Review: Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Spot Corrector

Not sure how to describe Clinique's Even Better Eyes Dark Spot Corrector.  Is it skincare or is it makeup? If you say it's skincare, it has color. If you want to call it makeup, it's really used as an eye cream. I first tried it in one of those small packet samples and loved the texture so much that I decided to buy the full size.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector with metal applicator

Let's start with my usual bullet points.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Spot Corrector Facts

Monthly Empties: January 2015

We're off to a very good start for 2015! January called for an end to a lot of products including very rarely seen makeup items! Brace yourself, this is going to be a long ride (on in our case - post =D ).

January 2015 Empties - this Glossybox was definitely overflowing this month

Let's go through the makeup/color items first since I barely ever show any.

Blogmas 2014 Day 4: Clinique Coupon on Gilt City

For today's Blogmas post, I want to share this free $30 off $80 coupon voucher for Clinique from Gilt City with you. If you aren't a member yet, you can get a 25% off discount code if you sign up via my invite link.

This is a great discount PLUS you can get a 5 piece gift with any $35 purchase PLUS you get Free Shipping on any purchase! The voucher expires on Dec 28, so you have plenty of time to prepare for holidays or save it for yourself.

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector $39.50, Clinique Cheek Pop in Peach Pop $21, Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel $25

Not sure what to buy? Also sharing my favorite Clinique products at the moment. The Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector and Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel are definitely my daily skincare staples. The Dark Circle Corrector feels almost like a eye primer with some tint to help cover dark circles. Eye makeup applies so much easier.

The Clinical Clearing Gel has been calming my pimples. It doesn't heal them right away, but it does help prevent them getting any nastier. I love how quickly it dries so that it acts as a barrier between the pimple and my concealer.

The Cheek Pop in Peach Pop gives you the most subtle flush of color that I've been using it whenever my skin looks sallow. Of course I also love the cute daisy print.

Let me know which of these are your favorite products from Clinique!

Monthly Empties: A Quick Log

It seems a little pointless reviewing products from so long ago, but I had kept all the pictures taken from each month's empties. So here's a comprehensive list for logging purposes. This way you can see how often and how quickly some of these products get used up!


April 2014 Empties

Apr 2014 Empties

• Diorsnow D-NA Control White Reveal Day Essence (discontinued - still available here)
• Shiseido Superieur Lifting CE Emulsion (discontinued - still available here)
• Clinique Rinse off Eye Makeup Solvent  (a gwp staple)
• Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener (a gwp staple)
• Victoria's Secret Hand Cream with Shea Butter in Warm Embrace (discontinued - still available here)
• My Beauty Diary - Black Pearl Mask

Review: My Current Morning Skincare Routine

I recently shared this picture on my Instagram account with my current morning skincare routine. Thought I'll quickly review it here as well and share the correct way of applying SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence.

Current Morning Skincare Routine featuring SK-II, Clinique, Estee Lauder and Equitance

These are all the products I use every morning now - I don't normally use a cleanser in the morning so it's not included. After washing my face with water and towel dried, I use a cotton pad, soak about a quarter size of the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion and lightly wipe my whole face with it. Then I follow up with the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence by pouring a few drops onto the palm of my hand and then patting/pressing it all over my face. Depending on the consistency of the serum of the day, I'll debate on whether to apply the eye cream or serum next. Lately I've been testing out the Equitance Brightening Serum + Spot Corrector, which is a thicker formula so I apply my Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector first. This eye cream provides some light coverage to conceal my dark circles and will help de-puff and swelling around the eye. After the serum, I would spot treat any blemish and active breakout that I have with the Clinique Acne Solution Clinical Clearing Gel. Everything is finished off with a light moisturizer preferably something with broad spectrum SPF - the Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face & Neck Cream gives off a pearlescent glow without being too shimmery.


I'm thinking doing a more detailed review on SK-II products since I've been spending so much money on them lately.  And will definitely share my daily night routine as well.

How does your morning routine look like? Does it contain any of these goodies?


P.S. The Equitance Brightening Serum + Spot Corrector was sent for me to review by Influenster.

Monthly Empties: Aug & Sep 2013

My long awaited monthly empties! There's so many products to show for Aug and Sep, ironically, there's probably only 2 items for Oct that I see so far. I guess I used up things quick for the summer time.

