Clinique Soft Powder Blush

I have been using my Tarte blushes for the past two months and I was ready to try some more blush formulas and shades.  I went back and forth about which brand and products to try this time around and I decided that I wanted to revisit another color product from Clinique.  I have tried and reviewed quite a few Clinique makeup products in the past and I have never found them to be of similar pigmentation and shade selection of brands like NARS and MAC.  Much of the makeup that I have used from this company is best for a professional setting or a more natural look for casual weekend looks.  Clinique still remains one of my favorite skincare product companies and I will continue to purchase many items from this aspect of their product line.

I wanted to give Clinique makeup products another shot, I have been using brighter blush shades from Tarte and MAC for the past two months and I wanted to look for shades with slightly less pigmentation.  I decided that the Clinique Soft Powder Blush might work well for the type of shades that I was looking for.  I found a few shades that I have been wearing to work and grad school classes over the past three weeks and I am growing more fond of this formula than many other of the Clinique makeup products.

I bought my blush shades at Sephora but I did find more shades on the Clinique website so I will need to visit one of the counters if I want to add more products to my collection.  "Silky formula sweeps effortlessly over cheekbones to create a natural look. Fresh, jet-milled colour builds and blends beautifully to desired intensity with custom sculpting brush. Long-wearing, colour-true. Oil-free.", states the Clinique website. 

The shades available on the Clinique website are...

- Cupid - shy, pale dusty pink
- Aglow - soft coppery nude with gold pearl
- Sunset Glow - midtone reddish bronze
- Smoldering Plum - heathered purple
- Iced Lotus - blue pink with white shimmer
- Precious Posy - energetic pink peach with gold pearl
- Berry Delight - midtone pink berry
- Spiced Wine - earthy brownish red with flecks of gold pearl

I bought Cupid and Berry Delight from Sephora.  Cupid is a pale pink matte with a very light color payoff.  This is a very nice shade to use for a natural look or with statement eyes or lips, it reminds me of a less intense version of Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Katie.  Berry Delight is a deep pink matte shade, this one applies as a medium pink on the cheeks and has slightly more pigmentation than Cupid.  Berry Delight is a more universal pink than Cupid as it could be worn by ladies with pale or medium skintones but Cupid is best for those with very pale skin. 

I am interested in ordering Iced Lotus and Precious Posy, both of these have a slight shimmer finish and I want to see how they compare to the shades with the matte finish.  Iced Lotus can be worn all throughout the year but I will be waiting a bit longer for Precious Posy, this peach-pink shade will work best with a bronzer in the warm weather months.

Both shades that I bought have light to medium color payoff, these are not the shades that I would wear if I wanted to do a bright cheek look.  They are best used for a more natural or professional makeup look.  Both of these shades last the whole day and are still in place when I finally leave my grad school class at night, they are a great choice for busy days. 

This is one of the better Clinique makeup products and I will be ordering the other two shades of this product.  This is a good formula for a wear-to-work look or for someone who doesn't like to wear a lot of pigment on their cheeks.

photo courtesy of Clinique

Current Favorites!

I feel like I haven't done a Favorites post in quite a long time now but then I realized how much I was changing around my skincare products based on the very late Indian summer and I have only been using a few products consistently enough to make them "Favorites".  Many of my favorite items right now are color products, my last blush shopping craze has created a bunch of both new favorites for me and also added to my shopping list because I want more shades from these great formulas.  I might be all about makeup right now but I bet that once I start using more of the same skincare products consistently, I will have a another Favorites list on the way!

Here are the products that are in heavy rotation!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Dollface - "A long-wearing, solar-baked blush that lasts up to 12 hours.  Infused with natural clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and naturally baked by the sun, this nutrient-rich blush benefits all skin types for a fade-free flawless finish that lasts an amazing 12 hours. Inspired by tarte's bestselling shades of cheek stains and lip tints, the colors range from soft to vivid to suit a wide variety of skintones. For oily skin types, Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Those with dry skin will benefit from the clay's nourishing and hydrating properties, which naturally restore skin's moisture. Combination skin types can rely on its ability to zero in on skin concerns and deliver benefits to restore complexion harmony. The result: Blush that wears better, longer, and truer."  Dollface is a "light pink" shade with cool undertones.  This product has been around since 2011 but a relatively newer product for me, I picked my first two shades of it up at Sephora late in the summer.  The formula is nicely pigmented and the color stays true from the moment that I put it on to the moment that I take my makeup off at night.  Dollface is a pale cool pink that has full pigmentation.  This shade works perfectly for my pale skin and never fails to gather me compliments.

Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Morning Eye Rescue - "An eye cream to de-puff, soothe, and brighten tired eyes.  This treatment quenches and soothes the eye area upon application, leaving eye contours looking rested, fresh, and naturally glowing. It hydrates, soothes, and de-puffs with antioxidant polyphenols, moisturizing grape water, and calming white tea extract."  I love Caudalie products and almost always have at least one in my skincare regime.  This eye cream is one of the few skincare products that I have been able to use each day for the day six weeks.  When used in the morning; it helps to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness and it helps to make my under eye makeup go on smoother.  When used at night, it hydrates my under eye area.  This gel-cream formula glides on easily and absorbs quickly, a small drop is enough to cover both of my under eye areas.  I have always loved Caudalie face products, this is the company that really introduced me to concept of anti-oxidant skin care and I love their emphasis on the healing powers of grapes and natural ingredients.

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush - "A moisturizing lip stain that tints your lips with just the right amount of juicy colour and hydrates like a balm. Apply liberally, purse and let the silky lightweight texture melt onto your lips.", I own this product in the bright pink shade and wish that this product was available in more than two shades.  This lip crayon goes on soft and builds pigment to a bright pink hue.  It hydrates well but does need to be reapplied often throughout the day, this product is very similar to a cream lip gloss.  The finish is creamy with a bit of shine and lots of pigment.  I wish that this product was available in more than just two shades, as I would love to collect more of these!

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - "A universally-flattering, ultra-light lipstick in an iconic shade that anyone can wear because it creates a one-of-a-kind lip look on everyone.  Not quite a gloss, and not quite a lipstick, this transparent lipstick fuses with the natural tone of your lips to create a lip look that’s unique to you. This sheer, emollient-rich formula glides on for easy layering."  Black Honey is a sheer berry tone that looks almost black in the tube.  This is favorite fall product of mine every single year and I will continue to buy this cult lip product as long as Clinique continues to produce it.  This sheer lipstick has a lip balm-like feel and lip gloss-like finish with an easy to wear berry tint on the lips.  I have never met anyone who tried this shade and hated it, it looks different on everyone and is a very easy way to wear pigment on the lips.  This is a fall classic for me and I will be using it until I start breaking out my spring makeup.

MAC Pro Longwear Blush in I'm a Lover - "A lightweight blush with extreme colour perfection and non-fading, eight-hour wear. Ultra fine, silky powder glides on and blends easily to provide a moist, flawless, natural finish or with layering, a brighter, more dramatic look."  I'm a Love is described as simply "pink" but it is one of the best pinks that I have ever worn.  It is a medium bubblegum pink shade with cool undertones, highly pigmented and long lasting.  This is my favorite MAC Blush shade and one of my favorite blush shades that I own.  This product and shade is one of the top rated on the MAC website and it is very easy to see why.

I have a good basis for my fall color products and I am getting a bit excited to see what is coming out the holiday season.  We will see what products I pick up and what ones fall into my favorites within the next few weeks!

photo courtesy of Jelly Pong Pong

Clinique Fall 2013 Collection

It's the start of the second last week of August and I have spied Halloween candy on the shelves at my local supermarket already.  I am pretty much down with summer and ready for the leaves to starting on the trees and to see pumpkins out all over the place.  We still about another month of warm weather so I am purchasing new products for the fall months but I won't start using them in the next few weeks.  So I am back to looking at fall collections and getting ready for a big MAC fall color release at the every end of the week.

Today we are looking at the new collection from Clinique, a collection that contains only eye makeup products and is rather one sided in this aspect.  Eye makeup is the area that I tend to have the least of (relatively speaking) and everyone knows that lipsticks and lip glosses are my two favorite products to purchase.  So this collection from Clinique might not get me as excited as many of the other fall collections but at least I will be able to look for items that I need (rather than just want more of) to add to my makeup shopping for this fall...

