Project Focus 10: Clinique Pop Lip Colour in Bare Pop

~ stashy

Today’s Project Focus 10’s review product is Clinique Pop Lip Colour in #02 Bare Pop:
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I redeemed Optimum Points for this lipstick – normally it retails for $22 for 3.9g of product.focus10_clinique_lip_pop_3

This lipstick formula has been on my wish list since it was launched in mid-2015. I initially wanted the colour #05 Melon Pop since it seemed to be the most popular shade at the time – I guess it made sense since it was summertime and a corally colour looked great against tanned skin. Fast forward to November – I swatched Melon Pop and wasn’t feeling it. The colour looked plastic and unnatural on me.
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So I tested a few other colours in the nude end of the spectrum and came away with Bare Pop. The colour isn’t so much nude as it is a MLBB shade – it has a neutral rosey tone with golden shimmers that I would imagine would flatter a lot of skin tones.

This shot is more accurate for colour:
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As for the formula, Clinique claims:

Luxurious yet weightless formula merges bold, saturated colour with a smoothing primer. Glides on effortlessly to a modern-velvet finish. Colour stays true, keeps lips comfortably moisturized for 8 hours.

I’m puzzled by Clinique’s claims, actually! This is NOT a bold, saturated colour. It’s definitely moisturizing and comfortable to wear. But it is NOT a velvet finish. On the site, it lists the shade Bare Pop as a “demi-matte” finish. What the heck? There’s no way in the current popular understanding of the word “matte” is this formula anywhere near demi-matte. It’s a shimmery, balmy lipstick with sheer to medium colour payoff. And while it does wear quite well for a balmy lip product (must be that built-in primer), I would not say it lasted 8 hrs – it lasted me around 4 hrs without eating / drinking.
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Left was the brand new bullet, and right photo shows the current state. 🙂

However, I would say that despite the disconnect between the claims by Clinique against its actual performance, I really enjoy wearing this lipstick! I was a bit unsure about the shimmery finish at first, but it is a refined shimmer that gives the lips fullness and dimension. I did not feel any grit from the shimmer, and it wore off evenly (nothing worse than glitter in the corners of the mouth and in lip lines). I’ve been tossing this lipstick into my purse pretty regularly lately (and not just because of this Project Focus 10!) It’s a great everyday, no thinking required type of lip product; a step up from a tinted lip balm for me.
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Of course, a MLBB type of shade deserves to be compared against others in my stash:
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Left to right:
• Urban Decay Revolution in Rush*
• Shiseido Perfect Rouge in PK303 Pink Mesa
• Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick in Tuscan Rose
• Clinique Pop Lip Colour in Bare Pop
• Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 001 Pink Truffle
• Elizabeth Arden Exceptional Lipstick in 17 Breathless
* I *just* realized the shade I got is Rush and NOT Rapture as I keep claiming. Another case of the MUA grabbing the wrong shade and I didn’t notice until now. 😳 But I do really like the colour, so no harm, no foul!
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The UD and Shiseido have the coolest tones in the range – they also provide the most coverage. Clinique Pop Colour’s pigmentation is just a tad more than the Revlon Lip Butter. I do find that the Clinique’s lasting power is far superior to that of the Revlon Lip Butters though – it doesn’t have that glossy slip that the Lip Butters have.  The Clinique is the shimmery-est of the bunch.
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Left is the full size Pop Colour (Bare Pop) and right is the gwp one my friend gave me (in #13 Love Pop)

The packaging is another noteworthy feature of the lipstick – a squared off, modern looking tube with a base that matches to the lipstick shade inside. I appreciate the effort but it’s a bit bulky in practice. The silver portion – the cap – actually makes a decent reflective surface and, in a pinch, can double as a mirror for applying the lipstick. 😉

Those who are sensitive to scents will rejoice, this lipstick is completely fragrance-free, although there is an initial waxy smell when first applied, it quickly dissipates.  Interestingly, this product is made in Belgium. I’ve not owned anything made there before – neat!
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Pros:
• Creamy formula feels comfortable on the lips
• Shimmer adds dimension but does not feel gritty
• Hydrating formula – no need for lip balm beforehand
• No added fragrance

Cons:
• Not as bold or demi-matte finish as described
• Wears for 4 hrs (not 8 as claimed, but 4 hrs is still pretty good in my books)
• Slightly bulky packaging

Stash worthiness: 8/10

I’m thinking about getting #14 Plum Pop next! Have you tried the Clinique Pop Lip Colour lipsticks yet?

Tidbits on other Project Focus 10 items:
• Once again, I failed to use the Smashbox Double Exposure palette all week – I’ve been using the Lise Watier Simply Nude palette mostly, and then using my rediscovered MAC Woodwinked (I used to hate this colour but somehow it works for me now)
• Still using the trusty Orly Bonder – no more peelies!
• The L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly mascara has on my lashes probably 5 days out of 7 since I opened it, I’ll be reviewing it next week

Please go check out my collab buddies for their Project Focus 10 posts:
♦ Ingrid of Curly.Spring.Blossom
♦ Jodi of A Brash Attitude
♦ Joy of Styled With Joy

55 thoughts on “Project Focus 10: Clinique Pop Lip Colour in Bare Pop”

  1. I like the Clinique pop packaging though. It doesn’t roll around and is easy to use even on a bus *LOL*. MAC peach blossom (cream sheen) doesn’t have shimmer, maybe that’s more you? One of my favourite lippie formula is the AUBE couture one. Love that creaminess without being sticky.

