Clinique

As far as I'm concerned, Holt Renfrew always has the best bonuses and this one is no exception!

With your purchase of $35 or more get:
Youth Surge Night - Clinique's newest age-decelerating night cream. 
Instant Lift for Brows - also new, a pencil-and-highlighter duo for an instant, virtual brow lift. 
Acolourful compact with an eye shadow duo and blush as well as a lipstick. 
Lash Doubling Mascara and Lash Building Primer.
Take the Day Off Makeup Remover.
7 Day Scrub Cream.
All packed in a fresh-prints bag
This $100 value is yours free with any Clinique purchase of $35 or more! While supplies last!

Great Lips, Great Cause limited edition lip trio key ring - $19.50 - so cute and so practical to keep your lip stuff where you can find it!  Includes three pink mini lip favourites:  Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Clearly Pink (1ml), Supebalm Moisturizing Gloss in Grapefruit (4ml) and Different Lipstick in Glazed Berry (1.3g).  $4 from the sale of each key ring during the month of October will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 
Great Skin, Great Cause limited edition Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion with a collectable Clinique key ring - $45.50 - Now's the time to stock up if this is a favourite product of yours or something you've been meaning to try!  $10 from each sale of this special edition bottle sold during the month of October will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Available while supplies last at The Bay, Sears, Murale and select Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada.

If you've been lusting something from the Clinique fall collection or need to stock up on your basics, now's the time to do it - it's gift with purchase time at The Bay!  With a purchase of $26.50 or more you'll get:

High Impact Mascara in Black
High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 in Extreme Pink
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula
NEW All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage (I'm a fan, click on the name to read my review)
Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Violets
All in an adorable floral cosmetics bag.

The bonus runs September 14-October 2 - what's on your Clinique wish list?

MD SkinCare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum - 30ml - $112 - with an 18% Vitamin C complex - a lot of vitamin C products don't have much of the actual vitamin in them so I was happy to find this one - 18% is a decent amount!  The packaging is great, to use it the top swivels and then pops up to show the pump, when you close it, the pump swivels back down - this way no air can get in and mess with the active ingredients.  I did find it quite thick for a serum, so I actually used it in place of a moisturizer as well, which was fine for me during the summer weather, with sunscreen on top of course!  I had heard other people complain that it was very irritating, burned and felt stingy but I didn't experience any of these issues - I would recommend doing a test patch first to make sure you aren't going to react - get Sephora to make you a little sample of this first so you don't shell out big bucks for something that isn't going to work for you!  I definitely did notice that my skin looked brighter and felt smoother when I was using it, so I'm a fan!  My only disappointment with it - it doesn't smell like citrus, which I love in Vitamin C products!

And Canadians will find it easier to get their mitts on the line - The Shopping Channel is now carrying it!  They don't actually have this serum, but if you are a fan of the line, they do have some of the line's other products.  You can check it out at www.theshoppingchannel.com And of course you can also find the line at Sephora and selected The Bay locations including The Bay at 2 Bloor Street, Toronto ON - go to the store locator to see all of the other retail locations - http://www.dgskincare.com/locator_js.cfm

Avon Anew Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum - 30ml - $60 - brightening gel helps remove dull skin cells to visibly retexturize the skin's appearance.  Anti-Dark Spot helix is formulated with injectable-grade L-Aspartic acid to help inhibit pigment production that causes dark spots.  Instantly makes skin look brighter and more even-toned.  Formulated for all skin tones and types.  Use every evening after cleansing and before moisturizing.  Again I found this way too thick to be called a serum -  I never used moisturizer on top, it was enough moisture for me on its own.  I thought the texture was very silicon-like, much like a face primer.  I really like the overnight factor with this one, waking up with bright, soft skin before I even do anything to myself in the morning is a big improvement over my usual early morning look!  I did find that this serum felt very greasy on the oily parts of my face so I ended up using it very sparingly in those areas.

Available through your friendly Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca
Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner - 125ml - $34 - if you are super oily and prefer not to use serums you might want to try a toner instead.  Use it 1 to 2 times a week and make sure you use your sun protection as the AHA's in it may increase your sun sensitivity.  It also contains tamarind for gentle exfoliation and white nettle to refine enlarged pores.

And if you're still looking for more brightener reviews you can check out a couple of my other favourite brighteners which I reviewed previously:  NeoStrata Intense Skin Brightener and Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

This Clinique blush was another GWP item (Neiman ran out of whatever it was they were supposed to give so I received a bunch of random products) I never encountered before. I don't think I ever owned a Clinique blush, and, frankly, this one doesn't make me feel like I was missing much.

