leaves your skin nicely perfumed all day long."

The top notes of this fragrance are: Neroli, Cassis, and Fresh Notes.  The heart notes are: Jasmine, Orange Blossom Absolute, and Orange Blossom Water Absolute.  The base notes are: Soft Woods, Patchouli, and Cedar Musk. 

This fragrance is a light floral that is best in the spring and summer months.  The Provencal region is a warm farming climate, among the warmest in Western Europe.  Light, natural fragrances are best in this region due to the climate and pace of the region.  This line is available in a full fragrance of fragrance and body products, including a fragranced lip balm.  The bar soap would be lovely in a guest bathroom along with the rest of the lotions.

L'Occitane is one of the only product lines that remains true to the ingredients and culture of this region.  All of their product blends are from the natural ingredients grown in the region and all are wonderful fragrances and products.  The Lavender is my favorite of the blends however the Orange Blossom is very pretty too. 

photo courtesy of L'Occitane

French Week Day 4 - Caudalie Beauty Elixir

No French Week would be complete without mention of a product from one of my favorite companies in the world, Caudalie.  I have tried and loved many of the products from this company for years now and I still get excited everytime that a new product launches from this company, I am currently waiting for my Sephora to get the brand new hydrating serum in stock.  While I am waiting for that product, we are going to look at one of the cult products from this company.  I have bought more bottles of the Beauty Elixir then I can remember and have used it for multiple purposes.

The Beauty Elixir is a product that is steeped in history and grounded in the anti-oxidant benefits of the Caudalie skincare line.  Caudalie was founded two decades ago in the wine making region of France, this line is based on grape seed polyphenols and the anti-oxidant benefits that they bring to skin.  Founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas work very closely with some of the top researchers in France to harness the power of the grape seeds to help protect and heal skin.  Beauty Elixir is one of the first products that was released from this company, a multi-purpose beauty product that can be used on the face or body.

"Part tone, part serum mist of essential oils and plant active ingredients.  Smoothes the skin, tightens the pores, and provides an instant burst of radiance, as it stimulates microcirculation."  This Elixir contains a cocktail of Rosemary, Peppermint, Balm Mint, Grape Seed Extract, and skin-conditioning ingredients.  This product is housed in a spray bottle that can be used on the face or body.

Beauty Elixir can be used in a variety of ways.  It's skincare benefits come out most when it is sprayed directly onto bare skin, this method of application with brighten the complexion and tighten the pores.  It can also be used over foundation and powder to help set makeup, it is recommmended for use over mineral powders to even out the finish.  I use this product on my face during the summer months, it is too drying for use in the winter months.  For stress relief during studying, I spray this product on my neck to help relieve tension.  This is a needed product for me during finals week.  Lastly, during the hot weather, spraying this product on my face or neck is soothing and refreshing.  This is one of the very few truly multi-purpose products on the skincare market, it is a staple in many French ladies bathroom closets. 

We have just discussed the benefits of the product and how Caudalie uses it to tone the skin.  However this product has a rich history that instantly captured my attention the first time that the Caudalie representative told me about it.  In the late 14th Century, the term "Hungary Water" was invented to assign a name to the first alcohol-based perfume that was invented.  This perfume was invented for the then Queen of Hungary, according to the vendor she used this product on her face and body for her entire life and was considered one of the most beautiful women of her time.  Queen Elisabeth of Poland was said to attract men considerably her junior well into her eighties.  When it works...

It has been said that a monk (acting as a Court Alchemist) first created this for the Queen, however there is very little documentation on the first invention of the Hungary Water.  The first recipes call for distilling brandy with fresh rosemary as the base of the fragrance.  Numerous herbs can be added to the recipe, including Lavender, Mint, Sage, Orange Blossom, and Lemon.  All but the Lavender are found in the Caudalie Elixir, keeping the recipe very close to the original that was created hundreds of years ago.

