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The Golden Girl

Chicago Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

December 4, 2015

Winter Skincare for Him & Her

CliniqueSidebySide

 

When it comes to Neal, there’s not really a day that goes by that I’m not reminded of how lucky I am in one way or another. 

One small example, is that he’s a guy who has actually started to take skincare seriously. (How many girls can say their boyfriends/husbands appreciate skincare products? Not many.)

So when Clinique reached out and asked not only me to test out their Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush, but also for Neal to test out the brush especially made for men, he happily agreed. (Big strides coming from a guy who used to wash his face with hand soap before we started dating.) 




Clinique is a brand that I grew up with. My mom, like me, (Neal calls me “little Lynn” as I am slowly turning into her more each day) has her fair share of sensitive skin issues. (Big shocker there.) She always taught me to be very careful with what I put on my face. (Thus the disapproving, neurotic tone when she had found out I bought my first bottle of foundation at the drug store as a 13 year old. Unacceptable!)

I remember rifling through her beauty drawers and cabinets as a little girl and experimenting with tons of Clinique products–her lipstick of choice, older than I am–is Clinique lipstick in Guava Stain. I can still recall how much I loved the smooth feeling of swiping it on my lips as a little girl. It was the first lipstick I ever wore. 

(I’m getting to the point, I promise.) 

Fast forward 20 some years later, I’ve experienced my fair share of skin problems–acne, horrible dryness (especially in the winter), allergic reactions up the waz–you name it. But Clinique products have always been what I reached for over and over again. They’re what work for me, and I love them dearly. 

On the flip side, Neal does not exactly have my long list of skin problems. (Ugh. Jealousy.) But he does care about using quality products that: A. Do not make him break out. B. Don’t dry out his face, and C. Are specifically made for men, and cannot be misinterpreted as women’s products. EVER. 

So–does the Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush live up to our long list of expectations? Let’s find out…


FIRST UP: CLINIQUE FOR MEN

IMG_9169IMG_9195

 

Neal tested out the Clinique For Men Sonic System Deep Cleansing Brush along with the Clinique For Men Charcoal Face Wash and…ding ding ding–had great things to say about both of them.

All of Clinique’s men’s products are developed specifically for male skin (which I admittedly didn’t believe, so I tested the brush out in comparison to mine, and I have to admit, it feels completely different!) The brush is two-toned, with the top bristles specifically made for tougher areas of the face–forehead and chin, with softer bottom bristles, which go easy on cheeks. 

The brush has helped keep his skin crystal clear, making it smooth and soft. (Winter is especially harsh on skin for both of us, so this has really helped.) He uses it in the shower in the AM to prep before he shaves! 

As for the Charcoal Cleanser–it looks exactly like my intense charcoal mask in the bottle, which is a little scary at first for a guy who washes his face with hand soap. But after applying it, it essentially goes on like regular soap. (So no worries there!) The charcoal helps draw out impurities from the skin, is soothing, and non-drying. 

(I also sometimes steal it to use for myself. Shhhh.) 


FOR HER: Clinque Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Patterned Brush 

IMG_9268 IMG_9217IMG_9304

 

And me? I tried out the Sonic System brush for women. 

I have to admit, before I tried this brush–I really didn’t think it was going to be different from similar products I had used in the past, and had used for years! 

But actually, I was totally surprised! This brush was much different. 

For one, I loved that this was significantly smaller and lighter. It just made it much easier to maneuver around your face. Plus, you only have to charge it every three months. The bristles are also made for the curves of your face. Like the men’s version, it has two different bristle areas–the top bristles, being firmer for the tougher parts of your face, like your forehead and chin. The softer bristles are made for cheeks, so they don’t get over-scrubbed. Additionally, they’re anti-microbial, so they stay clean and don’t hoard breakout-causing bacteria. 

The results? Clearer, smoother, more even skin. Who doesn’t want that? I used my brush alongside the foaming sonic face soap, which was really mild and foamy, and didn’t irritate my sensitive skin. I use it once per day, at night, and I’ve loved the results so far. 