The texture is extremely crumbly as you can see- the debris is just from swatching, before I actually started testing the blush. It requires a very soft and very wide brush, so it can collect as much of the errant powder as possible and avoid uneven application. The texture does lend itself well to blending and creates a sheer wash of color (see swatch). The staying power is not the greatest if used by itself, so it's not the right product for a quick unfussy job- it requires a good base underneath and setting with some powder on top if you want the blush to last you through a workday.

Iced Lotus is a very cool-toned blue-based pink. I was surprised to see I can wear it (lightly. Building up the color brings out a chalky raspberry color) without looking weird, but it's probably better for winter. The light in summertime requires a bit more warmth. It's a very nice shade in moderation and the level of shimmer is low and wearable. It deserves a better formula.

Bottom Line: Not good enough.

Clinique Powder Blush ($19) is available from every department store and clinique.com

All photos are mine.

My testing and posting schedule for the next few weeks is making me wish I had a few more lips and a spare eyelid or two. Yes, that's a visual no one really needed. But  before we move on to all the summer collections and other new items I have lined up, let's squeeze in this Clinique lipstick from a semi-forgotten GWP event.

Clinique's Different Lipstick range offers about 18 shades. Raspberry Glace might be the scariest one from looking at the swatches on Clinique and Sephora's websites, but since this is a mostly sheer lipstick with medium-low coverage and my natural lip color is pretty dark, the result is not all that dramatic. Raspberry Glace is a slightly shimmery cool pink. It perks up the face instantly and cheers me up. The texture is light and adequately moisturizing. It doesn't last long, though. A couple of hours or a sip of water are enough for the lipstick to fade completely, without leaving even a hint of a stain. It also tends to transfer easily if you accidentally touch your mouth, so keep your sleeves away at all times.

Bottom Line: It's all about the color. My favorite GWP item lately.

Clinique Different Lipstick ($14) in Raspberry Glace and other colors is available from every department store under the sun.

All photos are mine.

It's been years since I stopped using Clinique skin care products. Like many of us, I used to swear by their 1-2-3 system, but then it stopped working, gave me an allergic reaction and I realized my skin was becoming too dry, despite supplementing the classic DDM lotion with the (then) newly released Moisture Surge gel. While I liked this formula well enough, it was left behind when I switched to a more intensive regimen.

I received a travel size jar of Moisture Surge at a recent GWP event and absentmindedly put it in the "miscellaneous skin care " drawer (I have a system. Don't give me this look). I started using it on days when I apply my makeup several hours after my regular morning skin care routine- I like a little extra TLC before applying my primer, but there's no need for anything too active. While Moisture Surge wasn't working for me as a skin treatment and doesn't do much (anything) in the way of restoring or firming, it's an excellent moisturizer that hydrates and plump the skin without any greasiness or shine. I give it a few minutes to sink in, put on my primer and continue as usual. I don't have a scientific proof, but it seems that this extra hydration is helping my makeup look fresh even longer than normal. It works just as well with silicone primers as it does with creams.

Bottom line: I might need to make this a permanent part of my makeup routine.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Skin Relief ($34, 1.7 oz) is available from department stores everywhere, Sephora and clinique.com. I got it as a GWP.

Photo: Water surge at Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, Alabama by G. Denardo, 2004

I  have never really talked about toners up to now for the simple reason that I find most of them pretty unexciting.  It's one of the few beauty products that I use up on a regular basis but don't stockpile - amazing no?!  Being a junkie of course I do try a new kind every time I use the old one up so I have found a few of note over the last year and here are my picks:

Kiss My Face Antioxidant Toner - 156ml - $14 - revitalizes tired skin with a blend of certified organic grapefruit, orange, ginger and lemon balm essential oils and extracts. Seaweed extract provides trace minerals while antioxidants Ester C and Vitamin E help fight the signs of aging. This is the most wonderfully citrusy toner that I have ever had the pleasure to use!  It cleans without drying, gets all of the leftover gunk off my face and just generally makes me happy.  I don't love the spray, so I have transferred it to a pump bottle which makes it perfect!  You can find Kiss My Face products at various retail stores or very easily online at the Kiss My Face webstore.
Yüm Gourmet Skincare Pomegranate Toner - 237ml - $33 - contains nourishing, organic Cranberry Juice and bio-complex Vitamin C to gently refine while enhancing texture and appearance, skin conditioning Organic Chamomile, Helichrysum, Plum and Sandalwood to leave skin feeling hydrated, clean and smooth. I like this toner a lot, it smells amazing but I probably wouldn't buy it again as most of the joy of using a toner for me is seeing the crap wiped off my skin and onto the cotton pad, but as  this toner already has a colour, I didn't get that satisfaction. If you want something great smelling that really does leave your skin feeling nice and you aren't as weird as me, I would recommend you give it a try!  You can purchase Yum Gourmet products at Organic Spa Solutions
Clinique Clarifying Lotion - 200ml - $24.50 - Available in Types: 1 - very dry to dry; 2 - dry combination; 3 - combination oily; and 4 - oily - with new formulas that have been updated with buffering agents incouding Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Trehalose to make exfoliation more comfortable and help maintain skin's moisture equilibrium.  Graduated levels of Salicylic Acid, a longtime dermatologist staple, are also present to aid in exfoliation by removing dead skin cells, promoting optimal cell turnover - each level has been specially formulated with its own level to ensure optimal, custom-fit exfoliation for each skin type. After each use, pores seem smaller, fine lines less evident and skin tone more even and vibrant looking.  I must admit to having been forced to try this one by Christelle.  There was a time in my teenage years that I used a Clinique toner that was way too harsh for my skin and every since then, I have shied away from their toners.  It's Christelle's holy grail though and having heard that the toners had been reformulated, I thought it was a good time to try them again (and make Christelle shut up).  I went with Number 2 for dry/combination skin and had none of the over drying that I had experienced before. For the summer I might even be tempted to try the Number 3 for combination/oily once the weather gets hot and my skin becomes a lot more combo!

