I became a Clinique fan right before I got married (summer of 2007). I had been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen (aka "The Pill") since high school in order to fight acne; it was the only thing that ever really worked for me. My wonderful friend Jenn suggested that using so many different types of makeup (Covergirl concealer, Revlon powder, Clean & Clear facewash, etc.) could be a reason my face broke out so much. Anxious to have clear skin for my wedding photos, I took the plunge and traded all of my old makeup and cleansers for Clinique products that summer, and I really haven't looked back. Clinique is a little pricey, but their products last for so long (and work so well) that I think it's worth it.
Here's my day-to-day routine:
AM
-Wash my face in the shower with Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
-Apply Superdefense Moisturizer* (oily skin version)
-Apply All About Eyes eye cream (since my skin is oily, I use the regular AAE, not the rich version)
Makeup:**
-Maybelline Mineral Power concealer (I don't like the concealer dispensers that Clinique uses!)
-Superfit liquid foundation if I really feel like putting makeup on, which almost never happens. I only use this if I'm really trying to look nice. :)
-Loose powder
-Bronzer (I use this for an all-over "glow" -- I've never really gotten into blush, although I think I would be up for trying it. I've heard great things about cream blush. Blush users: yay or nay?)
-Quickliner for eyes
-Eye Shadow (the quad I have was from a free gift!)
-Covergirl VolumeExact Mascara (Clinique's mascara is "too much" for me. I don't like a lot of mascara and I like Covergirl's tight bristles -- they keep away the clumps)
-High Impact Lip Colour
-Yummy Beauty Rush Lip Gloss from Victoria's Secret (who knew VS would excel at lip gloss?)
-Clinique Happy, my perfume of choice. LOVE it. Can't smell it on myself at all anymore, but other people apparently can, so I keep spraying it. :)
PM
-Use Take the Day Off makeup remover on my eye makeup
-Wash my face with Foaming Cleanser
-Apply Clarifying Lotion (it's so surprising... and gross... how dirty my makeup pads are after using this -- and after just washing my face!!)
-Sometimes I use Super Rescue Night Moisturizer, but my skin is so oily that I might quit using it; it's created to be partnered with Superdefense, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE -- see the * below)
-Use All About Eyes again (my puffy eyes need all the help they can get!)
-Touch problem areas with Clearing Moisturizer (but I use the tiniest bit of this -- it's effective, but turns my skin bright red if I use too much!)
So you can see that I love Clinique, but my allegiance does waver in a few areas. What about you? What are your can't-live-without products? Do tell! Bare Minerals products are really popular these days... I've confess; I've been tempted to stray from Clinique. Are BM products really that great??
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*Okay, I really can't say just how much I love Superdefense. I'm pretty evangelistic about it. It has an SPF, which is so necessary, and it just feels so good to put on. You see so many wrinkle-fighting products these days aimed at women who've made poor skin-care choices their entire lives and are fighting wrinkles and lines they already have. It may seem crazy to spend $40 on a moisturizer, but it's all in the name of prevention... and besides, the last jar I had lasted me 6 months! Plus, it just feels so good to put on. Did I already say that?
**I confess... I almost always put on my makeup at work. I just can't seem to find five extra minutes in the morning to do it! But for such a long list (at least it looks long to me), it really don't take me more than 5 minutes. Impressed?
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BTW, I switched to Progressive for auto insurance and State Farm for renters'. I'm saving over $500 a year! Thanks for all of your feedback! :)
12 comments:
Well, I suggest Physicians Formula Mineral Powder - super excellent - works way better than my Mary Kay products & the price is right. I'm also a huge Clinique fan, and it is my philosophy that you get what you pay for, and if I'm going to lather up my face every day with this stuff, it better be good! :) PS - I'm a SUPER HUGE fan of the AAE!
~Briana
Ok! I love Clinique! I want to tell you that about a month ago I bought a new powder blush. I had dropped the one I bought for my wedding last month so I dragged myself down to the counter and had them find me a new shade to match my summer tan. Well I wore it twice and HATED it. It just so happened that I had gotten the free gift and enclosed was a cream blush. I tried it and LOVED it right away. Seriously, just one stripe on each cheek bone and just a little rub and I love it! I am like you....I take 5 minutes...the least time the better...and this is so easy and looks great! It gives the perfect finish glow! You should definitely try it. :) I took back the powder blush and exchanged it for a tube of cream blush this last weekend. I'm hooked.