This collection does not have a formal name or collection description but it is a combination of new eye shadow shades and palettes.  I have used both the single shadows and the palettes in the past so I am happy to see what else has come from this company.  I have found these eye shadows are more muted than some of the ones on the market and all of the ones that I have used are very easy to wear and to create all kinds of looks with them.  Any woman can wear many of these shades, there are few that are vibrant colors or have glitter in them.  I can confidently purchase any eye makeup shade from this company and know that I can wear it in a professional environment, I can't say this for ever eye makeup brand on the market.

This is a small collection but I am hoping to see some shining stars for the fall months.  The newest eye makeup from Clinique!

All About Shadow Single - Long-wearing powder eye colour. Choose Soft Matte, Soft Shimmer or Super Shimmer finish.  Creamy colour glides on in one smooth stroke. Longwearing. Crease- and fade-resistant, too. Ophthalmologist tested for even the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Mirrored compact comes with a sponge-tip applicator.
- At Dusk - medium warm bronze with shimmer
- Chocolate Covered Cherry - deep warm brown matte
- Deep Dive - deep aqua with shimmer
- Foxier - medium warm brown with slight shimmer
- French Roast - deep cool taupe matte
- Lemongrass - bright gold green with shimmer
- French Vanilla - pale vanilla matte
- Purple Heels - medium true purple matte
- Raspberry Beret - bright medium raspberry matte
- Slippery Glass - pale silver with lots of shimmer
- Stroke of Midnight - deep black matte
- Sugarcane - pale off white with shimmer

All About Shadow Duo - Use one shade as a base colour, the other to contour. Crease- and fade-resistant. Ophthalmologist tested for even the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Mirrored compact with illustrated how-tos plus a brush/sponge-tip applicator.
- Like Mink - medium neutral nude/deep bronze (shimmer)
- Mixed Greens - pale cool green/deep forest green (matte)
- Uptown Downtown - medium cool pink/medium charcoal (shimmer)
- Cocktail Hour - medium lilac/deep red plum (shimmer)
- Diamonds and Pearls - pale cool white/deep charcoal (shimmer)
- Jeans and Heels - medium blue gray/bright aqua blue (shimmer)

All About Shadow Quad - Wear shades alone or layered together in different combinations. Crease- and fade-resistant. Ophthalmologist tested for even the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Mirrored compact with illustrated how-tos plus two sponge-tip applicators.
- Jenna's Essentials - pale bone/deep bronze/medium taupe/deep warm charcoal
- Morning Java - pale bone/deep warm brown/medium gold/deep warm charcoal
- On Safari - pale bone/deep forest green/medium olive green/deep brown
- Smoke and Mirrors - medium silver/medium gray/deep charcoal/deep black
- Going Steady - pale warm bone/medium plum/medium taupe/deep plum
- Galaxy - pale white/deep aqua/medium aqua/deep forest green

I like a bunch of these new shades but there isn't one shade or palette that is so unique that I don't already it or something very similar.  I think that I would be more likely to pick up the Quads or a few shades from the singles, I am not a big fan of any of the duos and most of the shades that are in them are also contained in the Quads.  From the Quads, I can see myself getting a good amount of use from Jenna's Essentials even though I already own shades quite similar to these in the Urban Decay Naked Palettes.  The same holds for Morning Java.  I am considering Smoke and Mirrors because it would create awesome variations on silver smoky eye looks so this one will be worth checking out.  The Lemongrass Single is the most unique shade in the whole collection and I think that I would really like this one based on how much gold I own in my eye shadow collection.  Other than that I shade, I can see that At Dusk will be easy to work in with my current eye shadows and I know that I would get good usage from it.

Not one of my favorite collections of the season...

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Face Lotion +

One of the product releases that I was the most excited about in the past few months is the topic of today's post, a new piece of the Clinique skin care is always an intriguing prospect for me and I usually end up purchasing it in within a few months of the initial release.  This release is one that I have been reading about in every single fashion and beauty magazine for at least a month and I have been waiting for it to finally become available and I ordered it as soon as I could get my hands on it from the Sephora website.  Clinique has revamped the formula and brought out a new version of their best selling and award winning face moisturizer, the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Face Lotion.  I have used this product many times before in its original version and found that it was best for me in the warmer weather months and therefore I am going to try the new version in the same type of weather.

This is one of the few products that makes the Allure Best of Beauty list nearly every single year and then also wins the Reader's Choice Award from this very same magazine.  It is the first product that comes up when Clinique is brought up on the Sephora website and then first product that comes up when one looks for Moisturizers too.  I have met very few ladies who have not tried this product at least once.  I first tried this lotion when a small size came in a Clinique Gift with Purchase several years ago and have turned it to many times since.

The new version has the same name with a "+" added to the title.  This new formula delivers twice the hydration while still remaining a great choice for all skin types.  This lotion is best for me when used as a day lotion in the late spring through early fall, I need a heavier product in the fall and then through the early spring months. 

"A luxurious moisturizer that promotes smooth, healthy-looking skin.  The world has changed since Clinique first debuted Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, and it’s had an impact on our skin. That’s why Clinique created a dramatically different version. This formula features all the same benefits as the original—plus more. Step 3 in Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care System, this moisture "drink" developed by Clinique's dermatologists maintains optimal moisture balance for very dry skin or comfortable to oily skin in the T-zone. With a new complex yet same silky texture and quick penetration, this lightweight formula strengthens skin's own moisture barrier by 54 percent and locks in essential moisture. It delivers twice the hydration all day, leaving skin silky-soft, springy, and absolutely radiant.  This was developed for Skin Types 1 and 2: very dry to dry, dry combination. For oilier skins (Skin Types 3 and 4), try Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel."

This is a day lotion for me, it absorbs quickly and hydrates well without any type of greasy feeling on the skin.  Two pumps of the product is enough for face to hydrate my face without wasting product.  I don't find this lotion to be thick enough to hydrate my skin at night and be the only product that I use for moisturizing, the new additions to the formula do not make is strong enough for it to be my only face lotion.  The texture of this product is exactly the same as the original, I wouldn't have noticed the difference from just pumping the product out and applying it to my face.  I do notice a difference in the formula of the product, it hydrates better and absorbs quicker than the original formula. 

This is a great improvement over the original and I love the new version of the formula, I still will only use it as a day lotion in the warmer weather.  It hydrates better and absorbs faster than the original version but still will not be enough hydration to serve as a night cream (for anyone with dry skin) unless your skin is considered normal to slightly dry.  The same thoughts hold for using this in cold weather, even though this product is made for drier skin types it is not a replacement for an oil or thick face cream when the temperatures drop.  I am very happy with this product and will keep using it for the rest of the summer until the bottle runs out in the fall months.

Great upgrade on a solid product from this company!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique All About Eye Shadow - Quad

I was looking back over some old blog entries the other week and was looking at my obsession with Clinique makeup about two summers ago and realized that I had looked at almost every single Clinique eye shadow product...but not the All About Eye Shadow Quad  The Quad was one of the last items that I added to my Clinique eye makeup collection.  I had bought the Duo and Trio years before buying one of the Quads and then skipped over reviewing it when I bought one earlier this spring.  Good thing that I decided to review some of my archived posts the other week!

The Clinique All About Eye Shadow Quad combines four complementary Clinique Eye Shadows into one palette, this is a larger version of the Duos and Trios that we looked at several summers ago.  I haven't been quite as into Clinique color as I was at that time and now purchase more of their skincare than any other products but I still do appreciate how well this company can put together a lovely eye shadow palette that works equally well professional life or getting dressed up at night.  My palette contains one shade that works best as a highlighter, one in the crease, and then two that would work on the lid (one that works better in a professional and the other that is deeper and better for the nighttime hours). 

The description that the Clinique website provides is slightly weak so I will include it and then the one from the Sephora website for more detailing.  From the Clinique website, "Wear shades alone or layered together in different combinations. Crease- and fade-resistant. Ophthalmologist tested for even the most sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Mirrored compact with illustrated how-tos plus two sponge-tip applicators."  This is the very basic description and doesn't include as many usage details as the description on the Sephora website.

The Sephora description of this product, "A palette of eye shadows in four complimentary colors that allows you to create a variety of looks, from natural to dramatic.  All About Shadow Quads feature four versatile, complimentary shades to wear alone or layer together in different combinations. For dark skintones, lighter shades will impart a more dramatic look and dark shades for a more natural style. Dark shades look more dramatic on fairer skins; light ones look more natural.  These powder colors are formulated to be crease and fade resistant, and are ophthalmologist tested for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes. This set includes a mirrored compact with illustrated instructions plus two sponge-tip applicators."

