Clinique is probably not the first brand on our minds when it comes to eyeshadow, but it won't fail to surprise you in that department. Remember the Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes? Those are pretty good! Recently, the brand released an all-new, reformulated eyeshadow duo. Is it worth a look-see?

The Clinique All About Shadow Duo (P1,250) comes in a luxe silver case just like the brand's powder foundation. I'm really liking this direction; silver is a much more updated color than Clinique's minty green! Remember when their duos came in green plastic? Haha. This time, thick acrylic case looks more expensive and sturdy.

I feel extremely foolish for forgetting this, so I am sorry in advance for the very short notice! Mira (Clinique's Marketing Manager) and I have been planning this for a while! I will be hosting a small afternoon soiree at Clinique in SM Aura this Saturday, August 31, from 2-5 PM. Nibbles will be available, and the confirmed guests will receive a gift from Clinique. 

There will be a short personal makeup workshop featuring Clinique's best-selling products. All attendees can also avail of a free facial right there in the store. Then, we'll have a fun activity where you guys can win full-sized goodies. ;) It's going to be awesome!

So, if you don't have plans this Saturday and would like to be part of this exclusive gathering of beauty fans, please do let me know if you can come. Just email your name and mobile number to lizlanuzo [at] projectvanity.com! The first 14 who confirm will be automatically included in the guest list. As a kindness to those who are truly interested, please only email me if you can make it for sure. Thank you so much and see you then!

Next announcement! The Clinique Bonus will be happening again this September. You'll get a set of deluxe samples free with your single receipt purchase of 4,500 from September 1 to 15, 2013, while supplies last. If you step up your purchase to P5,000, you'll receive a Clinique tote bag (one per customer).

Here are more deets on what's inside the Clinique Bonus set!

What a dark and dreary Monday it is. It's not the best way to start the week, but there are lots of ways to cheer ourselves up! Mine involves a hot bowl of arroz caldo, a botched attempt at a home made doggie raincoat, and now, a happy lipstick review. What's yours?

Anyhoo, on to the lipstick! The Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Runway Coral (P1,100) is my current favorite lipstick. It's been ages since I've worn an actual Clinique lipstick (the Chubby Stick doesn't count) that I've forgotten how nice the brand makes them. I've said this again and again - Clinique is famous for skincare products, but its makeup is surprisingly good. Especially of late, it's like the Clinique makeup department is on crack.

There are lots of nice lipsticks out there, but I there are only a few that come in beautiful packaging and an amazing formula. The Clinique Long Last Lipstick has both. The burnished silver bullet has some heft to it and a gliding closure with no click. I love it! The tactile feel alone can excite any girl who cherishes beautiful objects.

The formula itself is also very good. It's smooth and cushy and light on the lips, but it stays put for five hours if you don't eat.

This week was supposed to be Skincare Week but with an impending trip I wasn't able to photograph everything in time! Oh well. I'll have a proper themed week next week once everything has settled down. ^_^ For today I will talk about the latest innovation from Clinique - a fresh take, rather, of one of their most-loved products of all time!

Clinique recently held an intimate and utterly dainty event at R-Space, Makati. The whole area was lit up in a soft honey glow, with accents of yellow on a cream background. It's such a lovingly styled event - something I always appreciate as it helps me sort of "feel" the brand better. I mean I know what it is and what kind of products it makes, but I am out for the story - not for a plain catalogue.

Clinique has always been known as a sort of clinical skincare brand. Modern, ascetic even. This time it is presenting a warmer, happier face to the world. Clinique loves good skin, but now it's all about good skin with a smile. :)

People pay so much attention to their eyebags, forgetting that the skin on the eyelids darken too. If the lids are dark and uneven then you'd still look tired even if you concealed your bags perfectly. So always use a brightening cream (or for that matter, powder) eyeshadow whenever you can.

