Products That Didn't Work For Me, #2

I know I rarely post about products that don't work for me, mainly because I try to make smart purchasing decisions. Occasionally, I may purchase things that don't work well for me due to shade or some scent or ingredient, as evidenced in this post from a few months back.  I also don't like to be negative, unless something is so extremely off the mark that you guys need to know about it. (But again, I usually don't buy those things, haha!) In my book, there are so many pretty products to talk about that there is so little time for the not so exciting ones! :)

This time around, I've encountered a few things I want to return because I just don't love them and I don't really actually need more products! Thank goodness for generous return policies in the US! Read on to find out more!

Clinique CC Cream is a product that I was really excited to try after reading rave reviews. I selected the Light-Medium shade, which appeared to be a match at that time. Blame it on bad department store lighting or my lack of sunscreen, but the shade just doesn't look right now. It is a tad too light and a bit peachy too. Applied to small areas, the shade works, but if I put it all over one side of my face, it doesn't look quite right.  

Shade aside, this CC cream does seem to have the tendency to streak if you put a lot on. As it wears over the course of the day, it doesn't look as nice on dry or textured areas of my face on the bad skin days. However, this still is a great formula, I just love many of the others I have more.. I still think this CC Cream is worth checking out, especially if you can get a sample, because it definitely has decent coverage and color correction properties. Think of it as a more matte, thicker in texture version of the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer that I love! 

I've also looked at the REN "The Fab 4" kit a number of times since it is such an affordable way to try some of the most popular items from the brand.  

The Glycol Lactic Renewal Mask has been all over blogs over the last year. I've tried sample packets in the past, and the creamy marmalade texture is nice, but the mask never seemed to improve the appearance of my skin. This time, I was excited to be able to try this more extensively, but unfortunately it just wasn't right for me. I think it actually made my face red, as if the tops of my cheeks were sunburnt! Perhaps I wore it a few minutes too long, but I suspect it is just not right for my skin right now. Bummer, as I really wanted to like this one!  

I've also heard good things about the Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream, but my skin didn't seem to agree with this one either. My redness wasn't soothed by this at all over the few days that I tried it, and my skin also felt a bit bumpy too, However, the light texture is nice, and the cream does provide a decent level of moisture for normal skin.

In the end, I didn't even try the Bio-Retinoid Anti-Aging Concentrate or the included muslin cloth. The bonus No.1 Purity Cleansing Balm was nice, but again not terribly exciting. When I think balm, I think soothing, and while this cleanser wasn't harsh, it didn't feel like much else either. In any case, it does rinse off well and there isn't much of a squeaky clean feel. All in all, the Micro Polish Cleanser was my favorite of the bunch. I quite liked the creamy emollient feel and the fine grains of the exfoliant.  

I've decided to return both of these products as I'm not absolutely in love with them and I have so many options for base and skincare. Have you tried these products? How did they work for you? Are there any products you've been disappointed in lately? 

Review: Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows in Soft Brown

Earlier this year, I finally decided I needed to have something for filling in my brows. I still don't do it much (as I'm sure you can tell!) but  I did spend quite a long time searching for that perfectly natural, yet somewhat affordable brow product! I was really looking for a cool brown shade in an eyebrow pencil. I tried one from Sephora (Benefit, perhaps??) and discovered that it was far too dark a brown, though it was a cool tone and a nice pencil overall. After getting a makeover at a Le Metier de Beaute counter in the spring, I fell for the neutral shade of their Fawn eyebrow pencil. Obviously, I didn't want to spend $36 on a product type that I wasn't even sure I was going to use.

I searched far and wide for a shade similar to Fawn, and found this Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows. While I wouldn't say it is an exact dupe, it does provide the same effect on me. Yay! Here are some swatches with varying amounts of pressure. :)

I don't know much about brow pencils, but I find that the formula is not too hard but still has that bit of "brow product" texture. This seriously wears all day on me, and doesn't come off with sweat, rain, or anything like that. Actually, my Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water can easily remove all my eye makeup and I really have to work on this!

The pencil itself really is "superfine," as in super, super skinny. Here's a size comparison with a nickel for reference. I don't know how long it would last with everyday usage, but it is a decently packaged retractable pencil. Do you have a favorite eye brow product? What advice do you have for an eyebrow newbie? :)

Beauty on a Keychain

I purchased the Clinique Mix It Up Kisses set from Sephora during the VIB sale, and finally opened the box today. I wish I had opened it up sooner, since I love the idea of mini portable lip products & a little mirror on a keychain!

I also attached my Tweezerman nail tool and my new MooCards, and I think I'm now prepared for anything! It's everything a beauty blogger needs, and I think the Tweezerman nail clipper tool & Clinique lip products are perfect stocking stuffers for the beauty enthusiasts in your life this holiday! :)