This product is available in the following shades...

- Galaxy - shimmering white/shimmering medium aqua/shimmering light aqua/shimmering charcoal
- Teddy Bear - medium warm white/medium bronze/medium chocolate/deep brown
- Going Steady - pale pink satin/deep plum satin/medium lilac satin/shimmering charcoal
- Smoke and Mirrors - pale white satin/deep silver satin/shimmering deep charcoal/black satin
- Pink Chocolate - matte pale pink/matte medium brown/medium pink satin/deep brown satin
- On Safari - matte champagne/matte medium olive/medium gold satin/deep brown satin
- Morning Java - matte champagne/medium red brown satin/shimmering gold/deep chocolate satin

I only have one of these palettes at this time, I prefer not to review a product until I have at least two (if not three or more) shades of the product however the formula is exactly the same as the all of the rest of the Clinique eye shadows so I have already used every finish in this formula many times over and did not feel that I needed to buy more than one Quad to fully review the formula.  Every Clinique Eye Shadow is the same basic formulation with subtle differences in the textures and formulation as the finishes differ.  None of the shades or finishes are very dramatic from this company, even the "Super Shimmer" description is not the glitter-infused shadow that many other brands use.  Most of the shades have a medium level of pigmentation and are very easy to blend.  Clinique makeup is usually one of the easier brands to wear and works well in a professional environment with only the deepest shades being best left for nighttime.

I have Teddy Bear, all the neutral and brown hues in this palette work nicely together and I can easily create a neutral eye that is polished enough for work or class.  I have used this palette in multiple ways so far and have liked every single one of them.  The white shade is always used as the highlighter in the look and I have used both the medium bronze and the medium chocolate shades in the crease and on the lid.  I have only used the darkest shade in palette directly on the lid or as a liner for work.  I will always play around with mixing a gold into this look, Urban Decay's Half Baked would be the first shade that I try out and we will see how the look changes.

Clinique makeup is always a safe bet, they have many go to shades for me and are easy to wear to work or on casual weekends.  This collection doesn't contain quite as many shades for dressing up but there are many other brands that fit that bill perfectly.

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique High Impact Lip Colour

Clinique has become one of my favorite brands since the beginning of the year and I keep falling more and more in love with this brand with every single product that I buy from them.  I have been using their skincare almost faithfully for the past few months and have been seeing great results from it.  The results that I am seeing from their skincare has only made me want to buy more and more makeup products from this company.  I have been especially interested in their lip products recently, I have used many of their eye makeup products in the past (with the exception of their eye liners) and so I will focus on the few lip products that I have not tried from this company yet.  On my last trip to Sephora, I tried out a new lip formula (at least new to me) and went home with a few new toys to play with in the next few weeks.  I have been all over pink lipsticks this spring and will continue this trend into the summer months so I have been trying to find all kinds of new shades of pinks for the next few months.

I have used the Clinique Different and Butter Shine Lipsticks before and High Impact is one of their newer formulas.  I first received a small palette of this formula in a gift with purchase a bit ago and I was initially impressed with the products however I never ended up buying any more shades of them.  I think that I first tried this formula during my MAC and NARS obsession that began a few years and I was spending more money on these two brands than any others.  I revisited this small palette before my Sephora trip and I was again impressed with this lipstick formula and decided that I needed more from this line.

The Sephora website provides a full description of the formula and the shades contained in it.  "A highly moisturizing lipstick that is high on color and long on comfort.  Smooth, soften, and comfort lips with dressed-up color that wears beautifully for up to eight hours. Along with high-impact color and long-lasting moisture, these beautiful shades also protect from UVA and UVB."

I wasn't aware that their was a SPF in this product until I read this description and that makes more love Clinique even more than I normally do.  This is very creamy lipstick formula and is very close in texture to the Butter Shine formula, these shades are more opaque than the sheers in that formula and have more pigment than every other Clinique lipstick formulas that I have used in the past.  All Clinique lipsticks are extremely hydrating and this one is no exception, this one helps to keep moisture in my lips while providing beautiful color.  The wear is pretty typical of that of a cream formula, I usually wear sheer or matte formulas so I am used to a range of wear times.  This one stays on pretty well through eating and drinking but I find that I would need to reapply after drinking a full cup of coffee, eating a meal, etc. 

The shades of this products are:

- After Party - deep shimmering warm berry
- Cider Berry - warm berry red cream
- Citrus Rose - shimmering cool rose
- Extreme Pink - shimmering cool magenta
- Go Fig - medium shimmering nude
- Nude Beach - medium nude cream
- Peach Pop - medium shimmering warm peach
- Red-y to Wear - medium blue red cream
- Rosette - medium neutral rose cream
- Rose Spectrum - deep rose cream
- Sassy Spice - deep shimmering nude

I bought two shades that would be perfect for the summer months but are still neutral enough for me to wear all year long.  I bought Nude Beach and Rosette, I often pair my natural lip hues with all the bronze eye makeup looks that I have been wearing recently and these are two great new options for me.  I love this lipstick formula for the summer since it has the SPF in and I will still buy more shades in this formula for the fall and winter months.  I am not a fan of the shimmer finishes in this collection so the only other shade that I really want is Red-y to Wear and I will by this one when I go back to wearing red lipstick in the cool weather.

I have found yet another winner from Clinique and I am so excited to add yet another lipstick formula to my collection!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique High Impact Mascara

I have been using a lot of products from Clinique lately and the newest mascara formula that I bought is from this line.  I had used their mascaras several years ago and I often liked them, but I never really loved them.  I got many of their mascaras in the past from all the free gifts with purchase and I have reviewed a bunch of their formulas here and I used one of their waterproof formulas for my Beach Theme Week about two years so I am quite familiar with their formulas.  Earlier this month, I ordered a tube of the High Impact formula from Sephora and have been using it for the past few weeks.  I remember having a tube of this mascara way back in college and I wanted to try it again before I reviewed it.  I wondered if the formula had changed since then so I see that the tube has changed, the only way for me to be sure was for me to order another tube of it and try it all over again.  I am happy to say that this formula has remained the same and that I have a good formula that I can easily get whenever I need to.

Clinique has easily become one of my favorite brands over the past few months and I have been buying almost all their skincare products over the first half of this year and I have been adding some of their makeup products to my purchases too.  Earlier this spring, there was not a Sephora purchase that I made without something from Clinique contained in it and my collection grew very rapidly.  I now have a mascara that I love from this line of products and one formula that I know will not irritate my eyes and the skin around them.  I love that I can add another product to my "safe" list, I need a list of products that I can completely trust since I have more than enough problems with irritation and product allergies and after I get a flare-up, I need to go back to something that I can 100% trust.  As of right now...most of these products are Clinique!

"A richly pigmented mascara that kicks up the volume of each individual lash.  Get instant drama! Pump up the volume and length of each lash for a look that's lusher, plusher, and bolder. Dress your lashes in pure, deep color—wear it once and you'll feel naked without it.  Ophthalmologist tested."

This is the best mascara that I have ever used from Clinique and one of the most solid and best on the market.  This is technically a volumizing mascara however it is not made to give the huge, fake-looking lashes that I typically crave.  I never thought that I would say this but I am starting to get away from always wanting the massive eye lashes and I am beginning to believe that I should have two mascara formulas.  I am beginning to think more about the types of careers that I want after I graduate from my MBA and I feel that many of them will not find dramatic makeup to be appropriate and I am beginning to divide my products into "day" and "night" items.  This mascara would fall into the "day" category.  

One coat of this mascara is enough to volumize my lashes for daytime or a professional environment, two coats are then needed when I got out after work.  I bought the Black shade, it is a great inky black shade that even covers all of my lashes with only one coat.  This formula doesn't clump and I have no problems with it flaking off.  This is a great formula of mascara and lasts all day long without having to be touched up or declumped.  I use a regular eye makeup remover to get it off and I can get about 95% of it off with one or two swipes across each eye, the rest I can get off in the shower. 

