Long associated with all things slimy (or salads), oil is now the beauty industry’s latest “it” ingredient, but Clarins knew way before the rest of the pack, how truly amazing certain oils can be; over 60 years ago, the brand’s first products were in fact, face and body oils. Launched with the recent Garden Escape Spring 2015 Collection (the eye shadow palette reviewed here) the latest addition to their already impressive line of beauty care, is the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil (CAN $23.00), a triple threat balm/regenerator/gloss lip product. And it smells so yummy.
Don’t let the orange colour fool you; this lip oil most definitely applies clear. Made with nourishing oils such as Hazelnut, Mirabelle and organic Jojoba, the sponge-foot applicator is also unique in that it is much wider shaped than traditional gloss applicators & curved for ease of use. The downside to a wider applicator, however, is that it doesn’t come out of the opening as easily; you need to exert a touch more pressure – nothing major, but it should be noted that by doing so, you may just end up dropping some product along the way. In other words, don’t manhandle the process.
The texture is at once fluid, velvety, and buttery although the viscosity is thick enough to know you’re not wearing a gloss – but it sure shines like one. I personally love the honey scent (which seems almond candy-like to my nose) and while I’m not usually a fan of flavoured lip products, I don’t mind the slight sweet taste here either. With regards to lasting power, it’s about on par for a clear lip gloss-like product and I get approximately 2-3 hours of wear, although the nourishing feel it imparts to the lips last much longer than that. Another bonus, is that this lip oil can also be layered over lipstick/lip pencil, but I wouldn’t recommend contaminating the applicator like that.
Living in a climate that wreaks total CHAOS on the lips (and the incredibly cold Winter we’ve been experiencing this year, has taken things up a few notches in the dry/peeling/cracking lips department) I am constantly on the hunt for lip products to help give back what nature (and indoor heating) has taken away. This new Comfort Oil certainly delivers in that category, while making for that perfect swipe-and-go gloss … great for those days when you don’t want to bother with colour. With regards to long-term benefits, I can say that it won’t be replacing my current Holy Grail lip treatment product (which happens to be Vaseline’s Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter) but it does an acceptable job just the same. My only issue, is that I find that about 30 minutes into the wearing, my lips actually start to feel a little tight around the edges – a quick press and the product gets redistributed, which goes a long way in eliminating that sensation.
Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey
Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey
Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey
Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey
Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey, ingredients list
Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey, applied
The advantages to the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, are several; nourishing ingredients, instant shine and a feel-good scent/taste. Considering the CAN $23.00 price point, it’s also well within the reach of most budgets, especially when you factor in that it’s a department store brand. A lip saviour, it definitely isn’t for me, but I do like the feel upon initial application and enjoy the fact that my lips feel quite hydrated once it has worn off. I still think it’s worth looking into all the same, as we all respond differently to products and this might just be the ONE you’ve been looking for. Personally, I wish all lip products had this scent – bonus points for that.
Available now at all Clarins counters across Canada. Find more information via clarins.ca
Press sample provided for my unbiased consideration