Yes you can also use concealer on the upper lids but IMHO, your eyes naman would look too blanked out and one-dimensional, if you know what I mean. So I recommend using an eyeshadow in a flattering shade - it doesn't have to be neutral, it could be something smoky or colorful.

Cream is a great formula for quick eye looks, so today I'm gonna talk about something new, the Clinique Chubby Stick For Eyes (P920)!

I must admit that I was quite skeptical when I first heard about this. I've tried a Clinique cream eyeshadow before and it was sadly disappointing. However, I am pleased to report that the Chubby Stick For Eyes is worthy of being part of the popular franchise! This stick eyeshadow is pigmented and stays on the lids for hours even without primer.

The thinnest layer of skin in our body is located under our eyes. It's a sensitive area, prone to hyperpigmentation due to allergies, fluid buildup, or excessive sun exposure. It also shows the blood vessels which is why some people have a bluish or purplish tint around their eyes.

The best way to solve dark circles (if at all possible in your case) is to get a lot of sleep and hydration. Drink water generously and don't forget to apply a moisturizing eye cream to keep that area elastic and plump! If your dark circles are hereditary or caused by age, then there's not much you can do except to use a bangin' concealer or undergo cosmetic surgery.

My point is that eye creams can only maintain the best possible version of your eye bags. They can't dramatically lighten dark circle or remove wrinkles, any more than what your skin would naturally allow. :) That being said, I do believe in using eye creams precisely because of the maintenance. When I stop, my bags look saggy, wrinkly, and ugh, papery. My current eye cream is the Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector (P2,450)!

This eye cream promises to lighten dark circles over time but I suggest you don't expect that. It does help improve the appearance of under eyes instantly due to the very fine mica shimmer in the formula and the slightest hint of tint.

There was a time when flawless makeup involved layers and layers of products on the face. Sure our skin was smothered in all that gunk, but the result looked convincingly pretty enough that we didn't mind. Thanks to technology though we have all these new face bases. They successfully cut down on the amount of liquids and powders that we need to combine to get that naturally gorgeous skin effect. 

One such base is the new Clinique Even Better Powder Makeup SPF 25/PA+++ (P1,950). This is a light to medium coverage powder foundation that promises  luminous, porcelain-like radiance that would give the skin a youthful look. That's a lot to promise, but I believe it delivers! I only wish it offers better staying power for long-haul days, but to its credit it's also a great retouch powder due to its super smooth, satiny texture.

That texture is really something. It's so fine that according to Clinique's Marketing Manager, they weren't able to stamp the logo on the surface of the powder! You'll notice that other Clinique compacts have that ubiquitous stamp. Even Better doesn't have that because it falls apart. To the touch, it feels creamy, almost (though not quite) liquid. It applies as a powder.

Morning! So, I decided to do a Clinique Week because I've been receiving a lot of wonderful products from the brand lately. These are the latest releases so some of them might not be availble yet but you can ask your preferred counter to reserve. ;) To kick off the series, here's a review of something I've been using whenever I get the chance!

CC creams have brought a lot of confusion when they started popping out last year. What are they, really? Do you need them? It depends on your preference and skin type so there's no definite answer to that. But I can tell you that CC creams are specifically for color correction, with a focus on skincare rather than the cosmetic effect. CC creams are for treating and maintaining skin, not for covering it up the way BB creams would.

That said, I am loving the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream (P1,850) because it is my ideal face base. I don't need to layer moisturizer and/or sunscreen, foundation, and powder on a day-to-day basis! I apply a generous amount on my skin, wait for it to dry, and voila - nice, primed skin that doesn't need layers of product to achieve.

Okay let me break that down in a neat list, before I degenerate into a raving maniac. :P

Why I LOVE the product

• It has this lightweight, non-greasy texture that melts on skin and somehow makes it look brighter. 