Oh one more thing....I hate Clinique mascara, I use the $4 green and pink Maybelline tube. Seriously, love that mascara. Anyway, I use the white stuff on my lashes from Clinique first before the real mascara. It works wonders on my eye lashes. This is my essential! I put it on right away and then put my under eye concealer, a little bit of powder and my eye shadow and then my mascara...and finish off with my blush. I LOVE the white tube...I can't think of the name, but it's a must for me!
I sound like a pro...I'm really not...I hardly wear anything and have no clue what I'm talking about most of the time. Sorry!
Katy... Fults???
Really? The white stuff? I have never even know what it was! Hmm... the next time it makes an appearance in a free gift I'll have to check it out. :)
Hey!
Clinique never really did it for me, though when I tried it, I was in early high school and knew nothing of a skin cleansing routine.
My face is HORRIBLE! I've been fighting a losing battle with acne since my adolescence.
HOWEVER, I tried the Tea Tree Oil line from The Body Shop and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! So far, it's working really well. I mean, I've given up on the shot at having for REAL clear skin, but this works better than most of the other things I've tried.
It lead me to try their makeup, and I REALLY like it!!!
I am super picky about what goes on my face these days, so I use their foundation/powder.
I have a bronzer and blush - both Mary Kay.
I usually go for the Almay eye enhancers for green eyes as eye shadow (let me tell ya, looks silly in the compact...purple and deep green!? But it REALLY makes my eyes pop!)
I usually use black eyeliner and a really thick, voluminous mascara, but I my eyes are the only thing I actually play up ever! I use Sally Hansen "plumping" lip gloss and walk out the door!
(The Tea Tree Oil cleanser, toner, mattifying moisturizer *also for oily skin* and spot treatment are what I use for cleansing!)
Well this was super fun at 230am!
holy crap. no wonder it takes you so long to get ready in the morning.
So I just started wearing makeup occasionally this year ... so my routine is nothing like yours! Most mornings, I wash my face in the shower with regular soap, and that's it.
Also, so funny that Wes had to read about your routine on your blog. :)
Wow, that is some routine you've got going on! I have a one step face wash routine. Ha. Have you ever tried Kiehl's Non-Detergent Foaming Washable Cleanser? It works GREAT for oily skin. But also accommodates normal skin. So, because of this, my husband and I both use it. He has oily skin; I have normal. I also use Keihl's Eye Makeup remover. I LOVE KIEHL'S!!! The eye makeup remover is extremely gentle and it only takes a small touch to get all your eye makeup off. I like Laura Mercier and Lancome for a tinted moisturizer and mascara (respectively). But I use the Bare Escentuals loose powder blush. It is a hassle at times and can get messy if you aren't careful. I still prefer it to other blushes though because of its fresh and natural look.
i really like clinique too and am also a big fan of superdefense. though i've never had great skin, pregnancy has suprisingly changed my complextion for the better! (the same thing happened to my mom too)
i love wearing makeup, though it's never really alot...some of my favorite items are estee lauder's lash primer plus with lash xl mascara, flirt eyeshadow (from kohl's), c.o. bigelow lipgloss (b&b works). i like switching up my mascara alot so i also like loreal featherlash and maybeline define-a-lash volume.
p.s. i love the frequency of your posting! keep them coming! :)
mm, love the take the day off makeup remover! try lancome's definicils mascara - it's amazing! i do use powder blush, and i switch back and forth between loose powder foundation (bare minerals)and clinique's liquid foundation. right now i have a lancome 2-color blush pack that was free. one of the colors is darker, and that goes on my cheeks. the other is much lighter, and i brush that under my eyes. they complement each other well, and it helps my under-eye circles. since i'm wearing loose powder foundation now anyway, you can't tell i have the "extra" powder on.
personally, i've never been a huge fan of a cream blush. i used it for awhile and felt like it was too stark a contrast, especially when i don't have my summer tan! with a tan, it's a different story :)
i always feel like if i'm wearing mascara, blush and maybe lip gloss (juicy tubes by lancome are good), i'm good to go!
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