Clinique All About Shadow Jammin' Duo and Intense Aubergine Quickliner

Disclaimer:  These were a gift with purchase.

In general, I've been so-so at best regarding Clinique eyeshadows.  If I had to put my finger on why these are not shadows I gravitate towards, it's because the ones I've tried (Coffee Shop duo and a GWP Plums palette) have lacked in pigmentation and seemed to require a lot of layering for color to show.  I'm happy to say my experience with the Jammin' duo ($20), a GWP when I purchased the Peach Pop blush, is better!  I'm still not inclined to purchase these on their own, but I do think this is a set that will get some future use.

While the pink shade doesn't show up well on my arm, it's a nice all over lid shade and I've used it several times, as I love pink shadows in the spring time.  The purple shade as a nice shimmer to it (enlarge photo to see better), although I find it a bit difficult to get smooth color with it, as it seemed to skip a bit on my lids.  That could be my lids, though, as they are not as firm as they used to be.

I also received Intense Aubergine ($16) in the GWP, and my conflicted feelings regarding Clinique's eyeshadow does not extend to their eyeliners.  These, I really like!  Intense Aubergine has a lovely shimmer to it which adds a bit of complexity without being flashy.  I love the color, kind of a dark chocolate purple.  These twist up pencils apply smoothly and wear strong on my oily lids, no complaints from me. Intense Aubergine is great with the Jammin' duo, very complementary colors.

Have you used Clinique's shadows or liners, and if so, what are your impressions?   

Red Carpet Ready Collection by TotalBeauty.com

Disclaimer:  I won this in a giveaway.

The last month or so was a very lucky period for me, as I won four separate beauty blog giveaways!  It was much appreciated, as my butt has been kicked by a cold and allergies, which has left me feeling blah, uninspired, and like a lump of phlegm.  Literally.  To say I needed a pick me up is an understatement.

I'll be posting on all of the great things I won, and the first up is the Red Carpet Ready Collection by TotalBeauty.com.  Hosted by Harshleen at Beauty Tidbits, the Red Carpet Ready Collection ($25) is one of several subscription boxes you can purchase from TotalBeauty.com.  A mix of full-size and deluxe samples, they usually reveal one or two items with the rest being a surprise.  I'm excited about what was included in this set, as there are several brands I've been wanting to try, as well as a new favorite I recently reviewed, the Manna Kadar Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion.

 I've admired the Sheswai Lacquer bottles since I first saw them reviewed at Vampy Varnish back in 2012.  In fact, you'll see me in the comments saying how much I like the look and feel of the brand, but that $16 was too much for me to spend on polish.  Famous last words, as not long after that I splurged on not one, but three Rescue Beauty Lounge polishes at $20 a pop :-)

Well, now I have my very own Sheswai in Winesnob, an ultra vampy bordeaux shade.  Gorgeous color that I'm chomping at the bit to wear, even if it is spring and the season of pastels.

Another brand I've seen featured in various blogs and wanted to try is Cailyn.  The distinctive packaging again caught my eye, but glowing reviews indicate more than just an interesting facade.  Big Red Apple ($19) is a red lip balm with a lip brush hidden in the top.  A quick arm swatch leads me to believe this can go from a sheer flush to full out intensity, and I'm looking forward to incorporating this into some summer looks.

 

I reviewed the Manna Kadar Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion in this very shade last week, so I won't go into much detail here other than to say I like it.  I thought this color was exclusive to the Birchbox shop (it's called Birchbox Love), so it's interesting to see it in another subscription box.  There is no name listed on the tube, but they look identical to me, and this deluxe sample is valued at $8. 

 pūr~lisse is a brand I've had limited exposure to, but I like the concept behind it:  blending traditional Chinese beauty rituals with French skincare technology.  The  pūr-delicate cleanser is a gentle soap free, non-foaming cleanser that contains a blend of soy milk, soy proteins, whole oat and white tea.  I've tried it in the morning and it left my skin feeling skin and soft, butcan't speak to it as a makeup remover.  I always remove my makeup with a cleansing oil, but this sounds perfect as a follow-up to remove any lingering residue.  This deluxe sample is valued at $12.65.  

This may be the nicest packaging of foil samples I've ever seen!  Racinne is a totally new to me brand, and the Ultimate Aqua Blanc Brightening Masque is supposed to facilitate revitalization and regeneration of the skin by correcting enlarged pores, balancing oil distribution reducing and reducing dark spots.  The sample trio is valued at $5, bringing the overall value of the Red Carpet Ready Collection to $60.65.  Really excited to have won this!

NOTD: Fragile by Illamasqua

What's more seasonally appropriate right now than a speckled robin's egg blue?  I remember when Fragile by Illamasqua came out last year about this time, and how taken with it I was.  Month's later, I stumbled across a lone, deeply discounted bottle at my local Sephora store, and home it came with me.

This is two coats with Zoya's base and topcoat.  I think I could have gone with a third coat, as there are some sheer spots on a few nails.  The polish was easy to work with and there is no problem getting plenty of the black glitter on the nail.  I am seeing a bit of tip wear on my index finger after 2 days, but no biggie.

Fragile is still available at Illamasqua and Sephora, but if you don't want to spend $17, there is a similar but less expensive version that I may like a bit better.  It's not a dupe in that it contains both matte black and white glitter and the color is slightly different, but you can play with your base color to get that robin's egg blue.

