I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the imbued deeper meaning behind selecting and wearing particular products, taking pause to dwell on the conscious and unconscious sentiments triggered by a certain piece of clothing or even the scent of a familiar fragrance resurfacing in my life. With that in mind, I wanted to explore a “pair it with this” category, in which I featured anything from a fragrance, lipstick, or accessory coupled with the rest of the puzzle – what you would pair with!
Fragrances can invoke a certain mood, personality, time of year, and occasion, so i thought it would be a great way to kick off the segment by connecting the new Clinique Calyx fragrance (priced from$54-$69) with a look that would go in tandem with the fruity floral fragrance. This unique, distinct scent is an effervescent bloom of lightness and a touch of sensuality, thanks to the notes of citrus (mango, grapefruit, mandarin, guava), floral (freesia, rose, jasmine, neroli), and greens(sandalwood, vetiver, oakmoss).
Originally released in 1986 and now brought back into the fold by Clinique, it embodies both classic and modern sensibilities, with a brisk, clean finish. Thinking about this, I envisioned a structured look that didn’t take itself too seriously, hence, I opted to wear/pair the scent with apparel and accessories that do the same thing; classic silhouettes with modern updates, not revealed in the cuts but sexy in its high style quotient. Continue reading…
They say that your face is your canvas, and as any good painter knows, before you ever even begin to paint, first you must prime. Clinique’s newest collection of lightweight, oil-free Superprimers helps create a smooth, even surface on your skin, creating the perfect base for your foundation to glide over. The six-piece collection contains different formulas in each that are designated to combat common skin ailments such as redness, dullness, sallowness and discoloration to help you achieve flawless looking skin. Even if you don’t suffer from one of these skin concerns, the universally colored Superprimer will create a translucent base that is the perfect first step to your makeup routine.
Simply smooth one of these primers over your entire face (or you can apply just where needed) with your fingertips or a makeup sponge, then apply your foundation as you normally would. This small step will make a big difference when it comes to ensuring longevity, and that your foundation goes on evenly and stays closest to the color it appears on the bottle. So before you reach for your foundation, try a Clinique Superprimer, because in the journey of good skin, every little step helps. Clinique Superprimer retails at $27 and is available at Cinique.com and Clinique counters nationwide.
What makes Clinique‘s latest eye product, the Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream, so unique? For starters, it mimics the wrinkle-reducing quotient of a dermatological laser treatment. It’s safe and effective to use around the entire eye area (smile lines – beware!), and in a test, after 12 weeks, smile lines were reduced by 54% — heck, I’ll take that! The product infuses Clinique’s patented technology with natural elements such as proteins, plant extracts, and Vitamins C and E to fight the current signs of around-the-eye aging, as well as prevent future ones from occurring. It properly moisturizes this delicate area, even on parts you’ve been afraid to mess with, such as the eyelids.
You can never get enough of small, gifty items for the holidays (and you know, keep a few for yourself too). We’ve assembled some great picks that we’re sure will work out splendidly for the gift recipient, with a million thank-yous headed your way for being such a darn good gift-giver!Avon Makeup Palettes
Packaged in a gorgeous holiday enclosure, Avon has some fantastic palette options that are available in lip glosses, eye shadows, or a combo of the both. Our favorite is the is ‘warm’ hued Avon Pocket Mini Palette $8.99, with rich and vibrant shades perfect for the everyday, along with the holiday party nights.
Sally Hansen Gel Nails At-Home Gel Manicure System
A manicure that lasts, and lasts, and lasts is every gal’s dream come true. Do it from the comfort of home, with Sally Hansen’s new kits. Choose from the Insta Gel Strips Starter Kit ($27.99) or the Pro Gel Kit ($64.99), which come with an LED Light to dry and the tools needed to get a perfect mani every single time. Check out the video above for application and removal tips and trick, and get ready to create a great manicure that will certainly save a ton of time and money.
Phyto Hair Care
I love when I get something as a stocking stuffer that I actually really need, and toiletries is always one the list. Phyto makes amazing botanical, natural hair care products for men, women, and children, and have designed incredibly artful shampoo bottles, featuring the brand’s signature leaf motif. These are absolutely stunning to look at, and work extra hard to aid in whatever hair need or concern one may have. I’m addicted to the phytopanama+ shampoo (pictured), and there are plenty of other options such as shampoos for volume, greys, color-treated hair, dandruff, dryness, and more.
Clinique Gift Sets for Men and Women
Who doesn’t love Clinique? It’s such a GREAT brand, and with Gift Sets for holiday 2012 starting at $29.50, everyone can indulge in a handful of great products.Lashes Top to Bottom, $29.50, includes five fabulous mini mascaras (pictured), while the Whole Lotta Colour, $34.50 provides five mini Chubby Sticks — one of the most popular items in beauty as of late. Shop the Great Skin for Him or Happy for Him sets for men, or make your own holiday and ornament boxes (priced from $30 to $100+) filled with skin care and makeup items of your choosing.
LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
Lush sure knows how to do holiday beauty right; infusing fun and holiday-specific aromas, who wouldn’t want a holiday-specific bath bomb or soap? Favorites include the North Pole Soap, a dual, yummy mix of cocoa absolute and peppermint in the pink color with cedarwood and cypress in the white ($6.95 for the 3.5 oz cut of soap). Also of note is Mr Punch Soap, which literally looks like a fruity punch bowl with notes of juniper berry oil, blackcurrant absolute, lime oil and actually a bit of gin! Last, we can’t forget the So White Bath Bomb, which resembles a snowball but once it begins to melt, shows its apple-scented pink core.
