Hello everyone,

wanna buy something special for your mom for Christmas? Here are some lovely ideas:

Caudalie Beauty From The Vine: this nice set features a Hand and Nail Cream to moisturize and nourish hands, and a Lip Conditioner with a vanilla scent to soothe dry lips. ($15.00)

Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Little Luxuries: This lovely set contains Rosewater Body Lotion, Rosewater Bath & Shower Gel and Rosewater Body Cream.The fragrance is a captivating blend of rosewater, violet, florals, and musk. ($12.00)

NYX Natural Look Kit Nude On Nude: this palette contains 9 shades of neutral eyeshadows and 2 complementary lip colors to create a fresh, natural and polished look. ($12.99)

Clinique ‘Smoothie Kisses’ Set: this cute silver mini cosmetics bag contains Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Color in Berry Boost, Pink Me Up, Mango-thon and Goodness Grapecious. ($28.00)

Bobbi Brown Classic To Go Palette: this pocket-sized palette includes eyeshadows in Bone, Cement and Caviar; a High Shimmer Lip Gloss in Naked Plum; and Lip Colors in Pale Mauve and Tulle. ($25.00)

Estée Lauder ‘Double Wear Eye Looks That Last’ Set: this elegant red case includes Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara in Black, Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Onyx and Lash Primer Plus Full Treatment Formula. ($25.00)

L’Occitane Hand Creme Confections: A travel-size set of five nourishing hand creams in Fleur Cherie, Pivoine Flora, Cherry Blossom, Verbena Cooling Gel, Shea Butter.($40.00)

Philosophy Unconditional Love™ Fragrance Layering Collection: this cute set features three products scented with Philosophy’s Unconditional Love fragrance. The products included are Spray Fragrance, Body Butter and Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath. ($49.50)

Olay Regenerist Skin Care Starter Trio: the set contains Regenerist Daily Regenerating Cleanser, Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream and Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum. ($33.99)

Yves Saint Laurent Sephora Holiday Glamour Set: this Sephora exclusive set contains aTrial Size Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in Black, Golden Gloss in 10 Golden Peony (light strawberry pink), Trial Size Waterproof Eye Pencil in Black, Touche Éclat in 2 Luminous Ivory (for fair to light complexions with yellow undertones), Black faux-patent-leather clutch with hot pink lining and Black faux-patent-leather framed mirror. ($65.00)

Elemis ‘Superstars’ Collection: this lovely set features the brand’s best-selling products. It contains Papaya Enzyme Peel, Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules, Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, Frangipani Monoi Bath and Shower Cream, Skin Nourishing Milk Bath and Exotic Monoi Moisture Melt Oil. ($85.00)

Laura Mercier Color Portfolio: this beautiful palette includes everything you need to create natural and polished looks. It contains six eyeshadows in Primrose (sateen finish), African Violet (luster finish), Merlot (sateen finish), Truffle (matte finish), Topaz (luster finish), Stellar (sateen finish); three Tightline Cake Eye Liners in Ground Espresso, Black Ebony and Burgundy Wine, two Second Skin Cheek Colors in Rose Petal and City Pink; and three travel brushes (Ponytail Brush, Crease Brush and Flat Eyeliner Brush). ($98.00)

Name: Aromatics Elixir
Brand: Clinique
Size: .34 fl oz
Price: $21.00

What I liked:
- beautiful rich and warm woody blend
- longlasting
- simple but sleek packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- may be too strong for some people
- if you like sweet, floral fragrances, this is not for you

While I think that Clinique makes some great products (I particularly love their skin care line), let’s face it, the brand has a safe, even boring image. So, this is the last place where one would think of finding an intriguing, non-conformist fragrance, as Aromatics Elixir, created in 1975, is described. I admit of being very skeptical when I got a sample of this fragrance but now I’m glad I gave it a try as it is absolutely wonderful. It’s not for everyone though. This is a fragrance that people are either gonna love or hate. If you like warm, rich and woody fragrances, this is just up your alley, while if you are a fan of sweet and floral scents, you won’t probably be able to stand it.