Not that I need anyone turning me into a toner junkie, but if anyone has any toner suggestions for ones I shouldn't miss out on - they will be gratefully received!

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus - 30ml - $53.50 - wrinkle and UV damage corrector that has a patented enzyme blend that works to mend sun's visible damage - the breakdown of collagen, uneven skin texture and the early appearance of lines and wrinkles.

The serum address 3 main areas of concern:
UV Damage:

UV is still one of the leading causes of accelerated aging.  Harmful rays penetrate deeply into skin causing direct damage to cellular DNA and distortions in the skin’s regeneration process, and indirect damage from the release of free radicals. The visible results of sun damage include: breakdown of collagen, uneven skin texture and the early appearance of lines and wrinkles, the “solar scars” that are the noticeable proof of collagen loss from extended UV exposure.
A potent blend of three patented repair enzymes encapsulated in a liposome delivery system work to help visibly reverse UV damage and mend “solar scars.”  This technology represents 20 years of clinical study into molecular delivery systems and aids penetration deep within the surface of the skin to dramatically revitalise the appearance of photo aging.

• Micrococcus Luteus (Ultrasomes V) – these liposomes work best at night to intensify the skin’s ability to visibly repair sun-inflicted damage from UVB rays.
• Photolyase Fermentate (Photosomes V) – absorbs visible light to promote natural cellular repair, working efficiently during daylight hours, to improve the appearance of sun damaged skin over time.
• OGG-1 Fermentate (Roxisomes) – derived from the mustard plant, protects cells from oxidative damage resulting from UV and intrinsic ageing.

Wrinkles:
A high-level peptide complex boosts natural collagen production and helps maintain existing natural collagen with essential ingredients. Skin becomes more firm, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles is diminished.  Targeted for application around the entire face and especially the delicate eye area, it works to help reverse one of the most visible signs of ageing by effectively smoothing and softening the appearance of eye creases.

• Whey Protein – a natural, amino acid rich, polypeptide helps skin look and feel more firm and resilient while minimising the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) – helps to plump the skin and increase natural collagen production, resulting in firm skin and minimised appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 – this bio-peptide helps prompt natural collagen production.

Free Radical Protection:
Additionally, a cocktail of ingredients work to protect skin by helping to fight free radicals from environmental aggressors and to prevent future damage to the skin.

• Vitamin C and E (Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate and Tocopheryl Acetate) – provide antioxidant protection from free radicals induced by UV.
• Ergothioneine – this naturally occurring amino acid is a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect skin from environmental aggressors. Works with Vitamin C and E, helping to provide balance to the skin and helping to re-activate each other.
• Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Juice Extract – contains Ellagic Acid to help protect the skin and defend the skin against visible damage.

The promise is that just 3 drops twice a day and in 12 weeks achieve 63% of the visible wrinkle reducing power of a laser. Having finished my bottle now I can't tell you about any dramatic results like that but to be fair, I am a sunscreen nut and don't have any serious sun damage to contend with.  I can tell you that the small lines around my eyes have disappeared and and my entire face feels firmer. What I really enjoyed was the texture of the serum itself, evidenced by the fact that I finished the entire bottle and you can imagine that finishing something almost never happens around here!  The only thing I didn't like about it was the dropper format - I would have much preferred a pump!  Should I ever run out of serums and be in the market for one, I would use this one again!