This is in my Top Ten of mascara formulas, it is probably one of the most dependable formulas that I have ever used.  It can easily be taken from day to night and would work in almost any circumstance, from work to class to going out for dinner.  I also love how this product is safe for sensitive eyes and anyone could get great results from this mascara.  I will repurchase this mascara again and it remains as a top choice on my "safe" list.  Another winner from Clinique!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique Summer 2013 Collection - 5 Minutes to Pretty

The Clinique summer collection seems to be very different then all of the others that we have looked at so far, this collection is called 5 Minutes to Pretty and is all about using products that create an easy, laid back look for the relaxed warm weather months.  I love this concept since I wear about half of the face makeup in the summer than I normally do throughout the rest of the year.  I give up foundation for about three months of the year and switch from a loose powder to a BB Cream and a bronzer.  In addition, I am more concerned with SPF protection than a flawless finish and use a combination of self tanner and bronzer to even out and cover up any flaws on my face.  This is the only time of the year that I can truly create a full makeup look in less than ten minutes, a fact that comes in handy when running around in the summer months.

I have been using a lot of Clinique sun care and skincare products over the past few months and am at the point that I wouldn't hesitate to purchase any product from this line.  I have a mascara from this line sitting in my Sephora cart and I want to try some of the lip crayons that I saw the last time that I was at counter.  This is quickly becoming a brand that I can fully rely on and is a favorite skincare brand of mine already.  I am also excited to try some of their BB and CC creams yet this summer/early fall.

"Streamlining your makeup routine is even more important when sunny weather's calling.  Here's a look you can create fast - without any fuss.", states the Clinique website when providing a description of the collection.  This collection contains only five products and will be very easy for anyone to create for work or a vacation day.  I see the CC Cream in this collection, along with a pretty pink hue of the lip crayon that I am so excited to try!

5 Minutes to Pretty!

Moisture Surge CC Cream Hydrating Corrector Broad Spectrum SPF 30 - One simple step for glowing skin. Lightweight formula instantly colour corrects a range of complexion concerns - redness, dullness, sallowness - so all you see is a healthy-looking glow. Oil-free hydration and sunscreen mean a more flawless look tomorrow, too. Each versatile shade is appropriate for a range of skin tones and undertones.  Available in a full range of shades to complement every skintone.

Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes - Sheer wash of lightweight, creamy colour slips on. Layerable and long-wearing. Versatile, too. Glide one on for a swift wash of colour. Contour with another to add depth, and yet another to highlight. There's no need to stop at just one. Appropriate for sensitive eyes and contact lens-wearers.
- 04 Ample Amber - medium bronze with a hint of shimmer

Naturally Glossy Mascara - Gel-based formula defines lashes naturally. Lengthens, glosses, enhances. Lashes stay silky, pliant, clump and flake-free through multiple coats. Ophthalmologist tested.
- Jet Black - deep glossy black

True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer - Lightweight powder bronzer creates a natural-looking, sun-kissed radiance. Blends, builds easily to your desired level of bronze. Perfect for on-the-go glow. Long-wearing. Oil-free.
- Sunswept - warm bronze with flecks of gold pearl
- Sunkissed - pink bronze
- Sunblushed - reddened bronze

Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm - Super-nourishing balm is loaded with mango and shea butters. Just what dry, delicate lips need to feel comfortably soft and smooth. Sixteen natural-looking lip tints in all, each with a subtle sheen.
- Woppin' Watermelon - bright sheer pink

I want this whole collection and I will be picking most of it up very soon, my favorite pieces are the CC Cream and the Chubby Stick Balm in that pretty pink hue.  Those are the two items that I must have and I will buy them first, I have heard many good things about this formula of CC Cream for drier skin (as we all know that mine is!) and I will consider picking this up in a shade that is more tan for now and then another shade that is much lighter to use in the cool weather months (when my skin is at its worse).  I have high hopes for this formula and I hope to add another winner to my Clinique product line up. 

I think that I have used this bronzer in the past, I seem to remember getting a small size of it in a Gift with Purchase about two years ago and I do remember liking the formula.  I looked back on some previous entries and I did really like this formula and the shade that I had (Sunkissed).  This bronzer hue has a pink undertone in it and worked well to compliment my cooler skintone and blended well with the pink undertones in my skin.  This was one of the most flattering shades of bronzer that I have ever used and I might have to pick a compact of this product instead of continuing to search for a new formula...

I think that this might be one of my favorite collections for the summer, it is pretty and easy to pull off.  Any lady could use these products and create a simple look that will get her through a summer day.  I also really like that Clinique is creating looks that contain fewer products since it has been proven that most women wear less and less makeup as the weather gets warmer and warmer...

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25

The weather is beginning to really heat up and I have ordered and started using my first new facial sunscreen of the season, I decided to start off with Clinique this summer and I bet that I will use their sunscreens all throughout the summer months.  I have used Clinique sunscreens for years now and I wanted to try one of the few formulas that I have not yet tried, the City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25.  I originally used the body version of the City Block sunscreens many years ago and was very pleased with the results of the products, City Block is a line of sun protectants that are designed for daily use and contain anti-oxidants to ward off some of the free radicals that are prevalent in city life.  I drive about a half an hour to and from work each day so I appreciate that extra dose of protection from both the sun and particles that are in the air.

In previous summers, I have used the body version of this product on both my body and my face and had great results from the products.  This summer, I wanted to see what additional benefits I would get from using a product designed only for facial skin.  At minimum, I would get the exact same results but the best case scenario is that I would get even better results for my face from this version of the product.  I have used this product for the past few days and I can yet again state that the Clinique City Block line of sunscreens are just fabulous products.

"A lightweight daily sunscreen that provides UVA/UVB sun protection.  This daily sunscreen provides the face with broad-spectrum sun protection in a sheer formula. Worn alone or as a primer under makeup, its oil-free formulation helps to absorb excess oil and whisk away perspiration. Formulated without chemical sunscreens, it is appropriate for sensitive skins and the eye area.", states the Sephora website when providing a product description.  I was really excited to see that I could use this as a primer since that would eliminate an extra layer of product on my face during the hottest months of the year. 

I apply this product every morning to clean, dry skin and then use a bit of face lotion on top of it (if needed).  I first used a dime-sized amount of this facial sunscreen and did not find it enough to fully cover my whole face and then the next time that I used it, I used a nickel-sized drop and had enough to cover my whole face and then to work the product down into my neck area.  I was a bit surprised to see that this product has a bit of a flesh-toned tint to it, the body formula was the traditional white shade of sunscreen and I was a bit put off until I emailed Sephora and they confirmed that this is the correct color of the product and all was well.  I believe that it has a bit of tint to be best used as a primer instead of just a sunscreen. 

This line of products works well to keep my skin protected, I have never gotten a sunburn when I have used any product from this line and I will keep using then for these benefits.  The primer part of this product is where I wasn't as impressed as I could be, I found this product to be more of a sunscreen than a makeup product, it doesn't absorb or spread as well as a primer and I would never buy this product only to use as a primer.  I use this product with a separate primer, if I don't then my makeup will not spread correctly and doesn't last as long as it normally does with a separate primer. 

I will continue to use this facial sunscreen for the rest of the summer and I bet that I will buy it again next summer, unless Clinique comes out with another facial sunscreen in this line.  I am happy with the results that I get from the SPF 25 for normal use, but I would be interested in finding this same product in a higher SPF for vacation or a day outside. 

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique Spring 2013 Collection - Spring Violets

The last of the three Clinique collections is based on violet shades and I am really excited about this part of the collection!  I have already talked about how many purple and lilac shades of eye makeup that I have been looking at and buying all season and I am so excited to see what shades of eye shadow are in this part of the spring collection.  I have not yet found a true grape purple eye shadow or a good plum shade of eye liner and I think that this collection could provide the rest of the shades that I need to round out my purple collection.  Looks like I have another counter to hit next time that I go to Macy*s...

I have always loved purple and lilac shades and tend to buy a bunch of them for my eyes each spring season.  But I have never been able to get enough and always want to add more shades to my collection.  I haven't bought much eye makeup from Clinique lately but I used to buy from them all the time and loved each time that I bought so I am ready to buy more eye makeup from this company.

"A bright full-bloom bouquet.  Fresh, fabulous, and fun.", states the Clinique website.  I want to see what lilac shades are made for eyes in this collection and perhaps a lilac lip gloss.  I have never found a lilac lip gloss that I really love (and MAC has many of them that I have tried at counters and have not found the perfect one yet).  Let's check out the last collection of the spring!

Spring Violets from Clinique!

Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes - Sheer wash of lightweight, creamy colour slips on. Layerable and long-wearing. Versatile, too. Glide one on for a swift wash of colour. Contour with another to add depth, and yet another to highlight. There's no need to stop at just one. Appropriate for sensitive eyes and contact lens-wearers.
- 09 Lavish Lilac - deep warm plum shimmer

Quickliner for Eyes Intense - No need to be subtle when it's now so easy to move into the deepest, most dramatic range. Find all the intensity of a liquid liner in one simple stroke. Silky formula glides on. Stays on all day. Never needs sharpening. "Smoke" with the smudge tip on the opposite end. Ophthalmologist Tested.Two great ways to wear it.
- Intense Plum - deep plum cream

Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - Tempt lips with a soft cushion of colour that's not quite sheer, not quite opaque-just the perfect happy medium. Loaded with mango and shea butters so lips feel comfortably soft and smooth. Eight vibrant shades in all.
- Grandest Grape - medium sheer magenta berry cream

Lash Power Mascara - Mascara with staying power. Vows to look pretty for 24 hours without a smudge or smear. Lasts through rain, sweat, humidity, tears. Yet the formula removes easily with warm water. Unique brush reaches and beautifully lengthens even the tiniest lashes. Ophthalmologist Tested.
- Black Onyx - black

Blushing Blush Powder Blush - Silky formula sweeps effortlessly over cheekbones to create a natural look. Fresh, jet-milled colour builds and blends beautifully to desired intensity with custom sculpting brush. Long-wearing, colour-true. Oil-free.
- Iced Lotus - blue pink with white shimmer

I am actually the most let down by this part of the collection, I was expecting a very different type of product selection from this collection.  All of the eye makeup is more on the plum side and I am not looking for plum shades this time of the year, I would be more interested in this part of the collection in the fall and winter months.  I think that my favorite part of the new collections is still the pink hues that we started out with and I will buy the most from this area of the spring releases.

Well the spring collections are over and now we will move onto the summer collections at the beginning of April.  Now it is time for me to look at what else I need to buy for the spring and finish up my shopping!

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique Spring 2013 Collection - Spring Gingers

Earlier today we looked at the first of the three new collections from Clinique and I fell in love with many of the new pinks that they brought out this with these collections.  The second of the collections is one that I doubt that I will really like, this one is based on ginger tones and will contain shades that have the potential to be too warm for my skin tone.  I will look at this collection and check each product out, I am sure that some of my readers will find these shades to be very flattering and will love this area of the spring collections. 

The name "Spring Gingers" out a very different picture in my head than what the shades actually look like.  I am seeing a deep green eye shadow pencil and a bright pink lip hue, I was envisioning warm bronze and tawny shades that will complement the first hints of a tan.  I guess that I was wrong and perhaps that means that I will be able to easily find products from Spring Gingers.  "Sunny warmth with a splash of flirty, fresh-faced appeal.", is the collection description from Clinique.  Let's see how this collection plays out...

The Spring Gingers collection from Clinique!

Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes - Sheer wash of lightweight, creamy colour slips on. Layerable and long-wearing. Versatile, too. Glide one on for a swift wash of colour. Contour with another to add depth, and yet another to highlight. There's no need to stop at just one. Appropriate for sensitive eyes and contact lens-wearers.
- 06 Mighty Moss - deep moss green shimmer

Quickliner for Eyes Intense - No need to be subtle when it's now so easy to move into the deepest, most dramatic range. Find all the intensity of a liquid liner in one simple stroke. Silky formula glides on. Stays on all day. Never needs sharpening. "Smoke" with the smudge tip on the opposite end. Ophthalmologist Tested.Two great ways to wear it.
- Intense Ivy - deep moss green

Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - Tempt lips with a soft cushion of colour that's not quite sheer, not quite opaque-just the perfect happy medium. Loaded with mango and shea butters so lips feel comfortably soft and smooth. Eight vibrant shades in all.
- Mightiest Maraschino - bright pink red cream

High Impact Mascara - Kicks up the volume and length of each and every lash for a look that's lusher, plusher, bolder. Pure, deep colour only adds to the impact. Wear it once and you'll feel naked without it. Ophthalmologist Tested.
- Black - deep black

Blushing Blush Powder Blush - Silky formula sweeps effortlessly over cheekbones to create a natural look. Fresh, jet-milled colour builds and blends beautifully to desired intensity with custom sculpting brush. Long-wearing, colour-true. Oil-free.
- Cupid - pale dusty pink with matte finish

I really like this part of the spring looks too but not quite as much as I liked the first spring look.  I don't think that I consider any of the these products and shades to be must haves and I would be ok if I didn't get to pick any of them up.  I think that my favorite pieces are the eye makeup products, I love the moss colors in the eye shadow and liner.  I already own an olive colored eye liner from MAC but I want to find a deeper hue to create a deeper moss green eye.  I could skip over every other item in the collection but I really want the eye makeup products.  Personally, I would not use them in a spring makeup look and would save them until the fall. 

This is the second of the three collections, so far I have liked both so far and now I am excited to look at the last Clinique collection.  And my last spring collection of 2013...

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique Spring 2013 Collection - Spring Berries

We are now on the last of the spring collections and the beginning of my vacation from work.  It is also my favorite holiday of the year and I will enjoying myself today both with beauty products and then some time with friends later on.  But before I start decking myself out in green, we are going to look at the last of the spring collections, there are three new spring looks from Clinique and I am checking each one out.  I have been having great results from this company's skincare products over the past few months and now I am really excited to try more makeup from this line, especially foundations and other forms of face makeup.  I am suddenly craving a BB cream or a primer from this product line...

The new Clinique collection contains three version of spring makeup looks and we are looking at the first one right now, Spring Berries.  "Pretty, just-picked pinks show their playful side."  I looked at this collection first because I have been adding new pinks shades to my colleciton like crazy and I bet that this will be my favorite of the three!

Here is the Spring Berries collection from Clinique!

Chubby Stick Shadow Tint - Sheer wash of lightweight, creamy colour slips on. Layerable and long-wearing. Versatile, too.  Glide one on for a swift wash of colour. Contour with another to add depth, and yet another to highlight. There's no need to stop at just one. Appropriate for sensitive eyes and contact lens-wearers.
- 07 Pink and Plenty - pale pink

Quickliner for Eyes Intense - No need to be subtle when it's now so easy to move into the deepest, most dramatic range. Find all the intensity of a liquid liner in one simple stroke. Silky formula glides on. Stays on all day. Never needs sharpening. "Smoke" with the smudge tip on the opposite end. Ophthalmologist Tested.Two great ways to wear it.
- Intense Charcoal - deep charcoal gray

Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - Tempt lips with a soft cushion of colour that's not quite sheer, not quite opaque-just the perfect happy medium. Loaded with mango and shea butters so lips feel comfortably soft and smooth. Eight vibrant shades in all.
- Plushest Punch - deep berry pink

High Impact Waterproof Mascara - Instant volume and length that resists flaking, clumping, smudging. Our waterproof version of High Impact Mascara can stand up to heat, humidity, an active day. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Ophthalmologist tested, too.
- Black - deep black

Blushing Blush Powder Blush - Silky formula sweeps effortlessly over cheekbones to create a natural look. Fresh, jet-milled colour builds and blends beautifully to desired intensity with custom sculpting brush. Long-wearing, colour-true. Oil-free.
- Cupid - pale dusty rose cream

I am in love with the Chubby Stick shade, this deep pink will be lovely for the spring and summer but I know that I would use it well into the colder weather months.  This product will be going right onto my Most Wanted list for the next month and I see a trip to the counter in my near future.  I love how this is a new formula and is full of moisturizing ingredients that will help soothe my chapped lips.  I want to see every other color that this product comes out in and I hope that I find more that I want to buy.

I think my next purchase from this part of the collection will be the blush shade, I haven't added many new blushes to my collection lately and I want to try more face makeup items from this line.  I like this pink shade and it will work very well with my skin tone and many different type of makeup looks.  High Impact is mascara formula that I haven't used for several years but I do remember liking it and I should get another tube of it to try out and review soon.  I wonder if a Clinique Gift with Purchase is coming up any time soon since my list could be very long this time around.

The first of the spring looks should be my favorite but we have two more to look at and let's see what else I find that I want to buy!

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap - Extra Mild

It seems like winter is never going to leave us this year and I am having to use winter products for much longer than I have in the past few years.  This is normally the time of the year when I am beginning to look for lighter face lotions and SPF products but I just made a Sephora order for a thick night cream and a hydrating face serum.  In addition to looking for lighter face lotions, this is also the time of the year when I begin to shop around for a foaming face wash instead of the cream formulas that I use all winter long but the same logic is holding for this type of product and I have been using my new bottle of Clinique Liquid Facial Soap for the last week and will be using it well into the spring.  Liquid Facial Soap is one of those products that Clinique has had out for years now but I had just never tried it and never realized that there were forms for all skin types.

