June Favorites

June is over! Wow! Where did the first half of this year go?!

Anyway, I have quite a few products I have been using the past month.

These are the products I reached for the most in June:

Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser - This cleanser is really good at removing makeup. It is one of those cleansers where you know all your makeup is off after you finish using it, which is just what someone with acne-prone skin like mine wants. I use a different cleanser after this one to actually wash my face because this one is just for removing makeup and other products like sunscreen. The tube in the picture is a sample-size that I got in one of Clinique's gifts, but I would definitely purchase this product in the future. The price is $19.50 and the bottle will last a while because you don't need to use very much with each use.

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait - This is a peachy-pink color with gold shimmer. It has a very textured, kind of gritty feel to it because of the large pieces of shimmer in it. I have read some reviews where people have voiced their disappointment with it. I, on the other hand, don't really mind it. The color is really pretty on the lips and still feels moisturizing like the rest of the lip butters. These sell for $7.49 at Ulta and are usually around $1-$2 cheaper at Target or Walmart.

These purple-y shades in the Urban Decay Vice Palette - I have been obsessed with these colors this month! I love purple and these are just some really unique shades of purple. Unfortunately, I don't think this palette is available anywhere anymore, but hopefully UD will come out with individual shadows of these shades.

 Provocateur is a super shimmery, light purple with a hint of pink. It looks very eye-catching on the lid.

 Rapture is a dark lilac shade that I love to use on my outer lid and in the crease sometimes. The picture totally makes it look gray/brown, but I promise it's not.

Vice is an awesome metallic purple that I use the most in the crease. It can look slightly gray when I put it on sometimes. This could just be due to the bad lighting situation I have in my house. It looks awesome in the sunlight!

EcoTools Foundation Brush - This is a really nice foundation brush that is pretty soft and applies foundation evenly without leaving streak marks. If you need a foundation brush but don't want to spend $20+ on it, I would recommend this one. It is $7.49 at Ulta, but I think I bought it at Walmart for around $5.99.

China Glaze Nail Polish in Blue Iguana - Ahhhh! These pictures do not to this color justice! This is the best blue I have ever seen! Okay, I might be exaggerating, but it's a really great blue. It's shimmery and basically pure awesomeness. I got this nail polish on clearance at Ulta some time earlier this year, so this might be another product that is not available to buy. It's worth searching for though.

OPI Nail Polish in Be a Dahlia Won't You - These pictures also do not do this color justice. This shade is a bright, deeper pink with glitter (not the gritty kind though). I love the color on my toes, hence the foot picture. OPI polishes are generally $8-9 at Ulta or salons.

Paul Mitchell Strength Shampoo and Conditioner - Having my hair dyed is taking a huge toll on my hair. I love the purple, but my hair is basically fried. This shampoo and conditioner leaves my hair feeling soft and shiny. When I use these products, my hair doesn't feel as stringy and brittle. These were a gift, but I think they are around $12-$15 for each bottle. They can also be purchased in bigger bottles.

Look of the Day: Ocean View

So I tried to upload this post Sunday and yesterday, but I could not get my pictures to upload. I guess I have to use Google Chrome from now on to update my blog.

Moving on, my look of the day for today is inspired by the water. Have you ever stayed in a hotel room or maybe a house that overlooks the water? You know when you look out the window or stand on the shore and see the water glisten, and it looks like many different shades of blue? That's basically what I was trying to get at with this look. I hope you like it. :)

Products used:

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
BH Cosmetics 120 Eyeshadow Palette 2nd Edition - 3 different blues
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Flipside
CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Very Black

Face:
Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 1.5
MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Lancome Blush Subtil in Sheer Ambrose

Lips:
NYX Rounds Lipstick in Mars
Clinique Long Last Glosswear in Air Kiss


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Look of the Day: Across the Galaxy

I have been on a creative streak lately. I've really been trying to push myself to do new and different makeup looks. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut and do the same look too much. Now that I am getting back into trying new things, I would say to expect more posts like this more regularly.

Today's Look of the Day is based off of this photo of a galaxy:

It's not a super fancy look or anything, but I think it turned out pretty good.

 

Products I used:

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk as a base
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Oz (metallic silver shade in the Glinda Palette) on the lid
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Tornado (purple shade in the Glinda Palette) in and around the crease
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Aura (white/blue duo-chrome shade in the Glinda Palette) on the browbone and tear duct area
Stila Smudge Stick Eye Liner in Silver Dollar
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner in Rockstar
Lancome Liner Design Gel Liner in Indigo Darling
CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Very Black

Face: 
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24 Hour Foundation in 100 Ivoire
MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
Lancome Blush Subtil in Aplum

Lips:
Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick in Pink-a-Boo

Clinique Cosmetics PART 2

This is PART 2 of my overview of Clinique cosmetics. In PART 1, I talked about Clinique skincare. If you missed my blog post on it, check it out here.

