Winter is the perfect time to fall in love with facial oils. Somewhere between a mask and a serum, they go on before moisturiser and provide an extra hit of hydration to the skin last thing at night. They're luxurious to use and generally allow you to wake up with skin that's absolutely moisturised and rocking a bit of an extra glow.
Clarins have 3 new facial oils coming out in January 2012 [EDIT - commenters have told me that they aren't new, but a repackaging of an existing product]:
Blue Orchid - for dehydrated skin (remember dehydrated skin is different from dry skin. Dehydrated = not enough water, dry = not enough oil)
Santal - for dry skin
Lotus - for combination or oily skin
Each costs £29 for a rather generous 30ml. Since you only use 2-3 drops with each application, a bottle of one of these is likely to last a good long time.
I've been trialling Blue Orchid for a few weeks now and I already know, even though I've hardly made a dent in the bottle, that it's a definite re-purchase.
For one thing, it does exactly what it says on the tin: I've found myself reaching for it every time I feel like my skin's dried out and looking flaky or dull, and it's delivered every time, returning my normal levels of moisture overnight.
Another huge point in its favour is that it smells beautiful. It's a little bit chocolately, strange to say given that the hero ingredients are blue orchid, rosewood and patchouli. It's good the cool earthiness of patchouli and the delicacy of rose going on too. It's delicious to fall asleep with this on your skin.
I also really like the science-class style pipette dispenser and the chunky oval-shaped glass bottle. It's hygienic, elegant and very practical - you can take complete control over how much you use each time, so there's no risk of wasting any or accidentally pouring it into your lap my mistake.
The consistency is thin-ish, for an oil, and very light. I find that it spreads quite easily on clean skin by itself, but I'm told that a bit of toner on the skin before application will make it apply very smoothly. It leaves the skin glowy rather than shiny (definitely not greasy) and doesn't interact adversely with the moisturiser I'm currently using (Pai Chamomile and Rosehip).
Look out for these facial oils on Clarins counters from January, along with a set of 3 body treatment oils that complete the collection. Apparently all of the formulations were created by Mr Clarins in 1954 and are 100% unchanged. They're also free of preservatives and artificial fragrance. Well, why mess with a good thing?
Disclosure: PR sample
I don't see how these can be new. I've bought the Blue Orchid one for years, and I know Santal and Lotus have been out for ages too. Perhaps they've just re-packaged and re-launched?
ReplyDeleteThey are very good though, I gave Ma some Blue Orchid after a hospital stay dried her skin out.
This sounds perfect for me, I have huge problems keeping my skin hydrated, especially in the winter, this will def be on my shopping list!
ReplyDelete@Grace London oh really? Hmm... I guess it must be a re-launch or re-package. I wonder if I've mis-read the press release and it's only the body treatment oils that are new.
ReplyDelete@Claire I really hope it works for you - it's a lovely product.
I think it must be a repackage - I've used the Blue Orchid oil before too. The packaging I had was an open necked bottle, though - the pipette is a great addition!
ReplyDeleteI love the Blue Orchid one, I use it as a night treatment rather than a night cream and it leaves my skin soft and glowing. The smell is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have been pondering getting the Blue Orchid face oil for ages now as a change from the rose camellia oil I currently use :) Like Grace said it is deffo not new at all! It has been around for years xo
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