Clinique Chubby Sticks Intense in Mightiest Maraschino and Heftiest Hibiscus

Clinique are releasing a new intense lip colour formula in their popular Chubby Sticks format. There are eight new colours, including lots of seasonally appropriate rich berries and reds. I have already shared a lip swatch of Heftiest Hibiscus (04) which you can see here. I also have the colour Mightiest Maraschino (03), which I have to admit is my personal favourite of the two.

The Chubby Sticks Intense formula provide richly pigmented, opaque colour with a glossy finish. They still feel as comfortable and moisturising to wear as the other sheer Chubby Sticks that I have tried. Wear time is pretty good and the balm feeling lasts a long time on my lips. The colour does transfer easily and I label quite a few mugs as 'mine' whilst wearing Mightiest Maraschino!

Heftiest Hibiscus is a vibrant orange red which I suppose some would describe as coral but I think it would need a hint of pink to be a true coral. On my lips it's quite bright and summery. Mightiest Maraschino is a beautiful cherry red and I can get away with minimal makeup when I wear this as it's such a face brightening shade. I haven't had opportunity to do any comparison swatches but do let me know if you would find it useful. I have a feeling that I have some other lip colours which are similar to Mightiest Maraschino.

Heftiest Hibiscus

Mightiest Maraschino

The Chubby Stick Intense Lip Colours will be available from selected Clinique counters from mid November and will cost £16 each. You can find links to swatches of the other shades below.

Curviest Caramel - Really Ree
Chunkiest Chili - Lipglossiping and Dutchess Roz
Plushest Punch - London MakeUp Girl and Dutchess Roz
Roomiest Rose - Beauty Geek UK and The Sunday Girl
Broadest Berry - Really Ree
Grandest Grape - British Beauty Blogger

Disclosure: PR Samples

Estee Lauder Thinks Pink...with a Splash of Blue

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and this year sees the 20th anniversary of the campaign. It's hard to believe the pink ribbon has been around for 20 years, although the current design now incorporates a touch of blue to represent the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed in men.

As with previous years, there are several limited edition items being released by the Estee Lauder companies, with varying amounts of the sale proceeds being donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The aim of the BCRF, founded by Evelyn Lauder, is the prevention and cure of breast cancer through research funding, as well as raising public awareness about good breast health.

The Dream Collection is a tribute to Evelyn Lauder's personal dream of eradicating breast cancer and includes the Dream Compact filled with Lucidity Pressed Powder (£55) and Dream Pin (£10). The full RRP will be donated for every Dream Compact and Pin sold in the UK.

The Dream Lip Collection (£25) includes a Pure Colour Lipstick in Candy and Lip Gloss in Pink Innocence inside a pink snakeskin clutch, a £5 donation will be made for every sale. A £10 donation will be made for every purchase of the limited edition Perfectionist CP+R serum with Pink Ribbon Keychain (£68).

Throughout October, Jo Malone will be supporting the campaign by donating £5 to the BCRF's UK research grants for every UK sale of the Red Roses Cologne 100ml (£76). Clinique have also released a special edition Chubby Stick in 'Plumped Up Pink' with matching pink cosmetic bag (£16) and £2 will be donated for every set sold from Clinique counters in Boots, Selfridges and Thomas Brown.

You can find out more about the 2012 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign on the BCA Facebook Page.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

Clinique Even Better Eyes has been a bit of a life saver for me recently. This peachy cream instantly gives the effect of brightening my dark circles and the unusual applicator nozzle is so cooling and soothing, it's very relaxing to apply. Given that my sleep is always disturbed and school problems have had me holding back the tears, you can see why something like this is a bit of a God send!

I'm not sure it has any lasting effects on the darkness under my eyes, I suspect that a lot more sleep and a better diet are the only way I'm going to make a serious difference. It is silicone based so I know it won't suit everybody. However, the soothing and instant brightening are quite sufficient for me to give it a big Mummy thumbs up.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector costs £28 for 10ml.

Disclosure: press sample

Smoky Green FOTD

Yes, it's another green eye look. I had to look at last weeks FOTD to check that I hadn't accidentally recreated the same look with different eyeshadows. It is similar but fortunately not identical. You will probably spot several favourite products that used in both looks, such as the Perricone concealer, Shu brow pencil and the Kevyn Aucoin eye pencil.

