Clinique Super Defense SPF 25

Why do people name mouthful? Clinique Super Defense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer meant for Dry to Combination skin! Now, I consider that a complete! Think of my jaw bone exercise for a decent amount of time! Back to the product, it was a freebie from Clinique's Autumn 2009 promotion! I have something for the Clinique promotional products as their bags are to die-for, girly and chic apart from bow detailing!

It took me a while to almost complete this as I was already using Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (pump) and Lotion (sans pump) as well! Another mouthful! Gel kind is preferable if you are blessed with combination skin as it goes easy on your skin! Super Defense SPF 25 as you can see is just a 15 ml pot which hardly lasts a month! Again, it depends on your usage! Speaking of the freebie!

Can you locate the wee tub?

Claims - Skin's most complete defense against the visible signs of aging in a daily moisturizer! Arms it to fight the effects of emotional stress, which can damage skin with effects much like sun and pollution! Helps neutralize UVA and UVB!

Full-size tub!

First impression, instant gratification! I hardly find instantly gratifying products especially in skincare, but Clinique has never disappointed me so far! Ever since I started using this, I couldnt branch out to another moisturizer! Who doesnt know Clinique products are pretty expensive? I already tried 3 of their moisturizers, but Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion is still left! You can expect a review on that, soon!

Sample tub!

Just like anybody else, I found this lying in my stash for quite a while! Good thing I keep checking my stuff once in a while! One good habit I am proud of! I keep digging products like this often! I know its not that type to end up in stash un-touched, but still we all have been there! Isn't it?

Products with SPF are good to use as they make your routine a bit easy like one step shorter! You need not layer your skin with sun blocks or sunscreens! I believe SPF 25 is decent-enough for Indian summers or weather as such! Dont ask me how, but this worked differently in UK! Weird, isnt it? May be because of the intensity of the sun! Might not be major, but I noticed teeny difference the way it works! Indian weather, it tends to get a bit greasy on skin! Again, it depends on how liberal you are with the product! Logic, aye!

Sans ingredients!

My skin has not broken out from any Clinique product so far, which includes this as well! The consistency of the product is rich and creamy, almost like whipped cream! Ivory in color! Easily blends into your skin no matter what, but make sure you work it out soon! Or else, you might end up with blotches! Makes skin feel taut, which is a good sign!

Who doesnt like the sound of "anti-age" in their products? I just love that, especially in moisturizers! Bonus! There are other versions available if your skin falls under different category! Clinique always gives sample sachets to try before investing! Clinique as a company, I mean! It depends on the staff at your mall, again! We all had our experiences, right? Make sure you find out about the samples at the counter before hand!

Almost through!

Unless a big day, I hate tidious jobs like using eye cream! I am happy with just moisturizer! As I use MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation (phew), I dont need to worry about looking too made up! Does that make any sense? It acts as a good primer for makeup! Nothing con, but some of you might find pot packaging bit unhygienic! Feel of the product on face depends on how much you get to use! The more you apply, the heavier your skin feels!

Freebies dont come with ingredients, at least this one doesnt say anything! I am sorry about that! I remember reading somewhere it contains anti-oxidants, though! You can do your own research on that one, just in case! Repurchase? Not that I didnt like it, but I have a big bottle of lotion to finish!

Beautiful twins!

P.S - I dont agree when people declare Clinique products are fragrance-free! Definitely not like water without any smell to it! They smell some way or the other only you can associate yourself to! Price? I am not sure, again! Have you tried Clinique Super Defense SPF 25? Wud love to hear your take!

Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey

Whoa! Looks like Bobbi Brown's Cabana Corals created a storm over here, especially the Limited Edition palette! Today, our product of review is Black Honey! Apparently, Clinique's most sought-after lip product! How come I heard there are 3 more shades in Almost Lipstick range, but I always find Black Honey? Did you?

