I was sixteen the first time I tried Clinique. I received sample sizes as gifts from my best friend on special occasions. Little did I know that he would ask for these from his mom whenever she went to the US; his mom got the full-sized bottles, all the samples were his, to give to me. I married my best friend eight years later. Clinique was only one of the wonderful ways he showed me his love, even at a time we didn’t even know of it yet.
I am now 44. I have been using Clinique for the last 28 years. I rely on Clinique for my skin care and I use their cosmetics on a regular basis. My friends say I look young for my age and I always counter that fat has no wrinkles, but I believe Clinique has had a lot to do with it too. That, and my wonderful husband’s love for me.
I wrote this entry to Shen’s Addictions’ post on the Clinique Real Women Party. I had hoped to be her guest for the party but knowing that others were just as interested as I was, I took a chance that a plain housewife and Nanay (mother) would be just as welcome as the pretty young people I often see in beauty and fashion blogs. Even as the experience would be totally novel and alien to someone who stays at home for the most part of the day, I wanted to step out of my comfort one and see what else the world has to offer.
Fortunately, I was not denied my hopes. Early Thursday evening, I received a phone call from Shen herself informing me that I had been chosen. I tried to be calm on the phone but you should have seen me that time; I was really all hyped up! As soon as I put the phone down, I grabbed it back to speed dial Aβ₯’s number at the office.
Me: Hon, I won! I won!
Aβ₯: I always knew you would, honey.
Me: I won! I won! I won!
Aβ₯: You deserve to win. I love you.
Me: I won! I won! I won! Thank you, honey! This is all because of you! π
And so it came to pass that on November 5, I was one of six guests to join six beauty and fashion bloggers to a night of beauty, fun, talk (lots of it!), good food and hopefully, newfound friendships with these young, beautiful people.
The Clinique Real Women Party
My takeaway from the Clinique Party was more than just the makeover, the great dinner, or the wonderful gifts they sent us home with (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of that, boo). It’s that real women love themselves for who and what they are- warts, pimples, wrinkles, flab and all. I also learned the value of setting a few minutes each day to care for your skin, and knowing this, I am more diligent now in applying what I learned.
Back at home, I laid out my products in a line and studied them intently. (These are just the skin care products. My cosmetics are a whole different matter altogether.) Suddenly, I realized that for a low-maintenance girl, I am quite high maintenance after all! Hahaha!
My favorite products: Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief, Comfort on Call (I love, love, love this!), Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Moisture Surge Face Spray Thirsty Skin Relief. Lesson learned: When you moisturize long enough, even leather becomes soft!
I will always be grateful to Clinique Philippines for this experience, and to all the wonderful people who made that night possible for a Nanay like me. Thank you, dear Shen, Mira, Kay, Paolo, Tricia, Ella and all the other kind people (Lauren, Nikki, Sophie, among others, forgive me if my senior citizen neurons fail me at this moment) that I met during those few hours.
Still, if you ask me what really makes a woman beautiful, plain and fat and old as she may be, I would have to answer this: the most wonderful beauty product in the world is the faithful and sincere love of an honest man. I love you always, Aβ₯!
I can almost hear your son saying “Go get a room!” LOL.
I know, right? He goes “eewww” when his parents pull a PDA (public display of affection) on him. “Not cool, Mom!”
You look lovely Kittymama! So now we know your secret – Clinique and TLC from your man! What a lovely experience you had. I’m a Clinique user too but I also love the sun so it’s double hard to keep skin healthy which reminds me I have to replenish my 3-step.
Love that your Macavity pair is wearing Little Creations originals. You are my official model! Thank you Pinky!
Congratulations!!! You got to live your dream, and you deserve it! You are a very lucky woman, in so many ways! π
Don’t forget my Hello Kitty giveaway, Kittymama! π
Hi, Jen! Thank you for your kindness and thanks for dropping by this blog again! I am holding out for your next giveaway, which, you hinted was going to be miniatures! (I don’t think I’m lucky enough to win twice so I am hedging my bets, haha!) I’ll be there as soon as you say Go!
Hello, Madame C! Next Bonus time, we can do our Clinique shopping together! If you love the sun, that’s all the more reason to subscribe to the Clinique regimen, di ba? And yes, a huge part of why I don’t look a day over 43 (hehe) is that I am blessed with Aβ₯’s kindness always.
I ought to get more LC apparel soon. My cats have been all over in them! π
Oh wow, congratulations! That looked so much fun. What’s wrong with your “frazzled” look? It makes me want to buy Clinique again (I’m a Clinique fan too), because your skin looks really soft and flawless in the photo.
Hi, Geri! The frazzled look is my everyday look, heehee. I think that as we get older, it becomes more important to stick to a daily skin regimen. It’s not bad to grow old but we must always do so with grace. π Thank you for the kind words, Geri!
It was great meeting you and gosh! you are one lovely girl with a cheerful heart! Age is just a number kasi you look like you were just on your late 20s! Pramis yan!!!!
Hope to see you soon and wow on being a Clinique Addict π Sweet photo at the end part!!!!
Thank you, Nikki! I am bowled over with the “late 20s” compliment- baka late,late, super late 20s, yan! I like to say that I don’t look a day over 43!
I hope to see you all soon. I so enjoyed meeting all of you- I have never seen so many beautiful people in one room ever! And you guys are not only beautiful outside, inside din! π
You brought such great, positive energy to the event! I really enjoyed meeting you and “best friend” — you know how the whole team adores your Clinique story. LOVE that you are such a Clinique advocate! Thank you! β€
You look so pretty! I love that shade of lipstick on you – it’s so becoming! I’m glad you had a lovely day. Kitty deserves pampering ^_^
Panda, I could just kiss you right now! You always know how tol ift my spirits! π