Clinique Cool Down Cheek Pop Palette Review & Swatches
Cool Down
Clinique Cool Down Cheek Pop Palette ($29.50 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio of Cheek Pops that features one, limited edition and exclusive shade–Ballerina Pop–while the other two can be purchased in the permanent range. All three shades performed consistently with past versions of Cheek Pops that I’ve tried: pigmented, blendable, and long-wearing with a denser, cream-gel-powder base formula that requires a heavier hand to pick up but goes on seamlessly and sits beautifully on skin. The palette contains $75.00 worth of Cheek Pops (which retail for $25.00 and contain 0.12 oz. for individual, full-sized compacts).
Ingredients
Cool Down
LELimited Edition. $29.50.
Ballerina Pop
Ballerina Pop is a pale pink with finely-milled pearl and subtle, warm undertones. It’s more of a highlighter on my skin tone, but it may be a subtle blush on very light skin tones. The texture was smooth to the touch, dense and more firmly-pressed in the pan (but consistent with this formula), so I’d recommend using a moderately-dense brush or heavier hand to pick up product evenly. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in one layer, though it could easily be dialed back with a lighter hand.
The upside to the denser nature of this type of formula is that there was no powderiness, the powder sat beautifully on my skin, and was extremely easy to blend out. There was a subtle sheen that was lightly glowing but not visibly shimmery on my skin. It wore well for eight and a half hours before fading noticeably on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Becca Rose Quartz Flashes Seashell (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Afterglow (Highlighter) (LE, ) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup Revolution Moon Glow Lights (P, $6.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Wet 'n' Wild Desert Explorations (LE, $2.99) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Flesh Beauty Certain (P, $28.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- bareMinerals Clear Radiance (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Benefit 10 (Highlighter) (DC, $29.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Going Native (Highlighter) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Glow Stick (PiP, $34.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Gleamer (LE, $29.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.12 oz. - $175.00 Per Ounce
The formula is described as “vibrant yet natural-looking cheek colour that looks virtually powderless.” The texture was smooth, soft, and dense, so it was never powdery in the pan or on the skin. The blush had good color payoff that was easily sheered out (or you could apply less, as the denser texture makes that easy to control).
It’s the kind of texture that almost blends itself as soon as you start applying and working it onto the skin. The finish became more luminous as I blended the powder onto the skin, but it was never shiny or overly shimmery, so it always looked smooth on my skin and did not emphasize pores or my skin’s texture. Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Clinique Cheek Pop Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer , Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate , Glycerin , Dicalcium Phosphate , Squalane , Ptfe , Dimethicone , Lauroyl Lysine , Ethylhexylglycerin , Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) , Polysorbate 80 , Caprylyl Glycol , 1,2-Hexanediol , Zinc Stearate , Silica , Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate , [+/- Mica , Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850) , Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) , Manganese Violet (Ci 77742) , Red 36 Lake (Ci 12085) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77499) , Ultramarines (Ci 77007) , Red 6 (Ci 15850) , Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985) , Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090) , Orange 5 (Ci 45370) , Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163) , Carmine (Ci 75470) , Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360) , Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77491) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77492)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Ballerina Pop
LELimited Edition. $21.00.
Pansy Pop
Pansy Pop is a medium lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a satiny sheen. It had good pigmentation in one layer, which was buildable to full coverage with a second layer. The powder had a smooth consistency that felt denser and firmer to the touch, but I didn’t have any issues picking it up with a brush, other than using a denser and more moderate hand to ensure even pickup of product–which I find is the norm for this type of formula.
It was not stiff in the sense that it’s hard to grab product or that it goes on unevenly, though. Instead, the powder applied evenly and nearly blended itself as I gently spread it across my skin to get the placement down. The finish was glowing without being overtly shimmery, so it looked almost like it “melted” on my skin for a seamless look. This shade lasted nicely for eight and a half hours before fading a bit on my skin. It seemed ever-so-slightly pinker compared to the original version I have.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Secret Admirer (DC, $9.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Floating Lights (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Thumper (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Roman Holiday (LE, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC I'm a Lover (P, $23.50) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Milani Delizioso Pink (10) (DC, $7.99) is brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Gaiety (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Obsessed (DC, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Sex Fantasy (LE, $30.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Rain (LE, $8.00) is darker (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.12 oz. - $175.00 Per Ounce
The formula is described as “vibrant yet natural-looking cheek colour that looks virtually powderless.” The texture was smooth, soft, and dense, so it was never powdery in the pan or on the skin. The blush had good color payoff that was easily sheered out (or you could apply less, as the denser texture makes that easy to control).