In PART 2 I will briefly discuss the makeup products I have used from Clinique and what my thoughts are on them. Swatches are included.


Mascara:

• High Impact - This is probably my favorite Clinique mascara. It's main purpose is to add volume to lashes. It coats evenly and covers very well with one coat. I love the way it defines my lashes. This mascara is somewhat similar to Lash Doubling but thickens the lashes more and makes them pop a little better. It retails for $16.

• Lash Doubling - This mascara is supposed to thicken and volumize the lashes, which I think it does. It separates them and helps them stand out but not too much. I like to wear this mascara when I want my eyeshadow to pop more than my lashes. It retails for $16.

• High Lengths -This is my least favorite product I have tried from Clinique. The brush/comb is a strange shape and does not fit well around the lashes. It applies super clumpy and is just a complete mess. I just don't like how it looks on my lashes. It is $16 for anyone that can actually make it work for them.

Lipstick:

•  Long Last Lipstick - I have these lipsticks in shades All Heart, Bamboo Pink, Pink Spice, and Sugared Maple. All heart is a strawberry red. Bamboo Pink is a neutral brownish pink shade that is good for any skin tone. Pink Spice is a deep berry pink. Sugared Maple is almost the darker version of Bamboo Pink with a little more red in it. These all have a slight shimmer to them. They are non-drying but are not as long lasting as I would prefer. They stay on a few hours before wearing off without eating or drinking. They retail for $15.

All Heart, Bamboo Pink, Pink Spice, Sugared Maple

• Different Lipstick -  I have these lipsticks in shades Glazed Berry and A Different Grape. Glazed Berry is a soft pink with a bit of shine. It is a fun pink without being overly bright. A Different Grape is a burgundy violet. This color is deep, but it is still very wearable. I think it is a great lipstick to wear with a subtle smokey eye look. These lipsticks are moisturizing and shiny. They wear for a few hours before having to reapply. They retail for $15.

Glazed Berry, A Different Grape

•  Butter Shine Lipstick - I have the shades Baby Baby and Pink-a-Boo. Baby Baby is nude pink that is gorgeous on all skin types. Pink-a-Boo is a pretty, golden pink. These lipsticks definitely live up to their name. They are super shiny and are also very moisturizing. These wear just about as well as the other Clinique lipsticks. Baby Baby is one of my favorite Lipsticks from Clinique. They retail for $15.

Baby Baby, Pink-a-Boo

• Almost Lipstick - I have this in the shade Black Honey. This color is a deep violet. It looks very dark in the tube but is a sheer shine lipstick. Once again the wear isn't as great as I would like it to be, but it is non-drying like the other lipsticks. It retails for $15.

• Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - I have the shade Curvy Candy. It is a light pink. These Chubby Sticks are Moisturizing like they claim to be but lack pigmentation. They are good to wear when you are looking for just a little bit of color. I do not own any of the new Intense Chubby Sticks, but I have tried them on at work at would recommend them above all Clinique lip colors. They stay on well and are nicely pigmented. Roomiest Rose is my favorite. Both the regular and Intense Chubby Sticks retail for $16.

Chubby Stick in Curvy Candy, Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Ligloss:

• Long Last Glosswear - I have these in Air Kiss, Kissyfit, Sunset, and Fireberry. Air Kiss is a golden pink shimmer. Kissyfit is a bright pink with shimmer. Sunset is a golden copper shade that fits the name perfectly. Fireberry is a deep red with gold shimmer. The glosses are beautifully pigmented. They have SPF 15 and wear for quite a while. They retail for $15.

Air Kiss, Kissyfit, Sunset, Fireberry

Eyeshadow:

• Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Plum Seduction - I am obsessed with basically anything purple (clothes, makeup, and my hair), so naturally the one eyeshadow product I own from Clinique has purple in it.The dark plum and the dark taupe color are my favorite shades in this quad. The colors are nicely pigmented and they stay on best with a primer underneath. It retails for $27.

Eyeliner:

• Cream Shaper in Starry Plum - This eyeliner is very creamy. The shade is a deep purple with a very slight shimmer. I love wearing this color with my Plum Seduction eyeshadow quad. It stays on nicely and last for most of the day. It retails for $15.

Plum Seduction Quad, Starry Plum Eyeliner

Blush:

•  Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher - I have these in the shades New Clover, Mocha Pink, and Fig. New Clover is a pink-y violet. Mocha Pink is a nude pink like the name suggests. Fig is a reddish brown shade. These blushes wear for a long time and are not overly pigmented. They retail for $21.

• Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony Blend -This shade may have been changed or updated since I got it. Mine is almost a peach when mixed together. It is very natural-looking and is also great for every day wear. I love the design on the blush as well. It is a great color for spring time. It retails for $29.50.

New Clover, Mocha Pink, Fig, Allover Colour in Peony Blend

Have you tried any of these products or any other Clinique makeup that you love? What brand would you like to see me review/discuss next? Let me know in the comments below!

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Clinique Cosmetics PART 1

I want to start reviewing cosmetic brands every so often here. I think it would be fun to talk about what I have tried from a certain brand, what I like, what I don't, etc. However, I NEED FEEDBACK! I want anyone who reads my posts to feel like they have some input on what they read on here. If you like what I am doing or want to see something different, I need to know! So leave comments please!

Moving on, today I want to talk about Clinique. I started using Clinique products when I started working at Younkers a few years ago. Since then I have tried a good amount of their products. They are a pretty affordable high-end brand for the most part. I have not tried many of their serums or things from their lines like Even Better because I don't have a need for them yet, so I won't have much information on those things. 

This is PART 1 of 2 posts I will do on Clinique. This one is about skin care and makeup remover. Stop back tomorrow for PART 2, which talks about Clinique's makeup.

• Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion - This is a liquid exfoliator that is used after cleanser and before moisturizer. This particular one has a white powder in it that soaks up the oil that acne-prone people like me have. It also contains salicylic acid, which helps fight acne. I have been using this for over a year now with my cleanser and moisturizer and I have seen an incredible improvement in my skin. My acne has cleared up immensely. I still get acne, mainly on my chin, but it nowhere near as bad as it was before. It is best used with the acne cleanser and moisturizer, but I find that it dries out my skin and causes irritation if I use too many products with salicylic acid. It retails for $15.

• Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel - This is a spot treatment for acne that also contains salicylic acid. I use this on blemishes that are just coming in or that are very noticeable. The treatment dries the blemish up and reduces the size and redness. The bottle lasts a long time because you don't have to use very much of it. It retails for $16.

• Acne Solutions Oil-Control Cleansing Mask - I really can't say much about the results I have had with this because I just got it a few weeks ago and have only used it twice. It is a clay mask with salicylic acid in it that helps heal acne, unclog pores, and fight oil. It says on the packaging to leave it on for 5 minutes and then rinse off, but I leave it on until it completely hardens and then rinse it off. It does leave my skin a little red after using it, so I would recommend using it at night a little before going to bed. I would also not use it more than once a week. So far I like it and will continue to use it to see what kind of results it will bring me. It retails for $22.

•  Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel - This is their most popular moisturizer. They recommend using it with the other 3-step products (cleanser and clarifying lotion). It comes in a lotion for dry/normal skin and a gel for oily skin like mine. I started using this a few months ago and think it is an ok moizturizer. I haven't noticed too much difference in my skin from it, but it does feel nice and helps a tiny bit with cutting back on the oil on my face. It retails for $25.

• Moisture Surge Moisturizer - This is my favorite moisturizer ever! I have developed some annoying dry, flaky patches on my face from the dry Iowa winter we had. This moisturizer, which is like a "big drink of water for your skin," as my Clinique consultants would say, leaves my skin feeling hydrated but not oily. I use this one mainly at night before going to sleep and on days when my skin feels a little dry. The large jar (2.5 fl. oz.) retails for $49.50 and the small (1.7) retails for $37.

• Moisture Surge Overnight Mask - This is a new product for Clinique. It is a creamy mask that you put on at night after all your skin care and then wash it off in the morning. It helps bring moisture back to your face and it feels amazing. I use this once a week. When I wash it off in the morning, it leaves my face feeling super soft and hydrated but not oily. It retails for $32 and will last for a long time because you barely have to use any of it to cover the entire face.

• Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum - This serum, used before moisturizer after clarifying lotion, is supposed to smooth out the skin and diminish the look of your pores. I have not tried this product consistently enough to see any real results, but I love the way this serum feels on my skin. It makes my face feel baby soft and smooth. To see results, it needs to be used twice a day, every day like the rest on Clinique's skin care products. It retails for $42.50.

• Take the Day Off Makeup Remover - This makeup remover can be used on the eyelids, lashes, and lips. It is very easy to remove my makeup with this stuff. All I have to do is put it on a cotton ball and hold it on my eyelid or lips for 5-10 seconds and then wipe everything away. It takes off both regular and waterproof makeup. I do have to rinse off my eyelids after using it though because it does leave behind that oily residue. I also want to to point out the Take the Day Off is the perfect and most awesome name for a makeup remover ever! It retails for $18.

 Have you used any of these Clinique products before? What do think of them? Are there any other Clinique skin care products not mentioned that you really like? Let me know in the comments below!