Clarins Winter Skincare Haul

Thanks, winter, for coming along and giving me some spectacularly bad hair and skin days. I would sarcastically tip my cap to you, but a.) I don't have one, and b.) if I did it would have probably blown away in one of the mighty wind slash rain storms we've been having. Blasting the central heating and turning to pre-Easter Cadbury Mini Eggs for comfort is not helping a jot - my skin is both dry and blemished now. Like I say, two sarcastic thumbs up for you, winter. Stumbling into John Lewis, and stumbling even more up to the Clarins counter, I wanted to get my hands on their Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil stat (oh yes, I forgot to mention the dry lips). I've heard so many people rave about this thick softening oil, I knew it would be what my winter-lips are calling out for. Clarins Lady tells me it's gift time, which as every beauty addict knows, is an offer that's incredibly rude to turn down. Sure, you have to buy more than you came in for, but when you leave with so many new treasures to try it's an ultimate win. 

I levelled with Clarins Lady and told her I need all the dry skin products she has, preferably smeared on my face in one go - but something to dry out the spots without further drying my skin. Clarins Lady is looking at my under-eye area and recommending some gel for puffy eyes. No, Clarins Lady! Are you not listening? My skin is an arid desert, my tired eyes are the least of my worries. She pulls it back by showing me the Pure and Radiant Mask with Pink Clay (below), a once-a-week mask to draw out impurities but also to nourish the skin. Now it's my turn to not listen properly as I'm transfixed by the mint-green packaging - this alone makes me want to try it. I'm so glad I chose this, it's one of the best clay masks I've ever slapped on. It does dry out, so you can feel the clay working, but it doesn't go so hard that your skin feels raw every time you twitch a facial muscle. It makes spots smaller and skin superbly soft and glowing, plus it smells of sweet roses. 

With the purchase of two items you can pick four deluxe samples from a selection. Clarins Lady helps me choose four things sure to boost hydration and sort my dull winter skin. The Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Shea Butter (above) is such a nourishing treat. It works well with my Clarisonic brush, and doesn't leave skin at all tight or dry. The Hydra Quench Intensive Serum is astounding, a watery serum that goes on after cleansing and before moisturiser to help you lock in more moisture - so great for wearing under makeup. Shoutout to the Super Restorative Replenishing Comfort Mask, a leave-on mask which is more of an intense moisturiser. I've been wearing it overnight a few times, and loving waking up to baby-soft skin. Finally, I got the Moisture Rich Body Lotion with Shea Butter, currently by my bed for nighttime application to make sure my hands, arms, décolletage and feet are super-soft when I wake. Clarins Lady also slipped some Eye Contour Gel and Eye Contour Balm into my bag, she was not going to let that go. I'm okay with it, they're both very cooling and comforting, and maybe I should start worrying more about my eyes. Lips first though, god that oil is amazing.