Clinique gave one of the best VIP experiences and pop-ups at the CultureCon conference. I had the opportunity to get glammed by a pro-mua, test new products, and chat about the latest in the beauty industry. Plus, Marsai Martin, Clinique’s newest brand ambassador stopped by to share some of her favorite Clinique products.
Clinique Glam
First walking in, I was greeted by two young ladies decked out in all-white Clinique gear. I was ushered into my green chair where I met my mua Jennifer, who was going to be doing my makeup for the day. She asked me about my skin type and I explained that I had very dry skin. So she pulled the Clinique Clarifying Lotion in the number 2, which purifies my face without stripping the skin barrier.
Next, she used a small amount of the Clinique Moisture Surge, to hydrate and prep my face. Then, she began to outline my lips with Quickliner in the color Plummy. Next, she used their creamy berry-colored lip gloss in the shade Velour Pop. Initially, I was a bit nervous about it because I’ve never really tried that shade on me but as she started applying it I became pleasantly surprised.
The finish on this gloss was beautiful and wasn’t super sticky.
Then, she started on my cheeks and used the viral Clinique Cheek Pop blush that was trending on TikTok. I was surprised by how lightweight the formula is. My mua Jennifer went in with a fluffy blush brush and started applying the pinky blush to the high points on my cheeks. She would start from the front tapping across my cheeks and doing sweeping motions to blend it into my skin. I get a good flush of color and this formula is easy to build up.
Charcoal Mask
Clinique 2-in-1 Scrub/ Mask
A five-minute dual-action detoxifying face mask and scrub that helps remove pollution, impurities and excess oil while refining skin’s texture.
Price: $34
Top Products
Finally, Jennifer went in with some shimmer-toned eyeshadows and gave me this gorgeous glam look. At first, I became very wide-eyed when she started reaching for the shimmers and let out a chuckle letting me know that it was ok to experiment with different looks. I don’t usually do a bold shimmer look, it’s usually more subtle, but I decided to go for it and step out of my comfort zone. She took a dense shadow brush, tapped on the shimmers, and started applying it to my hooded eyelids.
CultureCon Takeover
Then she starts to blend out the formula using sweeping motions in the crease of the lid. I turned my head to look into the mirror and was shocked by the results. The look turned out wonderful. We also experimented with the Clinique Even Better foundation, to see some of my possible shades. Now, I have to admit finding my shade was a little tricky and we had to do some shade mixing. Next time, I’ll go into Sephora or Ulta and do another shade match myself.
After finishing with my glam, Jennifer and I chatted about how the beauty industry is changing and new trends. She tells me she’s worked as a makeup artist for Clinique stores for more than a decade. I was eager to hear her stories about how Clinique has evolved over the years and what some of her favorite products were.
After chatting, she handed me a goodie bag and smiled letting me know that I looked beautiful and would enjoy my surprise.
I was elated to see that Clinique gifted me full-sized products of the Take The Day Off cleansing balm, MoistureSurge, Clarifying Lotion, and All About Clean Clay Mask. I hugged Jennifer and asked her to take a few photos with these top beauty items. The setup of the space was breathtaking having the Clinique name etched in white on these mint green walls. This was the perfect photo-op space with all the foundations, balms, mascaras, and moisturizers being featured on these clear glass shelves, decorated with gorgeous white flowers. I can’t wait to bring all my future reviews on these beloved Clinique products.
Clarifying Lotion
Clarifying Lotion 2 For Dry Skin
A dermatologist-developed liquid exfoliating lotion clears the way for smoother, brighter skin.
Price: $34
The Experience
After my quick photo shoot, I stopped over by the bar to grab a refreshing water with lime. The thought and time that went into creating such a top-notch experience made this activation stand out from the rest at CultureCon. I sat in the comfy lime green sofa chair and drank my water taking in everything. Clinique coming into more diverse spaces and demonstrating how their products can be incorporated into the beauty routines of black women brings me deep joy. The Clinique activation was a worthwhile experience, and I can’t wait to attend more of their next events.
