My 2nd Favorite Cosmetics Company: Clinique

I have an aunt who, in her much younger and fashionable days, always bought high end department store cosmetics. Yes, she was always beautiful but I never understood how someone could spend that kind of money on make-up.  Unless you had that kind of money to spend...and for a while she did.  For some reason, the only brand that stuck with me was Clinique.  Probably because it was French and I took French in high school just so I could translate the perfume bottles at the mall.

Many years later, Clinique came out with the spot remover cream for those of us with either acne or sun damage.  Just into my 40's and starting to notice the sun damage to my skin...well, I was hooked and I didn't know why except that I had to have it.  For once I was really tempted by marketing.  Although it costs around $50 for not a whole lot of product, I faithfully used it for a number of months making the mall employees very happy.  Soon I was introduced to the "gift bag".  Just buy a certain amount of this and you get that which includes about 5 or 6 samples and a great looking bag. OMG again I am hooked.


From the samples I begin to develop a relationship with several that became my favorites.  I would scour the newspaper for ad of the "next" gift bag.  I would wait in line anxiously anticipating and hoping the lady in front of me wouldn't get the "last one".  With a small collection of cosmetic bags I found that packing for trips became simple.  The green bag for "girly products", the orange summer bag for travel sized versions of shampoo, soap, conditioner, hairspray etc., and the bright new multi-colored bag for mascara, lipstick, powders, brushes etc.  My travel life became easier and color coordinated while my bank account became lighter. 

So I vowed not to buy another "gift" bag w/o first (completely) using the product I purchased for the last "gift" bag.  Then I use what is bought while sampling new products and in return obtaining a full size product (like the facial cleansers, moisturizers etc.) and a "gift" bag.  This makes each purchase feel more like "treats" w/o wasting (too much) money and the product themselves.  The extra bonus is many of the products are top quality and worth the money, the employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and the counters are bright and inviting.

The photos are copyright by me, they are products that I have bought, and use frequently.