Jun 17, 2015

Canmake Cream Cheek Clear Red Heart, Jelly Stick Gloss Pure Strawberry

Canmake Cream Cheek Clear Red Heart

Canmake Jelly Stick Gloss


These are the two most worn and loved items of late. Only a cliché like "Better late than never" comes to my mind as I try to open this entry, but I guess that is how I really feel about my introduction to Canmake.
Like many other Japanese drugstore brands, Canmake isn't readily available here in the U.S. and there is always a bit of markup. Japanese yen is quite weak right now but the price on eBay or Amazon.com doesn't really reflect the current exchange rates, so I ended up paying about twice of the local price tag although it included standard oversea shipping. The quality is still worthwhile that I want to buy a few more colors and even venture more into the brand.




Canmake Cream Cheek Clear Red Heart
I adore the packaging. Compact, light, simple, and pretty. 
Why can't U.S. drugstore brands do this?



Canmake Cream Cheek Clear Red Heart
I literally gasped when I opened the blush.
The perfectly smooth surface looks even holy, but only to be desecrated..


Canmake Cream Cheek Clear Red Heart swatch
Many describe Clear Red Heart (CL01) as a perfect neutral red and I have to agree.
The color is vivid but thanks to its unique translucency and gel-like texture it seamlessly blends into something very natural and youthful. 
I used to think cream blushes didn't last as long but I find the Canmake Clear Red Heart stays all day on me despite of the slightly dewy finish (What have I been missing?!). The color deepens a bit a few hours later but still maintains the neutral tones.



I am even more enamored by the Jelly Stick Gloss packaging!
All plastic but it is so well made from the frosted cap down to those light pink lace patterns.
It feels compact and lightweight but there is no flimsy feel about this. Plus the sheer easygoing color that requires no mirror instantly elevates Jelly Stick Gloss to "a cosmetic bag lippie" status.


Canmake Jelly Stick Gloss Pure Strawberry
The name "Jelly Stick Gloss" says everything. It has the distinctly soft and squishy texture and quite a glossy finish. 
It is not long lasting at all (naturally) but feels hydrating and even pampering on the lips. I do not detect any masking scent. 


Canmake Jelly Stick Gloss Pure Strawberry swatch
Pure Strawberry (02) is a great complement to Clear Red Heart
It is a very sheer neutral red with sparse silver shimmer that isn't much visible once applied.


Canmake Jelly Stick Gloss Pure Strawberry swatch
For some reason this swatch came out much pinker, but it is quite neutral in real life.
Hopefully you can still see the finish and the color payoffs.



Here is an overall look with Clear Red Heart and Pure Strawberry.

Canmake Jelly Stick Gloss Pure Strawberry review swatch
Here I am aiming for a monochrome look except for the light brown eyeshadow that I used for some definition to the eyes. I love how these sheer red colors work seamlessly together to create a clean minimal face with a subtle healthy glow.
(On a side note, it does seem the Vichy Liftactiv Serum 10 Eyes & Lashes are working. I've been using it for a couple weeks now and my lower lashes seem visibly longer. Excited!)



I must credit Mina of Citrine's Blog. Sure, I was always curious about Canmake Cream Cheeks since every blogger seemed to love them, but it was her reviews that finally enabled me.

Suddenly I am all about cream blush. After watching a Lisa Eldridge's video recently, I even managed to score some of the discontinued Revlon cream blushes (still available online) which are excellent quality, but I think I prefer the Canmake Cream Cheek clear types for a naturally fresh effect.
Jelly Stick Gloss is available only in 4 shades and I can't say they are all that unique, but I'd definitely grab a few more in the future. Deep down I know they are just glossy tinted lip balms, but when they are portrayed as "gloss sticks", everything changes.





Join the conversation!

  1. Hey Lena, oh that cream blush! It looks so natural on you, and the finish is pretty! I'm glad to hear it wears well. I would never have guessed because the finish is quite dewy! The "gloss stick" looks great as well. I like your logic: when they call it a gloss stick, everything changes.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks, Sunny!
      I thought the same as you, and I dislike using fingertips to apply makeup so cream blush was never my fave. I think it is mostly the translucent quality that allows me to blend the color in nicely, but the finish is really beautiful.
      And you caught me justifying yet again. ;p

      Delete
  2. Wait, are we synched or something. I have been hoarding cream blush as well that's why I have been neglecting my cream cheeks...the Josie maran argan cream oil (a cherry one and endless guava)are really nice if you don't mind the extra dose of dew...I also want to buy the visee cheek/lip cream as they are less than 8 bucks on rakuten...but I need a little break for now since I went a little crazy on brushes.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh no, you're tempting me, again..?! ;D I've been curious about the Josie Maran blush. The colors are gorgeous! I'm also looking at Cream Cheek Clear Ruby Cherry.
      You gotta teach m how to do Rakuten (I will ask you on your blog soon). I did check out the site but the price shown isn't that great for me. Cream Cheeks are like $15. Weird. ;-/

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 17, 2015

    LOVE it! That blush is amazing on you! So pretty! I'm all about cream blush these days. I hardly wear powders anymore.

