Homegirl Quel (kel) in Austin

Here's To The End(ish) Of A Beautiful Relationship

Clinique's nationwide search for new Insiders is completed, and my two years as a Clinique Insider are behind me. Every year for the past three years, Clinique has held a nationwide search for 20 women to review their products online at www.cliniqueinsidersclub.com. The first two years, I submitted video entries and was selected both times!

The first time I was selected, I remember getting the call from NYC on my cell phone. I was visiting my in-laws in St. Vincent, where I NEVER even turn my cell phone on because calls on my phone from down there are way expensive. But my husband was called back to work during our second week there and I didn't want to cut my stay short, so he left me there with his family and my 6 month-old son. So I had my phone charged, turned on and with me that day in case he called. I was in the car with my sister-in-law. My cell phone rang and I recognized the NYC area code. When the person on the phone told me I had been chosen, I'm sure I never screamed as loud or smiled as wide or said "awesome" as many times as I did in that car. My sister-in-law was laughing with me (and at me a little bit too, because she loves my southern, American accent which gets really strong during moments of high emotion). If you know me in the flesh or have followed my blog over the years, you know about my teenage modeling aspirations and my cosmetics worship, especially in my twenties. So that day, my dreams sort of came true.

Here's my video announcement of my win:

(More about my experience and videos after the jump.)

Makeup Monday: Debut of Clinique's 2010 Insiders!

Remember when I told you guys that Clinique had selected me for a second year in a row as a Clinique Insider? Well the new group of Insiders are here! Check out my (very cute--if I may) new profile and first couple of reviews--->HERE<---. 

Spoilers: The 3-step Skincare System have increased my use of the term "buttery" when referring to my skin's texture and the Long-wearing Mascara stands up to steamy summer weather. 

Makeup Monday: Video Blog! Big Announcement and Otherness...

This is the first of a new round of video blog posts I'll be sharing with my readers and YouTube subscribers. I think it will be fun talking to you guys! This one is for Makeup Monday, but moving forward I'll be chatting with my homegirls (and guys) about books, films, fashion, beauty, crazy run-ins with strangers, anything--whenever the spirit moves me!

And y'all, please subscribe to my YouTube page. I have some cool things planned to share with my YouTube subscribers that won't always make it to HomeGirl. I do sing and play guitar daily and may or may not be planning to pay homage to some of my favorite singer-songwriter acoustic guitarists on film. Just sayin'.

New Clinique Video Review: Different Lipstick

This lipstick definitely had my teeth glowing during the "after" video compared to the "before". No camera tricks, promise. And, once again, it's the perfect pink for my skintone. Love this.

It's YOUR TURN to be a Clinique Insider!

It's that time. Only a few beauty reviews left before I complete my year as a Clinique Insider. I've had so much fun making the product review videos and getting all that FREE STUFF! Most importantly, Clinique skincare products and cosmetics have been great to my skin. I am happy for the opportunity to tell my blog readers, twitter followers, facebook friends and real-life friends and family about what's new at Clinique. And shout-out to my brown-skinned girls! I know many of us don't think "Clinique" when it comes to skincare and cosmetics for us, but I'm here to tell y'all that they are out there and they definitely have us brown girls covered. I'm wearing a full face of Clinique cosmetics in both photos you see of me on this page right now (profile picture and picture in the previous post) and don't I look naturally fresh and fab?!

Clinique is calling for entries for the second year of the Clinique Insider program. Now is your chance to enter! I just received word that the contest entry period has been extended and entries will now be accepted through at 11:59pm on August 23^rd, 2009. So put on your best face and ENTER HERE!

You better bring it though, because I'm entering again too! ;-)

 

Brown Girls, Clinique has your back too!

New Clinique Reviews are up!

This time I reviewed Clinique's NEW Even Better Makeup SPF 15 and NEW Even Better Skin Tone Corrector. The liquid makeup is wonderful and surprisingly light even with SPF 15 in it. Jury's still out on the Skin Tone corrector, but it's light, odorless and easy to use and I think I might be seeing some improvement.

Both products are treating my blemishes though, and (MOST importantly) I'm looking right flawless in the meantime. ;)

See these and all my reviews <<HERE>>.

New Clinique Reviews Up!

A couple of Clinique reviews of mine have gone live in the past couple of weeks. Two more reviews will be up shortly as well. The two most recent reviews are for:

Youth Surge SPF 15 Age Deceleration Moisturizer: I actually wrote in this review, so there's no video clip preview to post here.

Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder: The video review online is technically not a review, rather a statement that I, for very obvious reasons, do not have issues with redness on my face...or anywhere for that matter. FYI, I had a fair-skinned friend who used it though and it really is amazing with instant results if you do have redness.

Please visit my Clinique Insiders profile page to read this review and to catch up on others you may have missed.

My February Clinique Insider video review is up!

This month I reviewed Quick Blush and High Definition Curling Mascara.

*Note: The review for the mascara and the blush are split into two, so you'll have to open them separately for the full review.*

My husband and I took a last-minute trip to the West Indies and I ended up having to do my review there. I recorded it the morning after a late night of drinking, dancing and debauchery so I'm a bit puffy,,,and dewy from the humidity. Still, I'm wearing both products in this review and they are awesome.

Click on the above pic or >>HERE<< to check it out.

My January Clinique Insider video review is up!

This month I'm reviewing a double duty facial mask and a perfecting serum. One thing I didn't mention about the mask is that after you rinse, it leaves behind the tiniest sparkles on your skin--kind of how your blush might, you know? They affect how light, especially natural light, reflect off your face so you actually do glow! It's so pretty.

My December Clinique Insider Video Review is up!

This month, I reviewed High Definition Mascara. It creates the most dramatic lashes ever--almost like falsies. The super-unexpected feature on the applicator is likely the reason. It's tricky at first, but worth the practice. This mascara is not for everyday (unless you just roll like that), but when you want to make a statement, this mascara will make sure it's loud and clear.

Click the pic to check out my video--I'm wearing the mascara!

 

My November Clinique Video Review is up!

This month I reviewed Comfort On Call Relief Cream. It's like cocoa butter minus the fragrance and the oiliness and with extra moisturizing power. It's also a fabulous, non-pore-clogging, super moisturizing night cream. Check out my video review <<HERE>>.

My Clinique Video reviews are LIVE!

Not really live as in happenningrightnow, but live as in FINALLY available online! I made a home for the quick link to the right over there. Check me out!