Claims - Glossy, sheer, non-staining lip colour! Soothing to the lips! Gives moist look and feel, shiny finish! Wear alone or over Lip-Shaping Pencil or lipstick!

My cousin was going gaga over this! I was like "I have to have this in my collection!" Now, I learnt my lesson! Wait for long unless its a limited edition product! Check out the reviews, honest ones of course! Get to see the swatches, especially! Dont let the hype get in!

Silver packaging! Ultra-chic! Slim and sleek! It says "C" on the lid! Comparitively, you get more product! The bullet is almost 2 inches, just quarter less! I was really terrified by the color when I first saw! Hasty! I came to know the true color only on swatch, then!

Preferably, I use this when my lips look their best! One coat of Black Honey makes up the whole look! I reiterate! Exfoliate your lips if you want to make the best use of any lip product! What happens if you dont? I tried Black Honey without any lip balm assuming it would be foolish using a balm under a balm! Expensive, of course! It was sheer on the soft parts and pigmented on the chapped parts! You know what I mean? It was like light and dark on my lips! The product stuck where the lips chapped! I looked like a total nerd, no doubt!

Some find it plum! Some find it berry! I find it berry, rather! If your skin tone is dark like mine, one coat is more than enough! Suits you perfect! The color intensifies, which means its buildable! The more number of coats, the more intense pigmentation!

I dont understand the criteria to categorize lip products, but Black Honey is a misnomer! Considering the title, it definitely has to be! What is Black Honey to you? Lipstick? Gloss? Tint? Balm? I say, its a sheer tinted lip balm from Clinique! You pay for the brand! I am not judgemental, just trying to be honest! Purely, a personal opinion!

Here comes the shocker! Staying power! Be prepared to reapply every half an hour! It doesnt stay long! I wish they change the formula whatever to improve the staying power! You wont believe! I have this product since a year, but its hardly reached for! Of course, for two reasons! First, the staying power irritates me! Second, I am trying to be more conservative! Saving this for the days where I can have access to just one lip product! Oh yeah! This will be my lipstick, lip gloss, lip tint, lip balm etc

My review must be really confusing! One minute, I was like not so over this! The next, I was like "head over heels!" Even now, I have a mixed opinion about this! I say "Yes" and "No!" I would have recommended this in a jiffy, if not for the price! I still dont understand the hype! Considering the price and staying power, I think twice! For me, Black Honey is an ego-satisfier! How does it feel to own a cult favorite in your stash? It feels the same way!

Stats - 1.9 g retails for 14.50 pounds, but I am sure I got mine for 12 pounds last year! Blame the VAT!

Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40

Wondering why am I posting about sun blocks and SPFs in this chilly winter? I felt like doing this since long, but could not for some reason! This product really deserves a review, sooner or later! I so love this! So, here we are...Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40...whoaaaaaaa! I am like moving my mouth in all directions possible! Good for oral exercise!

Claims: The level of sun and environmental damage is increasing, as the ozone layer is decreasing. So, whether you are sunning at the beach or taking a walk around the block - even a cloudy day - you are expecting exposure to skin-aging and burning UVA and UVB rays. In addition, environmental aggressors such as smoke, smog and pollution come into contact with your skin every day. But, Super City Block SPF 40 provides a high level of daily sun protection many skins need.

Apply liberally before exposure to sun, as needed. Apply right before makeup as an invisible primer or alone on bare skin. Smooth evenly over your entire face. For gentle efficient removal, use any Clinique makeup remover designed to remove long-wearing color. Using fingertips, apply on cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin and blend. The Clear Block range also has SPF 25, but I was wise enough to pick this. Indian weather, you would need more than that like SPF 95 :)

Suitable: All skin types, even the most sensitive.

This is allergy-tested and 100% fragrance free. The highest level of SPF in this formula helps protect skin from the damaging UVA/UVB. It contains boosted level of anti-oxidants for added hours of protection from environmental aggressors. Safe to use around the eyes, often the most vulnerable to sun damage. The remarkably sheer, weightless formula slips on easily and absorbs quickly. This also claims the ability to hold makeup in place, making it last longer.

