Review: Clinique High Lengths Mascara

So far, my quest for the best mascara in the world has led me to a lot of crumbly smeary raccoon-eyed days of test-run misery. As I've said a million times before, my miracle lash product thus far is Clinique Lash Power Mascara - waterproof, small precision applicator brush and all-around kickass formula that lasts through sweat, tears and Miami Beach in July.

Recently the fine folks at Clinique dropped me a sample of the NEW Clinique High Lengths Mascara. I didn't expect much since the other (non-Lash Power) Clinique mascaras out there rate a solid "meh" from me - they're nothing to write home about. High Lengths surprised me by being FREAKIN KILLER. KILL-ER.

Cost: $14
Details: The brush is this crazy skinny one-sided comb that looks like a praying mantis' leg or something. But it WORKS. Not only does it deliver enough product to give a glam lash look immediately (not a wussy wispy one) but it does so while enabling you to banish clumps and define each lash with a few swipes. NEVER in my life have I been able to get my lower lashes to look this long and separated.
Verdict: Get your ass to the Clinique counter STAT. I predict a sell-out in the near future!
Side Note: So far it's not on the Clinique site, but Neiman's, Bloomie's and Sephora have

Review: Clinique Youth Surge Night

Clinique just came out with the evening companion to their Youth Surge SPF 15 moisturizer - Youth Surge Night (1.7 oz. for $48.50)

I've been using Youth Surge SPF 15 for about a year now. While I could do with 15 extra notches of SPF thrown in (hello! 30 is the minimum), I appreciate how rich it is without making me feel like I rubbed a hamburger patty on my face. The new night version has a similar appeal. It goes on like a balm, which I deeply appreciate this time of year while the heat is blasting and parching the shit out of my skin. It absorbs fairly quickly and leaves your skin looking young and plump and taut and all that good stuff. I find that the next morning, I don't have to heap the moisturizer on as heavily, which is also great. I can add that thus far I have no zit evidence against Youth Surge Night. It comes in 2 versions - dry combination (2) and very dry to dry (1).

Price: $48.50 - Holy shit that's kind of expensive, right? But the jar is huge and if you don't have a freakishly large face this should last you a LONG time. I expect to get about a year out of mine.

Verdict: LOVE this. But get yourself to a Clinique counter and try before you buy - it's an investment.

Review: Clinique Deep Comfort Hand Cream

After my research into who's animal testing and who isn't, I was wondering where to turn once my former go-to winter hand cream (by bunny-beaters Neutrogena) runs out. Leave it to my friends at Clinique to save the day! I've had the opportunity to test out Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream ($17.50 for 2.5 oz.) which becomes available in November 2009, and I can't recommend it enough.

At that price point, I might call it a luxury for "just a hand cream" but I put literally a pea-sized amount in my palm and it did the job for both hands, so I think you could stretch one tube for almost an entire winter. It's extremely rich and thick but absorbed almost immediately. My skin felt really soft, not just surface-soft, and there was no heavy fragrance to it at all.

Verdict: Worth it! Try it at a Clinique counter next month and see for yourself.

P.S.: There's already a Deep Comfort Body Butter and Body Moisturizer out now. In November, a Body Wash is also set to be released.