It’s the kind of texture that almost blends itself as soon as you start applying and working it onto the skin. The finish became more luminous as I blended the powder onto the skin, but it was never shiny or overly shimmery, so it always looked smooth on my skin and did not emphasize pores or my skin’s texture. Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Clinique Cheek Pop Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer , Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate , Glycerin , Dicalcium Phosphate , Squalane , Ptfe , Dimethicone , Lauroyl Lysine , Ethylhexylglycerin , Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) , Polysorbate 80 , Caprylyl Glycol , 1,2-Hexanediol , Zinc Stearate , Silica , Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate , [+/- Mica , Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850) , Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) , Manganese Violet (Ci 77742) , Red 36 Lake (Ci 12085) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77499) , Ultramarines (Ci 77007) , Red 6 (Ci 15850) , Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985) , Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090) , Orange 5 (Ci 45370) , Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163) , Carmine (Ci 75470) , Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360) , Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77491) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77492)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Pansy Pop
PPermanent. $21.00.
Heather Pop
Heather Pop is a muted, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a satin sheen. It had good color coverage in one layer, which was easily built up to full coverage with a second layer or sheered out by buffing the edges gently.
The powder had a denser, smooth texture that required a more moderately-dense brush to pick up product evenly, but the trade off was a particularly flattering powder on my skin that sat well, blended out with ease, and looked very my-skin-but-better in finish. The blush stayed on well for eight and a half hours before I noticed slight fading. As a note, the version in the palette seemed slightly more satiny and less shimmery compared to the standalone I have (from the original launch).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Look Don't Touch (LE, $31.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Dame (P, $24.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Hourglass Vivid Flush (LE, $40.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Beam (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Buxom Havana (P, $22.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Guerlain Angelic Radiance (LE, $53.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Tarte Electric (-, ) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Black Opal Nectar (P, $8.95) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Clinique Rose Quartz Pop (04) (P, $26.50) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Clinique Pink Pop (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.12 oz. - $175.00 Per Ounce
The formula is described as “vibrant yet natural-looking cheek colour that looks virtually powderless.” The texture was smooth, soft, and dense, so it was never powdery in the pan or on the skin. The blush had good color payoff that was easily sheered out (or you could apply less, as the denser texture makes that easy to control).
It’s the kind of texture that almost blends itself as soon as you start applying and working it onto the skin. The finish became more luminous as I blended the powder onto the skin, but it was never shiny or overly shimmery, so it always looked smooth on my skin and did not emphasize pores or my skin’s texture. Most shades lasted between eight and nine hours on me.
Browse all of our Clinique Cheek Pop Blush swatches.
Ingredients
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer , Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate , Glycerin , Dicalcium Phosphate , Squalane , Ptfe , Dimethicone , Lauroyl Lysine , Ethylhexylglycerin , Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) , Polysorbate 80 , Caprylyl Glycol , 1,2-Hexanediol , Zinc Stearate , Silica , Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate , [+/- Mica , Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850) , Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) , Manganese Violet (Ci 77742) , Red 36 Lake (Ci 12085) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77499) , Ultramarines (Ci 77007) , Red 6 (Ci 15850) , Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985) , Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090) , Orange 5 (Ci 45370) , Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163) , Carmine (Ci 75470) , Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360) , Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77491) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77492)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
I picked this up.. couldn’t resist. I love mixing the shades together. I love the inclusion of a cooler blush tone.
Buying this sooooon!
This is beautiful on you. I love these little blushes. CHRISTINE thank you for your reviews which I have been reading for years?
My pleasure! Thank you for reading, Melanie!
Oh how I wish these were matte! I have oily skin so everything but matte just looks disgusting on me but these colors are beautiful and would work beautifully with my skin tone but I can’t wear them because of the finish. Its a travesty ?
If you happen to see Cheek Pops in store, you might try it – they are a lot less shimmery/shiny than most shimmery blushes on the market!
