SUNDAY NIGHT, 6:06 P.M., MY LIVING ROOM COUCH — I’m gobbling Peanut M&Ms by the handful and gulping Riesling. It’s all I can do to cope.
(If you joined me on Twitter last night, then you know why.)
It’s nothing makeup-related, and certainly nothing related to blush. In fact, the couple layers of Clinique’s Cheek Pop Blush in Ginger Pop ($21) I applied early in the day are helping to calm my rattled nerves. Ten hours after applying, the satiny coral color is still going strong, sans streaks, and with only minimal fading.
The problem: more zombies.
Not even 10 minutes into The Walking Dead Season 4 finale, and I’m wondering if I have enough chocolate to make it through the hour. I contemplate sending El Hub out to get more.
Beads of sweat glisten on my forehead. I unzip my Zella hoodie to cool down but promptly zip it back up. I might need to use it as a security blanket.
A band of brutal marauders descend on Rick, Carl and Michonne, and the story takes a dark, dark turn…
I pop some more M&Ms and gulp the wine realizing that this can’t end well. I hug myself tightly and rock back and forth. “Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no!”
The head marauder has Rick in a headlock while the others surround them. I think, I don’t know if I’ll be able to watch the show anymore if something (else) terrible happens.
OMG, DID THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN?!?
I’m screaming through a mouthful of half-chewed bits of M&Ms for what seems like an eternity, but is really just 10-15 seconds.
When the show cuts to commercial, I grab my asthma inhaler, just in case.
Think happy thoughts, I tell myself. Puppies. Kittens. Flowers…
Flowers! — like the ones on these pans of Clinique Cheek Pop Blushes. 🙂
I close my eyes and concentrate on the Cheek Pops, which look exactly like the daisies I’m growing on my deck. My pulse slows as I focus on the easy-to-apply creamy powders.
I feel…better, even as the show resumes after the commercial break. I’m glad that we live in a world free of zombies (for now), where we can contemplate things like blush on our couches, because I’m pretty sure I’d be picked off early in zombie-land. I think I’m too gentle for that world. Too soft.
Then I think, hey, at least I’ll have a fabulous blush on my cheeks when it happens, and everything’s better when you’re wearing a great blush…
The Clinique Cheek Pop Blushes: 10,000-Foot View
What’s the marketing mumbo-jumbo?
Clinique claims that these silky powder blushes, which are part of a new line, look natural and virtually powder-less on cheeks. The four shades stay true on the skin, and should cover options for most every skin tone. While vibrant in their pans, they apply sheer, but can be built up in layers to reach your desired level of intensity.
And the final verdict?
You know the MAC In Extra Dimension Blushes that MAC, for some insane reason, only releases in limited edition collections? They’re MAC’s line of unfathomably smooth cream-powder-liquid hybrids that apply flawlessly and last a cray-cray long time (8-10 hours without having to touch up)?
Well, I’ve long wished that MAC would make them permanent, and in a way I guess my wish came true because now there’s something similar at Clinique!
We are talking about some seriously bomb-@ss blushes, yo.
Based on their similarities, I wouldn’t be surprised if Clinique and MAC shared secret formulas (they do have the same parent company, so who knows?).
Looking, feeling and behaving like clones, the Cheek Pops could easily pass for In Extra Dimension dupes, with the same satiny finish and silky, easy-to-blend formula — not to mention a pretty kick-@ss wear time (I get from 10-12 hours).
Fantastic for effortless, natural-looking cheeks — and they’re versatile, too. I can easily build them up in layers when I want to wear something intense and brighter.
So what do you think?
I love ’em! Highly recommended.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Yes…I do know that I sound a little crazy right now, haha!
I just got one of these in the Sephora sale. I feel like I’m going to end up getting all of them, lol. They are so fantastic!
Those look lovely on you!
Hi Erin
Great name!