When you first spritz on Aromatics Elixir, you get a very strong mossy scent thanks to the heavy does of oakmoss in it which is mixed with a hint of rose. This may be a bit too much for some people, especially those that are into floral fragrances, but I love it. In any case, after a while it settles down and you can start smelling the heart notes: a distinct smell of patchouli with hints of dried lavender and dried vetiver. The drydown is a bit powdery but with a beautiful richness. The patchouli is still there but is now intertwined with sandalwood, amber, and a faint scent of musk.

Aromatics Elixir reminds me of the scents our grandmothers used to wear, but that doesn’t mean it’s old and boring. Granted, this is not aimed at teenagers, but it’s perfect for women who like classic, vintage scents. Aromatics Elixir is a warm, sensual, sophisticated and empowering scent that makes you feel confident when you wear it. The scent is quite strong, though, especially at the beginning, so make sure to try a sample before buying it to make sure you enjoy it because, once on, the scent is gonna stay with you for the entire day.

Available at: Clinique.com, Sephora and Amazon.com

Summary
Clinique Aromatics Elixir is a bit of an acquired taste. People will either love it or hate it. It is a woody, green scent with some floral notes at the beginning, which smells wonderful. It is sophisticated, warm and rich, but also strong, a bit powdery and with that vintage smell that’s not easy to come across these days when the market is saturated with sweet and clean scents. It is also very longlasting.

Rating: 4/5

I’m a huge fan of Clinique skincare products but their makeup line has never caught my eye. Their cosmetics look boring to me and even if part of me was curious to try them there was always something else that appealed to me more.

But I’m loving the look of Clinique Spring Collection. The fruity patterns of the blush and eyeshadows are so pretty!

FRESH PICKED EYESHADOW (€26.50)
Available in Fresh Picked Berry and Fresh Picked Pear.

FRESH PICKED ALLOVER COLOUR (€35.50)
Available in Mixed Berries, it contains three complimentary soft shimmery shades to create a subtle glow.

VITAMIN C ANTIOXIDANT LIP COLOR LIP SMOOTHIE (€16.50)
Available in Berry Boost, Goodness Grapecious, Mango-Thon, Nude-Tritious, Peach Power and Pink Me Up.

BLUSH BRUSH (€30.75)
A powder brush made of natural bristles. The large dome allows an easy application for a flawless look.

Christmas is almost here, and if you haven’t already, it’s time to find a present for one of the most special people in your life: your mom. Whether she is a makeup addict or a beauty minimalist that only has 5 minutes to get ready in the morning, you can’t go wrong by choosing a set full of pampering treats or a nice palette with natural shades, like the ones below. And they are all affordable too!

Caudalie Spa in a Bag ($30.00) contains a Shower Gel, a Crushed Cabernet Scrub, a Hand and Nail Cream and a Nourishing Body Lotion. Packaged in a reusable bag, these body treatments will give your mom a fantastic pampering experience at home.

Laura Mercier Eye Book ($45.00) is a Sephora-exclsuive palette that contains two eyeshadow quads, two eyeliners and a mini double-ended Eye Colour/Flat Eye Liner Brush to create endless looks perfect for both day and night time.

Kiehl’s Neutral & Cool Lip Gloss Trio ($29.00) features three sheer shades (Pink Rider, Icy Everest and Mahvelous Mauve) to give lips a soft look.

Philosophy Holiday Cookbook ($35.00) includes 6 recipe-inspired shampoo, shower gel & bubble baths scented of red velvet cake, cinnamon buns, spicy pear cobbler, pumpkin spice muffin, gingerbread and double rich hot cocoa!

Bobbi Brown Velvet Plum Eye Palette ($40.00) features 4 shades ranging from nudes to plum for a perfect day-to-night look. The palette also contains a dual mini eyeshadow/eyeliner brush.

Bath & Body Works Ready To Pamper Warm Vanilla Sugar ($25.00) is a nice little basket full of pampering treats: Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Fragrance Mist, Anti-Bacterial Hand Cream and a gauze sponge.