The new item I used here is the Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Pink Tourmaline Mosaic*. This was a limited edition item released with the Summer Jewels collection, but unfortunately I can't it anywhere online to provide a link. It is possible you can still find it in Selfridges. I used the Shimmer Bloc as a highlighter on the tops of my cheeks and didn't apply any blush as my natural colour seemed to provide enough flush. I really liked how this looked in the mirror but it was interesting to see how it photographed. In the photos it definitely looked like I needed more colour on my cheeks and the highlighter seemed to accentuate my crinkles. Maybe this accounts for my moody face below!!

Here's a complete breakdown of the items I used:

Face
Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer*
W3LL People Narcissist Foundation and Concealer Stick (01) blended on cheeks, around nose and chin
Laura Mercier Pink Tourmaline Mosaic Shimmer Bloc* applied with Hakuhodo medium pointed Yachiyo
Shu Uemura brow pencil

Lips
Lancome Rouge in Love in Rose Boudoir* blotted on as a stain. I still don't think this is a great colour for me but I fancied experimenting with application techniques.

Eyes
Too Face Shadow Insurance - not pictured
MAC Brule all over the lid
Edward Bess eyeshadow in Dusk applied from lash to crease
MAC Club eyeshadow on the outer corner
MAC Vex pressed onto the centre of the lid
(Brule, Club and Vex all feature in my favourite MAC eyeshadow post)
Kevyn Aucoin Eye Pencil in Basic Black* on the outer corner and on the upper waterline
Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume mascara*
I used a MAC 239 brush to apply the colours and the 224 to blend.

I was really happy with the eyes but I'm not sure that the lipstick worked to compliment the look. I'd probably go for a more peachy colour next time. What makeup have you been wearing this weekend? Do you ever find that your makeup looks different in person to how it photographs?

* PR Sample

FOTD with Shiseido Patina and LMdB Come One, Come All

We practiced quite a lot of product layering to create different textures on the BECCA course and I was inspired to give this a go on the eyes using Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Colour in Patina as a base. Patina applies as quite a yellow based green on my eyes and I wanted to temper the yellow a bit, so I applied the silvery grey-green from the Come One, Come All Kaleidoscope. I put some of the peach just above the crease but in retrospect, I probably should have given this a miss!

I'm trying to get into the habit of curling my lashes. I still need to improve my technique some more as I frequently end up with a right angle rather than a curl and more bend in the centre of the eye, rather than the outer corner where I really need it. I find curling them before using the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume mascara* does make them look more dramatic and I get better separation if I use the bristles at the tip of the wand.

Here are the products that I used for this look...

Face
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Finland
Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer*
BECCA Shimmering Powder in Nefertiti
MAC Cubic Blusher
Shu Uemura brow pencil H9 Seal Brown

Lips
Lancome Rouge in Love lipstick in Rose Thé*

Eyes
Shiseido Patina applied with finger tips just passed the crease
Kevyn Aucoin Basic Black liner along the lashline*
The taupey grey colour from the LMdB Come One, Come All Kaleidoscope applied over Patina and the black liner
The peach shade from Come One, Come All applied above the crease
Kevyn Aucoin Lash Curlers*
Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume mascara*

* Denotes PR Samples

Chubby Love!

I seem to be living in the perpetual house of plague at the moment. Instead of one child with a temperature, I now have two and I appear to have had a second dose of it myself. I'm not in the mood for wearing makeup particularly and I've swapped cosmetics browsing for fantasy homeware shopping (if you're unlucky I'll share some of my curtain lusts with you!).

I think it's hard to feel motivated to put makeup on when you've hardly had any sleep and feel rough but if forced, which I was yesterday, I tend to choose products that are easy to apply and make a difference with minimal effort on my part. That's when chunky pencils like Clinique Chubby Sticks and Sephora Jumbo liners are particularly handy.

