Everyone knows that a perk of shopping for beauty products during the holidays are amazing deal sets you can find from every brand.

But one of may favorite reasons for shopping makeup and skincare during the holidays are the great purchase with purchase deals.  One for me, one for you.. because I love gifting myself while I search for the perfect thing for you.  ;)

Right now Clinique is offering an amazing deal; get this amazing A Season’s Worth of Pretty palette for $32.50 US with any Clinique purchase.

The holiday palette includes great basics you need for a fresh and neutral look:

Color Surge Eye Shadows:
- Link Mink Duo
- Dark Blue from Polar Blue Quad
- Deeper Pink Shade from Pink Chocolate Quad
- Dark Brown Shade from Coffee Shop Duo
- Purple Shade from Plum Potion Duo

Blushing Blush Powder Blusher:
- Pink Love
- Precious Posy
- Sunset Glow

Butter Shine Lipstick:
- Crushed Grape
- Parisian Red
- Pink Goddess
- Ambrosia
- Adore U

I think I’m going to gift this to my mom, and pick up a new supply of moisturizer for me.  I’m currently a fan of Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift Firming Cream ($56 US).  This is marketed for more mature skin but I like anything that’s meant for lifting and firming; gotta start early!

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

Long time Clinique fans probably owned a lipstick in the brand’s iconic Black Honey shade at one time or another.  The cult favorite color has had such longevity (since 1971!) that Clinique is launching an entire color collection dedicated to it – The New Black.

All five products in the collection are offered in the same shade name, Black Honey.

Lip colors are the easiest way to change up a beauty look, so I was naturally drawn to Clinique Lipgloss/Lipstick Duo ($20 US) from the new collection.

It’s a double-sided lippie with a sheer gloss on one side and a sheer tint in a solid formula on the other side.

I haven’t had a Black Honey lippie in a while and so when I swatched it on the back of my hand, I wasn’t expecting the raisin color that was staring back at me.

It’s definitely more muted than what I am normally drawn to.  But with the summer season almost behind us, I think it could be a great look for the fall season ahead.  I just need to figure out what eye makeup combo would make it pop and really complement it.

While I try to figure that out, I should mention that I really love the texture of the solid side of the lip duo.  It’s moisturizing like a balm and the gloss side isn’t ultra shiny, but that suits me just fine.  :)

The New Black collection also features a Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad, Gradient Powder Blusher, a Brush-On Cream Liner, and High Impact Mascara and is available now online and at a Clinique counter near you.

What has been your favorite Black Honey product over the last three decades?  Share with us your must-haves right in the comments!

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This review contains sample products sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

I’ve always been just a little bit skeptical of cream shadows.  Let’s face it, if your eyes are prone to product creasing in your lids, why would you even want to try?

When I first set my hands on Clinique Lid Smoothie 8-Hour Wear Shadows ($19.50 US each), I mused over the beautiful colors, but wasn’t quite sold on 8-hour wear.  That is, until I tried them myself.

Now, I should preface that not all shades in this new collection are created equal.

I have five of the 12 available – from left to right:

• Bit O’Honey – a pale beige
• Cute-cumber – light mossy green
• Pink Biloba - peachy pink
• Born Freesia – frosty lilac
• Current Affair – deep mauve

Some of the shades are really smooth (like Bit O’Honey) and glide onto my lids nicely.  The formula also allows for easy smudging and blending with my fingers.  Other colors (like Current Affair) don’t cooperate as much; the texture is a little bit drier and therefore doesn’t result in a totally even coverage.

The applicator on these Lid Smoothies are standard, although I don’t apply this cream shadow directly onto my lids.  I squeeze out just a little onto my hand and use my fingers to smudge and smooth the color on.  Or, you can use a cream eyeshadow brush for a less archaic approach to application

This may or may not be the reason why I can’t get an even coverage on some of the colors – but you be the judge of that.

As you would expect from Clinique, the shades a first appear to be deeply pigmented but when you smooth out the formulas, what you’ll find are muted but wearable colors.  The cool color payoff is perfect for summer season where you want your makeup to be light and airy.

All in all, I commend Clinique for this long-wearing formula.  I find that you probably don’t need an eyeshadow primer for them for a standard work day.  But out of sheer habit, I always apply mine before I put on any kind of eye makeup.  It gives me a peace of mind.. and it’ll take you from day to night on those Friday evenings where you might not make it home to touch up your face.

Have you tried Clinique’s Lid Smoothies yet?  What’s your take on them? If you haven’t given these a test-drive yet, they are available online and at your nearest Clinique counter now!

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This review contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR.   We do not do paid or guarantee reviews. For more information, please read our Editorial & Content Disclosure.

I love that I can find more and more beauty apps for my iPhone, and I particularly like this new one from Clinique!

It’s tailored to my location (sunny southern California!) so I can get weather info, and UV and pollution indexes and humidity on top of that.  Based on all of these factors, the app will give you skin tips and product recommendations.  I love this because it keeps in line with the brand’s philosophy of customized skincare for any type.

There’s also a store locator function (not that I need this – I know exactly where my nearest Clinique counter is) that gives me news on events that are happening near me so I always stay in the know.

Have you checked out this new app yet?  Download it today, just in time for summer skin tips for your iPhone and iPad!

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Something my mother taught me amongst many other things: never wear heavy foundations in the dog days of summer. It’s like a recipe for complexion disaster. But what’s a girl to do when she wants a polished, even skin tone?

Tinted moisturizers will save the day! At times like these your pores will be thanking you for choosing more hydrating, light coverage with SPF. Besides, who has time to think about face makeup when there’s so many fun products to play with like shimmery bronzers and coral nail polishes?

My pick for the season is definitely the Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer ($24.50 US). The reasons I like it the most is that it’s affordable, feels invisible on the skin, and works without breaking me out in 80 degrees weather.

SPF also plays a good role in why this Tinted Moisturizers stands out. I know I’ll be pulling out the higher SPFs this Summer which is why it’s reassuring to know that even my makeup has a mild dose of sun protection.

The shade I bought was 03 which I’d describe as a warm creamy beige. It works for my skin tone now, but I’m thinking about picking up 04 to mix with 03 as I start getting darker. With six shades available, you should be able to find a good match too.

In my swatch I photographed 03 unblended on the left and mostly blended on the right. Though the Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer is on the sheerer side, the great thing about tinted moisturizers is the ability to layer for custom coverage.

In the photo I’m wearing the Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer, concealer, and powder. While it does even out my skin tone perfectly, I still need some concealer to cover blemishes and powder to mattify and set the product.

Nonetheless I use way less concealer and powder after applying this Tinted Moisturizer so for me it’s going to be a summer makeup bag essential. Overall I really like the glowy, even look I’m able to achieve with this and the comfortable 8 hours wear.

What are you looking forward to most about Summer? Do you wear face makeup then?

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