I don’t wear much makeup: maybe a bit of eyeliner and simple eyeshadow for a special occasion, but I never use mascara, blush, lipstick, etc. What I do use a lot is concealer. Even at the age of 40 I am prone to minor breakouts, plus I scar incredibly easily (I can do everything right and there will still be a mark), so there are dark spots and light scars scattered about my face. Oh, and there seem to always be dark circles under my eyes, no matter how much sleep I get.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve used CoverGirl liquid makeup. I don’t do the whole base/foundation thing, so the coverage isn’t flawless, but it evens out the imperfections enough (and lightens the dark circles enough) that I feel ok about leaving the house. I’ve never tried more expensive makeup: I’ve never been interested enough to justify the cost, plus I like the convenience of being able to buy it at the grocery store and Target.
Last night I saw an ad on TV for a new Clinique product (called “Even Better”) that claims to minimize the appearance of dark spots/acne scars while it covers them*. I’m very interested in this idea, and might even be willing to make a special trip to a department store and pay a little more to try it.
So here’s my question, for any Dopers who would know: is Clinique generally a good brand of makeup? Even if the spot minimizing thing winds up being snake oil, will the makeup itself likely be worth the cost? Or is CoverGirl just as good?
*I’m also aware that Garnier makes a “dark spot minimizer,” but it’s not makeup; I’m also aware that Clinique has a separate, nonmakeup “dark spot corrector.”
I really like one of their concealers (it’s a little stick with a built-in brush), but overall I’m not a huge fan of their makeup. The blushes and eyeshadows I’ve tried have been under-pigmented, and I’ve never found a lipstick they make that has been a really great shade for me.
I don’t wear foundation, so I have no opinion on it.
I love it! The concealer does cover well and is nicely waterproof yet not difficult to remove at the end of the day. It is expensive but you need very little, I use it almost everyday and have had the same bottle for 18 months, it’s still working perfectly.
Their moisturisers are the only ones that really keep my (very dry, very sensitive) skin smooth and hydrated.
I use the non make-up dark spot corrector and it has worked wonders.
I have the blusher, mascara and lipstick, they all work just fine for me! I thin you can ask for samples wherever Clinique is sold (here in Italy you can, and in England too), that may be a good place to start!
I generally like the brand, and it’s not that expensive compared to other high-end brands. For example, when I went to Sephora last month, I was talked into getting Make Up Forever’s HD concealer, which is $33 a tube. I don’t see “Even Better” on the Clinique website, but the most expensive concealer they sell there is $19.50.
The reason I bring this up is because I really don’t like that MUFE concealer and was planning on returning it in exchange for Clinique’s All About Eyes concealer tomorrow.
I really like Clinique’s lipsticks, lip gloss, and cream blush, FWIW.
Thanks for the thread. I myself was wondering about this product. I am in my early twenties with sensitive, oily, acne prone skin (fun times for me :rolleyes:) so I am always looking for a better product.
I wore Clinique Superfit foundation for years, until they discontinued it. I’ve never paid a lot for makeup, but it was worth it to me. I’ll have to try the new one - as soon as they have a special “gift with purchase” going on. I haven’t bought lipstick in years thanks to those gifts!
Several “yea” votes for their concealer so far; yay!
Happy to help, Aeris.
Really? The cost ($50 for 1oz) made me hesitant, but now I might just have to get some this weekend. How long did it take before you started noticing a difference? Do you use it every day?
I linked to it in the OP: it’s $24.50. But “compared to other high-end brands” doesn’t mean anything to me, because – as I said – I’ve never tried anything more expensive than CoverGirl.
I don’t often wear makeup. And I have no idea about the “Even Better” product.
My knowledge of Clinique is this: My aunt, who is 65 and sunbathes, has used their “Dramatically Different” moisturizer for as long as I can remember. If you met her you’d guess she was in her 50s.
I have always liked Clinique’s foundations and powders. I especially like the concealer. Have never found any colors of blushes or lipsticks that I really liked, though. I also like the makeup remover, which I received free in a giveaway. Yes, it’s expensive, so wait until the department store has a free gift with your purchase giveaway.
A woman after my own heart. I love the little mascaras and haven’t bought on for years. The small size is ideal to throw out regularly without feeling like a wastrel.
I can’t comment on the Even Better Makeup because I’m a lazy sod when it comes to foundation and such and so have moved onto a powder compact foundation which I can apply in seconds.
You don’t have to buy Clinique, but you shoud ‘break out’ of that CoverGirl habit. Aveda is also an option. Also, if you go to a Dillard’s or something and buy it from there, you may be able to get a ‘free gift with purchase’. AND if you don’t like the makeup, return it. That’s the nice thing about department store makeup.
