Taking the Day Off

I have been a loyal Clinique fan since high school. My aunts from the US regularly sends me a haul of Clinique items that includes moisturizers, soaps, and clarifying lotion. Up until this day, I use a number of Clinique products like my ever-reliable blush, cleansing oil, and perfume. Though the brand is quite on the steep side in terms of pricing, Clinique has always been successful in making its patrons perpetually grow in number because, aside from the fact that they offer allergy-tested skin care solutions, their products are especially crafted to deliver.

For this blog post, I will be reviewing the brand’s famous cleansing oil wittily named Take The Day Off. It is a gentle yet effective makeup remover for the lids, lashes, and lips. Its double-phase formula leaves you with a watery layer and an oily layer. You have to shake it well before using.

I finished my latest 4.2oz. bottle of Clinique Take The Day Off just recently [and got another cleansing oil from a different brand but that story would be in different blog entry which I will be writing as soon as I consume that newly-purchase item] and thought of sharing with you some of my random thoughts concerning this trusty dresser staple.

What I love about this product :
> easily dissolves long-wearing makeup, even the most stubborn, waterproof mascara
> non-stinging / non-irritating
> appropriate for contact lens wearers; mild enough for the eye area
> it’s multi-purpose — aside from the 3Ls [lids, lashes, lips], I use it for my eyes, brows, and cheeks as well.
> fragrance-free, paraben-free, mineral oil-free
> easy to apply
> non-drying [obviously, since it's oil]
> a small amount goes a long way

My rants about this product :
> the price — the full size [4.2 fl.oz] costs P1300-P1500 in Rustan’s or you can get it for $18++ in the US
*Although Take The Day Off isn’t the most expensive makeup remover available, it isn’t cheap, either.
> It’s supposed to be non-greasy and though it promises to provide a no-oily after-feel, it can still be a little too oily at times. [Or is the just the skin on my naturally-oily face? ]

According to Clinique, the proper way to use the product is to :

* Shake well before using.
* Saturate cotton ball with remover.
* Cleanse one eye area at a time. Apply to eye area and hold for several seconds, then wipe with downward strokes.
* Repeat using fresh cotton ball if necessary.
* Use a new saturated cotton ball or tissue for lipstick removal.
* Rinse with cool water.

I have a different method of application and it’s quite far from the “proper”. But it works just the same so… Haha! Here’s how I use it :

* Apply cleansing oil to dry face with dry hands [well, sometimes I resort to using cotton pads].
* Massage it on face until makeup melts off.
* Splash with a bit of water and continue massaging. [The oil will transform into a milky liquid.]
* Rinse until water runs clear.

Okay, review done. Now, this is where the fun part of this post really starts. Ready? I’m having another giveaway! Since November is a special month for me [and to be in-sync with the whole Clinique talk], I will be giving away some of the Clinique items [in travel sizes] I swear by. Excited? Here are the goodies up for grabs:

1. Clinique Take The Day Off Travel Size [1.7 fl.oz/50ml]

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2. Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick Mini in Rosy Blush

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3. I decided to throw in a Clinique Travel Dish, as well, to complete the set.

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The mechanics are simple. All you have to do to win this Clinique loot are the following:

1. Post an update about this giveaway in your Twitter, Plurk, Facebook, and/or other social networking account/s. Be sure to adjust the privacy settings of your update such that it would be viewable by everyone [and by me, of course]. I will really be checking.
Note: You may use the Twitter button and/or the Add To Any button below for easy sharing and update-posting.
2. Go back to this post after doing step #1 and, in the comments section, provide me with the link of your update so I could verify your entries. Without this step, you will not be included in the raffle. One update per account per day = 1 raffle entry. You cannot post multiple updates in a single social networking account in one day.
3. Promo period is from November 2, 2010 until November 23, 2010.
4. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be announced here on November 27, 2010.
5. I will be sending the prize to the winner’s address for free. And since I will need to contact the winner for the necessary shipping details, please do not forget to leave your email address in the corresponding area in the comments section.
6. Prizes are authentic, brand new Clinique products, which will be shipped in excellent condition.
7. Promo is open to all Philippine residents only.

IMPORTANT : I will be updating everyone with a tally of raffle entries every Tuesday until the 23rd. [Meaning on November 9, 16, 23] Kindly refer to that list for your corresponding points per week. That weekly tally will save all of us the hassle of commenting on and checking this blogpost every now and then. Yeah? Thanks for participating!

Have fun and ! By the way, would you know why I consider this month an extra special month and why I’m feeling a tad generous?

*To see the tally for Week 1 and the new set of rules for Week 2, click here.
**To see clarifications on the mechanics for WEEK 2, kindly read my most recent post in the comments section below.
*** To see the tally for Week 2 and the new set of rules for Week 3, click here.
**** To see the tally for Week 3, click here.