Fragile by Illamasqua

It's called Blue Marks the Spot and it's from Maybelline.  Only problem is that it's a limited edition polish, although I'm still seeing it online at Walmart for less than $3. 

Blue Marks the Spot worn over Jessica by Julep

Both are beautiful, and I'm glad I happened across Fragile and was able to add it to my collection!

 Linking up with The Nail Files hosted by Jennie Shaw!

Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster by Clarins: 3 Drops to Sun-Kissed Skin!

I believe I've found another holy grail item, and it's called Radiance Plus Golden Glow Booster.  Brand new from Clarins, it features an exclusive,  99.8% natural formula designed to give a natural looking and even tan on your face and neck.  Plus, it's easy peasy to use.

Just 3 drops, added to your day and/or night moisturizer, give the complexion a sun-kissed glow—no more pasty, winter white skin :-)  Golden Glow Booster must be used in combination with a moisturizer and never alone. Per Clarins, here are the recommended application steps:

Push on bottom of bottle to dispense 2-3 drops

STEP 1: Dispense any day/night moisturizer into the palm of your hand. STEP 2: Turn the bottle upside down. Press the base and dispense 3 drops into your moisturizer. STEP 3: Mix well with moisturizer in the palms of your hands. STEP 4: Apply evenly to your face, neck and décolleté. STEP 5: Wash hands thoroughly and immediately after application.

I've been using mine with my current day SPF moisturizer of choice, Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF30.  Another great item I'll have to post about soon.  I've had no problems such as sensitivity or breakouts after almost 3 weeks of usage.  I do notice one downside - it further darkens age spots and skin discolorations.  That's par for the course, as I notice that on my legs when I use a self tanner.  So, I've had to rely a bit more on spot concealers to deal with that pesky issue, but it's a small price to pay for a bit of color after this long, dreary winter.  

Without Radiance Plus

With Radiance Plus

The price is $30, and a bottle should last me through the summer, as you use so little.  I've been using 2-3 drops daily and there is just a slight dip in volume.  Seriously love this, go Clarins!  That's two for two of the spring release products I've tried thus far, the other having been the Joli Rouge Brilliant lipstick in Coral Tulip.

The Power of Color Collection by Elizabeth Arden

For the second year in a row, Elizabeth Arden (EA) has enticed me to buy with an Upgrade with Order offer, this time called the Power of Color.  My experience with EA's makeup in the past has been less than stellar, but I must have been in a buying mood, because I bought a LOT.  So let's take a look at the Power of Color collection.

The set is $29.50 ($134 value) with any purchase, and you receive:

• Beautiful Color Moisturizing lipsticks in Dessert Rose and Rosy Shimmer (full size):  these new long wearing lip colors (12 hours) claim to keep your lips moisturized all day long via the trademarked system Volulip. 

Desert Rose

Rosy Shimmer

• Beautiful Color Luminous Lipgloss in Sunset (deluxe mini):  Infused with mango and shea butters to condition and help lock in moisture, and Maxi-Lip™ to plump the appearance of lips. 

Desert Rose, Rosy Shimmer, Sunset

• Beautiful Color Lash Enhancing Mascara in black (deluxe mini):  a new formula that contains peptides to enhance the look of lash length, density and curl with continued use.  I haven't tried this yet, but it looks a bit dry to me.  We shall see.

• Cermide Premiere Intense Moisture and Renewal Activation Cream SPF30 (deluxe sample):  contains skin-replenishing lipids called Ceramides and high-performance retinols to help support  skin's natural collagen.  A full size jar will set you back $94, so I'm interested to see what this is all about.

• Eyeshadow and blush palette:  the shadows apply smoothly and have nice pigmentation.  I was a bit disappointed that the darker colors lost some of the vibrancy when applied - they tend to look darker on then the pan color would indicate.  The blush gives more shimmer than color, so I used it as a highlighter.

Romance, Mystic Violet, Tempting Taupe, Misty Teal, Sunset, Classic Khaki

Romantic Rose blush

• Orange tote:  love the look and color and would use as a purse, but the straps are rather thin and would probably tear within a few uses with as much as I pile in my bag.  I'll use it for storage of beauty items not currently in use.

I'm still playing with everything and forming opinions, but overall I'm pleased with the Power of Color set.  More to come later, but I wanted to get swatches up in case anyone else was contemplating purchase :-)

Mischievous Colorburst Matte Balm by Revlon

Orange lips are big this spring, and Revlon's Mischievous is a color I felt comfortable joining in on the trend with.  It's falls more in the tangerine family and has a softness to it that I like. 

Sadly, I find the formula a bit lacking.  It can look somewhat chalky on and does have a tendency to settle in my lip lines.  You'd never know by looking at my arm swatch though, as it was easy to get opaque coverage with just a few swipes. 

I like the color enough that I've been wearing it anyway!  People usually aren't within a few inches of my lips, so the imperfections are probably more obvious to me than anyone else.  I've also been topping Mischievous with the similarly colored Oh! Orange from Maybelline's Baby Lips Electro collection when I want a more glossy look. 

The Matte Balms have a minty feel when first applied, and I find them comfortable but not hydrating.  Wear time is on the shorter end for me, about 2 hours.   I've got a new lipstick on the way that I'm hoping will marry this shade of orange with a better formula, so we'll see.  In the meantime, I still find myself reaching for Mischievous quite a bit.