For as long as I can remember I've perceived Clarins as a brand for the more mature lady - whether it was the simple packaging, the cult Beauty Flash balm (which I've frankly never understood the hype about) or the traditional beauty counter experience but recently my perception has changed and I blame bloggers. My once strong desire for lip gloss was locked away with my need to buy scrunchies in my teens, that was until the Instant Light Perfectors said hello to the blogging scene making me question my thoughts on lip gloss and Clarins, but not scrunchies. So when I heard the bloggersphere was full of admiration for the Clarins eye make-up remover and facial tanner I hot footed it to my local counter faster than you can say bonjour mes amies.

Imagine my elation when I saw Debenhams not only had 10% off beauty products but Clarins themselves had a gift with purchase when you bought two skincare products, if there's one thing I love it's a gift with purchase. There's no better Brucey bonus around! Not only is this John Rocha rose print make-up bag pretty but it's got four mini samples inside too. Hello Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer, a fave with Scottish Kiwi ghostparties - on first application It reminds me of the Hourglass Mineral Veil, kudos Clarins.

The Instant Eye Make-Up Remover is a two part solution which you shake together before application, unlike my last eye make-up remover this actually removes all my mascara resulting in me no longer resembling a sad panda, NEVER the best morning look. This feels gentle on my eyes and doesn't sting or irritate in the slightest, could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship? Fingers crossed.

As a complete face tanning newb I've never woken up feeling so apprehensive as the morning after the night before (still following?) when I swept a cotton wool soaked pad of the Liquid Bronze Self Tan just before bed over my clean and moisturised skin. Well ladies I can assure you I had nothing to worry about, not only did my skin have a lovely holiday-esque glow after just one application but no spots reared their ugly heads either, result!

The moral of ones Wednesday, don't judge a book by it's cover.

Have you ever purchased products you wouldn't usually because of blogger influence? Which Clarins products should I try next?