Love for Clinque

I was going to do a Christmas Haul post first but I figured at best they are long-winded and at worst boastful so instead I thought I'd write about my love for a brand which is often overlooked in favour of more fashionable and exciting brands. When I was in University I worked in Boots in Galway and Clinque and Estee Lauder were complete older Mammy and Granny magnets. However the Clinque Consultant was without a shadow of a doubt the most immaculate creature I have ever met. This spiked my interest and in  quiet moments I'd go over and cover my arms in swatches.

Throughout the years I have really put the brand through it's paces and whilst some products will never get my seal of approval ( e.g toners which could double as paint strippers in my opinion). However others have earned a place as my all time Holy Grail products and will always have a place on my Vanity.

The Skincare Stars
So to the products, first up Take the Day Off Make Up Remover and Cleansing Milk. The dual formula shake to mix formula of the make up remover for eyes and lips is a trojan of a product. A little goes a long way and it makes short work of even the most stubborn water-proof mascaras and gel eye-liners. It is fabulous in it's effectiveness and is Ophtalmologist tested and suitable for contact lense wearers. I wear contacts and this is one of very few products that does not irritate my eyes. Secondly the cleansing milk, I massage this all over my face and remove with cotton pads soaked in Rosewater before double cleansing with my Ren Cleansing Balm. This leaves my skin refreshed and clean and ready for Moisturiser.

The Make- up Basics
I am starting with a product I have amazingly never seen mentioned anywhere in the beauty blogging community- that is Clinque Repairwear foundation. This is the best "going out" foundation ever, I use the shade Vanilla mixed with a little Mac Strobe cream for a dewy glow that lasts all night. It is full coverage, easy to blend and unlike some full coverage foundations it doesn't feel heavy, it covers all imperfections easily. It gives you an air-brushed, flawless look that lasts and lasts. It has an SPF of 15 and whilst I feel it is too heavy for day wear if you have young skin my Mum is hooked on it and she uses it as her daily foundation.

To set my Repairwear I use Clinque Blended face powder which comes with a little silver brush. I dust this over my t-zone with a large powder brush. It mattifies oily areas without making the skin look dull and cakey, it minimises pores and lasts about four to five hours before needing a top up on my combination skin. The brush is fairly useless, I think I only ever tried it once but it is far too small to do the job at hand however it might make a nice travel sized blusher brush.

My last make up basic is the Clinque High Impact Eyeshadow Quad in Spicy. These shadows are always the ones I reach for in the morning when I'm in a rush. they are soft, buttery, well pigmented and need no primer to last all day. These look so beautifully expensive on the eyes and I will do a FOTD post soon featuring them if anyone is interested

Sweet Scents
When I was working in Boots we also had this theory that the reason the Estee Lauder and Clinque Scents were so popular with the Blue Rinse Brigade was due to the fact that their sense of smell was diminished and therefore they only perfumes they could smell were the ones who could cure sinus trouble in a dead fox! The exception to this rule is Clinque Happy, first brought to my attention during the advertising extravaganza that was the opening credits of Legally Blonde. I wanted every product Elle owned (don't judge me I was young). I love Clinque Happy, it really makes me feel well happy and I've recently received a bottle of Clinque Happy in Bloom which I will be wearing a lot come Spring/ Summer.

So that's my best of brand list for Clinque, Would anyone like to see similar posts on other brands? Let me know in the comments.

Much Love,
Nic