The three Chubby Sticks I have here are from the original line up: Whole Lotta Honey is a sheer honeyed brown, Woppin' Watermelon is a cool pink and Super Strawberry is a sheer rosy/berry shade. I have already shown my favourite of the three applied, Super Strawberry, in a recent face of the day post. Lola wondered whether this colour might be similar to Ilia Arabian Knights so I have included comparison swatches. Both are balmy and comfortable to wear but I think Arabian Knights is a little more pigmented that Super Strawberry.

L-R: Woppin' Watermelon, Super Strawberry and Whole Lotta Honey.

L-R: Ilia Arabian Knights, Woppin' Watermelon, Super Strawberry and Whole Lotta Honey.

Super Strawberry

I've only worn the colours individually so far, although you can experiment with layering to create different shades. I ought to do this with Woppin' Watermelon as I find this colour a little tricky to wear. I imagine it would be nice mixed with either Whole Lotta Honey or Heaping Hazelnut. I had quite a lot of fun experimenting with colours using the virtual mix & match application on the Clinique website.

I think the Chubby Sticks are really easy to wear and a good option for those that aren't comfortable with lipstick but want an alternative to gloss. In fact, a friend of mine has relieved me of Whole Lotta Honey for exactly that reason. It's good to share the Chubby Love!

Chubby Sticks cost £16 each and are available from Clinique counters, as well as online from clinique.co.uk. If you're feeling in the mood to shop today, you can get free delivery with the offer code PAYDAY.

Disclosure: PR Samples. 

My Weekend Makeup Bag

Despite my best intentions to keep things minimal, I have managed to completely fill my makeup bag just for a night away. I know I probably should have planned what makeup I wanted to wear in advance and packed accordingly, but I suck at being that organised. Anyway, I thought I'd share with you which items made the cut. I have included links to previous reviews where possible.

Basic Face Products
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in Finland
Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Fresh Powder Makeup in 020
BECCA Creamy Concealer in Praline*
Shu Brow Pencil H9 Seal Brown
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Tweezers and Pencil Sharpener

Eyeshadows and Liners
Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyeshadows in (left to right) Umber Firefinch, Bohemian Waxwing and Olive Violeteare
Lancome Erika F eyeshadow*
Sephora Jumbo Liner in Taupe
MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Mystery
MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy
Ben Nye Eye Liner Pencil in Espresso EP-85
Kevyn Aucoin Liner in Basic Black*

I really wanted to take my LMdB Come One, Come All kaleidoscope but I'm too precious about my kaleidoscopes to travel with them. I wish I wasn't such a nervous ninny!

Cheek Products and Mascara
NARS Laguna Bronzer
No.7 Lash Adapt Mascara*
Laura Mercier Blusher in Petal Pink
By Terry Blusher, this was passed on from a friend and I'm afraid I don't know the shade.
Rouge Bunny Rouge Sea of Tranquility highlighter

Lipsticks and Nail Polishes
Orly Decoded* from the new Electronica collection
Illamasqua Bacterium
BECCA 2 in 1 top/base coat
Clinique Chubby Stick in Whole Lotta Honey*
Hourglass lipstick in Fresco
Rouge Bunny Rouge sheer lipstick in Murmurings

Brushes
Rouge Bunny Rouge Face Contour Brush* which I use for both blusher and bronzer
Illamasqua Blusher Brush #1, I'm hoping I will be able to use this with the Diorskin powder foundation
Adesign Flat Topped Foundation Brush*
Le Metier de Beaute Concealer Brush*
MAC 224, 219 and 239 brushes
Sigma E25 blending brush
Hakuhodo Kokutan ML Eye Brush
Ruby + Millie Angled Liner

Orly Decoded

I'd like to claim that it's unusal for me to walk around with one random nail painted but that would be a lie! I've had Orly Decoded on for my little finger for couple of days and it's lasted surprisingly well. I still can't make up my mind whether to wear this or Illamasqua Bacterium on Sunday which is the reason that both are travelling with me.

I don't tend to do clothes posts. I'm not the least bit fashionable (you'll be able to tell from the pictures below) but this is the outfit I'm planning to wear to the baptism. It's a black jersey faux wrap around dress and the cardigan is one I purchased the other day in the Lazy Lu sale. I intend to wear it with black tights, black boots and some chunky gold jewellery. I can't decide on which scarf to wear, as much as I love the one in the first picture, I fear that I'd be entering Bett Lynch territory combined with my zebra print bag! I may have a quick look for an alternative tomorrow if time permits.

