Clinique Super City Block SPF 40

So it's June, the sun is out, and I am now 21 & paranoid about my skin. I'm pretty sure I have a forehead wrinkle already. But one thing I've always been good with is remembering suncream (Did I ever mention I'm ginger? My skin burns if the lights are too bright.) At least I've progressed a bit from slathering myself, including my face, in thick white lotion.

Last summer, in one of Clinique's Bonus Time offers, I decided Super City Block would be my skincare. City Block comes in a SPF 25 or SPF 40 variant & I picked up the SPF 40 because I'd use 100 if I could find it. And I've been using it ever since.

City Block comes in a light green tube with a silver cap. The product itself is lightly tinted but it blends out on the skin, and it evens out the skintone a little bit too. It isn't shiny at all so it's fine to wear alone, but I usually wear it under make up & it doesn't interfere with it at all.

And for the technical bits: City Block protects against both UVA & UVB rays and it protects against environmental aggressors too (like city pollution, hence City Block). It's oil free & allergy tested. I have fairly sensitive skin, and it doesn't irritate it at all, but because I have dry skin, I have to apply moisturiser with the sunscreen.

During the summer, I'm out rowing a lot, & on Sundays I might be out from 8AM til 4PM, on the sea. If the sun is out, and it reflects off the water, I need a lot of protection so I use City Block, throw on a BB cream/ concealer and then I can keep applying it over makeup throughout the day. My one problem is that City Block doesn't protect against wind burn.... It looks like sunburn but you don't even get the sun first. Boo.

City Block costs €22 for 40ml which I'm happy to pay - I only use a small amount plus there's no point in splashing out on make up when your skin is damaged.

Which facial sun protection do you use?

Chloe x

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

As I've said before, I usually don't talk much about skin care because (1) I'm always changing mine (which is bad, I know!) & (2), everyone's skin is completely different. But recently I've kind of settled into a skin care routine, so I wanted to talk about what I use.

One of the first 'new' products I started using was Clinique's Take The Day Off Balm. I'd heard absolute horror stories about Clinique Skincare, so never even looked at it. But then I saw their Take The Day Off Cleanser for Eyes & Lips, & after a bit of googling, hit upon the balm cleanser. Everyone was raving about it, & then it kept popping up on Beaut.ie blather - So after an absolutely crap day, I ended up just going to the till with it in my hands.

First up, the packaging is nice. I like the purple tub & silver/ mirrored lid - It's just quite pretty. I know people tend not to like tubs because of hygiene reasons, but there's no other way to house a balm product really. It contains 125ml of product, which means you won't run out quickly either.

But the product itself - There's no smell. It's white. It's not miraculous. Basically, it's a very basic product, that I absolutely love. It takes off all my make up, if I use it as my first cleanser, & if it's my second cleanser/ morning cleanser, it leaves my skin feeling clean, & soft. It doesn't strip my skin, it doesn't hurt my eyes or leave my face red. And it didn't cause any break outs - I don''t believe in a 'purging atage', something either breaks your skin out or it doesn't. But with this, you just melt some of the cleanser in your hand, rub it into your face, then wash it off using a face cloth & warm water.

It costs €28 for 125ml, & may seem expensive for something so basic, but I haven't even used a quarter of it over two months - I put some into a small travel pot when I went home for Christmas, & I know the pot still has some left in it. Plus, I'll happily pay that for something that does its job & doesn't irritate my skin at all. This is the first balm cleanser I've used, but I like using products that you wash off with a face cloth & warm water - It feels nicer on my skin! Okay, it sounds like I'm not overly enthusiastic about Take The Day Off, but in reality, I absolutely love it & will definitely continue to use it.

Have you used Take The Day Off? Or do you recommend another balm cleanser?

Chloe x

Sunday Samples #3

Technically, this is still a Sunday sample, because it's before midnight. That's how desperate I am to tell you about one of my favourite samples EVER.

Around my birthday, Sam McCauley's in the town I work in had a relaunch, & so, when you spent a certain amount on Clinique, you get a free gift. One of the free things (I LOVE FREE THINGS) was Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief. Clinique call it a cream/gel that will plump skin with hydration. I have combination skin that's mostly dry, rather than oily, so I always appreciate some extra moisture. Was this good enough?

Well, I've kinda already said it's one of my favourite things, so in a nutshell: yes. It's insanely light on my skin, but my face feels soft & hydrated instantly. Honestly, I don't use it every morning, but if I haven't taken off my make up properly/ used a night cream, or have used a face wash after the gym, this goes straight on. My skin doesn't feel dry or tight until late at night when I've taken my make up back off, before re-moisturising so it definitely lasts! Also, it doesn't irritate my skin at all (While not overly sensitive, it will go bright red very easily.) so I can put it on & leave without make up, or put make up over it.

My sample is 15ml, & it looks like I've barely used any - you only need a small dot onto each area of your face, & you're good to go. A full sized pot contains 50ml, but because it's going to last so long, the €43.50 price tag doesn't seem quite so bad. (I actually really like the sample pot, because it's the perfect size for throwing into a make up bag that comes to the gym with me.) I won't say I'll be repurchasing the second it runs out, but I probably will buy it, & maybe transfer some of the full size container into the sample, because I just love having it in my bag.

This is not something I would have tried out myself, & that is exactly why I love samples & gifts with purchase - So many new things to play with!

What moisturiser are you using?
Chloe x

Sunday Samples!

So, a new series of posts. Sunday Samples pretty much involves me trying out a sample size product, reviewing it & deciding whether I'd buy the full size!

First up, Clinique High Impact Mascara. I got a 1.99g sample size of this in Glamour magazine (costs €3.01). A full size is 8g & is €19.50 in Debenhams. So if you love this, it's cheaper to buy a few samples if they're in a magazine!

Standard packaging & bristle brush

The sample packaging is just a mini size of the full-size, & it's just a dark green, sparkly tube with silver writing. The writing has started to wear off a little bit, but it doesn't bother me!

Bare lashes - One coat - Two coats

Clinique say that this mascara is to add volume to lashes & it definitely succeeds! There's not much improvement in length, but it gives an instant bit of volume without clumps! It also lasts all day and while it's not waterproof, it doesn't run easily. One thing I find it works well for is blending eyelashes with your fake eyelashes, if you use them.

No mascara compared to two coats

Would I buy it again? Not anytime soon, because I have so many mascaras to get through, but I will definitely consider it. Especially for going out, I've used High Impact with a lengthening mascara on the tips & I love the effect!

Have you tried High Impact?

Chloe x