Clarins Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation SPF10 Review

I've been dying to crack open my bottle of Clarins' new Skin Illusion Natural Radiance Foundation, €29, for a couple of weeks now, because it sounds absolutely lahvely on paper.

It contains exotic (and colourful) mineral and plant extracts: pink opal powder for radiance, pink algae extract to moisturise and soften skin and stimulate cell renewal, and something called a plant micro-patch which apparently ensures continuous hydration. Throw a complex formulated to omptimise complexion luminosity into the mix and I was positively chomping at the bit to give it a whirl.

All these ingredients have been chosen, Clarins say, for their sheerness and affinity with the skin, and help produce a radiant and even complexion with a translucent finish that leaves skin feeling moisturised and comfortable.

The light fluid texture comes in 11 shades and certainly applies like a dream, and it smells like cucumbers: fresh and clean and summery. I applied it with my trusty MAC 187 brush and it buffed on perfectly smoothly. Coverage is perhaps a smidge on the sheer side of medium, with a natural dewy (but not shiny) finish.

I did find that, without primer or powder, Skin Illusion slipped away significantly by the end of the day around my oily nose and chin, but that was to be expected and it didn't sink into pores, grab dry patches, or cause me to break out. Drier or more mature skins that don't want heavy coverage would probably get on even better with it.