Latest Lancome Gift with Purchase

I've got issues...clearly.  I have to admit I ordered this out of spite more than anything, which actually makes no sense when you hear the story.

I wandered in *made a beeline* to one of beauty bars inside Shoppers Drug Mart, a while back.  I was looking at the Lancome display because I had seen their gift with purchase promo online, and wondered if by chance Shoppers had the gift there to look at.

One of the sales ladies came over & when I asked her she gave me the condescending, 'oh no dear there is no gift with purchase promo on right now' answer, followed by the little dismissive laugh.  I told her well actually I was on the Lancome website the night before and had seen it, so maybe it was just at one of the department stores.  She gives me the 'dear I'm on that site aaaaallll the time and I think you're confused, you're thinking of the Christmas promo which is loooonnnnnggggg over'.  Back goes straight up, b*tch mode gets turned on.

Long story short I leave annoyed, get home, fire up the computer, find the promo on their website and place my order, smug with satisfaction.  Showed her didn't I?  See makes no sense.

Anyway, moving on.  I had to order $35 in order to get the gift, so I purchased this:

Bienfait Multi-Vital Moisturizer with SPF 30

I had read lots of very favourable reviews of this lotion so decided to try it and I love it.  It is a nice and light daily moisturizer that absorbs well into the skin & leaves no tacky residue.  It does have a bit of a scent, kind of like fresh cut grass or the smell when you cut the stems off fresh flowers.  Might sound bizarre but it is very nice and only very lightly scented, which doesn't linger at all.  I only need two very small pumps of this to cover my face and bonus, it has SPF 30 in it.

So what was in my well earned gift?

It came in this cute little bag, which is satin on the outside, with a black patent looking bow...love it.

So here is what was inside.  

Eclat Miracle complexion illuminator; 3X high resolution moisturizer; eyeshadow quad, Definicils mascara in black; Color Design metallic lipstick in Ooh La La. 

Is is just me or does the Definicils mascara stink?  I swear my last one smelled strange too.  I think it's supposed to be a rose scent but it's just too strong or something and I honestly can't stand it.  

The lipstick I'll give to a friend because I just won't use it, it does appear to be a beautiful colour though.  

I actually really like the quad shadows.  The last ones I got from Lancome did not have good colour payoff but these are much better and are very wearable.  

Love the 3x!!  This will be what I use for travel, love this moisturizer.  I haven't played with the Eclat illuminator enough to give you an honest opinion yet but it seems promising.  I'll keep you posted. 

Honestly, for the bag & 3X alone I would have been happy.  I've found a new daily moisturizer that I love, got a cute makeup bag, a travel size of my beloved 3x and proved that...woman...wrong at the drugstore.  Even if she doesn't know it.  

Please tell me I'm not the only one to make a spiteful purchase.  Oh and for you Canadian girls, they have another promo running right now...I'm only one snarky comment away from getting this one too.

Lancome update!

As you might remember I was off to the Lancome counter last weekend.  I had to spend $34 to qualify for the gift with purchase, which had a few products I really wanted to try.  So what did I end up with?

I went with the Effacernes Waterproof concealer!  Exciting right?  I know it isn't some beautifully colored flashy product, but I am still happy with my choice.  I have only worn it twice now, so not long enough to give a full review, but I'll keep you posted.  Of course the concealer was $31, just shy of the required amount for the gift.  I told the salesgirl that I was on a strict budget so she suggested a sharpener for $5, to take me past the $34.  I was impressed by that, because typically the salespeople won't offer those kinds of suggestions & instead try and sell you another full price product.  

Here is what was in my gift bag

Shadow quad - tiny shadows, can you see the dime for comparison!; High resolution cream; Bi-facial eye makeup remover; Lipstick in Love it! - there is a darker one you can chose if you like; Genifique serum - tiny at .25 fl oz; Hypnose drama mascara; 
Eye Kohl in black ebony; plus the two bags

All in all, I think that you get a fair number & amount of products to try.  I'm hoping not to fall in love with the Genifique because it is quite an expensive line, even though the salesgirl told me I would.  We'll see.  This promo is on until Feb 14th at Sears while supplies last. 

I'll post an update down the road & let you know my thoughts.  

Free gift with purchase - Clinique Bonus time at Sears

For those who may have missed it last month at the Bay, it’s Clinique bonus time again at Sears.  All you have to do is spend $26.50 or more to receive this great gift worth $70. Apparently this offer is valid both online at Sears.ca or in stores.  Offer is valid from Saturday October 30 until Friday November 5th, while quantities last.  This would make a great Christmas gift for yourself or someone else!  Check it out.   