The hotter it gets, the lighter your perfume should be. Your normal musky and woodsy fragrances will just smell off in the middle of the day - when the heat is the most intense - so it's best to spray on something fresh and light-hearted! Something floral, fruity, with a generous sprinkle of aqua. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? ;)

The Clinique Happy In Bloom for 2013 is a great summer pal. It's designed for spring in the US but even if we don't have that season, it works just as well for our summer. The cult favorite Clinique Happy now comes in this limited edition version, with new packaging to celebrate the special release.

It smells wonderful. It's not overly girly due to the touch of aqua, but it is feminine enough with top notes of yellow plum, a cocktail of frozen fruit, and watery green notes.

Lately I find myself liking the original Clinique Chubby Stick more than I thought I would. It's just that it's so easy to pick up, slather on, and go! More than that though it's also something I don't have to think about until I have to retouch, and that won't be due until three or four hours when the balm has dried up. Sheer, moisturizing colors do make life less complicated.

Still, my heart belongs to opaque lipstick for days when I'm willing to fuss over them. An important event, perhaps a meeting, calls for a nice solid wash of color that hopefully doesn't compromise on moisture and lasting power. I have found something that can do all that: the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense (P920).

I'm so lucky to get hold of this very early (thanks Mira!) in Mightiest Maraschino, so here's a preview for you! It won't be out locally until end of March or early April.

What I love about the product

• It offers intense, even color in one swipe. Mightiest Maraschino is a blue-based, bright red that will look good on a variety of skintones. 
• It has an incredibly lightweight and buttery texture. It has the opacity of a lipstick and the staying power of a stain, but it feels exactly like a non-greasy lip balm.

The weather has been cold and windy lately. It's a great fashion opportunity (layering and cute boots, anyone?) but it's not so kind to our skin. I'm sure some of you have been suffering from dryness and even flakiness on the face and hands! I would too, if I haven't been using the Clinique Moisture Surge Intense (P2,600) this past month.

I usually get very dry come December up to February, when the season is colder than average. It's worse on my cheeks and sides of the mouth/ nose. It's kind of ridiculous that I didn't think of using a heavier moisturizer than I normally do but then again, I don't like that many moisturizers as much as the original Clinique Moisture Surge. So yes, the Intense version is a brilliant idea for people like me.

The CMS is a great moisturizer for oily skin in tropical weather like ours, but the thing is it doesn't give the necessary moisture once the weather turns. Intense is heavier, creamier, and is almost unrecognizable from the CMS gel formula except for the trademark pink jar.

News alert! Clinique is finally re-opening a counter in Mall of Asia this December 8. They will be located beside MAC, in the same row where Forever 21 is. :) To celebrate the opening month, they are giving a new door gift, free (one per client) for a single receipt purchase of at least P1,995. This is valid for opening day only on December 8. Starting December 9 to 31, this exclusive gift will be available for a minimum purchase of P3,000.

If you're at a loss about what to try from Clinique, you can try the Moisture Surge (best moisturizer for me!), Airbrush Concealer, Pore Refining Solutions Foundation (will be reviewing soon), and their popular Chubby Sticks. :) Those are just a few, there's a lot to love from this brand. You can check all my past reviews for reference.

You can also looks into the special Clinique Holiday Sets for 2012. They're a great way to get a lot of stuff for a fraction of the cost - great for first time Clinique users as well as those who need to restock their faves. :) Do note however that you can't buy the set then avail of the free door gift.

Here's detailed info with prices!

Taste of Honey

A sweet treat for lips.  Cult favorite Black Honey is a shade any woman can wear, yet somehow looks different on everyone. 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books were some of the most memorable ones I read when I was younger. They made me laugh, made me appreciate the beauty of a good mystery, and to look at things sideways. More importantly, HHG taught me the importance of a good towel and to not panic when faced with impossible situations. Well, this is a reminder for me to read the five books again! You should too if you haven't yet. ;)

But why am I blabbering about HHG? I'm here to talk about the Clinique Chubby Stick (P960)! These are hydrating tinted lip balms that come in a twisty crayon-shaped tube. It's the first brand, I think, which came out with such a fun way to package lip balm. The Chubby Sticks are actually similar to Clinique's Almost Lipsticks - the main difference is of course the packaging, and then the color selection. But they feel practically the same.