IMG_9408CliniqueSidebySide2

 

Are you planning to give the Sonic System Deep Cleansing Brush a try? What about your guy? (Wouldn’t it make a great Christmas present?!) 

 

Filed Under: Beauty Tips, Favorite products

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Kelly in the City says

    December 4, 2015 at 10:06 am

    YOU AND NEAL ARE THE CUTEST.

    So, like, the four of us should probably get together and do this, right? 😉

    xoxo!!

    Kelly | Kelly in the City

    Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

      Totally. Wine and face washing party.

      Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

      Totally. Wine and face washing party.

      Reply
  2. Carly says

    December 4, 2015 at 11:48 am

    Naked Neal alert!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

      😛

      Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:58 pm

      😛

      Reply
  3. Natalie @ Natalie Was Here says

    December 4, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Clinique is the BEST! My boyfriend Fritz bought the same brush Neal has recently, and I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw it in the shower. I’m with you on the boyfriends suddenly becoming interested in skincare thing! We taught them well 😉

    xo,
    Natalie | Natalie Was Here

    Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:57 pm

      So glad to know Fritz loves it too! It really is an awesome product! Haha we are lucky girls 😉

      Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:57 pm

      So glad to know Fritz loves it too! It really is an awesome product! Haha we are lucky girls 😉

      Reply
  4. Lauren Nolan says

    December 4, 2015 at 4:14 pm

    As I said in my comment on Kelly’s post: #COUPLEGOALS. For real though, you two are too beautiful. It’s CRAZY.
    xoxoxo,
    Lauren at http://www.lakeshorelady.com/

    Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:57 pm

      Hahaha you are nutty but thank you none the less 🙂 And yes, I would highly encourage you to find a boy who will go to great lengths to humor you by posing in your skincare posts!!

      Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:57 pm

      Hahaha you are nutty but thank you none the less 🙂 And yes, I would highly encourage you to find a boy who will go to great lengths to humor you by posing in your skincare posts!!

      Reply
  5. Blair @ The Fox & She says

    December 4, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    Hahaha!! this is so cute and fun!!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      Hahah thank you!!

      Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      Hahah thank you!!

      Reply
  6. Maggie says

    December 7, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    Jess- have you tried using the acne cleansing brush that you can buy as an attachment? I am curious as to if this really works. As a late 20-something woman who STILL breaks out like a pre-teen, I am pretty up to try anything! 🙂
    -Maggie http://www.thatgirlmags.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      Hi Maggie! I was super curious about that myself actually! (As you know, I too still go through bouts of breakout issues!) I haven’t tried it yet, I will definitely let you know if I do. It has really good reviews online, so that’s promising! Whenever I try something out like this, I make sure to purchase at Sephora or Nordstrom and if you aren’t happy, they will happily exchange it for you! I’ve never really had a bad experience with Clinique products though ever since I was a teenager so I would venture to guess it won’t let you down 😉 Let me know if you try it!

      Reply
    • Jess says

      December 7, 2015 at 1:56 pm

      Hi Maggie! I was super curious about that myself actually! (As you know, I too still go through bouts of breakout issues!) I haven’t tried it yet, I will definitely let you know if I do. It has really good reviews online, so that’s promising! Whenever I try something out like this, I make sure to purchase at Sephora or Nordstrom and if you aren’t happy, they will happily exchange it for you! I’ve never really had a bad experience with Clinique products though ever since I was a teenager so I would venture to guess it won’t let you down 😉 Let me know if you try it!

      Reply
  7. Jenn Lake says

    December 8, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    What a fun post! Loved hearing your thoughts on all of the fun Clinique products! Definitely need to try them out!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. My Nightly Skincare Routine - The Golden Girl says:
    February 22, 2016 at 7:43 am

    […] things about this combo–it gives you a really amazing deep clean. (You can read more about that here.) I really think this, along with a combination of the anti-aging serum I’ve been using […]

    Reply

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