BEAUTY // Clinique Christmas Gifts

Hello there!

Is it just me, or doesn't it feel like all is right with the world when Christmas gift sets come out in store? Sure, it's only October and I feel bombarded with holiday festivities (too early my friends!) but I cannot help but have a little look at the gift sets on offer. The one thing I have noticed this year is just how many amazing value sets keep popping up. When I had a browse around my local Boots I didn't want to leave and ended up buying myself a Christmas Clinique set because - well why not!

I am a big fan of the High Impact mascara. I got the trial size with a magazine and fell in love. The brush is absolutely massive, coats every lash and gives lots of volume. Even better,  is pretty good at not clumping and so no spider lashes for me. Clinique design their products for sensitive skin/eyes which mine definitely are and so how can I go wrong with that mascara? Well, I can't if I'm honest!

So, long story short, I went into Boots and saw this set. It includes the full size High Impact mascara, a trial (7 mL) of their eye cream as well as a small eyeliner. I was in need of a new pencil eyeliner and earlier that week almost bought a Kiehl's eye cream so can you imagine my happiness when I saw this set for £19. I was pretty darn happy, that's for sure. Considering that the mascara is £17.50 on it's own, you really cannot complain about that price. 

I have spoken enough about the mascara. It's pretty good and I enjoy using it. When it's brand new it clumps a little bit but after a week or so it settles down to give very minimal clumping (but don't all mascaras?). The staying power is fantastic unless you eyes start watering like a mad-man. Even better, it's easy to remove! I hate having to rub my eyes raw to take mascara off and this isn't a worry for me at all.

The Skinny Stick Eyeliner in 01 Slimming Black is exactly what I wanted. It's a really fine line that you can build up if you really want to. However, as a simple pencil to line my eyes with a nude eye - it's perfect. It's not too thick or too thin and doesn't require sharpening. Again, it stays put, although smudges a little bit, but no-where as much as others I have tried recently. It's not the most pigmented eyeliner I have ever tried but it's reasonably soft and easy to use. Would I pay full price for it? Probably not - Avon's Glimmersticks are very similar and a fraction of the price (just saying).

I haven't used the All About Eyes eye cream too much but it is nice and soothing. I don't tend to suffer with dark circles or puffy eyes but it's never too early to start caring for your skin. It's quite nice and light so I don't feel like I'm drowning my eyes in chemicals which, for me, is really nice. 

Overall, this is probably the best purchase I have made in a long time. I love the mascara and eyeliner and will 100% get more use out of the eye cream. If you want to treat a special someone to some affordable high-end cosmetics I'd definitely check out your local Clinique stand. Their gift sets are fantastic value this year (so much so that my Mum also picked up a few of the £25 Boots exclusive gift sets which look amazing. I'm so excited to open that on Christmas Day!)

Have you tried any Clinique products before or started your Christmas shopping recently? Let me know!