Aug 2013 Empties

My New Project Pan 5

Well the title says it all, it's just 5 instead of the popular Project Pan 10. I'm currently in the process of preparing my room for renovations. Clearing out things that I don't want and need anymore. In the 3 years I've started using makeup, I've accumulated A LOT of beauty products. And of course with all the different sales, limited editions, gifts with purchases, 90% of them are barely touched. So to make sure products do get used up and their containers are out of my room, I'm starting this Project Pan. I thought it'll be a good idea to use this chance for short reviews for items that would probably never make its way into a detailed review.

Physician's Formula Powder Palette Multicolored Blush - Blushing Peach
I've owned this blush for years. It is a peachy summery color (like you can't tell from the name =P ) with a mix of matte and shimmers. It is somewhat pigmented but definitely as much as the Nars or Benefit blushes. Not very long lasting either, maybe for a few hours max. I generally don't see the color anymore after I get out of work. But I like to carry this in my purse because of the mirror & brush included in the palette, makes touch ups very convenient. I've hit pan on this, but it's still a long way to go.

(picture from Amazon)

philosophy on a clear day oil-free foaming acne cleanser
I bought this part of the philosophy on a clear day set but this line has been discontinued (it's still available on Amazon though). It has salicylic acid as an active ingredient, so I like to use this during my girly days when I'm more prone to breakouts. Well, if it indeed helps, I never saw the results. There's been no noticeable effects at all, so I wouldn't recommend it if that's what you're hoping for. As a regular.cleanser, I think it does the job. I like that its very lightweight and easy to wash off, no worries of residue leftover on your hair lines. Because its so lightweight, it makes a good cleanser to use in the morning just to wash off any oil buildup from overnight. But because it IS a foam cleanser, it doesn't work well with the Clarisonic brush, which is ok since I, only use it in the daytime. I only need 1 pump to get enough product to wash my face.

(picture qiora.com)

qiora Face Cleanser DH Cleanser
So to complement the philosophy cleanser, I use this qiora one. Also got it as part of a gift set. And is still $36 on Amazon and in Shiseido retail stores. Despite the name, this is a cream cleanser. It works up a beautiful lather and works perfectly with the Clarisonic. If you ever tried any of the Shiseido cleansers this is almost an identical twin. Light fragrance but not very makeup friendly. I don't love it enough to repurchase, especially when I have so many other cleansers.

(picture from clinique.com)

Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover
Now along with all those cleansers is this little makeup remover that I neglect. This is a two tone oil-based remover though you can't tell from the purple container. It removes makeup very well on a saturated cotton pad, but I don't wear waterproof makeup so I can't attest for that. I don't like using this remover by itself because it leaves a greasy residue on your face that forces you to use some other cleanser along with it. Definitely wouldn't repurchase, if you want to try an oil-based makeup remover, I'll suggest the DHC oil cleanser.

(picture from nivea.com)

Nivea Age Defying Q10plus Hand Cream
I bought this in one of my sasa.com hauls for 90 cents and I believe it is not available in the US. It has q10 as one of its main ingredients so it aims to be an anti-aging skincare product. The hand cream is very moisturizing and feels heavy on the hands but not greasy. It has a light fragrance. I don't really see the anti aging effects on my hands but I like to keep this handy in my purse for fall/winter seasons. I can't really find it anymore but I think there's other hand creams out there that are just as promising.

And that's it for my project pan so far. I still have a lot of products I want to see hit pan but one step at a time! Let's see how well this goes, I already have a mental list of products I want to finish right after these are gone.

Macy's & Sephora F&F Hauls Oct/Nov 2010

Crazy Crazy HAULS! Stupid sales that are constantly going on.. haha.. I blame them! =P

Macy's Lancome & Clinique Haul

First up, I have my Macy's haul of Lancôme and Clinique products. I ordered these on Gene Day (Oct 22, 2010) when every purchase of the Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, $7 will be donated to the St. Judes Research by Lancôme. Also Clinique was still having its wonder gift with every $21.50 purchase.

The Macy's Bill

Total came out to be $120.31 after tax, not too bad considering all the things I got.

