I See It Every Year

I see it every year. Retailers get us.

They know that in the summer, it's all about quick and easy makeup that has a certain amount of lasting power. All those picnics, barbeques, and the occasional wait at the bus stop or blizted A.C. doesn't necessarily mean well for makeup and so we want something that lasts.

And that's why every year, I see cream shadows launch or re-launch in the summer. Stila, Bourgois, and Clinique are among the brands that have released new ones this year, though MAC, Benefit, Fresh, and Shiseido have similar options available too.

One thing that you might not be aware of: these are cream to powder. I actually had to explain this to a makeup artist friend of mine who had never used them and was scared to. Once they're on your lid, they dry and stay put. They are even virtually water-proof and only come off when you wash your face.Cream eyeshadows are great, and if you want a tip, they are best applied with your fingertips rather than the applicator. My only qualm with them is that they are very shimmery and only come in light shades, but the good thing is that you can layer regular shadow over them to give the shadow more lasting power. If you haven't played with these before, you definitely should. Light colours are likely what you'll be reaching for this summer anyhow, so give these a try!

Clinique Bonus Time at Holt Renfrew

There's a Clinique Gift With Purchase going on right now at Holt Renfrew and this one pairs up the line with Fashion Magazine! The bonus is offered from today until June 15th and you get the following items:
Enjoy!

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

I have to say this.

Clinique makes some of the best basic moisturizers in the market. By basic I mean that if you just want something that takes care of dry skin, you should head over to the Clinique counter. If you want something that gets rid of wrinkles, makes you look younger, takes away the bags under your eyes, does your hair, picks your kids up from school, and gets dinner on the table by 6:30, then maybe look elsewhere.
But as far as basic moisturizers go, Moisture Surge Extended Relief will do you a solid. It'll get rid of dry skin and make sure it stays away by putting a kind of coating on your skin. You won't know it's there during the day, but when you go to wash it off, you'll feel it being dissolved away by your moisturizer. Pretty powerful stuff, it is, and all in a light gel base that makes everyone happy. Check this out at your Clinique counters - go for the bonus, but stay for this moisturizer.

Clinique Self Sun

Readers have asked me to review more self-tanning products and lucky for them, I enjoy reviewing them!

I have to say that I love the name of Clinique's product: it's called Self Sun instead of Self Tan... clever!

So I took the plunge and tried Clinique Self Sun Touch of Bronze Moisturizing Body Lotion. It's good. It's got a lemony scent, but I have to say that the tan you get when you use this is not that gradual. After the first day that I used this, I was noticeably more bronze. I don't think that this is a bad thing - if you're in a rush and only have a couple of days to colour, you will absolutely love this lotion. Because it's in a moisturizing base, it goes on very evenly and has a beautiful golden bronze colour that builds after just a couple of days of use.

Of course, the typical self-tanner smell does make an appearance after a few hours, but that's bound to happen because of the active ingredient. In any case: good lotion, give it a shot.

Clinique Long Last Glosswear

I alluded to a few new Clinique launches a while ago, and as promised individual reviews of products from the summer collection are what you can expect now.

Clinique now introduces Long Last Glosswear with spf 15. It's a little sticky, it's semi-sheer, and yes, it's ultra long-lasting.
Even if you don't normally frequent the Clinique counter, you have got to check out this gloss in Knockout Nude. It's the perfect nude colour for the summer and will go with any makeup that you have. Of course, I loved mine so much that I lost it somewhere, but I've since replaced it for another and wear it all the time. It's also very long lasting and is SPF 15 which is great for the summer!

Clinique Bonus Time at Sears

It's Clinique Bonus Time at Sears!
Spend $26.50 and the above products could be yours with a choice of bag. You get:

- Different Lipstick in Tenderheart
- Long Lasting Lipstick in Beauty
- Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift Firming Cream
- Liquid Facial Soap Mild
- Colour Surge Eye Shadow duo in Like Mink
- High Impact Mascara in Black
- An Elle Canada Magazine Subscription Offer

The bonus lasts until May 13th and note that Mother's Day is May 11th so now might be a good time to get something for Mom!

