Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balm

Here we have some forgivably, sickly sweet new launches from Clinique, that you don’t really need, but you’ll inevitably want – may I introduce the new Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balms; a collection of six duos of balm and scrubs in macaron-inspired packaging.

The shade range is decent, albeit mostly pink-themed, and the three I have to play with are 03 Pink Framboise (a true pink), 04 Sweet Rose (deeper pink) and Candied Cassis (berry).  The other three shades are Red Velvet (red), Orange Blossom (orange) and Black Honey (deep berry/honey).  The balm is a hint-of-a-tint that’s buttery and nourishing; it leaves lips with a gentle hue of colour and sheen.  The sugar scrub sits within a similar balm product which allows for you to move the scrub over the lips without it feeling too harsh.

Two things I don’t like about the Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balms.  Firstly, and this is a personal preference, I’m not really a fan of anything I have to dip my fingers into, especially if it’s a balmy product, as I don’t like getting my fingers covered in balm, plus it isn’t the most hygienic approach to application.  Secondly, the packaging is a bit of a let-down; it’s pretty and I totally get the Macaron vibe, but it’s flimsy, so the two pots come away from the central element really easily, meaning I wouldn’t want to travel with these as I think they’d be all over my bag within hours.  Hopefully future variations will address this with a screw-in lid or something a little more travel-friendly.

I have to say though, I do really like these and I enjoy using them.  I find they make a big difference to my lips when used together, and they’re especially timely as I’m digging a matte lip at the mo.  The fact that the scrub sits within a balm means it tissues away easily (I’ve found other similar scrubs tend to linger, so you have a battle removing them) and the follow-on balm feels like a pampering pre-bed treat, or a great pre-lipstick preparation.  I don’t know if I’d class these as kit essentials, but they’re fun, pretty and they do what they’re supposed to do.  The Clinique Sweet Pots Sugar Scrub & Lip Balms are out now for £15 a pop here – link.

*PR Samples