God, where should I begin? Luv the sage green packaging! Its not in the picture, but this has a steel cap! I bought this along with the Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, hence qualified for the promotion. I wanted to try this because any regular sun block would cost the same or may be a couple of pounds lesser! What a justification?

The consistency is not runny, sticky or greasy! YAY for the non-greasy formula! It doubles up as foundation, call it tinted whateva! It absorbs easily into the skin, but without any efforts? I dont think so! You need to work well blending this into the skin, especially darker skin! Once you blend, it makes the skin silky soft!

Dont get scared! The formula looks like foundation, but sheer version of a foundation! I normally dot the product on my face and use my fingers to blend it well! One thing I observed, leave the product for some time on the face, it becomes tough to work with! Does it make any sense? I am trying to speak English, but I am like duhhhh...

I have to work immediately the moment this product touches my face or it masks my face! Looks like I have white wash on! The product balls up, if that makes any sense! You dont have to be liberal with this, the slightest amount works well! So, start with little and use accordingly! This retails for 13 pounds for 40 ml, but it lasts ages!

This gives a luminous effect or healthy glow to the face, remember, no greasy looks! Leaves your skin well hydrated for a long time! I tried using this as a primer/base and it worked! I am not sure about the staying power of the makeup with this, but definitely stays on for at least a decent amount of time! Justified :) For combination - oily skin, this should work as a moisturizer as well! Great 2 in 1!

Seriously, I am a lazy bug when it comes to makeup. I am not a liquid foundation person. I use either MAC Studio fix powder or Lakme Radiance Compact! I tried using this along with MAC Studio Fix Powder and it gave an even matte finish! What more could I ask for? Its so simple to get the "done" looks with this! It fades out evenly, as far as my knowledge goes! Never broke out or had no patches!

Who wouldnt appreciate the higher SPF? I refused to get away with the SPF 25 suggested by the sales assistant, explained where I come from and she was like "Oh...I would prefer 40+ then..." I didnt get to try the SPF 25, so cannot comment if there is literally any difference!

I dont consider this as a downside, but you cannot see the product inside! The packaging looks obese, so I can say I have ton left! Anyway, it worked for my combination - oily skin! For some reason, I feel this might be bit drier on the dry skin, so better use a moisturizer along! Good primer to try, according to my research! No hassles whatsoeva!

Repurchase? 200% YES!

Recommend? 300% YES!

Instant Gratification? 400% YES!

Am I hallucinating or the product really has some fragrance? Too conscious :)

Clinique Rinse off foaming cleanser

Hello lovelies,

This is a review on Clinique's foaming cleanser...a typical boring intro! This was a freebie from last year's promotion.

This product is meant for dry, combination to normal skin types. It is supposed to remove makeup effectively.

It has chamomile, which is multi-functional. It helps in healing the skin from burns and allergies. The active ingredients in Chamomile are volatile oils or essential oils and flavonoids. Essential oils help soothe irritated skin or tissue and help in acne treatment. Flavonoids are anti-oxidant and assist in healing. So, if you are looking for some product with Chamomile, go for the highest concentration or it might be useless.

(Courtesy: health.learninginfo.org)

This product smells heavenly. To be honest, I am an anti-cardamom person like I literally avoid anything associated with that, but I love the fragrance of this. It has that mild scent of cardamom, not so over-powering! The consistency is like your regular cold cream.

People might find this so dry on their skin, but I never had that feeling watsoeva! I like the way it lathers up and makes my skin feel super soft. I have kinda combination skin, but not so sensitive to break out at the slightest provocation.

Might sound silly, but I normally do not follow any regular face routines. So, I use this whenever I please like in the morning, noon, evenings or nights which means anytime of the day. BTW, I am currently on a treatment kinda thing from Clinique's Even Better range. I use the tone corrector from CEB range (hip term for Clinique Even Better).