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    1. Thanks, Tracy!
      I thought cream blushes are only for dry skin or winter time. This blush works well as a lip tint, too. Really loving it. :)

      Delete
  4. haha I know what you mean about "desecrating" the cream surface, I always cringe a little the first time I dip into a smooth product surface, like "oooh I shouldn't be doing this cuz it's so pretty but how else will I use it?!". Beautiful products though, never heard of this brand before today but definitely something to look into

    ReplyDelete
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    1. LOL. I knew I wasn't the only one! ;D It literally made me cringe when I put my finger on it for the first time. ;p
      I am new to the brand as well. It is on the low-end side even among Japanese drugstore range and the brand seems to aiming for much younger women, but I don't care. Love the blush and want more! ;)

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  5. I neeeeeed that blush *___*

    Well, I need it in about 7 years after I polish off the current cream blush stash, lol. I love love love how healthy and glowy a subtle red tint can look. Both products look so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh, I though you had one already. That situation should be fixed!
      I never understood the charm of cream blush but now I do. These days I just line my eyes and wear lots of blush instead. Who knew? LOL

      Delete
  6. Oh so glad to see the finish of that blush on you! These have been sold at my drugstores for years and years now and I just skip them all the time because of my natural love for powder blushes instead! Love that translucent jelly finish though, it's super fresh and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I think Cream Cheeks are definitely worth checking out especially if you have an easy access to them!
      I still love my powder blushes too, but cream blush gives totally different effect which I'm enjoying a lot these days. :)

      Delete
  7. Is it my computer screen, or does it actually look coral on you? The gloss stick that is? Never mind that, because the look is gorgeous! I've been wearing my Canmake cream cheek too. I love their pink (CL02) which I think will suit you, and I've been using lots of CL05 which is a milky apricot. It gives a very youthful look, that color. I have CL01 as well, and need to use that too. These drugstore cream blushes cost so much more here though. It's about USD15 a blush, sold at Sasa.
    If you need me to get them for you, give me a DM on Twitter. I think shipping to the US (registered air mail) is about USD10.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To be honest, I didn't do a good job taking pictures for this post. For some reason, they were very shifty. In real life, I think both colors are quite neutral maybe leaning a tiny bit warm?
      And thanks for offering, Lily! You're so sweet. <3 The local price over there is quite surprising, though! I can get them under $10 with free shipping on Amazon.com. Nowadays Amazon seems to have better price than eBay. :)

      Delete
  8. I am all into dewy finish for the summer. This blush looks so pretty on you. Neutral enough and still gives out a beautiful glow. I will have to start looking for them on ebay. My lash enhancer is almost done and desperately looking to get a new one. Thanks for recommending the Vichy one :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you, Brenda! :) Try Amazon.com as well. I guess many of them do business on both platforms but I find better prices on Amazon.
      Also the Vichy eye serum is great because I don't have to use two different products for the eye area and my lashes. Quite nice!

      Delete
  9. Gah, so pretty! If they were more readily available here (i.e., I could just throw them into a cart at drugstore.com or something), I'd probably get one, but as it is, too much effort...hahaha. I have also been loving cream blushes lately, though! That's all I have been wearing.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Let me tempt you then! It's not too much. You casually place an order on Amazon or eBay and forget about it! It will get there 7-10 days. If you don't receive it, you get money back. I think I am set with cream blush that gives velvety finish after scoring a few Revlon cream blushes, but I think I definitely need some more clear types like this or even those Josie Maran's. ;o

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  10. I love that cream blush! I picked up the same shade when I was in Japan, I wish I had bought more! They're so easy to blend, I love using them on the go.

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    1. Yeah, I couldn't believe how easy it is to blend the color in! This one rid of all of the stereotypes I had about cream blushes.. I'm definitely getting some more! :)

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  11. That jelly blush! Oooh! And I LOVE the lippie on you. Totally worth the dough. I agree, U.S. drugstore companies could do a nice overhaul. More clear plastic packages that let the products inside do all the advertising! <3

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I know, right? If you look at Japanese drugstore packagings, they are not made of expensive materials or anything. I am not into super girly or over the top designs (e.g. Jill Stuart makeup), either. This canmake stuff is simple, pretty, and functional. LOVE.

      Delete
  12. The packaging of both products is so princessy and pretty! The formula of the cream blush looks perfect! I soo want to go to japan one day to splurge on beauty!

    Macarons and Mischief

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    1. Don't we all? ;D
      I'd actually prefer to go Hong Kong and stock up on makeup and sunscreens! ;)

      Delete
  13. How did you find the courage to swatch that cream blush? It's TOO pristine to use! But man, what a gorgeous, gorgeous color, though. I love the dewy, translucent finish, too! Canmake is widely available here so I'll see if I can grab one or two to test!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh, it was so hard, Jaa! ;D
      I think you'd love these cream cheeks. I am eyeing on a few more shades myself. There seem to be two different finishes, but I'm into this translucent clear type. :)

      Delete

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