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector

Clinique has a new product out this month and it's called Even Better Skin Tone Corrector. Let me tell you, the texture, feel, and look of tis product is almost exactly like another product that I love a lot. It's Estee Lauder Idealist.

Funny story related to the Idealist product, actually. I was at a department store and browsing when I noticed a woman trying to buy enough to be entitled to the GWP (Gift with Purchase) that was going on. The sales lady tried to persuade her to get an Idealist. She considered but then said: "I have this product. I use gobs of it but I'm not sure that it really does anything."

And you know what? I have to agree with her. I used gobs of the Idealist and I use gobs of the Clinique Even Better product but I'm not sure that either of them do what they claim.

Nevertheless, I love Clinique Even Better and use it every morning. It soaks into my skin so easily, it keeps my face matte all day long, and it provides me just the hydration that I need. I know that when this finishes, I will miss it sorely and I may even buy another, but it doesn't correct my skin tone. It makes my skin look poreless and flawless though, and that's enough for me.

Sneak Peek: Clinique Summer Collection

I'll review individual products at a later time, but I thought it would be nice to have a peek of what's in store for Clinique this summer. Let the lemmings begin!

Department Store vs. Drugstore: Sculpting Blushes

Cheekbones are all the rage these days. What else could be responsible for the launch of coutouring products on the market this year. There's one by Stila, MAC, Laura Gellar, and finally two that seem very similar: Covergirl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush (now called TruCheeks Blush) and Clinique Limited Edition Blush Powder.

I chose to compare these two because they're both have 3 colours that are supposed to work together. I also own both of them. So which one should you choose?

The colours for both the blushes are similar - Clinique offers 2 shade ranges, while CoverGirl offers 6 in a new range. Both have a highlighting colour, a medium cheek colour, and dark one meant to be used in the crease.

The key to using the kit is to use a light hand when applying the crease colour because too much can make it very obvious what it is you're trying to do. You don't want to draw attention to your jaw... you want to draw attention to your cheekbones where you're going to apply a touch of the highlighter.

So which one did I like better? In this case, I have to go with the department store brand - the Clinique. I just found the CoverGirl version way too shimmery and couldn't get it to look natural. The Clinique one worked perfectly for me, and I even liked the brush that it came with! I could make the look subtle and the powders were sheer. The CoverGirl blush was also a little crumbly and sometimes I couldn't help but pick up too much product.

Clinique GWP at The Bay

Yes sir, Clinique is also offering a bonus but this one is at The Bay. It too goes until Feb. 24th and you need to spend $26.50 to get the products above. They include: a Liquid Facial Soap, Rinse-off Eye Makeup Solvent, Long Last Lipstick in Sugared Maple (a shimmery pinky-brown), a High Impact Mascara, a sample of Blended Face Powder, in a cosmetic bag, and 2 free copies of Lou Lou magazine (as these are all editor's picks).

It's a good opportunity to try Clinique's latest mascara, and maybe stock up on this toner.

Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush

Clinique Blended Face Powder was a part of the Clinique spring 2008 collection, Nude Blush. The powder comes in 9 colours but the colour that I have is Invisible Blend, and I have to say that it blends in so well that I can't even see it on my skin. It is a colour that would work on everyone, and the powder itself is so sheer and soft that you really can't make a mistake no matter what colour you choose.

This is probably one of the sheerest powders I've ever tried, and it's great for setting makeup without making your skin look too dry or powdery. Try it.

Free Sample of Clinique's Supermoisture Makeup

Head over to the Bay if you want to try Clinique's latest foundation - Supermoisture Makeup. They are giving out a 10-day supply of any kind of foundation if you get an expert consultation. Offer ends at the end of this month.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara

Wow - I mean, I like small wands because they let me get every single lash, but this is something else. The wand for Clinique's new Lash Power Mascara must be the slimmest on the market, and you know what? I really like it. I can really get the little lashes at the ends, and overall my look is pretty dramatic. This mascara works better for length than volume, but the length itself does provide a lot of drama.

The long-wear formula comes off easily with just water, but it stays on the whole day without any flaking at all. Apparently this is a hit mascara in Asia, and I can totally see why. If you find the bigger wands a little unwieldy then this is the better choice to make.

More information coming on the rest of Clinique's spring collection!