Very pretty packaging

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate & Eye Concentrate

This special Lancôme Génifique Value set (sold out on macys.com and sephora.com now) contains the full size of both concentrate which retails for $137. Macy's was selling this set for $88 and Sephora had it for $100. I heard YouTube gurus fuzkittie and raeview raving about it and I really wanted to try it out. Most importantly, I recently noticed these lines under my eyes, not sure if it's really from lack of sleep or my biological age kicking in. =(   I tested the eye cream at the Lancôme counter and really like the smooth mousse like texture. Hopefully it works out!

Clinique with freebies. Haha, I only paid for 1 thing in this picture.

I ordered the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion 4.2 oz. I got the one without the pump, I don't really see the point of spending another $1.50 just to get a pump that I wouldn't use by the end of the bottle. This purchase was really a splurge to get the gift set! Haha XD  I sound so retarded. But it was true, nevertheless. I needed to make a $100 purchase so splurge + free gift it is! I've used this lotion from the sample sizes in my other Clinique gift sets. I normally use this as a hand lotion, so I can justify this purchase by leaving this bottle at work.

And now for all the great freebies!

This Berries Eyeshadow Trio looks so pretty!

I really wanted this eyeshadow trio the most from the gift set! Isn't the berry pink colors beautiful? So soft and elegant. Plus I love how they have all the numbers on the brushes and applicators to let you know what you should do with each. There was an instruction card too.

Freebie #2 Clinique repairwear laser focus wrinkle & UV corrector

 Got this as freebie deluxe sample with any Clinique purchase, didn't try it out yet, but it's a decent size.

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate 7 Day Sample

This 7 day pack was part of the purchase. But on Oct 22, 2010, they were giving these out at the Lancôme counters. Got a total of 3 packs of these. There are 7 little packets in each. Very very decent size packets with a lot of product. Not going to put the packet sizes here, they don't make sense. Lol.. because according to the package sizes, this 7 day sample can fill a full size bottle of the Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate >.<  makes no sense at all.

Macy's Free Goody Bag

I was surprised to find this goody bag with my order. Haha, I guess Macy's is trying to be like Sephora and Ulta and give out freebie samples too. The ziplock bag's cute though. The crazy random things that I like.XD 

Now to my Sephora F&F Hauls. Yes hauls with the "s" because I made 3 different orders! Probably getting another during the VIB sale... sigh...

Sephora F&F Oct 2010 Haul # 1

Only got 1 item during this haul, I've been eying the Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit sets for a while. I controlled myself till the F&F sale. =)

Laura Mercier Flawless Face Kit ($159 Value) for $65

Ingredients for the Flawless Face Kit

Got the tinted moisturizer set in Nude. Comes with a 3/4 size of foundation primer and their tinted moisturizer. Includes 2 brushes and powder puffs. Also comes with the full size Undercover Pot. The Undercover Pot has both the famous LM concealers and camouflage. I'm really loving the camouflage right now, very creamy, but the concealer is very dry.

Now for Sephora F&F Haul #2. Got this very close to the end of the sale, I wanted to see what they were going to add to their Sale section.

Sephora F&F Haul #2

Sephora F&F Haul #2 Bill

Made a purchase just slightly over $50 to get my free shipping and 3 samples. =)

NARS Blush in Sex Appeal

I purchased my first NARS blush! Got it in Sex Appeal versus the cult favorite Orgasm. It's a very pretty pale peach! Gives off just the slightest hint of color. Definitely love, but it's not as pigmented as my Rock & Republic blushes.

Stila Make An Impression In Moscow Travel Palette $10 ($65 value)

Also bought the Stila Make An Impression In Moscow Travel Palette for $10! This is part of the 5 travel sets that Stila has been coming out with on a monthly basis. I saw an actual picture of this on Luuux and was immediately in loved! The colors are so soft and pretty. The blush/lip color is very creamy. Love the colors.