I first though that Liquid Facial Soap was a product geared more for normal to oily skin types but that was when I didn't know that there is more than one version of the product.  I realized that this might be a good product for me to try when I was playing around on the Clinique website earlier this winter and found that this product actually comes in three forms, one of which is designed just for dry and easily irritated skin.  Just like mine...

"A non-drying liquid soap that cleanses gently and thoroughly.  Clinically formulated cleansing—that's how great skin starts. Dermatologist-developed Facial Soap maintains protective lipids and loosens surface flakes to leave skin clean, comfortable, and refreshed—never taut or dry. It rinses away easily and prepares skin perfectly for the exfoliating action of Clarifying Lotion.  A convenient pump dispenser provides just the right amount of product."  I have never used the Clarifying Lotion after this product but I must say that I really like this face cleanser!

I  bought the Extra Mild version of this product, that this is wash that is recommended for sensitive and dry skin.  Instead of the traditional gel formula, this version is a light creamy wash with a texture that I have been loving the past few days.  This wash is very similar to most other cream texture face washes, it doesn't foam up at all and doesn't leave skin feeling dry and stripped after rinsing.  I have used many creamy washes and they are really one of my favorite beauty products and will remain so.  This product is very clean rinsing and actually has the ability to get all of my face makeup off, I do not try and get any of my eye makeup off with this product.  I have never found that a face wash can get eye makeup off correctly and usually it just makes my skin worse than the use of a separate product.  Some formulas of creamy face washes cannot get my makeup off and then I feel that I should be using a separate toner to get the residue off and this would be the worst idea for my skin.  I am happy to report that I have not had any issues with makeup residue since I have started using this product, a real plus in my book.

In addition to the formula itself, I really like that this product is housed in a pump bottle.  I don't have to guess what is the correct amount to use on my face, one pump is all that I need.  I have found that I have had judgement issues with some cream cleansers in the past, with the fact that they do not foam, it is harder than normal to figure out what is the best amount of cover my whole face without wasting product.  No issues here, this style of bottle is completely idiot proof and I thank Clinique for that very much. 

I have been having a good run with skincare lately, my last few purchases have all been great and my has been looking much better over the past few months.  I am glad that I tried this product and that I investigated all the formulas that are available of it.  Clinique has been good to me lately with skincare but now I think that I need some more color products from this brand!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Five Favorite - Pink Beauty Products

Today is the first of February and I will try to salute the month of romance and lovers in my own way.  And the only way that I can do this is to talk about my favorite pink beauty products, I love pink lipsticks and matching nail polishes and I later ended up falling in love with the Bath and Body Works Pink Chiffon body products (even though I wasn't a fan intially).  I am considering purchasing a little something for this holiday and perhaps this will take the sting out of the day, I will work all day that day and then I have class at night so at least the day will go by quickly and I won't be in a funk about not having a date that night...

Today we are going to look at my Five Favorite pink beauty products.  Ladies, any of these products will be great for a Valentine's Day date and then will still be in style all throughout the spring months.  No matter what your thoughts on the holiday are, you will find a product or two to try from this group!  I may hate Valentine's Day but I love pink lipstick shades!!

Here are my favorite pinks!

NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Schiap - "A pure, creamy lipstick formula for bold color.  Nars Lipsticks are enriched with vitamin E to increase wearability and keep true color intact. Sheer finish creates the most natural, stained-looking lips. Semi-matte produces velvety, full-bodied lips. Finally, satin fashions creamy, moist-looking lips."  Schiap is a "semi-matte shocking pink".  This is my favorite pink lipstick and I am not alone in my love since it it sold out all the time at Sephora.  This shade is a bright matte pink, it creates the best bright pink lip and it lasts all day long.  The matte finish keeps this shade looking classy and I wear this shade all throughout the year.  The shade was named after designer Elsa Schaiparelli, an avant garde designer from the 20th Centruy who loved bright pink hues such as this one.  I really love to wear red lip hues all the time but this bright pink actually makes me put the reds to the side and rock the pink.  This is a great choice for Valentine's Day or any day of the year.

Bath and Body Works Pink Chiffon Body Lotion - "Our exclusive Signature Collection Body Lotion is fortified with powerful ingredients like super conditioning Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E to hydrate skin with moisture that lasts all day. Our non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and completely to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished, making it the perfect daily moisturizer.  Our exclusive Pink Chiffon is a light-as-air pairing of soft pink petals & vanilla chiffon icing.  Key Fragrance Notes: Sparkling Red Pear, Vanilla Orchid and Whipped Chiffon Musk."  I hated this fragrance when it first came out, I tried the perfume on and it was so sweet that it turned on my skin.  I cannot wear these sweet fruity-floral scents, they either get much too sweet to handle or go sour, this one went the sweet route and I went on my merry way past this scent.  I stayed away from this fragrance for quite a long time but last holiday I received some small bottles of it and decided to re-try the products.  I got the Shower Gel and Body Lotion and I discovered that I really like the body products in this fragrance, it is light floral on my skin with just hints of sweetness.  This scent is just enough to be noticeable and I went through my small sizes very quickly and will be buying those products in the full sizes to use all spring.  The shower Gel is more fruity than the lotion, I smelled the pear the most but in the lotion, I smell the florals and the vanilla.
Sometimes first impressions need to be re-visisted...

LUSH Bath Bomb in Pink - "Inspired by the delightful Audrey Hepburn, Pink is sophisticated, sexy, elegant, and witty. Fragranced with edgy tonka bean, neroli, and the sweetness of vanilla absolute, it turns baths into candy-scented fantasies with a fragrance that lingers on your skin long after you’re out of the bath. It's sweet, but not overbearingly so, with a subtle bite of something cheeky. Spoil yourself; instead of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, have an indulgent bath with Pink."  This Bath Bomb is a yummy mix of vanilla and tonka bean, it is relaxing and the best way to treat yourself after a long week.  In addition to the wonderful scent and the pure fun of watching the bomb dissolve, this bath product turns the bath water bright pink.  Nothing is more fun than bathing in bright pink water and is the perfect Valentine's Day treat especially for the single girls that crave a bit of pampering this day.

Illamasqua Nail Varnish in Collide - "A vivacious nail varnish.  Leave your mark with bold, rich, vibrant colors that stand out. The formula is long-wearing and chip-resistant and contains individual finishes from matte to high-gloss. Apply two coats for high-intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish. Make a statement and talk with your hands!"  Collide is a "bright neon pink with a satin finish" and matches the NARS Schiap Lipstick almost perfectly and I wear the two shades together all spring and summer.  Illamasqua's Nail Varnish formula is one of the best nail polishes on the market, the formula lasts several days with only minor tip wear and wears glassy without an extra top coat.  I will start using this shade in pedicures as soon as it begins to get warm out and then follow with the matching manicure.  This is shade that I wore the most last summer and I am willing to bet that the same will hold true for this year!

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Flirty Honey - "A glossy, ultra-light lipstick.  Not quite a gloss, and not quite a lipstick, this transparent formula merges with the unique, natural tone of your lips to create a look that's all your own. Its sheer, emollient-rich formula glides on for easy layering."  Flirty Honey is one the shades that was released in early 2012 when Clinique decided to expand the Almost Lipstick range and release a series of shades in this formula.  Flirty Honey is a "sheer bright rose" that delivers a sheer rose look to the lips.  This shade is brighter than many traditional rose hues and is perfect against pale skin or medium skin, it creates a subtle pink lip that is an easy way to ease more into a bright lip look.  Another aspect of these lip glosses that I love is that this formula is very hydrating and is perfect for use in the winter and early spring when I am still battling chapped lips. 

I hope that my favorite pink items have given you some shopping ideas.  I love pinks and am very excited to wear them at the end of this winter and then all the way into spring and summer.  What are some of your favorite pink beauty products?!

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique Holiday 2012 Collection - Party Red Lips

The holiday collection from Clinique is very small but it looks like the pieces inside of it will be ones that I fall madly in love with and that I will want within minutes of finishing up this post!  This collection's name just speaks for itself - Party Red Lips!!  I love red lips and everyone that reads this blog knows how much I love to wear a matte red lip look and that I tend to collect red lip products from almost every single brand out there.  I don't currently own any full pigment reds from Clinique and I am very excited to see what this brand offers.  Lately I have been buying more skincare products from this company but I am more than happy to add some color products to my bag the next time that I go to the counter.  I have been using the berry hues in my Almost Lipstick and they are fast becoming some of my favorite lip shades, I hope that more shades in this product keep coming out over the next few seasons...