In the process, I am religiously using this cleanser since 3 weeks, though had it from so long. I like the feel of my skin like I feel it cleanses my skin to perfect as it rinses off well. Literally you can hear the squeaky sounds when you play with your skin.

I would definitely repurchase this, but I took an oath to complete my other 3 cleansers before I treat myself with a new one. I am so interested trying the Neutrogena range of cleansers since long, so I am using my old ones as much as I can.

Coming to the cleanser, I use the Clinique High Impact mascara and I find it difficult to get rid off wid the other cleansers. This one foams up like anything and takes away the last traces of my mascara. God...this is so frothy! The best part is all you need is not even a pea-sized product. I can say, it makes my skin feel kinda silky so this is my most luxurious cleanser ever. This retails for about 14 pounds for 150ml, which is quite expensive for me...

Alright, I know...its pretty messy, but that shows how much I use this :) BTW, this is a 50 ml easy - squeezy!

D.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss

Here is Clinique gloss in #10 Grape fruit. If you are new to Clinique, their products are normally allergy-tested and 100% fragrance-free. Mine is a freebie from Clinique's autumn promotion. I got 7ml, which I find is more than enough to judge.

Speaking of the packaging, I like the silver cap and the slant-tip applicator. The shade Grape fruit in particular is very sheer and light on my lips. I can see just a water-like shine on my lips. May be this is how it shows up on a brown skin tone. I would love to see how this comes out on fair/light skin.

The consistency is very thick and kinda heavy on "my" lips, but not so heavy to carry on! The swatch in the official site of Clinique looks more or less like a lighter version of lilac, but not definitely the same on my lips.

This product comes in full size pack of 15ml and it retails for 12 pounds. So, I guess I was lucky enough to get almost half of the product. Repurchase, I dont think so. Clear gloss for me is not fun. Why would I waste my money on something which doesnt bother to show up inspite of my struggling?

As mentioned already, its fragrance-free. Its kinda sticky, but I dont care much when it performs its best as a great moisturizer. If you suffer from chapped lips, this thing helps for sure. Great nourishment! I do have that case right now and I am simply slathering my Carmex along with this balm. This is supposed to instantly relieve dryness and protect with antioxidants. You can use this on your bare lips or on your favorite lip product.

Its a gloss and balm together like 2 in 1, so make sure you choose the right shade. You can carry the looks like from day to night. Staying power is also decent, so thats a big "YAY" for many who hate to reapply their gloss.

I would definitely recommend this product. As it is winter already, it is a must-have in our vanity bags. This one works best with smokey eye where you dont need statement lips. May be, I prefer that way.

D.

Lovely Potion

Here comes the lovely potion..both gel and lotion (look similar, but little different in consistency)...

The used one is gel as you can see and the brand new one (valentine's day gift from DH) is the lotion.

I always felt that the lotion spreads much better than the gel. Lotion covers my skin pretty much comparitively. The gel seems to run a bittle whereas the lotion stays put, I know I sound controversial but I somehow feel the same.

I really love the texture of my skin after application is amazing. It spreads so even on the skin and as I said, a little amount is more than sufficient. Its moreover easy to work with. You dont have to be an expert with this product.

I like both, but my priority would be lotion, I swear.

Clinique

Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizer

The queen of moisturizers, the most raved product, at least according to everybody. Their moisturizer seems to launch 1000 ships. A pale yellow colour liquid seems to do the desirable. It is available in both lotion and gel forms. Gel seems to be good for combination skin.

I felt that the consistency of Clinique lotion and gel are different. Lotion seems to be a bit thick, but I liked it the most comparitively. The only advantage I found in gel is a dollop of product gives full coverage. The product also lasts ages. I tried "Very Dry - Dry Combination" and "Combination Oily - Oily" skin.

The container is of course is a bit heavy for the handbags, but still manageable. I can definitely tell that its on high-street market and costs around 24 pounds in UK.

P.S: Review coming up!