Here's a quick rundown + lip swatches!

What I love about the product

• It feels thin and light (not waxy or sticky), yet it hydrates my lips for a good 2-3 hours. I don't get flaky lips when it fades away. I like how smooth my lips are even after it's all gone.
• It's deceptively sheer but it can be layered to get a more intense color. It's still not going to look like lipstick but it will show up even over pigmented lips. Oh and it doesn't settle on the rims or catch in flaky parts of the lips.

It's the start of the work week and I'm feeling fine! Maybe mostly because I've stocked a week's worth of my, er, hyper juice. You know that Nescafe iced coffee in cans? It keeps me charged without making me dizzy like the usual coffee. Amazing. Anyway here are some videos I started my day with - two of my favorite songs from college. 

I love Sarah Bettens because she's a great song writer and her voice is just incredibly raw. She always writes about things that are almost in your hands - almost there but not quite. I think discontent is a human body part. We're all always discontented, it's lodged right up there near our appendix. The key to being happy is accepting that it will always be there and appreciating that other things in our life are working just fine.

I thought very long and hard about what to pack for my long road trip up North last weekend. I brought all sorts of neat things, but I forgot something basic yet important: a lip balm. Yes, I brought several lip and eye palettes, cheek colors, and lipsticks, but I didn't think to bring a lip balm. Crud. I did bring my Clinique Almost Lipstick in Shy Honey (P1,100) though!

The Clinique Almost Lipstick served as a great lip balm slash tint topper during the five days I was out. It doesn't feel greasy, oily, or waxy, unlike some lip balms. On the lips it feels thin and super comfortable, much like lip balm, but it does last longer and offers a bit of pinkish shine.

We have an extra day this year and I find that so incredible. This year, I am granted another day to live and do something a little itty bit more with my life. Am I the only one who feels like this?

Anyways! Today I want to talk about a foundation that I've been using heavily lately: the Clinique Perfectly Real Radiant Skin Compact Makeup. It's a lovely sheer foundation that looks pretty much like radiant skin without the shimmer or glitter.

I don't have the compact, so I only have pictures of the refill. :P Here's what I think of it!

What I love about the product

• Smoothens out my skintone, blurs pores and bumps while still looking natural.
• Gives a sort of matte radiance - if that's possible! There are no visible shimmers in the formula. 
• Has SPF29 PA++! That's a considerable amount of sun protection; not that many foundations have this number. The high SPF makes it a great summer foundation or finishing powder!

Let's make this Clinique Day! Since I just posted about the last Clinique Party, I thought I should also post a review of their newest product to hit the Philippines: Lid Smoothie Antioxidant 8-Hour Eye Colour (P1,550). It's a liquid eyeshadow that comes in a tube with a cooling silver applicator. It also promises to have ingredients to soothe skin and fill in lines.

I think the applicator is a cool (literally and figuratively) add-on, but overall, I can do without it. It's easier to spread the eyeshadow with a finger or a concealer brush instead of trying to use the silver tip to even out the color. 

As for the eyeshadow itself. It's sheer, like most of Clinique's eyeshadows. Clinique is a brand that's all about natural-looking makeup so I'm not surprised!

I know, I know, this is rather late but I wanted to share what went down at the Clinique Real Women Party anyway. It was, as all Clinique parties go, an intimate affair. All my favorite people were there plus I got to meet one of my readers, Mina! It was chika all afternoon at the Clinique Rockwell counter and even most of the evening as we had dinner together. Super fun. 

The new Clinique counter in Rustan's Essences, Powerplant Mall

That's Mina and that's me!