To start off the New Year, Topbox sent all its subscribers a Prive box which featured products from the same brand. I didn’t really have too high hopes for this box because recently Topbox has been including some random brands in their boxes that I’ve never heard of, however, the very first Prive box featured a brand you can only get in department stores and Sephora: Clinique!
When I found out it was Clinique I had mixed feeling about it. I’m glad that they chose a brand that it relatively expensive to buy, however, I have been using and buying Clinique products since I was a pre-teen, so it’s a brand that is a regular part of my skincare routine and something I buy on a regular basis.
The box included:
- Clinique Clarifying Lotion – 60 ml (full size $16/200 ml, $27/400ml)
- Clinique Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent – 60 ml ($25/125ml. Sample size $12/60ml)
- Colour Surge Eyeshadow duo in Strawberry Fudge – 1.6g (Full size $25/2.5g)
- Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector – 7 ml (Full size $57/30ml, $86/50ml. Sample size $13.30/7ml)
Three of the four products are not new to me; I have been using the Clarifying Lotion ever since I was 15, so I was happy to receive this as it’s perfect for traveling. Same goes with the makeup remover, which basically comes in every gift with purchase they offer. Ditto for the Strawberry Fudge eyeshadow duo, I probably have like 10 of these because these are the same colours they offer in most GWPs. As for the Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector, well, the sample is so tiny that there is no way you can consistently use it for the recommended amount of time they say it takes to see a difference (12 weeks).
I am quite mixed about this box. I am happy it’s Clinique, however, I wish it was a different brand (really hoped it was Benefit, which is one of their Prive boxes you can choose to receive in February). Here’s the thing, to me, this is like a GWP you would get in either spring or fall. The eyeshadows are exactly the same as any other one they offer (and I never wear them), and same with the makeup remover (which I do use). I’m happy they included the toner, however, for those that don’t use it, I think a mini of their Three-Step system would have been much better, because it’s designed to work when you use all three products together. Why include step two when you aren’t offering steps one or three?
Like I mentioned before, I’m mixed about this box. I am a long-time Clinique user, so I’ll be adding these products into my backup drawer (see:”makeup hoarder”), however, if you are new to the brand, I don’t think it’s a good selection of products from the brand to try out.
Did you receive the January 2013 Topbox Prive box? What were your thoughts?
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When it comes to foundation, there are quite a few different options to choose from. The most common are liquid or powder. I have to admit, I don’t think I have used a powder foundation since maybe first year of university, instead sticking to my tried and true liquid foundation. Instead of sounding like a foundation snob, I just love the way a good liquid foundation makes my face look. I have tried both drugstore and department store powder foundation (including Chanel), but I haven’t found one that I have fell in love with. Yet.
I got the chance to try out Make Up For Ever’s (MUFE) brand new foundation, Pro Finish, before it officially launches in February 2013. The powder is the blood, sweat, and tears of MUFE founder Dany Sanz, who after four years and more than 70 formulas, finally came up with a foundation that allows you to fully customize your finish and coverage level. In fact, it’s the first foundation to truly do this. Formulated with exclusive bio-mimetic coated pigments, the foundation is a breakthrough formula that can be used wet or dry. Apply it with a wet sponge for a sheer, semi-matte look, or apply it dry for a full coverage, matte result.
I have tried MUFE’s HD Foundation in the past and it broke me out, so I was a bit scared to try this one out as well. Luckily, I had nothing to worry about because this foundation glides on smooth and lasts for hours.
I received the colour 115, Pink Ivory, however, the line consists of an impressive 25 shades, so you can find any colour suited for your skin tone.
It comes in a round compact, with a mirror on top and then the powder, which flips up to expose a sponge to apply the product with. There are air holes in the bottom so the sponge can breathe.
I put the foundation to the test, first trying it out a few days using it dry. The above photo is me with no makeup on. As you can see, I have pretty good skin as it is, I don’t really have any blemishes, just a few bumps and colour around my eyes.
No makeup
Applied dry with a kabuki brush
When applied dry, I would start with a primer and then put apply concealer from the MUFE 5-color Camouflage Concealer palette under my eyes, on the bridge of my nose, my forehead, and my chin. I then would apply the foundation with the supplied sponge. Once I’m done applying it, I would throw it in my bag so it was handy for touch ups throughout the day.
I would check my reflection a few times throughout the day and this stuff is long wearing. The only touch ups I would have to do were under my eyes because of liner or mascara flakes, but other than that, my face stayed flawless until I got home from work.
Applied with a wet Beauty Blender
As for applying it wet, I was a bit hesitant at first because often when you apply a powder wet it leaves a hard film on top. I ended up using my Beauty Blender and found the results to be similar to when it’s applied dry. According to Make Up For Ever, when applied dry it’s supposed to be full coverage, and when applied wet, it’s supposed to be sheer. I found it gave me similar results. However, I did find my face felt tight when applied wet, whereas I didn’t get that feeling when it was applied dry (I used a primer both times before applying this).
