New: Clarins Ombre Minerals Collection for A/W 2012

Clarins may not be the first brand you think of for make up, such is their expertise in skincare and tanning products but the Ombre Minerals for A/W 2012, following on from their Enchanted collection this Summer is bound to change that.

This time out we are treated to several new and innovative products to not only help us achieve our desired make up looks but, using Clarin's world renowned luxe packaging, we get to feel a little spoiled while doing so too.

Clarins Skin Illusion Mineral Loose Powder Foundation

Illiciting the most oohs at the event, the Skin Illusion Mineral Loose Powder Foundation is one of the innovative designs I mentioned. The formulation itself is designed to bring effortless, barely there luminous coverage to your face, without feeling heavy or weighing skin down.

This heavy glass and gold packaging houses its very own densely packed but super soft kabuki brush in the lid, so as you never need fumble through your foundation brushes for this product. Light weight and buildable for coverage, this loose foundation smells stunning. I'll be trialling it fully in the coming weeks so be sure to check back for results.

Clarins Mineral Eyeshadow - Ombre Minerals 2012 - €18.50

Shadow lovers will be delighted to hear that Clarins have added 16 new flattering, mineral eye shadows to their line. The colour palette used to make these up is soft and complimentary with pinks, taupes, aubergines and some darker additions - perfect to achieve the 5 minute smokey eye as demonstrated by the delectable Claude at collection launch.

They are grouped into four categories Naturals, Basics, Intense and one Illuminator so there really is something for everyone. Their consistency is soft and silky yet they are decently pigmented for a great colour pay off.

Clarins Colour Accents Face & Blush Powder - €37 

Designed to both mattify and bring a flush of colour to your entire face, the Colour Accents Face and Blush Powder is a heavy weight compact with several uses. Used to contour, blush or even bronze your skin, this divinely scented powder is one of my favourites of the collection. 

New Rouge Prodige Spiced Orange, Dark Cherry, Orchid Pink & Fig (not pictured) - €20.33

The four additions to the Rouge Prodige are deeply pigmented and great all rounders. They apply like a dream and my wear time is up to 3 hours so far. Again, the heavy weight, high shine gold packaging is joy to behold. (Have I told you about my grá for luxe packaging?)(It's the shiny, I can't help myself). 

Ombre Minerale - 3 Dot Liner - €24 and Kohl Pencil - €15

Both eye lining offerings with Ombre Minerale are black and designed for ease of use. The revolutionary 3 dot liner is set to do away with eye liner flicks gone bad, it's an intense, long wearing black marker that can be used to place dots on the lash line and follow with ease for the perfect flick. It's ideal as a tightliner too as Claude demonstrates above. 

The Kohl liner is soft on application but dries quickly and stays put once there. It's ergonomic design is very similar to a Geisha's hair stick, just using this kohl make little ol' me feel elegant. 

Intense Plum Instant Definition Mascara €25.42

Finally another favourite of mine from the collection is Intense Plum Instant Definition Mascara. This wand is designed to bring both precision definition and volume intensity to your lashes and boy does it. With no clumps, lumps or mess, Intense Plum is deep purple hue, just slightly lighter than black and is the most flattering mascara I've used in quite a while. The wand separates and lifts lashes, while applying just the right amount of mascara for softer than black peepers. I'm in the love with it.

All products will be on Clarins counters from September and, as I've said, there truly is something here for everyone. Is there anything you'll be rushing in to try?