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    1. True – not rolling around is a good thing. I really liked the look of the tube initially but whenever I have it in my purse, it’s just so bulky. I’ve not tried MAC’s Peach Blossom, I will have to look into it. I actually don’t own a lot of MAC lipsticks – not really sure why but I gravitate toward MAC eye shadows and blushes more than lipsticks (I know it’s the opposite for most people!)
      Is AUBE a Japanese brand? Maybe I can find it when I go!

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  6. I really wanted this product too, until I tried it out in the store. I’m so not into shimmer, and it’s a lot more pinky-pink, than the browny-pink of the packaging and on the Clinique website.

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    1. Yes for sure, it’s not really “bare” in the sense of that word. I’m not usually one for shimmers but this one was less annoying than some of the ones I’ve tried before. Now, FROST finishes… ugh.

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  8. That’s a really gorgeous shade! The shimmer looks like it would be gritty, so great to hear that it’s not. The square packaging looks so chic, but I can see why you think it’s bulky.
    Ha, when I saw the UD lipstick next to the others, I was like, “wait, I don’t remember Rapture being that pink” 😛 out of the UD, Shiseido, and Clinique, which formulation do you prefer the most?

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    1. I feel like such a doofus once I photographed the UD lipstick and saw it read RUSH on my screen – dur! I know I asked the MUA whether Rapture or Liar would be better colour for me, and she said Rapture. And then I guess she pulled Rush and rung it up! Granted, it was really busy at Shoppers due to the Optimum redemption event that day.
      Hmm I would rank them: Shiseido (pigmented, comfy, long lasting), then UD, and then Clinique! The UD is really long lasting but not AS comfy as the Shiseido. Clinique is the least long lasting or pigmented of all but probably the MOST comfy of the 3.

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      1. Ha, not your fault! Second item that she accidentally picked the wrong shade of. Now you have to go back and get Rapture AND Liar 😉
        Good to know, thanks! I trust your judgment in formula. The few Shiseido lipstick samples I own have a lovely formula but I don’t wear them often to test out because the colours don’t always look great on me. Was thinking of getting another UD lipstick but I think I might head to the Shiseido counter instead!

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  9. I’ve been waffling back and forth over picking up some of the Clinique “Pop” lipstick shades. The shade selection is a little overwhelming when there’s an overly helpful sales person hovering around so I usually end up fleeing before I pick a shade. I really like Bare Pop though! Such a pretty and versatile color!
    Man, that sales associate REALLY wanted you to wear a warmer toned lipstick! LOL

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    1. I try to go to Clinique counters that aren’t as heavily staffed, like inside the drugstore instead of the department stores. I’ve really enjoyed wearing this shade and it’s one I reach for without worrying if it’ll go with the rest of my makeup.
      I know, that SA really did not want me to have either Liar OR Rapture… grrr. Ah well, I do like Rush but I think I’d like either Rapture or Liar even MORE.

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      1. Here, Clinique counters are ONLY in department stores. I was so jealous when I found out that in other places drugstores sell more than L’Oreal and Covergirl!
        Rush is really pretty though. I kind of want it now 🙂
        You’ll just have to go get Rapture anyway 🙂

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  12. Love the packaging of these and you picked a lovely shade. From my own in store swatches, these seem to vary widely in color saturation and finish across the range. Some are very pigmentated while others are a little more like a colored balm. I don’t quite know why Clinique decided to be so inconsistent, but at least this one looks amazing.
    xo Anne

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    1. That’s good to know about the varying degrees of colour saturation and finishes! I did see some of the deeper shades do seem to pack more colour. I’m happy with my balmy MLBB type of colour – am wearing is again today!

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  15. This shade is beautiful! I love that it has shimmers! Lately I’ve been gravitating towards shimmering lip products whether a lipstick or lipgloss. I have been wanting to purchase one of these lipsticks for a while now as well as their pop blushes and eyeshadows. 😍 I’ve swatched melon before but I don’t think it flatters my skin tone much lol, this shade though might be perfect.. something about sheer formulas is screaming to me, I feel as if this spring/summer I’ll be wearing alot of sheer lippies 😛

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    1. I highly recommend the Clinique Pop Blushes! They’re my favourite of the “Pop” line. I swatched the Pop eye shadows and wasn’t wow’d – they’re really sheer. Yes, Spring time is for more sheer and a bit of shine! Step AWAY from the matte brown lippies! 😉

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      1. Lol!!! Yeah I really gotta let go of all the dark lips 😛 so guilty of still wearing them lol! Yeah I’ve heard the shadows weren’t as great as the lippies and blushes such a let down, they look super cute lol

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  16. LOL @ Clinique’s awful description of the formula. So ridiculous.

    Pretty color, though I can totally see why you love EA Breathless so much – out of all the swatches, it’s really the most stunning, particularly amongst the warmer shades.

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    1. Yes, swatching these together made me appreciate EA even more. It’s got a peachy tone to it that gives it so much warmth. I think I’ll need to hunt down a back up! I’ll have to wear my Guerlain Garance more too – it’s a really similar colour to EA Breathless.

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  17. Glad you like it despite the formula being different from the company’s claims. It’s always a pleasant surprise when that happens 🙂 I really want to try the cheek pop blushes! Not sure if the lipsticks would be up my alley though.

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    1. Haha yeah, don’t we ALL keep gravitating to the same shades over and over? I do have to say that the UD one has a great formula – pigmented but feels comfortable on the lips.

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  19. Love this! Shades like this are my go-to’s, so easy to wear. I had a Clinique Chubby Stick (typing that makes me cringe) that seemed to be a similar shade to this, but without the gold shimmer. Can’t remember the name though. Seems like it might be similar to Revlon’s Balm Stain in Honey too.

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