From Erin
Peach Pop looks beautiful! Do you think it would help neutralize redness because of the peachy tones?
I had no idea Clinique and MAC had the same parent company. I’ve wondered if MAC and Bobbi Brown did, because the shipping packaging from their websites is nearly identical.
Yup, MAC, Clinique and Bobbi Brown are all owned by Estee Lauder. Often times very similar formulations will pop up between the different lines, with tweaks here and there to suit the audience. 🙂
I’m picking Ginger Pop and Berry Pop next time I head to Clinique!
That embossed daisy is the CUTEST!! I like the look of the Ginger Pop, I have so many pink blushes. Nice to know they have amazing wear time too, theres nothing worse than walking around thinking you have an amazing glow to only look in the mirror and see (in my case) you look like a sickly casper the ghost!
Beryy Pop looks best.. I love this embossed flowery pattren.. <3
I almost always wear cheek stains, but your review is tempting me! Especially since I just got my Sephora VIB coupon!
Long story, but I pretty much *had* to buy one of these a few days ago! (I know- poor me, right?) My husband and I were driving from Chicago to Columbus OH, and we stopped in Indianapolis to grab some lunch. My husband parked in a parking garage that he had parked in before that he said would cost “2 or 3 dollars.” Unfortunately, we didn’t notice that the parking rate had been jacked up because there was a March Madness game going on in town that day! Parking was $20, unless you could show a receipt for a $20 purchase from the attached mall. We were short on time, but fortunately, I knew just the thing I could buy in a pinch! And for almost exactly $20 to boot! I got the Berry Pop shade, and I love it! Totally deserving of all the hype. And, if you think about it, I sorta-kinda got it for free! (With purchase of $20 parking spot.)
I’ve been wanting to try these! Ginger Pop looks so pretty on you!
I’ve been so excited about these, and now (thanks to my mum and sister!) I have one coming my way – in Peach Pop! 😀 Even more excited now!
These look perfect for the spring! I’ve only recently started getting into blushes and I think I’m obssesed::: I just got Tarte’s Tipsy and Bobbi Brown’s Nectar blush and I’m in heaven. Tipsy is just perfect for summer and Nectar is now forever my holy grail everyday blush. I must go see these Clinque ones though!;)
I didn’t get to watch TWD til tonight and I think everyone who watched was thinking “OMG WTF HOLY !@#$ RICK” ten minutes in!! That was intense. Fighter Rick is back. Also, I freaking L O V E these blushes. They like never fade. Its the only blush I have ever used that looks even better as the day progresses! It seriously has blown my mind! And on my oily yet aging skin with pores the size of swimming pools, it doesn’t accentuate my fine lines or skin imperfections. I give it an A+++ without any hesitation.
oh gosh.. more than the colors, I’m drooling over the packaging! So pretty! <3
I love the look of the blushers and the formula sounds so good – can’t wait to get my hands on one or two (: x
http://www.madeleineslittleblog.blogspot.co.uk
I actually thought these were cream when I saw your first pic. No surprise that I love the daisy design. 🙂 They look really lovely on you and I’m still amazed that they’re powder. Very intriguing!
That scene was very difficult to watch but I was 100% on board with Rick’s reaction. I was not a fan of the kinder, gentler version of his character. He needs to be able to put that aside (when necessary) to survive, and not be consumed with guilt afterward. I can’t even imagine being able to watch the alternative. Just horrific. 🙁
I really have my eye on these – I want to pick one up soon. Karen, I love your top here!
I like peach pop! thanks for sharing 🙂
http://sbbeautydiary.blogspot.com
These are so cheery and fun, definitely a great perk of color! And they do look fantastic on you 🙂
Am I the only one in the world who didn’t like these? The colors are gorgeous and the flower is so cute but I could not get any of my brushes to pick up hardly any pigment. The blushes themselves are pretty hard
wow, Karen you look sooo great, i love the colour GINGER POP! xo Babsi