Clinique Holiday 2020 Cheek Pop Trio Review & Swatches
Holiday 2020
($29.50 for 0.36 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio that includes two blushes (both from the permanent line) and one highlighter (previously released as a limited edition shade). All three shades performed consistently with the previously releases I’ve tested. Clinique’s formula is more of a gel-powder hybrid, so they have a denser, almost firm feel to them, but the powder goes on seamlessly, blends with ease, and looks “melted” against the skin; it just requires a denser brush (or a heavier hand) to pick up product initially.
I know last holiday season, there ended up being two trios available, so here’s hoping for another–though I’d really love to see Clinique extend the Cheek Pop shade range to get deeper and more saturated shades (like Cola Pop but in other hues!), especially as a second trio. As a note, the packaging is the same as previous trios released, which I find to be a little flimsy relative to most palettes out there, though I’ve heard from readers in the last year that they have had theirs hold up okay!
Ingredients
Holiday 2020
LELimited Edition. $29.50.
Pink Honey Pop
Pink Honey Pop is a light-medium pink with strong, warm undertones and a natural finish. It didn’t look overtly shimmery, but it had enough glow that it seemed a step above semi-matte. The texture was smooth, dense, and velvety, though it needed to be used with a moderately-dense brush (or hand) to pick up product evenly, which is a characteristic of this type of formula. On the flipside, there was no powderiness, and the powder buffed beautifully out on my skin and looked very much like skin. It had good color coverage that was buildable to full coverage. This shade lasted well for eight and a half hours before fading a bit.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Fun Ending (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Spell Bound (DC, $9.99) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Chantecaille Bliss (LE, $44.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Physicians Formula Natural (P, $12.99) is more shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- LORAC Tinge (PiP, $23.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Shiseido Twilight Hour (02) (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Cheeky Bugger (LE, $24.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Illusive (LE, $30.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Mocha (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Celebrated (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 Phoshate, Squalane, Ptfe, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydro-Cinnamate, [+/- 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.
Look Using this Product
Pink Honey Pop
PPermanent. $21.00.
Black Honey Pop
Black Honey Pop is a medium-dark pink with moderate, warm undertones and a natural sheen. It had opaque color payoff in a single layer, which applied evenly to bare skin and blended out with little effort. The consistency was smooth to the touch, dense and firm without being stiff, and picked up well with a moderately-dense brush (I used Sonia G. Face Two). It wore well for nine hours before fading visibly.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Flesh Beauty Pulse (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Sweet Samba (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- NARS Out There (LE, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Dior Dolce Vita (555) (P, $46.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Too Faced Peach Berry (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Dolce Vita (P, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever #310 HD Blush (DC, $26.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Viseart Enamored (Blush) (PiP, ) is less shimmery, more muted (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Encourage (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Becca Nightingale (P, $32.00) is darker, brighter (85% 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 Phoshate, Squalane, Ptfe, Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Zinc Stearate, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydro-Cinnamate, [+/- 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.
Look Using this Product
Black Honey Pop
PPermanent. $21.00.
Gold Celebration Pop
Celebration Pop is a bright, pop of light-medium gold with moderate, warm yellow undertones and a smooth, metallic sheen. It had rich color coverage and felt a bit more yielding and softer compared to the blushes in the palette, which made it easier to use with a lighter hand for more buildable coverage (what the brand claimed). The highlighter applied evenly to my skin and diffused well without emphasizing my skin’s natural texture. It stayed on nicely for nine hours before fading visibly.
Top Dupes
- Melt Cosmetics Stargazer (P, $39.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Hourglass Champagne Flash (P, $42.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Chanel Plisse Lumiere de Chanel (LE, $80.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Exposed (P, $28.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Dior Glowing Nude (002) (LE, $58.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Incandescent (Top) (PiP, $75.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop Strobe Globe (P, $7.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Glow (Original) (PiP, ) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Highlighting Glow (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Lunar Lights (LE, $44.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
Ingredients
I’d like them to release the Baby Marble Pop (which immediately puts the Baby Bottle Pop jingle on a loop in my head) shade which is available in the Asia market. It seemed like last year they used the LE holiday palettes more effectively as a means of releasing shades not previously available worldwide. And I agree, it’d be nice if they released more shades for a wider range.
From your keyboard to Clinique’s ears: Please more deep blushes like Cola Pop or Black Honey, but with lots of variations. A true plum, a rich terracotta, a purple, a deep nude.
As for this trio, I love Black Honey Pop and Celebration Highlighter, but Pink Honey Pop would just barely show up on me, I fear. Might still get it for the former.
I agree with you Nancy, a deep nude and a terracotta would be lovely!
I can’t wait to buy this! I’m a little annoyed that it seems to be a Sephora exclusive, but it’s too pretty to pass up.
Wow, this is a really nice trio. I especially LOVE the highlighter (wish they’d release it on its own) but the blushes are both lovely and actually shades I can wear.
I love the Clinique cheek trios! I’m a little sad I can’t buy this because I have the one from two years ago. I would buy a deeper palette in a heartbeat!
I am still in love with my cool pop palette from a couple of years back and I run my brush across the two blush shades which results in a really gorgeous cheek colour. I am tempted by this warmer version, but I already have black honey pop.. I’m usually not a fan of gold h/l’s, but this one leans more towards neutral with a bit of silvery sheen which I love. I do not have pink honey pop. I think the two honey pops layered would be gorgeous too.
The cheek pop formula is such a hit, that you would think the brand would be going overtime to release a wider variety of shades. This trio looks lovely and the formula fantastic, but some of the shades would not work on me.
Even at around $40 Canadian, this is a good deal and value. There should be a couple of choices for various skin tones. Women would be interested in buying the blushes and may want to check out and buy more of Clinique’s items. This is ideal for work or travel.
It’s much nicer than last year’s palette packaging, by the look of it. I got Cool Pop, and found the glitter on the outside quite gritty. It’s held up well (although I’ve not used it much – I struggle to get good payoff, although I assume it’s me not understanding the formula/ using it correctly, given the reviews the formula consistently gets). It’s a lovely selection of colours, and it might tempt me into the shops for the first time in six months (!) to look at it if/ when it comes to the UK (last year’s were Selfridges exclusives in the UK)
Are you using a denser/flatter brush? It is a firmer formula and is gel-powder, and that type of formula works better with a denser brush!
I’m using a very firm brush (Ecotools Ultimate Blend – very dense, and firm enough that it could be painful!), and applying a fair amount of pressure in the product (I also have last year’s Mac light face palette, and if I applied the same pressure I’d probably dig a hole in that). I like it when it goes on, but it’s extremely subtle, even when I put on what seems like a lot. I persevere, I have it now.
Oh no!! 🙁 I’m not sure what else to suggest… possibly you could take a paper towel and gently wipe off whatever’s on the top layer to see if that helps (since you have it).
I use the Eco Tools sponge, dry, to dot it on my cheeks; then I use the RT expert face brush to blend. Works for me, hope this helps!
This is in my cart! I have the one with Pearl Pop and Ginger pop; and I LOVE it!
This palette looks so strange to me! Why combine a very light pink with a very dark pink – surely there are whole swathes of pale-skinned and deep-skinned people who would not be able to use both shades. And why combine two pink blushes with a very warm yellow gold highlighter?
I am extremely pale and I can use both blushers and I adore the highlighter. I just use a much lighter hand (and Sonia g face two brush always with this formula) with the darker blush. It buffs right in and looks very natural imo.