L’Occitane Hands Celebration Set ($25.00) contains a Lavender Hand Cream, a Shea Butter Hand Cream and a Shea Vanilla Hand Cream to achieve beautiful, soft and moisturized hands.

Clinique Star Favourites ($36.00) it’s a nice set that contains the brand’s most popular makeup and skincare products: All About Eyes eye cream, Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips, Dual ended High Impact Mascara/ High Impact Curling Mascara, 6 Shades Compact Eye Shadow Palette, Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Air Kiss, all packaged in a pretty pink bag.

Ole Henriksen Worship Your Body ($24.00) features everything your mom needs for an at home pampering experience. The set includes Lavender Body Oil, Natural Hair Wash With Sea Kelp, Natural Hair Hydrator With Orchid Flower, Clarifying Body Wash, Body Sleek, Muscle Comfort and Loofah Body Scrub. In addition, the kit features a CD of tranquil music like that heard at the Ole Henriksen spa.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Deluxe Gift Set ($39.50) offers an uplifting experience thanks to the green tea that energizes both body and spirit. The set includes Green Tea Scent Spray, Green Tea Energizing Bath & Shower Gel, Green Tea Refreshing Body Lotion and Green Tea Scent Spray Replica.

Clinique Holiday 2009 collection, Black Tie Violet, is all about shimmery purples, from plums to lilacs. The collection includes:

COLOUR SURGE EYESHADOW ($25.00)
Available in Black Tie Violets, it contains 4 shimmery shadows ranging from soft pinks to dark purples.

SHIMMERING STRIPES POWDER BLUSHER ($29.50)
Available in Tuxedo Plums, it features four complimentary shades of pinks and purple to create a sheer and subtle glow.

BRUSH-ON CREAM LINER ($14.50)
This fast-drying and waterproof gel liner is now available in Violet Luxe.

HIGH IMPACT LIP COLOUR SPF 15 ($14.00)
Extreme Pink: electric hot pink with a sheen of white pearl

DIFFERENT LIPSTICK ($14.00)
A Different Grape: pinkish grape

FULL POTENTIAL LIPS PLUMP AND SHINE ($17.50)
Available in Bloomberry, Double Plum and Luscious Lilacs.

DEFINING LINER FOR LIPS ($14.00)
Pomegranate: intense Blue red with shimmer

Name: All About Eyes Rich
Brand: Clinique
Size: 15ml
Price: €32.50

From Clinique’s website:
Moisture-rich eye cream diminishes the look of undereye circles, shadows, fine lines-instantly and over time. De-puffs, calms with botanicals. Helps boost natural collagen production. Strengthens skin’s moisture barrier against common irritants.

What I liked:
- hydrates
- temporarily reduces the appearance of fine lines
- doesn’t sting nor irritate eyes
- no milia seeds
- fragrance-free

What I didn’t like:
- doesn’t diminish dark circles nor de-puffs under-eye bags
- the packaging
- the price

Clinique All About Eyes Rich is pale ivory in color and has got a fairly thick, creamy consistency that isn’t greasy and absorbs quickly. It hydrates and soothes skin, leaving it soft and smooth.

I also noticed that the fine lines around my eyes were slightly reduced, thanks to the silicones present in the formula (like Phenyl Trimethicone and Dimethicone) which fill them in but the effects are only temporary.

All about eyes rich also promises to diminish the look of under-eye circles but that wasn’t true in my case. I have horrible, dark circles and can see no difference at all after using this cream. It didn’t de-puff my under eye bags either.

But I was relieved that it didn’t give me any milia seeds, which is always a concern for me whenever I try a new eye cream. It also didn’t sting, burn nor irritate my eyes.

The cream contains Shea Butter, which softens, moisturizes and helps skin retain elasticity and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, a synthetic oil used as a substitute for mineral oil because it is an effective emollient and moisturizer that also prevents water loss.