My 'Bett Lynch' bag!

Right, it's time for me to rinse this hair dye off and find out exactly what 'blends in grey' really means!

Disclosure: PR samples are indicated with an asterisk.

A Lazy M(B)um FOTD

Despite owning all the lovely brushes I showed you the other day, I must confess that quite often I will put on a full face without once reaching for a brush. Yesterday was one of those days. It's the school holidays and I spent the day pottering around at home with the children. As I failed to put my makeup on until late morning, I thought simple (you can read lazy) was the way to go.

I skipped foundation and instead opted for a layer of Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Complex*. I've been trying this for a little while now and I'm still a little undecided about it. It makes a nice base to apply makeup and does seem to have a softening effect but I find I end up with a shiny T-zone whenever I use it. My skin is normal to combination and it doesn't seem to take much to throw it off balance. I suspect that if you found Nanoblur too drying, you would probably get on well with this.

I used the Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer* on my undereye area and to cover the redness around my nose and chin. I still need to review this properly. Overall it gets a thumbs up from me but I suspect the tint may restrict the range of colourings that it is suitable for. I keep threatening to test it on Mr MB!

On my eyes, I used another very neglected item from my stash. I can't remember the last time I used Chanel Ombre D'Eau in Splash and it needed a really good shake to get the pigment back into suspension. It was well worth it though. I applied the colour directly onto my lid using the doe-foot applicator, let it dry a little and then blended along the crease using my index finger. It had creased a little by the end of the day, but I'm impressed that it held up so well considering I put it through a 25 minute run in the drizzle.

Here's a complete breakdown of my lazy face.

Face
Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Complex*
Perricone MD No Concealer Concealer*
Edward Bess Compact Rouge in After Sunset
Shu Uemura Brow Pencil H9 Seal Brown

Eyes
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Chanel Ombre D'Eau in Splash
No.7 Lash Adapt mascara*

Lips
Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry*

Disclosure: PR samples are indicated with an asterisk. As ever, none of the links are paid for and are provided for information only.

Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Colour Balms

Clinique are releasing 8 new shades of the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms to their existing line up next month. The shade I have here is Heaping Hazelnut which is a nice sheer, beige nude.

As you would probably expect from a something called a Lip Colour Balm, the finish is glossy and it feels really comfortable and moisturising on the lips. The moistuising ingredients in the sticks are Shea Butter, Mango Seed Butter and Jojoba Seed Oil.

The coverage isn't completely sheer and it does apply as a colour rather than a transparent gloss. For me the sheer finish makes this nude really wearable: very opaque or milky beige nudes aren't something I like to wear, so I like that some of my lip colour is still visible. I rather like the chunky pencil packaging, though of course there are others in my household with designs on it too!

The other colours that will be released next month are Bountiful Blush, Two Ton Tomato, Oversized Orange, Curvy Candy, Mighty Mimosa, Pudgy Peony and Voluptuous Violet. So, plenty of alliteration if you like that sort of thing. I'm looking forward to seeing Mighty Mimosa and Pudgy Peony in person and can see myself picking up at least one of them.

The Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms cost £16 each and the new colours will be available from 1st June.


Disclosure: PR Sample

Kiss it Better with Clinique and Great Ormond Street Hospital

I had promised myself I wouldn't blog today but as predicted, I've got that twitchy feeling. So, I thought I would share a little something that might be of interest if you're in the mood to treat yourself this weekend. This is a little treat that will do a little good too.

This Kissable Lip Set from Clinique costs £25 and is available from House of Fraser. For every sale, 50% of the RRP will be donated to the KISS IT BETTER appeal. The KISS IT BETTER appeal is a partnership between Clinique and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity to raise money to fund research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancer. As well as money raised through sales of the Kissable Lip Set, a £2 donation will also be made for every lipstick and lipgloss sold in House of Fraser stores throughout February. That sounds like a pretty good reason for a lippie splurge to me!

If you're interested in reading more about the appeal, please visit www.gosh.org/kissitbetter.