I popped to Gunwarf Quays in Portsmouth today to do a tad more Christmas shopping. Gunwarf is full of outlet stores including the likes of Kurt Geiger, Jack Wills, Ralph Lauren, French Connection etc, so you always manage to grab yourself a little bargain. As is becoming my Christmas tradition this year, I managed to purchase two little treats for myself too (quelle surprise). There is a fab cosmetics store which I’ve never actually been in before, and boy have I been missing out. They have top quality makeup at outlet store prices … yes i know, hard to believe the pure luck of this. Mac, Estee Lauder, Clinique, and Bobbi Brown were my fave brands featured, and I really can’t believe the discounts.
I purchased these two Clinique make up goodies, at a bargain of a rate. Firstly the Super Balanced Clinique Foundation RRP £21, I paid £14.75 & secondly Clinique’s Shimmering Stripes blusher (Limited edition) RRP £24, I paid £12. Hard to refuse right?
I’m not usually a big foundation wearer, I tend to stick to my Benefit Boi-ing cover up or my new Benefit Gorgeous Gal concealer to hide my imperfections but every now and then I do wish I had a good foundation which is light on the skin but a miracle at covering blemishes. The Christmas season and the unworldly consumption of mulled wine and beige food (we like to call the extreme canape consumption ‘media beige’ in my industry) has made my skin suffer even more than usual, so I thought it was about time I invested in a good quality but hard working foundation to help me look a little more human.
I’ve heard a lot of reviews about the Estee Lauder double wear foundation so instinctively I went to purchase this (RRP £26 but in this store it was £16). However then I tested this Clinique one, and being a big Clinique fan anyway, I was very impressed with how light it was on my skin and yet how well it covered and cleared all skin imperfections. I’ve been very very impressed with every other Clinique product I’ve used, and I live by their skin care products so I decided to be brand loyal and choose this ‘Super Balanced’ foundation in Neutral (no.65).
My second treat was less of a necessity and more a little indulgence as I absolutely loved the colour palette and I’ve been interested in buying a powder blusher for a while now. I usually use my Bobbi Brown Blusher Stick or my Benefit Benetint, but as much as I love both these products, I still wanted a nice powder blush as I do feel a powder sits a lot more lightly on your skin. So when I saw this cute little compact blush I was instantly grabbing for my purse. It was a toss up between the Clinique blush and the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick blusher, now don’t get me wrong I LOVE the Bobbi Brown blush and bronzer sets (I use the bronzer set already), but to be honest the Clinique one was £10 cheaper and actually the colours were a lot more vibrant on the skin, and so the Clinique shimmering stripes powder blusher got my vote in the end.
I’m totally chuffed with both my purchases and can’t believe that for the foundation and the blusher I paid £26, opposed to the £45 it should have cost me. I don’t even feel bad for treating myself yet again at that rate … it would have been rude not to :) I may even go back to stock up on some Mac Lipstick and eyeshadow sets too.
wow, this looks like a bargain place!so jell of your discounted goodies!
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I live in Portsmouth and absolutely love this shop! I always buy my EL double wear from here and find it easier to try something new if it’s more reasonably priced.
I did look at the Clinique foundations last time but ended up being distracted by the bobbi brown display! Maybe next time I’ll have a look at this one :)
xx
i love clinique foundation, they do the perfect shades too. love your blig i’m a new follower xx