There really must be a “wrong side of the bed” because I think it’s the side I woke up on this morning. I needed more than mere caffeine to make it through the day today, so I stopped by my favorite chai place, the Nordstrom cafe, because it also happens to be located a few feet from the Nordie’s cosmetics department. 🙂
When I came to the Clinique counter, I almost dropped my drink!
With just three pieces, the new Milly for Clinique Pretty in Prints Collection might be one of the littlest releases this spring, but I’m such a total sucker for pretty prints.
About Milly
The label was established in 2000, when founder/designer Michelle Smith returned to New York after working for Paris powerhouses like Hermès and Dior. The collections consistently turn out feminine pieces and classic silhouettes in personally designed fabrics and prints that appeal to socialistas as well as starlets on the preppy side. Milly has perfected the Palm Beach palette with Upper East Side polish.
— nymag.com
The chocolate browns and playful pinks just look so darn foolproof and wearable, don’t they? Sure, the colors themselves aren’t particularly edgy, but these look like the kinds of things I could wear when I want to look polished and professional but don’t want to spend a lot of time doing it.
Clinique Pretty in Prints Compact $36 (limited edition) — Clinique nailed this powder eye/cheek palette because the colors go together perfectly. It comes with four eyeshadows — one, a pearly, peachy beige (looks a little like MAC Vex without the green pearl); a bronzy gold with a touch of green and pink glitter (GORGEOUS!); a shimmery, medium-toned pink; and a shimmery chocolate brown — and a peachy pink blush, which kinda resembles a less golden version of NARS Orgasm. Also in the mix: a snazzy drawstring printed pouch and how-to card with a step-by-step tutorial. Great for makeup newcomers and seasoned makeup addicts alike (the ones lacking self-control, like yours truly, ha!), particularly ones who wear warm colors well.
Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Milly Pink, $14 (limited edition) — NOM is all I have to say about this shimmery medium pink with silver glitter. All it appears to do is turn up your natural lip color a few notches, but I love the results. Oh, and the fact that it comes in the awesomely long-wearing and moisturizing Clinique Glosswear formula? YES!
High Impact Mascara in Black, $14.50 (repromote) — This black mascara from Clinique’s permanent line adds natural-looking thickness and length. ‘Tis a’ight, but I prefer Clinique’s High Impact Curling Mascara’s more dramatic lash look and glossy shine.
Milly for Clinique Pretty in Prints Swatches on NC35 Skin
Pretty in Prints Compact
Pretty in Prints Compact eyeshadows
Pretty in Prints blush
Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Milly Pink (left) and High Impact Mascara in Black (right)
With flash
Without flash
The collection doesn’t appear to be available yet on the Clinique website, but it is up for grabs at Nordstrom stores and online.
I’m a sucker for pinks and browns and like how these tidbits implement them in such a girly and wearable way.
What do you think? Are these products your cuppa tea, or are you partial to bolder colors?
A Stila of a Deal!
This isn’t Clinique related, but I wanted to share this heads up that reader Shannon spied on Stila lip glosses:
“I found a 7-pack of .05 Stila lip glazes at Costco for $16.99 (that’s like, $2.50 per gloss…?!). I don’t know if it’s everywhere (it was at my Costco here in Missoula) but in case it is, I wanted to spread the word! The shades included are Majesty, Kitten, Guava, Seashell, Merry Merry, Grapefruit, and Apricot. As far as I could tell, every pack had the same combo.”
— Shannon
What a great deal! Thanks, Shannon. I see a trip to Costco in my near future…
In other news, here’s the song (it’s by Ke$ha) currently stuck in my head.
Hawt and dangerous…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. How’s your Tuesday coming along? What’s been the highlight so far?
Savannah says
The Clinique Pretty in Prints shadows look really pretty!
And the Stila thing was also at my Costco!
Thanks for the swatches Karen(:
Karen says
You’re welcome, Savannah! 😀
Molly says
I NEED this palette like my laundry needs to be done; NOW.
Karen says
Amen to that. I have a big @ss stack waiting for me upstairs (been too lazy to carry it down).
Ithfifi says
Karen, your a brilliant seller! I had a very bad experience with clinique before I knew anything about make up (The beauty assistant sold me foundation that was way too dark but don’t worry, she gave me an extra light powder to put on top, yea…! :S ~ disaster, I cant imagine how bad my skin must have looked!) I think I could be really interested in this collection now, It would be my first buy since that nightmare!
I esp love the colour of the blush!
My Tuesday saddens me, I had to return home from visiting the boyfriend for two weeks ~ Seems forever ago I was telling you about visiting him for the first time! Hope happiness, nutella, glitter and other fantasticals are glossing your Tuesday.
Karen says
It seems like only yesterday when you were gonna meet him and his family for the first time! I’m really, really happy for you. Love is wonderful thing to have in your life. 😀
Ithfifi says
Thankyou Karen, your so right. We’ve spoken about things in the future (to an extent ~ we know each other is ‘THE ONE’)but his Mother ~ who I get on so well with has already said I am welcome to move in with them to find a job in their area! ~ its overwhelemed us both, its amazing how I feel at home with my ‘new family! ‘
I’d love to know how you Mr El Hub met! Wouldnt that be a fantastic blog?