This collection contains only lip products and shows us how to use all different Clinique products to help create multiple party ready lip looks.  The last products that I should be purchasing are lipsticks and lip glosses but I know that I will find a few items that I can't resist from this holiday collection.  "Three ways to create a festive new lip look with dazzling shades of red."

Here are the three red lip looks from Clinique!

Cherry Red - Slip it on when you're feeling flirty, or need a pop of pretty colour to brighten your look.  Line and fill in the lips with liner, then apply Chubby Stick.  To amp up the shine, dab Long Last Glosswear in the center of your lower lip.
- Long Last Glosswear in Juicy Apple - Lip gloss juiced up with 8 hours of lasting shine. Spends every minute comforting lips. In 18 glistening shades from sheer to full intensity. Moisture makes each one even more mouth-watering. Welcome to our juice bar.  Juicy Apple is a sheer red punch with a cream finish.
- Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Lip Color Balm in Mightiest Maraschino - Tempt lips with a soft cushion of colour that's not quite sheer, not quite opaque-just the perfect happy medium. Loaded with mango and shea butters so lips feel comfortably soft and smooth. Eight vibrant shades in all.  Mightiest Maraschino is a deep sheer red with a cream finish.
- Quickliner for Lip in Rich Red - All-day lip liner. Use to line and define lips or smooth all over lips before lipstick application for extended wear. Non-drying formula helps keep lipstick in place. Prevents lipstick from feathering and bleeding. No sharpening required.  Rich Red is a true bright red.

Deep Red - Chic with jeans, glamourous with a little black dress - its versatility makes it timeless.  Line lip edges with soft dashes.  Apply Lipstick with Lip Brush, blending it gently for a rich coat of color.
- Quickliner for Lips in Tawny Tulip - All-day lip liner. Use to line and define lips or smooth all over lips before lipstick application for extended wear. Non-drying formula helps keep lipstick in place. Prevents lipstick from feathering and bleeding. No sharpening required.  Tawny Tulip is a tawnied brick red.
- Lip Brush - The professional way to shape and fill in lips. Retractable brush distributes colour evenly. Handle provides optimum control. Ideal for precise definition and coverage. Unique antibacterial technology helps ensure the highest level of hygiene.
- Different Lipstick in Angel Red - Different because of its smooth, comfortable feel. Moderate coverage in a remarkable range of shades, from cream to pearl. Every one packed with rich emollients.  Angel Red is a sheer blackened red with a cream finish.

Red Violet - If you love pinks and violets, this shade will give you the red lip look while staying in your comfort zone.  Apply liner all over lips, lining first then filling in completely.  Top with Almost Lipstick for a glossy finish.
- Quickliner for Lips in Crushed Berry - All-day lip liner. Use to line and define lips or smooth all over lips before lipstick application for extended wear. Non-drying formula helps keep lipstick in place. Prevents lipstick from feathering and bleeding. No sharpening required.  Crushed Berry is a intense pink/violet.
- Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey - Transparent pigment merges with the unique, natural tone of your lips to create something wonderful and yours alone. Sheer, glossy. Emollient-rich and very lightweight.  Luscious Honey is a sheer reddish-pink with a cream finish.

My favorite look is the Cherry Red, we all knew that would be and now I want to start collecting some new lip products from Clinique.  My choices from Cherry Red are the Lip Gloss in Juicy Apple and the new formula of the Chubby Stick in Mightiest Maraschino.  I have not yet tried this product however I had a Chubby Stick lip product from them in high school and I used it down to the very last nub...it was a great product so I imagine that I will like this formula as well. 

The Deep Red is my second favorite of the look, I want the Different Lipstick in Angel Red.  This sheer deep red will be a great way to wear red lips in my everyday professional makeup look.  I have been using MAC's Ladybug for the look right now but I wouldn't mind having another shade to work with in the morning.  The last item that I want from this overall collection is the Almost Lipstick in Luscious Honey from the Red Violet look.  I love Almost Lipsticks and want to add another shade to my collection.

I really like this little collection but only because I really love red lips.  I could see this collection not being quite as exciting if your tastes in makeup are very different from mine...

photo courtesy of Clinique

Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser

I have been talking about face creams for the past few weeks and have been trying to purchase products that will help to reduce how dry and red my face gets this time of the year.  In addition to skin creams, I am also investigating new face washes.  I have finally run out of my last tube of C.O. Bigelow face wash and I decided that I wanted to try something different this time around (I have gone through three tubes of this wash and I need to see what else is out there).  I wanted to try a product that would be creamy and soothing and initially was considering purchasing a tube of the cream cleanser from Caudalie again.  But based on my current good luck with Clinique skincare products, I decided to try one of their face cleansers out.  I don't have any recent memories of using face washes from Clinique and I am not totally sure if I have used any of their face washes before but I wanted to give it a go this time around.

I have been interested in the Redness Solutions line of face products from this company ever since I first heard about it.  My skin is so dry and red in the winter months and I wanted a product that would not strip my skin and make the look and feel of it even worse.  I went with a cream cleanser formula, a gel or a foam would be a bit too risky this time of the year and I am not about starting the winter with bad skin. 

I have been using the Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser for the past week and am beginning to finally see a very small bit of difference in my skin.  I know that face washes will not change my life but I was expecting a bit more from this formula (knowing much Clinique puts into their skincare products and how well I tend to do with their treatments and moisturizers).  First we will look at how the product is described on the Sephora website and then we will delve into how it has been working for me.

"An extra-gentle cleanser for redness-prone skin.  This extra-gentle, non-drying cream-gel helps calm visible redness and irritation while melting away makeup and impurities. It leaves skin clean feeling comforted.  Helps maintain skin's moisture balance. For all skin types."

My issues with this product are more with the promised results since a face wash is not designed to reduce facial redness, any product that is rinsed off will not have a lasting effect to the skin and I think that the description needs to be edited.  What does this product do well?  It is a very thick cream cleanser with no foaming action at all.  It effectively removes makeup and doesn't contain any ingredients that strip my skin or any perfumes that can add to irritation.  Realistically, this cleanser is an effective part of a hydrating and redness reducing skincare regime but it is not a product that can stand on its own against redness.

If this product was described as an effective first step of a redness reducing regime that sets skin up to reap the benefits of treatment products, I would be all about this product.  I was a bit disappointed with the description since this will upset many people who are looking to see major results from this product.  This product fully washes off my face makeup (I am not even trying it on my eye makeup - separate eye makeup remover is needed for me!) and therefore I do not need to use any kind of toner to get the last bit of makeup residue off and therefore I don't need to use a drying product on my skin during cleansing.

The texture of this product was slightly off putting the first time that I used it and I had to use it a few times to get the correct amount needed figured out.  The first time, I used way too much and the second time I used much too little.  I figured out that I need a blob about the size of an M and M (slightly more face wash than I typically use) and this was enough to cover my whole face and not be wasting product. 

Overall, I like this face wash and I don't regret buying it at all, it helps to clean my skin without stripping it and sets it up for a face serum and the rest of my skincare regime.  I want to clearly state that this product doesn't reduce redness and face cleansers are not designed to work this way.  However it will not strip skin and will eliminate the use of a toner to remove makeup.  I don't see any reason that I wouldn't buy this product again but I don't think that I can consider it one of the best washes that I have ever used.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2

As I stated several days ago, I have already began to get my skincare regime for the winter started and have been checking out and trying out some new products.  Toners are not a product that I typcially use and the only reason that I am trying this one from Clinique is that I received it in the last Clinique that I got.  This toner is aimed at dry skin types and therefore this might be the only toner that would work for my skin types.  Typically, toners only make my skin drier and feel worse than ever before and I can't use them at any point in the year.  I can only use them for the hottest and most humid days during the summer and even then I only use it to get any excess makeup off at night.  For me, a toner is only a product that I would use to get any excess makeup residue off, I don't use it to help refine pores or to get an extra deep clean.  Toner is one of the few skincare products that just does nothing for me.

As I stated above, if any formula will work for me, then it will be a formula from Clinique and the one that is targeted for dry skin.  Clarifying Lotion 2 is the product that I received in the gift with purchase that contained items recommended for dry skin.  I haven't used all three pieces of the Clinique 3-Step Skincare regime at the same time, I have used the moisturizers by themselves and with other products and I have never tried any of the cleansers that fall into this collection.  I have always liked the hydrators that I have gotten from Clinique and any of the treatments that I have purchased from this company too.  I have to say that Clinique is one of my favorite lines for skincare products and has one of the most consistent product ranges. 