I have the trio from last year and Pansy Pop…none of them is shimmery or shiny on me. I have combo oily skin and love how they look and wear!
I have super oily skin and I use Heather Pop as my go-to blush. It really blends out beautifully and lasts for ages.
I love this formula as it more of a satin/matte that has glow but not really shinny at all on the skin. It’s about as un-matte as I’m willing to go now as I want to control the shimmer with a highlighter instead but it blends so much nicer then most matte blushes on my normal to dry skin as well. 😉
I love Clinique’s Cheek Pop formula because it doesn’t contain any of the shimmer or glitter that most luminous/glowy blushes have. The finish is just skin-like. I’m very fair and I absolutely love this palette!
I find this odd. There’s no depth in any shade, which would make it more useable for a wider range of skin tones.
I find this strange as usual that every year the colors almost look the same and if you are of deeper skin tone this is useless. I don’t know why companies act as if we don’t buy makeup and it’s hard to make two versions of this.
There is another version if it – warm-toned, but it’s at Dillard’s right now – and Dillard’s has ridiculous $9.95 shipping unless you spend $150. I don’t expect it to be much deeper, though.
Heather Pop is something I know would work on me nicely. Ballerina Pop would, too. As a soft pink highlighter to bring a bit of life into my face. But Pansy? Nah, the only lavender or purple blush I’ve gotten great results of on my complexion has been UD Bittersweet Afterglow.
This would be a great travel palette for me. But I don’t see it listed on Ulta’s site. Do you know if there is a release date for Ulta? Do you know if Macy’s will be carrying it in the future?
I believe this is a Sephora exclusive, but I don’t get any information with Clinique (no relationship with the brand at this time), so I’m not sure!
I picked this up last week along with the On The Glow cheek palette and love it. On my very fair skin they are magical. I have always liked this formula but for some reason, I just don’t think to go to the Clinique counter when I am in store. I don’t know why that is but it could be a hold over from my teens and early twenties when Clinique was associated with teenage acne treatments. Anyway, these work so well and are so flattering on the skin.
Hi, Christine! Will this palette be available internationally? Since i live in France these shades are not even available in individuals. I would love to buy it. 🙂
Unfortunately, I don’t receive any press releases or info from Clinique, so I only know that it is at Sephora right now!
Thank you for answering me. Hopefully Sephora.fr will carry this product soon!
Have a great day!
This caught my eye at first, but after seeing the swatches, I think the only one that would show up on me is Heather Pop, which I already have. Money saved!
A beautiful blush set, which would suit a lot of cool toned customers. Really lovely from Clinique.
I have Pansy Pop but I might get it anyway. Love Ballerina and the packaging. I’m sure I’d use Heather too.
Man. I already have Pansy and Heather from the OG release of these. Dang bc this is soooo cute. Just don’t know if it’s worth it just for ballerina.
These shades are gorgeous but the palette costs $41 in Canada. I’ll have to pass:(
Picked this up at the VIB sale. This is my first Clinique purchase in a decade. Blush is terrific – I love mixing the pink and peach shades.
I don’t love the packaging. I’ve used it twice and there are blush streaks on the plastic plus the lid looks flimsy and the whole glitter thing is kitschy. I would depot it if I knew the blush would make it out ok.
What brush do you use with this Christine? Assume something dense…
Just something moderately dense? The average blush brush is fine for me… I just don’t use something like a fan brush. I have a few dozen blush brushes I cycle through, so there’s not a specific brush I reach for — more like whatever is clean! 🙂
Thank you! Yea, that’s my MO too hehe
I’ve never tried the Clinique cheek pops so far but that Ballerina pop is calling my name, I love a nice subtle blush and this is right up my alley. It’s so flattering on you. I know I wouldn’t use a lavender blush but would definitely use the other two in the palette, I may just have to put this on my wish list 🙂
I bought this during the holidays thanks to your review and now use it every day. I previously had trouble applying blush with a light enough hand on my super-fair skin, but this is perfect for me and so effortless. Ballerina Pop is my natural blush, Heather is for warmer looks, and Pansy is for cooler-toned looks. It’s basically everything I need unless i’m doing something over the top. I can’t thank you enough for the recommendation!
I’m so glad it works well for you, Claudia!!