What would you remember about your make up on your first ever date? Or any date? What made El Hub melt your heart?? 😀
I think you should take us back in time. With a lurrrve story!
snoopysteph says
I picked up the compact 2 weeks ago at Nordstrom. I LOVE it!
Karen says
I was wondering if you were gonna get this — I know you’re a Clinique girl!
Did you try on the lip gloss?
snoopysteph says
I didn’t try that particular shade but I’ve used other shades of Glosswear before and they’re pretty great! Clinique was my gateway makeup at the tender age of 13. 😀 Their colors may not be as bold as other brands (like MAC) but they’re great for every day, effortless looks.
Tiffany says
oooh, I wonder if my nordie’s has his yet. I love the palette and the fact that it comes with a cute bag!
oh, I have that same gloss set! Stila’s website was giving them away as a GWP before Christmas.
ugh, I don’t really have a highlight. I’m snowed in again and feeling stir crazy!
Karen says
Call them! Maybe when you can break free from the oppressive snow you can reward yourself with it, LOL!
steph b says
That bronze is stunning. This seems really similar to other recent Clinique sets. They seem to do the brown-pink-coral thing very well. I adore the gloss in Rock Violet. It is a beautiful bronzey-lavender that I bet would look lovely with your coloring.
My Tuesday has been pretty good. I’m doing my snow dance because a snow day tomorrow would be awesome. I also picked up some chai mix packets by Oregon Chai that are delish. Perfect for toting to work without having to drop $4 for a Starbucks run.
Karen says
Ya know, I don’t think I have Rock Violet. I’ll have to look that up!
Oh yah — thanks to you I picked up my first bottle of CeraVe cleanser and moisturizer yesterday. Been using it for 24 hours and so far, so good!
steph b says
Definitely check it out! It is a fantastic color.
So glad you picked up CeraVe. The cleanser keeps my skin happy does a halfway decent job on makeup. I still use remover for eye makeup depending on my eyeliner. The PM moisturizer is my go-to winter and my skin is irritated product. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles anti-aging ingredients, but it definitely soothes. I’m thinking of picking up the body moisturizer after I use up my Quench – which I love, many thanks. Let me know what you think.
Jeannine says
My Costco also has Stila. At last check they were carrying the gloss set, the mega-palette and two eyeshadow/mascara sets. I had to do a double-take when I walked by. I did pass on them, though, as I had a full cart and a very squirmy 5 year old to contend with!
Karen says
Thanks for the Stila info, Jeannine!
Nina says
ive not used clinique makeup in years! might be the right time to revisit!
Karen says
Was it your gateway makeup? I remember my college had a counter in the bookstore!
Nina says
i started out w/ revlon and maybelline and then moved on to clinique when i got a job ….
its been an endless ride since then 😛
ScentsaBeauty says
So excited for this line!! I love Clinique, there makeup always does what it promises.
Martha says
Wow that is nice! I love the bag, and I am so into palettes. I have been discovering how great Clinique is lately.
Lucie says
Whatttt?! Stila at costco?! Wow, now I’m really wishing we had those in Vermont. I remember them being a lot of fun. I think they have at least one in Boston, I’ll take a trip down there this weekend! Thanks for the tip!
As for the clinique collection, meh. Pretty but boring, nothing I would spend money on.
kana says
Great review Karen! I am loving the color of that blush. Gotta go to Macy’s and go look for it. OMG!! I’m going to go and look for the lip glosses at costco now! :p yay!
Vonvon says
I like the pinks and all, but the shades…I think I have too many of the similar shades already.
tricia c says
Nordstrom rack had the same stila lipgloss set for 7.99
Ariel says
I don’t like Clinique…the shadows are not very soft, not very pigmented. The mascara flakes on me. I do like their glosses, though.
Olga says
This compact looks really good, need to take a look at it when it’s out in germany
DalaLuz says
That palette looks really, really good, love the cute little bag too. Nonetheless, I’d better avoid the Clinique counter because these are so much my favorite, favorite colors that I keep on buying them, even if I already have many more or less similar palettes/mono/duo/quads in my possession! Its an addiction….
Amee says
long last glosswear and blush is superb….
Kim says
Super cute bag and nearly all my shadows have come from Clinique, so this is right up my alley. I actually have a GWP quad with very similar colors that I use almost everyday (because I’m kinda boring that way). I’m with you on the high impact mascara too. It’s pretty good at lengthening but not so hot with the thickening. I’m sure I have a couple of tubes drying out in a drawer somewhere. 🙂
Michelle says
I haven’t worn Clinique in years — these are looking very pretty! I love that gloss shade!
Bella says
Oh I haven’t purchased Clinique makeup in years. Is the lipgloss pretty pigmented when worn? I need a lighter pink lipgloss that actually shows up. Also, how pigmented are the eyeshadows in the compact? I might need to order it all!
Beautiful Canvas says
Are the two eyeshadows on the right hand side strawberry fudge? Look like it might be…but the pink doesn’t have the golden shimmer of strawberry fudge.
Paintthetownscarlet.wordpress.com says
Wow, I love the pearlescent finish to the eyeshadows and blush. I can imagine they look really flattering on and brighten up even the most tired skin types.
jenn says
Can you tell me if the blush in this palette is sold by itself and, if so, what is the color name? I seem to have SO many similar shadows to the ones in this palette…love that blush color though! Thanks! 🙂