Smashbox Instant Eyes Shadow & Liner Palette $15 ($67 value)

Also got this Smashbox Instant Eyes Shadow & Liner Palette for $15. It was Sephora's weekly special and still available. I never tried a cream liner and wanted to give it a try. The eyeshadows aren't pigmented at all. All they have are shimmers, but that doesn't bother me because I don't like shadows with color anyway. =)

Also the other weekly special, Perricone MD Cold Plasma Face and Eye for $15 (a $61 value). These were really really small. You can probably see how small they are compared to my NARS blush. I just wanted to give this a try, more like paying $15 for a deluxe sample size. =T

Now for my last Sephora F&F Haul (haul #3). I submitted my order at 11:50PM EST on the last day of the sale. Haha, splurging way too much. =P

Sephora F&F Haul #3

Sad thing is I loved the Stila Make An Impression In Moscow Travel Palette so much, I decided to get a backup! These are limited edition so I rather pay the $8 (after F&F discount) now than regret not having it anymore. In fact I liked it so much I bought the Stila No. 1: Road to Radiance - Across the USA - Collectible Travel Palette too. It has very pretty pinks, the other palettes are more ehhh.

Also bought First Aid Beauty Be Fabulous Kit for $35 ($70 Value). I wanted to try the moisturizer since my hands has been so dry and it even started cracking. I hate this time of the year. XP

Sephora was having a sale on the NARS eyeshadow duo, so I got another NARS product! They are full size products and I got it in the color Wicked for $10. The colors aren't as flattering as I had thought. The greens are actually very very pale. But I'll swatch it next time. I think Sephora will keep it on their site for a while.

Okay now what to get with my VIB discount? Haha, if you are a VIB at Sephora, you can use VIB20 to get 20% off your purchase from now till Nov 15.

Review: Mascara Showdown - Clinique, Missha, Revlon

I have very short, straight lashes, no matter how I curl them, they end up sticking out straight. Kinda sad. I've tried out numerous mascaras, here's a few that I'm currently trying out. Just want you all to be clear, I don't always praise the things I review. I can complain too. =P

Mascara Showdown - From Right to Left - Revlon Double Twist, Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume, Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara, and Clinique Lash Definition Mascara

1. Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume & Professional Volume $5.99 - I got these during one of my Missha hauls. It's actually not that bad. Volumizes and extends my lashes pretty well. Formula is not too dry. Did not smear/smudge on me at all. Lasts me all day long. I really like it, except it's hard to wipe off. This is not a waterproof mascara, so generally I would think it'll come right off with warm water, it actually leaves residue when I try to wash it. You will definitely need makeup remover to get rid of it. Both the Setting Volume and Professional Volume seem to have the same effect on me. They have the same brush comb too except the Professional Volume one is a bit bigger. <3<3<3
   
   
   
   
   Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume & Professional Volume
   
   
   
   Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume (top) and Professional Volume (bottom)
   
   
2. Clinique's Lash Doubling Mascara $14, High Definition Mascara $14 - I have a bunch of Clinique sample mascaras, (thanks to my mom and her friend's shopping sprees). I've tried these both so far and I really love them. Not that I see a difference between the two. I think they have the same exact effect on me. Don't really volumize, but they extend my lashes and really spread the individual lashes out. Very long lasting also, but it smudges a bit through out the day. Easily washes off with warm water, so don't cry! <3<3<3<
   
   
    
   Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara
   
    Clinique High Definition Mascara
   
   
3. Revlon Double Twist Mascara $9 - I got it as part of a special 2 pack deal at CVS for $9. I thought it was a  great deal and w/ Jessica Alba's picture on it, I bought it right away. It has a huge comb to supposedly thicken lashes and the longer bristle sections to define individual lashes. The result: clumpy eyelashes with smudge spots all over the eye area. The comb was way too big and oddly shaped, by the time I have one side touching the roots of my lashes, the other side of the comb already smeared all over my eye lids. Horrible mascara and it leaves clumps. Needless to say, I got rid of the other one right away. I think it would probably work for those who already have long lashes.
   
   
   
    Revlon Double Twist Mascara (the bristles look scary!)

I finally found my holy grail eyelash curler! I've tried out numerous curlers and haven't found one that I really liked. This curler I actually got during my sasa.com haul. It's the Kai Teeny’er Lash Curler ($2.60). It's a Japanese brand, and sasa.com don't seem to sell it overseas anymore. At first glance, I thought this was a horrible curler because the arch was just sooo curvy. Little did I know, it fits my eyes perfectly. It doesn't pinch my eyelids and it covers my entire lashline with 1 curl. I guess I have curvy Asian eyes.=P

 

Kai Teeny'er Eye Curler

 

Kai Teeny'er Eye Curler's Curve Arch