The Staples: Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion

I decided to start today off with a list of products I always always use. They are the parts of any good skincare routine, and they make sure that my skin is in good shape.

Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion is amazing - I use the mild because I don't like putting alcohol on my face since it stings and then drys my face out. The mild lotion only comes in a smaller bottle but it's still worth getting, and it is always on my bathroom shelf.

It mattifies the skin, and has salicylic acid in at the perfect pH (3.5, in this case) so that it actually works. It prevents pores from clogging by making sure that your dead skin cells are eliminated. Overall, it gives you smoother and brighter skin. It is a must for all skin types.

Try it this year and I am sure that you will notice a difference in your skin, especially if you've been having problems with it. It's also not super-expensive, or very hard to find (every department store has a Clinique counter), and with a bonus system, there's no reason not to get this. I hope it helps!

Clinique Redness Relief

This month, Clinique introduces Redness Relief - a new line intended to target red and irritated skin - mostly likely suffering from the effects of the change in weather. The line includes a cleanser, an intensive moisturizer, a protective base, and a daily moisturizer.


The Soothing Cleanser is the best part of the line. It's not soapy but can remove makeup, it's creamy without being oily. The cleanser is perfect for all skin types.



The Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base is green tinted but I promise, that green will hardly show up on your skin. The base goes on smooth and with an spf of 15 it really does protect your face from the elements. The Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream is creamy smooth without being greasy. The base itself is enough for my skin, but on the days that I need something extra, I add this cream underneath the base.

You can find this line at all Clinique counters later this month.

Clinique Holiday Collection

Clinique's Holiday Collection is on counters everywhere and it has a little something for everyone.

What I like about this collection is that although it's for the holidays it's not over the top at all. This might not be what you'd buy to gift to someone, but instead you might pick up the whole collection to spruce up your makeup bag for winter or for the holiday season.
The Color Surge Quad in the greys is called Pink Truffle, while the gold and bronze one below is called All-Spice. Each quad also has a coordinating Brush-On Creme Liner. The liner comes in dark grey and in dark bronze. I love the liner because it stays on and is much easier than liquid liner to manipulate.

I've been loving the All-Spice quad. What I love about it is that the darkest colour is actually dark enough to use as a liner, and the lightest colour is a beautiful golden shade that's a wonderful highlighter because it's not too frosty.

If you haven't tried any of the eyeshadows in the Color Surge line, I strongly suggest you do. These eyeshadows are highly pigmented and have amazing staying power. They are among the best available at the department store, and there are tons of colours available. Check out the Clinique Holiday Collection at Clinique counters everywhere.

Special Edition Clinique Happy Fragrance

The charm's the thing.

Clinique has come out with a travel version of its popular Happy Fragrance. Just 15ml, this tiny bottle comes in a cute orange cell phone case that has a charm attached to it. It's limited edition, so if you wanted this to go or just like little bottles of perfume (like me!) then pick this up while you can. It's available at Clinique counters everywhere and at Clinique.ca.

Clinique Special for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Check this out: Clinique has released a special edition bottle of it's popular Dramatically Different Moisturizer with a Pink Ribbon Cell Phone Charm attached. $10 of every bottle sold goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Pick yours up before they're all gone and support the fight against Breast Cancer.

Clinique Bonus Time

Sears is having a Clinique Bonus Time from today to November 14th, 2007.

Spend $26.50, and receive a GWP that includes: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, 7 Day Scrub Rinse-Off Formula, Aromatics Elixir Body Cream, High Impact Mascara, Different Lipstick, Long Last Lipstick, Deep Comfort Body Butter and Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator. You also get 12 issues of Lou Lou Magazine FREE as a special extra!

See you at the Clinique counter!

Clinique Gift with Purchase

Holt's has a sweet Clinique Gift with Purchase going on right now. I am wanting the metallic bags - they are so Bottega Veneta.

Basically, you spend $35.00 (Canadian), and get a GWP that includes: 7 Day Scrub Rinse-Off Formula, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Repairwear Intensive Night Cream, All About Eyes Rich, Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator, Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo, Long Last Lipstick and High Impact Mascara.

You can also get a 1-year subscription to Elle for $6. That is quite the steal. The GWP has already begun, and will end on October 28th.