Gift includes: 

• Pop-Up Brush with Mirror

• High Lengths Mascara in Black - 4 mL

• 2-in-1 Lipstick & Gloss Duo, in Different Raspberry Glacé 1.3 g & Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Fireberry 4.5 mL

• Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent - 60 mL

• Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser - 30 mL

• Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - 30 mL

• Cosmetics Bag

Update - Clinique’s free gift with purchase

Just wanted to give you an update on my post about the free gifts with purchase that were included in the last Clinique promotion, see my full initial post here Clinique's free gift with purchase

Item: All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage

Original thoughts: This is supposed to instantly refresh & reduce puffy eyes on contact.  There are a lot of positive reviews about this product.  People report that it’s very soothing and they can instantly see less puffiness and under eye swelling.

Update: I love putting this on in the morning, the coolness of the roller ball against

my skin feels refreshing if nothing else.  I feel like it does help reduce puffiness under my eyes but as this isn’t one of my issues, I don’t know how effective it would be on others who have more under eye swelling. 

Will I purchase: Most likely, I’m started to become addicted to the soothing feel of the roller ball, it’s a great way to wake-up.  Oil free, non-irritating, ophthalmologist tested. $25.50 for 0.5oz on Clinique.ca 

Item: High Impact Mascara

Original thoughts: I’ve tried the Clinique Lash Doubling mascara before and I really like it.  I find it doesn’t clump, really defines my lashes and is easy to apply.  It also doesn’t flake or transfer to my skin.

Update: I much prefer the Lash Doubling mascara over the High Impact.  I had some issues with the product clumping & flaking and it didn’t really make my lashes look that great, working thru the effort to apply it wasn’t worth it. 

Will I purchase: No, but I would buy Clinique’s Lash Doubling mascara. Ophthalmologist tested. $18 on Clinique.ca

Item: Color Surge Eye shadow quad

  Stone Violet Sunburst duo, Darker shade from beach plum duo 

Frosted blossom soft shimmer, Night plum stay matte

Swatched in order listed above

Original thoughts: The eye shadows are a beautiful combination of violet colors, both matte and shimmer.  The shimmer is very subtle and I think they will be beautiful very wearable colors. 

Update:  I am not wowed by these eye shadows.  None of them are particularly unique colors that you couldn’t get at the drugstore.  The two darker shades are the most matte shades but I found them difficult to apply and the color payoff wasn’t great.  The frosted blossom and the ‘darker shade from the beach plum duo’ have more shimmer.  They are both easier to apply and have good color payoff, but these are fairly shimmery.  They are all generally long lasting shadows, especially with a primer. 

Will I purchase: No (Item is not for individual sale-no pricing available)

Item: High Impact SPF 15 lipstick in 19 Extreme Pink

 Extreme Pink

Slightly sheered out
 

Original thoughts: The lip color is a very bright deep pink, which really lets everyone know you’re wearing lipstick.  It’s a flattering color, but I’ll have to be in a brave lipstick mood to wear it, as I tend towards more muted colors.

Update:  Yup, it’s bright alright.  I am just not someone who can pull this color off.  I do like the color thou and have found a way to wear it.  I apply it to the centre of my lips and then sheer it out with some Vaseline – pretty!  I do like the formulation of this lipstick, it’s quite moisturizing and has good staying power. 

Will I purchase: Undecided.  Given the way I apply it, this one will last me forever.  Good thing it doesn’t expire until 2013!  Allergy tested, fragrance free. $18 on Clinique.ca

Item: 7 day scrub cream

 Original thoughts: The jury is still out for me on the 7 Day Scrub Cream.  This is meant as a gentle exfoliating scrub and has very fine, non-gritty particles in it.  I think it’s more of a blend of a scrub and facial cleanser rather than just a scrub, which is a good thing.  I just don’t know if my skin is too sensitive for it or not as it did seem to cause more redness to my skin, but I’ll give it another try. 

Update: I like it.  I apply it over clean damp skin.  I use the softest facecloth I own to take this off and I am loving how this makes my skin feel.  I don’t find it is causing any redness and I haven’t seen any adverse reactions from using it.  I only use it about once a week, even thou they claim it’s gentle enough for everyday use.

Will I purchase: Yes, I think this makes my skin look brighter. Fragrance free and allergy tested. Priced at $22 for 100ml on Clinique.ca

Item:  Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Rock Violet (purchased)

With primer                    Without primer

Original thoughts: I had read positive reviews that this shadow was a pretty silver lilac color and that it could be worn on it’s own or as a base for other shadows.  I am always a little worried about creasing with any cream shadow, but people report that his doesn’t do that & stays put all day.  I also think it will go well with the lilac shadows that came with my free gift.

Update: This is a silver lilac but it is also a VERY frosty looking shadow, and I don’t do frost.  The good news is that it doesn’t seem to crease but I could only wear it under a powder shadow, in order to tone down the color.   If you apply it with a primer, the frost seems to be toned down a bit but not enough for me. 

Will I re-purchase: No but I did like the idea of these shadows and will be checking out their other colors to see if I can find one that might work.  Ophthalmologist tested. $19.50 on Clinique.ca