Clinique released a range of versatile cheek sculpting compacts a little while back that came in six different shades ($45AUD / $32USD). Each compact contains three distinct pigments, separated into colour, contour and highlight. So they can be used to help sculpt your cheekbones, or you can swirl them all together for a single colour blush.
In true Celina fashion, I picked Defining Nectars which was the coral and peach coloured blush. Admittedly I don’t own nor wear very many Clinique blushes, which in retrospect is a pity because the quality of their blushes is perfect for everyday use.
Whilst they are pigmented, the powder isn’t too soft which makes it easier to pick up enough product to obtain a nice rosy glow. Additionally, their blendability makes it easier to sheer out the blush, especially if you are using this for everyday and are looking to achieve a more subtle shade. This is certainly the case with me, I often struggle to find the right balance between giving my cheeks enough colour without making it look like I’ve been in the cold for too long.
When it comes to sculpting, your technique with this really makes all the difference. I wouldn’t recommend using a traditional blush brush if you are intending to sculpt. I would first recommend taking a smaller dense brush and first apply the darkest shade in the hollows of your cheeks. I’d apply it in a diagonal line starting from closer to your mouth and moving up towards your ear. Then above that apply a line using the medium shade, then repeat again with the lightest shade just above the medium colour. Then take a fluffy brush and blend out all the harsh lines.
However if you’re like me, then feel free to take your traditional blush brush and swirl it to give yourself a beautiful coral glow. I much prefer the colour of this product when all shades are mixed together rather than using each shade on its own.
All in all, this is a lovely blush and I can’t really fault it on much. I would say that for the price I’d be more inclined to reach for something a little more to my taste, for example the Clinique Cheek Pops are amazing and so unique. I personally prefer to sculpt my face using a traditional bronzer and highlighter so the sculpting traits this blush offers isn’t something that appeals much to me.
Clinique’s Sculptionary Cheek Contouring Palette is available at both Nordstrom and Clinique.
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