The Clarifying Lotion 2 is made to refine the texture of skin and get any makeup residue off while not overdrying skin.  "A gentle, oil-free exfoliating lotion for dry or combination skin.  This second step in Clinique's 3-Step Skin Care System is a true difference-maker for great skin. Developed by Clinique's dermatologists, the smoothing formula whisks away flakes and refines pores to reveal a clearer complexion. The cool, refreshing formula removes dead cells from the surface of the skin helping moisturizer and makeup to apply evenly."

The Sephora website suggests that this product can be used twice a day, I could not use this more than once a day and that is only when I really feel that I need it to get all my excess makeup off.  With the amount of foundation, primer, and concealer that I use almost every single day, I often wonder if I am able to get all of my makeup off every night.  I have considered purchasing a Clarisonic but I have read all kinds of reports from people who save it changed their lives and people who needed extreme treatments by a doctor because it messed their skin up so badly.  I keep putting this purchase off but toners just aren't doing it for my skin...

And neither did this toner!  I used it once a day after cleansing at night.  My skin was so tight and dry after using it that I needed to slap moisturizer on right away.  My skin actually hurt after I used this toner and now I know that my skin just cannot handle a toner.  If it can't handle a formula like this, I just give up on toners in general since this product is targeted for dry and sensitive skin...  I will be putting this product away until July and then I will give it another shot but this is not a product for me.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment

One of the products that I go through the quickest is lip balm, especiall in the winter months.  Therefore I know that I need to find and buy a good one before temperatures start to regularly dip below freezing during the night.  I have used some good lip balms over the past few years but I often end up trying balms that don't deliver at all or that I go through much too quickly for the size of the product, in fact the only product that I have continued to purchase over the years is the Rosebud Salve from Smith.  Even though I have been let down very often in the past, I still continue to buy and try new lip balm formulas in the hopes that I will find at least one more formula that I really love.  Perhaps I will be successful one of these days...

This time I decided to try a lip treatment product from Clinique, I had never seen this product before until I browsing one day on the Sephora website.  I don't quite know why I have never seen this at the counters before, I can only assume that I missed it somehow as the packaging is very plain and I don't know if it was grouped with the lip or the skincare products at the counters.  Or maybe it is a newer product that has just been released, I haven't visited one of the counters in at least a month.  Whatever the case may be, I ordered the Superbalm Lip Treatment from the Sephora website the other week and have been using it the past few days.  I have been impressed with many of the Clinique skincare products in the past and I have used and loved many of their lip products so I had very high hopes for this product.

From the Sephora website, "Deeply hydrating balm that helps to repair distressed lips and replenishes moisture loss."  I realized that I had actually used and liked this formula before, the Superbalm gloss is the same hydrating formula with just a hint of color.  I had used these glosses for the past few years and still have them in several shades. 

Basically, if you have ever used one of these glosses, this product is just like that lip gloss without any of the pigment.  It is on the thicker side of liquid balms and therefore lasts pretty well, I usually get about two to three hours wear out of it before I need to reapply (it lasts longer at night of course) hwoever it will come out as soon as anytime touches my lips or I drink/eat anything.  This balm is very hydrating when it is applied to the lips but I do think that it could hold the moisture in a bit longer after it comes off, I may never be happy with any product in this respect but I still believe that this product could have performed a bit better in this aspect and this is the major downfall of the product.

This product is a very good basic lip balm, it hydrates but doesn't provide any unique or fanstastic results.  I like that it is housed in a simple squeeze tube and a small amount of the product goes a pretty long way, this product lasts much longer than other balm I have tried since I do not need to apply it quite as many times as I do other products.  It has no real smell or taste, an aspect that doesn't really bother me but isn't exactly a plus.  This balm is too glossy for a male to use it so this is strictly female usage product.  This is one of the better balms that I have tried and will work well for a purse or pocket since I hate dipping my finger into the pot of Rose Salve when I am not at home.  This balm is better than Rose Salve for when I am on the go, I would be more likely to keep this in my bag and the Rose Salve by my bed for nighttime.

Good, solid performing product and it will get me through the next few weeks.  This is one of the few products that I would consider repurchasing when I run out of.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Clinique Different Lipstick

I have been sorting through my massive makeup collection for the past few weeks and have been trying to decide what I plan to keep and use for the next few months and what I don't see myself using very much.  I have received so many Clinique gifts during their events and I still have a decent collection of products from these sets that I still have not yet finished up.  I have pretty much used up all the skincare and the mascaras so I have a bunch of lipsticks and eye shadow left over.  I have worn and reviewed many of their eye shadows before and I like the formula (even though it's not my favorite) but I much prefer Clinique's lip product formulas.  I have used many lipsticks and glosses from this company and have always liked the results.

Today we are going to look at a lipstick formula that I have never talked about before and really wouldn't have looked at had I not gotten two of the lipsticks for free over the past few months.  Different Lipstick is a formula that Clinique has had in their collection forever but I rarely see new shades from or see it featured in collections.  I feel like Different Lisptick has been in this company's line up since I first started using the products in high school.  This lipstick formula may not be one of the top sellers for this company however it has a good range of shades that will work for all kinds of ladies and I bet that is why it has remained in the line up for so long.

"Different because of its smooth, comfortable feel. Moderate coverage in a remarkable range of shades, from cream to pearl. Every one packed with rich emollients.", states the Clinique website when describing this lipstick formula.  This formula provides sheer coverage and moderate pigmentation, these shades are very easy for anyone to pull off.  This formula is very appropriate for the work environment or for a casual look on the weekends, anyone can find several shades of this product that will work for them.

Here are the available shades in this lipstick formula...

- Tenderheart - midtone blushing nude brown
- Raspberry Glace - midtone blue pink with soft shimmer
- A Different Grape - pinkish grape
- Think Bronze - soft golden pink/beige with gold pearl
- Guava Stain - midtone warm rusted rose
- Sweet Honey - classic rose
- Plum Brandy - creamy warm red/violet
- Surprise - pearlized golden brown with surprise hint of purple on skin
- Shy - midtone violet
- Angel Red - sheer blackened red
- Sugared Grapefruit - luminescent pink orange
- Double Fudge - dark chocolate
- Ripe Raisin - luminescent burnt orange
- Spiced Apple - warm cinnamon red
- Glazed Berry - punchy pink with soft luminescence
- Heartfelt - violety pink red with gold undertone
- Rose Aglow - creamy bluish plum
- Ice Bloom - pearlized velvety rose
- Rose Taffy - luminescent reddish pink
- Bronze Leaf - frosted brownish copper

I own the first two listed shades, Tenderheart and Raspberry Glace.  Tenderheart I actually remember seeing at the counters years ago and therefore I have to assume that it is one of the most popular shades in this formula.  Tenderheart is a very sheer nude pink brown, I can wear it with any type of makeup look or for any professional or casual event.  This is a great shade to wear when I just want a very little bit of polished color but don't want to wear much color on my lips.  Raspberry Glace is a sheer pink berry tint with a bit of shimmer, this one is bit too much pigment for casual wear but it is a great professional hue, this one is my favorite of the two.

This formula is very creamy and hydrating however lasts only a short time on my lips, this is the type of formula that feels great on the lips and is never drying however it comes off as soon as I eat or drink anything.  This is not an advanced formula and I do wish that it would be updated a bit since the wear is among one of the worst that I have tried.  I know that this type of lipstick cannot be expected to have the same wear as a matte lipstick but it still could say on longer and wear better with normal eating and drinking activities.  I am not asking Clinique for a super longwearing lipstick just enough wear that I don't have to reapply right after drinking a cup of coffee.

I like some of the shades from this formula but there isn't any ones that jump out at me as being must haves.  I would like to own Glazed Berry for the spring and summer, this sheer bright pink will look great against a tan.  Angel Red is a great sheer red that I will wear all the time this time of the year, I have really been into wearing sheer red lips to work and I wouldn't mind owning another shade to help create this look.  Lastly, I want the Guava Stain lipstick, this is another great pink neutral and another shade that I can wear all the time.

This is another good lip formula for Clinique however it still isn't one of my favorites.  I like the shades but I would love if this formula just lasted a bit longer with normal wear.

photo courtesy of Clinique