If you are wondering if there was a film left over after a damp application, there wasn’t; it looked the same as it was when applied dry. Keep in mind that my sponge wasn’t soaking wet, I squeezed the water out it before dipping it in the product.
So would I recommend this foundation once it launches? Absolutely! This may be the first powder foundation I have really liked. I find that I am constantly throwing this in my bag, and since I’ve received it, it’s the only foundation I have used on my face. I believe the shade ranges are similar to their HD foundation, so if you know your colour in that you should be the same in Pro Finish.
Liquid foundation will always be my number one, my MUFE Pro Finish comes in at a close second. Would I purchase it once I run out? Absolutely. Truth be told, I don’t even want to be without this fab compact, I like keeping it close for touch ups whenever I need it.
Just a minor comment, I was a bit heartbroken when I found out this happened:
🙁
On the plus side, it’s nothing that a little superglue can’t fix.
Make Up For Ever Pro Finish foundation launches in February 2013 at Sephora stores and sephora.com. It retails for $40 in Canada.
Please note, I was sent this product for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
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So if you are a long-time reader of my blog, or know me personally, you would know that I have an obsession with baby pink lipsticks. Whether it’s MAC’s Saint Germain, Illamasqua’s Liv (which I sadly had to return because it broke), or any other Barbie pink there is on the market, I’m attracted to it like a fly to a light.
A couple weeks back in December I was in the States at Target and saw that Maybelline put out a new collection of bright lipsticks. I think this may be my first foray into Maybelline lipsticks, but I quickly grabbed a few colours and then dragged my mom back to the display where she grabbed two more (she has my same obsession for baby pink; what can I say, like mother, like daughter).
The collection, called Color Sensational Vivids consists of 10 shades and are all either pinks, reds, oranges, or purples. There’s everything from bright fuchsia to baby pink to vibrant orange, and more.
Telling myself that I really didn’t need another baby pink, I picked up Fuchsia Flash (865) and Shocking Coral (870). My mom picked up Pink Pop (860) and Hot Plum (900). I was tempted to buy Electric Orange (880), because I love the way Kourtney Kardashian pulls off an orange colour, but then I remembered how orange lipstick makes me look like a clown, and the fact that my skin tone isn’t nearly as close to Kourtney Kardashian’s.
Clockwise from top: Pink Pop, Fuchsia Flash, Hot Plum, and Shocking Coral.
Being my first two Maybelline lipsticks ever I was very surprised and pleased with the results. The colours go on similar to MAC’s amplified lipsticks, as in, one swipe is enough. The colours are very vibrant on, but I find they aren’t true to colour, as in the colour doesn’t look exactly as they do on the stick. Regardless, I still love every shade.
Pink Pop (860)
When I originally saw Pink Pop, I thought it was going to be like Saint Germain, a porn-star pink. It’s not quite that bright, so I would say it’s closer to Joe Fresh’s Bubblegum lipstick. If you want to try out a baby pink, but want one that isn’t too “club makeup”, then I would give this one a try.
Fuchsia Flash (865)
Fuchsia Flash is the hot pink of the bunch. I have a few similar colours, but nothing spot on. It’s more vibrant that MAC’s Quick Sizzle, but not as neon as MAC Candy Yum Yum. I believe this is the colour the model is wearing in the promo shots for the line. It definitely adds a pop to any look.
Shocking Coral (870)
Shocking Coral is my favourite shade out of the ones we bought. Maybe it’s because I don’t really have a similar colour to this one in my collection, or because it’s a shade I can pull off that has orange undertones in it, but I find myself reaching for it often.
Hot Plum (900)
Hot Plum is a magenta shade that packs a punch. I was actually surprised on how flattering this colour is when applied. It reminds me greatly of MAC’s Dish It Up from the Shop MAC collection last spring. In fact, my mom has Dish It Up and recently ran out so she picked this one up to replace it. It’s a gorgeous vivid purple shade, much prettier applied than it looks in the tube.
All the colours last quite a while when applied, however, I did have to reapply them after lunch or after a coffee, but for the most part, the colour was still there. They aren’t as long lasting as MAC’s matte lipsticks, but on the plus side they are more moisturizing and glossy than that MAC formula.
The collection officially launched in January but I did see it in some stores in December, but haven’t even spotted it at my local Wal-Mart yet. I paid $5.49 USD at Target for these, but in Canada I have seen them for $7.49 and up, depending on the store.
If you love vibrant, bright lipsticks, I highly recommend these. MAC is my fave when it comes to bright colours, but Maybelline has stepped up to the plate with this collection.
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