This is one of iconic products from Caudalie and there is nothing on the beauty product market that it is even close to it.  I love how this company took a recipe from history and made only slight modifications (brandy isn't really used in fragrance anymore) to bring it up to the modern beauty standards.  Some of the best beauty formulas are the simplest and this one proves that to the hilt.  I have used this product for years and often give the small version as a small gift, it never fails to delight all who receive it.

photo courtesy of Sephora

French Week Day 3 - Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel

One of the most iconic French body products comes right from the Riviera and it used by all the of the glamorous women vacationing in the Mediterranean.  I have used Clarins facial skincare products on and off over the past year now and have expanded my collection of this company's products to include their best-selling and top rated Self Tanning Instant Gel.  I bought the last tube on the shelf at Sephora last week so I know that I am not in the minority in using this product.  After a week of using this self tanner every other day, I am hoping to say that I look like I could be spending a long weekend in Monaco.  A lady can dream can't she?!

The Self Tanning Instant Gel is one of the best known and most talked about products from Clarins.  For many poeple in the beauty industry, this is one of the first products that comes to mind when this company is mentioned.  I know that fact holds for myself, I tend to think of tanners and skincare products before I think about the color collection from this company.  In addition, there are certain counters that only carry the body and skin products and very little of the color collection.  Based on how much I love the skincare products from this company, I really need to keep adding more of the color selections to my traincase.

The Sephora website provides a histroy of the beauty company and full descriptions of all the products.  "In 1954, Jacques Courtin-Clarins opened the first Clarins Institute de Beaute in Paris, France, where he developed treatments and products using natural botanical ingredients for the face and body.  The first beauty company to employ 100 percent pure plant extracts.  Clarins used only the best botanicals to complement the appealing textures and scents that made his luxurious products a please to apply.  Still a family-run business, Jacques' sons Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins and Christian Courtin-Clarins, continue on in the Clarins tradition today."
This self tanner is formulated to create a great color without the sun and conditioning and improving skin health at the same time.  I am usually happy enough when I can get a great color without harming my skin but knowing that I can help improve my skin with tanning it is an added bonus of this product.

"A self-tanning gel to bring out healthy color in skin.  This lightweight and non-oily gel promotes a natural, golden tan for face and body without sun exposure.  It's instantly absorbed, so there's no need to wait before dressing, with results in two hours.  Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel is ideal for those who wish to maintain a year-round tanned experience."

This self tanner is famous for many reasons, all of which became very evident with less than a week's use of this product.  I applied the product at night and then left it to develop while I slept.  I have never had good experiences with applying self tanner during the morning and then trying to let it fully develop before heading out.  I prefer to let it really develop overnight and not worry about ruining any of my favorite outfits.  The color is fully developed by the morning and I wake up to a even golden tan. 

I have to apply this product every other day just like every other self tanner.  The color stays even for about two days then it begins to flake and fade like most other tanners on the market.  Reapplying this product every other day wards off fading and spotting issues so I recommend using it in this manner.  This product isn't the best tanner for beginners, this is one of the few products that I have tried that doesn't have some kind of bronze tint.  I was nervous about applying it the first few times since I tend to rely on the bronze shade to guide my application and make sure that i have it even and haven't missed any areas, the clear gel took some getting used to.  The first time that I used it, I had a few issues with streaking but I quickly figured out the best application method.  The gel formula dries quickly and completely soaks in with little residue on my sheets. 

One of my favorite aspects of this product is that it has a very faint floral fragrance, Clarins didn't try to cover up the chemical scents of the tanning ingredients with strong tropical scents.  The tanner scent does come out after the full development of the product so it is evident when I wake up in the morning.  The fake coconut scent of other products can realy get on my nerves so this product was a breath of fresh air in that regard. 

Applying this product every other day will get you beach ready, whatever beach you are lucky enough to run away to.  This tanner is one of the easiest and most effective ways to create and maintain a golden tan without the harmful rays of the sun.  This formula is top rated because it works so very well and helps to maintain the hydration levels in my skin.  The only drawback of this product is that the tube is very small so I will need to buy these two or three at a time to make sure that I always have it to use.
How I wish that I was spending a long weekend on the beach in the South of France!

photo courtesy of Sephora