The cream is also loaded with potent antioxidants: Vitamins E (Tocopheryl Acetate) and C (Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Ascorbic Acid, although they aren’t present in big concentrations), Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract), Betula Alba (Birch) Extract, Yeast (a group of fungi that is a source of beta-glucan, an antioxidant), Linoleic Acid (an unsaturated fatty acid), Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf (but can cause irritations) and Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract (derived from the barley plants, is proved to be a good antioxidant when ingested, but there is no research showing topical application is effective).

But although the cream contains a mix of effective antioxidants, their properties are compromised by the jar packaging. Antioxidants, in fact, oxidise and lose all of their benefits when exposed to light and air. So, even though the small jar would last for months which seems to be worth the high price, the cream won’t probably retain its benefits for too long.

Summary
Overall, Clinique All About Eyes Rich is a nice moisturizer that hydrates skin leaving it smooth and soft. It makes fine lines look smaller temporarily and has good antioxidants properties. However, the jar packaging compromises the antioxidants in the formula, which become ineffective after a while. In addition, it doesn’t diminish dark circles.

Rating: 3.5/5

Name: Comforting Cream Cleanser
Brand: Clinique
Size: 150ml
Price: €18.00

From Clinique’s website:
Extra-gentle, creamy-rich cleanser is perfect for dry, delicate or sensitive skins. Whipped to perfection so it glides easily over skin, melting makeup and impurities. Leaves your complexion clean, smooth, moist. Massage on, tissue or rinse off.

What I liked:
- removes makeup well
- leaves skin feeling very soft
- soothes skin
- fragrance-free
- the packaging

What I didn’t like:
- makes skin a bit greasy
- the price

I got the Comforting Cream Cleansr as part of a Clinique travel-sized set, which also contained All About Eyes Rich and Continuous Rescue Antioxidant moisturizer. The cleanser is designed for people with sensitive and dry skin. Mine is combination, so I doubt I would have tried this if it hadn’t been part of the set.

The product comes in a simple white tube with a green lid. The cream is white in color, quite rich and spreads well on the skin. Just apply it on dry skin, massage and rinse or tissue off.

Because the cream is thick and concentrated, you only need to use just a little bit and the bottle will last for ages. It removes all traces of makeup well and easily. However, I haven’t tried it on my eyes and lips, so I’m not sure how well it removes waterproof mascara or lipstick.

It rinses off easily and leaves my skin feeling very clean, smooth and soft and not dry at all. It doesn’t irritate skin and my dry patches felt soothed. However, I noticed that it made my oily t-zone slightly greasier, so I wouldn’t recommend this product to anyone with oily/combination skin.

Despite the product being fragrance free, it still has a faint and clean scent. That’s means no ingredient was added to give the cleanser a scent but all the ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products have their own smells, so that’s what you’re smelling.

Summary:
Overall, this is a great cleanser for people with dry or sensitive skin. It removes all traces of makeup, is fragrance-free, gentle and soothing. However, it is expensive and, if you have oily skin, it could make it  greasier.

Rating: 4/5

Clinique summer 2009 collection features warm bronze shades to get that natural sunkissed look.

SHIMMERING STRIPS POWDER BLUSHER (LE) ($29.50)
Four stripes of long-wearing powder to create a sheer radiance. Use all over face for a luminous glow or on the cheeks to highlight.

ALMOST BRONZER SPF15 ($28.50)
A long-wearing, sheer bronzing duo that provides a natural look all year round. Available in Light/Medium and Medium/Dark.

LONG LAST GLOSSWEAR SPF 15 ($14.00)
First blush: nude
Bonfire: burnished tawny red with gold shimmer
Rock Violet: blackened violet with shimmer
Sunset: bronze with coppery golden shimmer

UP-LIGHTING LIQUID ILLUMINATOR ($22.50)
Sheer, lightweight liquid instantly illuminates skin. Highlights and contours cheeks, brow bones, or gives face an allover glow. Available in Bronze (sheer bronze with gold shimmer) and Natural (soft neutral beige with gold shimmer).

LASH POWER MASCARA LONG WEARING FORMULA ($14.00)
A mascara that lasts through rain, sweat and humidity while the brush research even the tiniest lashes.