Clinique GWP Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad

Normally I don't mention the Clinique gift with purchase (GWP) but I was fairly excited to get the latest bag of goodies from the Clinique counter at Myer. Given that this quad is actually permanent shades (one duo and two singles) made into one quad, swatches seemed like a good idea. Especially as I don't mind this quad :-D

The top row of that brown and pinky coral shade is the Strawberry Fudge Duo (you have to click the one that says strawberry fudge) and the two single "super shimmer" shadows at the bottom are Daybreak and Gold Rush (oddly I only found gold rush on the Clinique Australia site?) Rotated below for a non flash picture:

The super shimmers are described as "creamy, intense colour in one stroke" and although they are super shimmery, colour intense, they are not. I do like them though for a shimmery neutral eye look. Here's some swatches where I layed on like no tomorrow:

I used all four colours today, daybreak for first third of my eye, then gold rush, then blended the strawberry fudge duo in the outer crease/V. Daybreak was perfect in the corner of the eye, the super shimmer really brightens the eye up. That pink is gorgeous layered on top of the brown. I'd give you a picture but it's the end of the day and my makeup has melted off :-P The brown is the least pigmented given its appearance of a darker brown, so it was a very subtle but pretty look over all :-) I don't know if they are worth $33 for the single eye shadows however it's definitely worth picking up this GWP if you're a Clinique fan - if only for the quad ;-)

Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliating Cream

What a mouthful! I have been trying this body scrub for a couple of weeks and I thought I'd give a quick review. I must admit I'm not into body scrubs, so when I received this relatively large free sample of Clinique Sparkle Skin with my latest Clinique purchase, I wasn't quite sure if I was going to use it. The bottle I got was 30ml but if you buy it you'll get a 250ml pot for 50AUD.



The site suggests you use the scrub on rough areas like your elbows, heels, knees (er I don't remember my knees ever being rough but anyway...) but I have been using it as an all over body scrub, focusing mainly on my arms, neck and feet. It doesn't make your skin sparkly and the description on the website certainly doesn't claim to - it simply says your skin will be sleek and polished.



The scrub is quite rough on your skin and while fragrance free, I do get a menthol or minty fresh kind of smell from it. How it invigorates the skin perhaps. Overall I do like this scrub, my arms were very soft and smooth and it works a treat on the feet. Heh. I've still got a little bit left but I feel this is more of a luxury item rather than a necessity. I think this would make a nice gift.

Speaking of Clinique, the Australian website has free shipping with ANY purchase, using offer code CLTYPE1 (through to CLTYPE4, depending on your clinique skin type). But it ends 11:59pm 29/03/2010 AEST. You get free shipping and a travel size 3 step system. I believe it'll be those little round button packs. We'll see. But it's good because you can also choose other free samples when you check out.

Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow

I was having a pretty average afternoon (teeth or moreso lack thereof) so I walked down to the shops for more up & go drinks. I perused the Clinique counter of Myer on the way out and couldn't help but pick up these two cream shadows I have been lusting after:



These are Starlit Pink and Sparling Nude. Rock Violet is also shown below. Didn't buy rock violet but it's very nice! I have been going on a bit of a spending spree lately so I need to curb the spending and save for my Hawaii holiday in June :-)



I had two eye shadows in mind when I bought these cream shadows: MAC Ego and Grand Entrance (not sure which collection but they're the starflash finishes). I want to use less of my precious limited edition shadow and brighten them up a bit. I have just tried starlit pink under Ego and it works well. Definitely brighter. These supposedly have a 10 hour staying power but we shall see :-| I did notice the swatch on my hand go a bit crumbly, but it was more evenly distributed on my eyes. So hopefully it just doesn't peel off as I'm imagining! The only off putting thing for me is the smell of these shadows. I have a very sensitive sense of smell so the chemical whiff I get from these is a disappointment. But hey, after being spoilt by the apricot souffle scent of Benefit's FY Eye primer, you'd be disappointed too :-) Overall these are very nice cream shadows and at 37AUD, swatch and choose carefully!

February Faves... blog style!

I thought I'd do a quick blog post of my feb faves. More of a 2010 faves the way I've been going with these products ;-)



My faves include:

• MAC eye shadows in Ego, Shale and Shroom: I've been wearing this combo for a while now with Ego over the lid, focusing on the inner corner, shale on the crease and blending out towards the brow with Shroom. Shroom + Shale = really pretty. It's subtle but noticeable.


• MAC 239 brush. This brush really packs on colour. It's my new fave brush. Don't worry 213 fluff brush, I still love you!


• Hue lipstick - Brought this back from Perth and have been wearing it everyday to work since. Better swatch down below so you can appreciate its loveliness.


• Runway fave lipglass - A nude gloss that I was wearing before I got Hue :-)


• So sweet, so easy - Cremeblend blush that came out with the online only collection MAC in lillyland. VERY pink so you only need a little bit. It's nice on my pale white skin without my yellow based makeup. Gives a nice natural flush.


• By candlelight MSF - I wear this every single day, I love it. Mind you I don't have any others to choose from :-P Highlight across checks on top of the blush is just perfect. Photographs nicely too!


• Clinique bewitched eye shadow - I got this YEARS ago but I was rummaging around in my clinique drawer (yes there's a whole drawer) and I rediscovered this little freebie. It's nice because it has two shadows plus a mirror! I used to use the peach colour a lot but I was looking for a dark matte brown to use with my MAC 266 brush. I wanted to darken my brows with my new blonde foils. This colour has been really good for that.

As you can see above, so sweet, so easy is very bright. Although I imagine not as bright as florida would have been. I've been looking for a pinker blush, I seem to have mostly peachy corals. I'm planning on getting well dressed soon so I'll compare that to this blush.



Currently thinking I need to purchase an Ego backup. It was limited edition though but the starflash shadows are SO nice. Bit too much fallout, but nicely pigmented and shimmery. Got my grand entrance backup, Ego to follow? Hmm...

Well this will be the last from me for a little while. Probably til next weekend so not really that long :-P I have surgery on Tuesday (more info when/IF I come out ok). I have been freaking out for the last, oh, 2 months :-| Excuse me while I re-read this scary booklet titled Anaesthesia & you :-(

Currently listening to: Like a drug - Kylie Minogue