Brand Favorites: Clinique + Feb Sweepstakes

The first time I laid eyes on a Clinique product was when I was four. I always snuck out mama's Clinique lippies from her purse since they looked glossier than my good old crayons on paper.

I now realize how badly I behaved. I should be putting on Crayola on my lips as penance since Clinique products aren't priced low here in the Philippines. The relatively steep price points (U.S prices are waaaay cheaper) are a bit prohibitive but since this is such a good brand, I still make sure that I spend on a couple of their products that made it on my Brand Favorites list:

1. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Relief

This has a gel-like consistency and does an amazing job in moisturizing my face. This tub is simply something that'll make you feel good about your skin while slathering it on. I hope I do not break out with this in the future.

If they only had it in a better packaging (bottle w/pump), I wouldn't have to worry about losing my spatula and keeping it bacteria-free.

2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer

I stopped using this last year because it started breaking me out. I remember how I used to put the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel on a pedestal (for a good 9-10months) before the big zit fiasco. In fairness to the product, I really fell in love with its texture, finish, scent, pumped bottle and how effective it was in allowing me to wake up with softer and more supple skin the next day.

Also, I noticed that this is more easily absorbed by the skin compared to the Moisture Surge Extended Relief. This is something I will not be using for the meantime but will never stop others from getting their hands on this excellent moisturizer.

3. Clinique Superfit Foundation

This tops my list of the best liquid foundies I've ever used!

While it may not completely hide my deepest acne scars, I love the fact that it had the most blendable consistency and was able to even out my skin tone so naturally while gliding like a dream on my face.

This is the first foundation that allowed me to experience how the skin can actually breathe even with a foundation on top of it. I never got zits from this product.

I wore Neutral 07. The sad thing about this foundie is that it oxidizes on my acidic skin and I'm having a hard time getting a perfect shade match (my sister loves Neutral). I bought Cream Beige to replace Neutral but I still think that there's a better shade out there for me... I just need a PATIENT beauty attendant to really help me out and not act like the first shade she puts on me is THE ONE.

4. Clinique Clarifying Lotion

I've tried a couple of toners before (Dickinson'w Witch Hazel, Celeteque, L'oreal Pure Zone's, etc) and nothing has ever stepped up to how the Clinique Clarifying Lotion primps and prettifies my skin. It is part of the 3-step skincare I purchased but I have to say that this product is among those that can stand on its own despite being tagged as a part of a certain group.

I've already switched from Clinique toner 3 to 2 and I can say that both variants are working well for me. I can never deny the fact that my makeup never fails to looks prettier and fresh with this toner underneath it (versus a blah and boring and flaky look without toning the skin first).

5. The Clinique Turnaround Tandem

If I could splurge, I will never miss on replenishing my stocks on Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer and the Turnaround Instant Facial Masque. Since these two are really priced sky-high at Clinique counters, I still wait for my expenses to lie-low a bit before I can put these babies on my to-buy list.

The Turnaround Concentrate Serum absorbs like the DDMG but finishes like Smashbox's Photofinish Primer. You can just imagine how the skin feels so soft and velvetty before hitting the sack (lucky pillow)! The serum gives my face a healthy, radiant glow the following morning like I'm on glutathione. I merely have words to glorify this product but they still fall short in describing how perfect this serum is as a part of any girl's skincare routine.

The Turnaround Instant Facial Masque (an exfoliating clay masque) is the last thing I'll be getting if I'm on a tight budget. Don't get me wrong, it's one of my favorites, but who needs to spend so much on masques, right? The turnaround instant facial is so dear to me that I use this sparingly (and only on the night before a special event!).

The masque's scent is absolutely regal and the microbeads in it are just the finest ones that ever touched my skin. These are just the kind of exfoliating beads I wished St. Ives Apricot Scrub had.

I always felt that masques are unnecessary add-ons to skincare (because I never saw instant effects!), but with this product, my skin exudes an eye-catching sheen after rinsing the face.

Looking back at that story when I was four, I'm glad that mama never scolded me (and my brother) for rendering her Clinique lipsticks and eyeshadows unusable. It's amazing to note too that by the time I was old enough for makeup, she advised me to get Clinique prods since I had sensitive skin. She added that I had to enjoy the brand before I get to have kids who'd possibly mess around with my purse someday.

For my readers who reside in the U.S., here's Clinique's treat for you. If you want to get a chance to win a Milly wardrobe and some fab bags, ENTER HERE.