Clinique LE Colour in Bloom Shadow Compact Review and Swatches

The limited edition compact features a compilation of shadows from other Color Surge duos or quads, and is part of Clinique's Colour in Bloom set.  In this palette are:

• Buttermilk, Light Peach Shade from Twice the Spice Duo
• Dark Brown Shade from Like Mink Duo
• Pink Shade from Pink Chocolate Quad
• Dark Gray Shade from Plum Seduction Quad
• Dark Purple Shade from Come Heather Trio
• 2 Sponge/Definer Applicators

First off, I love the size and design.  The compact is indeed compact in size, but includes 6 shadows that are grouped in two sets of three shadows - a warm group and a cool group.  The warm group consists of neutral tones in bone, beige, and brownish bronze.  The bone color is the only matte in the group.

The cool group features pink, a grayed out lilac, and purple.  The individual names are not included on the palette, although the duo or quad they came from is.  The shades are numbered and there is a peel off diagram on the mirror showing where to place each color, in case you need help in knowing what shade to put where.  The shadows are small, but that is fine with me as I rarely hit pan on any one shadow.  I'm a fan of variety over size, but that's just me. 

As for the design, I love that you can flip the compact over and it's transparent, so that you can see each shadow. 

On the not so great side, these are not very pigmented and it takes a bit of work to get good color payoff.  I found myself actually using the sponge applicators that came with the palette, as a brush was not efficient in building color.  The cooler group did better in this area, but the neutral group was a bit lacking, especially the beige/peach shade. Perhaps it's because the beige shade is so close to my skin tone that it does not show up, but overall, the shadows were just not that impressive formula wise.  I'm wondering if these are indeed the original Color Surge formula, as I have a Color Surge duo from the gift with purchase and the quality of those seems better.   Some of these shadows seemed coarse or gritty.  I did try some wet swatching to see if I could get better color payoff.  The first row below are the wet swatches, and the lower row are the dry swatches.

Having said that, I do like the shades included in this palette.  The colors look good on and make for a nice everyday (work appropriate) look.  You are not going to get high impact here, but sometimes that's okay.  Wear time was a good 8 hours with no creasing when worn over a primer, which is a must for my oily lids.  While I tend to gravitate more towards warm, neutral colors, the cooler side of the palette is just as wearable for my skin tone.

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in Shy: Review, Swatches, & Comparisons

Blushwear Cream Stick in Shy

I recently purchased Clinique's Colour in Bloom set, which included the Blushwear cream stick Shy.  I'm a fan of cream and gel blushes in these handy little mini tubes, so was excited to be able to try out Clinique's version.

Shy is a not a very exciting color in the tube - it's a warm mauve with an unobtrusive silver and gold micro shimmer.  On my skin it translates to a natural looking warm toned blush what works quite well with a neutral eye look.

Shy (sun)

Here's my problem  - there is something about this kind of formula that settles into the pores of my skin.  When I smile, it looks like I've got blackheads.  I've experienced this with certain other stick blushes and I do attribute it to the formula.  This is not a gel blush like the Tarte stick blushes, but a cream to powder finish blush.  I don't experience the pore settling phenomena with the gel stick blushes.

Shy (shade)

On the plus side, this cream to powder finish  is not sticky or shiny at all, is so easy to work with, and can be built up in intensity.  On the negative side, the pigment settles into my pores.  It's probably not noticeable unless someone was staring at me nose to nose, but I know it, and it bothers me.  Blending well does help, but I found myself blending to the point that I was disturbing my foundation.  Sigh.

The pore settling experience with Shy reminded me that I had this problem with Laura Geller's Spiced Mauve and N.Y.C.'s Mauvin' Uptown.  They are also very similar in color, so I pulled them out to compare.  I was also a bit surprised to realize that I had 3, count them, 3 stick blushes that can be described as mauve or even has that as their name!  Mauve has almost become a dirty word and is associated with matronly (translate old) and/or atrocious 1980's decorating color schemes, although it may be making a comeback.  So let's describe it as "dirty pink", which is also used for mauve. 

Shy, Spiced Mauve, Mauvin' Uptown

Spiced Mauve has a more obvious golden shimmer, but Mauvin' Uptown is very similar to Shy in tone and shimmer level.  Shy is just a tensy bit lighter and warmer in tone in the tube.  Another mauve factoid:  it has an underlying gray base, which I would say is more true in Mauvin' Uptown in the tube. On my skin, they all look quite warm toned and I'm not even sure that I would use "mauve" to describe them.  N.Y.C's Mauvin' Uptown is the least expensive at $3.99, whereas Shy retails for $21 and Spiced Mauve for $26.  Ummmm....quite a discrepancy in price, given I cannot really tell a difference in how they feel or wear. Unfortunately, I just read on another blog that the N.Y.C. blushes have been discontinued, but you may be able to find them at Dollar Tree stores for yep, a dollar.  That probably explains why Mauvin' Uptown was 75% off at Rite Aid when I got mine. 

Shy, Spiced Mauve, Mauvin' Uptown (sun)

Here I am wearing Shy, about to leave to eat some barbeque on Memorial Day.

Disclaimer:  I purchased all of the products mentioned.

Clinique Colour in Bloom Set Preview

I used Clinique products when I was a teen, but for some reason in later years I got away from them as well as most department store brands.  I did always enjoy their gift with purchase events, however, so during the most recent one I decided to stick my toe back in and hauled quite a few products, including the Colour in Bloom spring set. 

This six piece set has a limited edition Color Surge eyeshadow palette, High Impact Mascara in black, Long Lasting Glosswear SPF 15 in stellar plum, Take the Day Off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips, Blushwear Cream Stick in shy blush, and a colorful and roomy floral makeup bag that I will actually use. 

Colour in Bloom set

Just as an aside, my bedroom growing up was the pinks and greens you see on the box and makeup bag.  My dad, who was a talented artist, painted my bed chartreuse green with pink morning glories climbing over the head and base boards.  My mother made a patchwork quilt to match.  It was bright, bold, and I've still got a soft spot for that color combination.

But back to Clinique.  I've used the makeup remover before and am glad to get some more, as I find it does work well.  That's also the kind of item that I typically like to get in sets as I'm loathe to purchase them on their own, for some reason.  All the other products are new to me, so expect some upcoming reviews once I get a feel for how they perform!