The other issues with getting too much sun are dark spots and uneven skin tone - Clinique has a product to deal with that too - Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector - click on the link to find my past review on it!  The good news is that it now comes in a 50ml size which makes it great if you want to also treat your hands, neck and décolletage at the same time - 50ml - $93 - 30ml - $63

Both products are 100% fragrance free, oil free, non-acnegenic, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.


And of course the best thing you can do to avoid having to use either product is to wear your sunscreen!

Beautiful things happen when fashion and makeup get together - take the collaboration between Clinique and fashion label Milly - it has all my favourite "P" things - Pink, Print, and Palette!
The star of the collection is the limited edition Pretty In Prints Compact - $43 - includes a limited edition Colour Surge Eye Shadow quad in Printed Pinks and Blushing Blush in Precious Posy in the most adorable compact adorned with the Milly print.  Also available is a limited edition Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Milly Pink - $18 - a warm-toned melon shade. They are also promoting High Impact Mascara - $18 to round off the look.

Launches in stores this month just in time for your spring makeup shopping!

I am fortunate that with among the many issues that I do have, serious facial redness is not one of them.  I know what a pain it is though from some of my friends who have redness issues of varying degrees.  And I can see them constantly searching for the latest and greatest product out there to treat and cover it.  This is the time of year that many of them are looking for something as the extreme change in temperature is one of the redness triggers.  So I am happy to let them and you know about Clinique's Redness Solutions line:

Redness Solutions Makeup SPF 15 with Probiotic Technology - 30ml - $30 - a liquid makeup with treatment benefits that calms and soothes skin while treating and concealing redness.  The probiotic part is what I would interesting, my only knowledge of probiotics involve that incredibly annoying yogurt commercial so I wasn't sure how they fit into foundation.  Well apparently, Probiotic Technology is incorporated to improve the skin's barrier strength as it can often be compromised when suffering from facial redness.  It's available in 6 shades and contains a blend of sunscreens with a broad spectrum ratio of 3:1 UVB to UVA protection.

Redness Solutions Targeted Corrector - $25 - a yellow-hued stick concealer that immediately helps neutralize the look of redness - I do get some redness around my nose so I gave this a try and it blended nicely to cover the redness - I would also use this to cover a blemish, the texture is great for that and it has the yellow tone to hide it!

They are both formulated with: Magnolia Bark and Poria Cocos (Mushroom) Extract to help soothe, Caffeine to calm the skin and Murumuru Butter to protect the skin's moisture barrier. They are both also fragrance and oil free, allergy tested and non-acnegenic.

I finally had a chance to check out the Clinique Holiday collection in person and it is very wearable - no crazy colours or anything that anyone could possibly find offensive - I'm seeing great gift potential here!


Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour - $22.50 - Strawberry Bliss - a new colour for a product I already love - it's shiny and full of good things like Vitamin C, Pomegranate and Acai Berry!


Defining Liner for Lips - $17.50 - Plush Pink - the built in sharpener on this is so clever!

High Lengths Mascara - $18 - Black - you can read my review on this one here
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Of course my favourite part of the collection is the palette! Strawberry Fudge Holiday Compact - $43 - Limited Edition containing Colour Surge Eye Shadow Trio in Strawberry Fudge and Soft Pressed Powder Blusher in New Clover (fun fact, this is the only blush that I can ever remember actually using up!)

Find it at select Bay, Sears, Holt Renfrew and Murale stores.

And while you are at it, there are lots of great Clinique gift sets available:




Connect the Gloss - $36 - a Sephora exclusive contains six Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 3ml glosses in: Air Kiss, Bamboo Pink, Bonfire, Juicy Apple, Kissyfit and Mystic with a customizable dual-ended applicator which will hold any two of the glosses - great for your purse!
Click and Be Happy - $36 - a Sears exclusive contains three Long Last Glosswear SPF 15  4.5ml glosses in: Air Kiss, Cabana Crush and Clearly Pink as well as three 4.5ml rollerball fragrances in: Happy, Happy Hint of Citrus and happy Wealth of Flowers with a customizable dual-ended applicator so you can smell good and look good!
More Than Moisture - $47 - a great kit for thirsty skin contains: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief - 50ml, Moisture Surge Face Spray thirsty Skin Relief - 30ml and All About Eyes - 7ml
And let's not forget the boy - Expert Shave - $37.50 - Skin Supplies for Men M Shave Aloe Gel - 125ml, Skin Supplies for Men Face Scrub - 100ml and Skin Supplies for Men Post-Shave Soother - 35ml - all in handy dandy travel bag.
Keep Him Happy - $57 - a 100ml bottle of Happy for Men as well as a 50ml Happy for Men Aftershave Balm.  If you like a crisp, citrus scent on the boy, this is a great choice!

Except for where stated, everything here is available at Clinique counters across Canada.