Then when you find one you like and need to re-stock, shop at an Ulta or large makeup store if you can. More likely to find a sale/deal.
You could also try a new facial routine at night and instead of wearing foundation, use a thinner foundation and your concealer.
I actually use Aveda skincare, Maybeline concealer (since high school, even) and I found a thinner liquid makeup from Ulta. It’s actually the Ulta brand. I was surprised I loved it…it does what it needs to to tone down the red without making me look caked. I have Smashbox bronzer, too. Even skin tone. Ta-da!
I’m having a devil of a time finding a good concealer because I have such indomitable dark circles that most concealers are too thin, but the ones that are thick are too thick and look like cake after a few minutes of wearing them. There seems to be no middle ground!
I’ve used it for about 10 years now. A bottle can last me around a year, perhaps less if I used it on an everyday basis.
I really like it and haven’t found the need to look for anything else (I’m a foundation and blush at most kind of girl.) They also sell moisturizer that comes in square yellow bottles. I’d recommend buying a moisturizer to get the skin hydrated before applying the coverup but I use any old moisturizer I have around. It doesn’t feel too heavy and goes on well, I recommend it!
I’m at the end of a bottle of Even Better and IMO it doesn’t do anything, near as I can tell, except provide pretty heavy coverage. True, it does cover up dark spots and acne scars. But change their appearance? I can’t say I’ve found that to be true. I was told that it would help with my skin’s redness and that may be true, but to be honest I haven’t found any dramatic difference in my skin’s appearance. However, I do find that spending a bit more on makeup is worth it because the products tend to wear better. Clinique might be a good option for you because it’s a step up but not outrageous in price.
I’ll be going back to my dermatologist next week and ask his opinion on what products might work on the dark spots as I have the same desire to not look like a spotted egg.
gallows fodder, I found Bobbi Brown’s concealerto be good. I used the corrector and then the concealer and then a light powder and it made a big difference in the appearance of the dark circles under my eyes and it didn’t seem all goopy or heavy, IIRC.
ETA: I think the trick with the Bobbi Brown product is to apply it with a brush.
Nah, the free gifts are almost always useless to me (since I don’t wear lipstick, mascara, etc.). Plus I hardly ever go to department stores, so I’ll just stop by the Clinique counter the next time I’m at one.
Why? It’s worked fine for me for years (and years). The only reason I’m thinking about changing brands is because of the “Even Better” idea: if CoverGirl had a product like that, I’d try it in a minute.
(1) You don’t know what my facial routine at night is, or whether it needs to be changed. And I don’t know what my facial routine has to do with whether Clinique is good makeup, and/or reducing the appearance of imperfections.
(2) As stated previously, I don’t use foundation.
Screw the makeup: I want whatever that is you’re eating!
Oh, I already do that: I’m a big fan of Aveeno’s Positively Radiant daily moisturizer.
Hah! I don’t like liquid ones - they don’t cover correctly for most people’s skin types - and sometimes the sticks are TOO thick. I started using Maybeline’s stick version in the 90s and I never deviated. I think once I found something more expensive that was decent, Boots maybe, but I went back to the trusty drugstore brand. Mascara and that concealer are the two things I’m fine with purchasing at drugstore prices.
OH! While we’re at it - Ulta has a sale going on and there’s a 20 per cent off coupon in the mail that also works online…the coupon code is 68921 but the sale ends today.
AND squee their holidays sales started already. I’m grabbing a $16 Still eye shadow compact this afternoon. <swoon>
TO the OP: You are setting your concealer with translucent powder, right?
I think Clinique is a pretty nice product and I imagine if you try it you’ll like the texture more than your current Covergirl product. Not that Covergirl is bad - it’s just their target market is 14-18 year olds - if you have a more mature skin you’ll probably enjoy the difference. This will be true for any of the higher end foundations.
Also, only set with powder if your skin is prone to shine or a bit oily - if your skin is dry it will just make you look crepe-y and modern foundations are formulated in such a way that it’s not required unless you need oil control.
Put my jammies on, rolled my hair, and got my popcorn ready…
What a fun thread! Personally, I’m a dork when it comes to makeup. Like you, I don’t wear a whole lot. But I found that Clinique’s moisturizers are unbelievably good. (I still use Cover Girl makeup tho.) But they’re like…translucent or something. First time ever that I thought I could detect a “glow.”
Once a year they have some kind of promotional. A sample collection that comes in a really neat bag. They’re (relatively) cheap & give you a chance to try their different products. One time that I got it, the stuff came in a round pink “suitcasey” type bag. I still use it for my “works.” lol (Makes me feel cool to call them that—it’s my diabetes tester etc. with the lance.)
Their overnight cream is great. And the everyday-put-this-on-before-your-makeup is good, too.
I’d definately spring for those.
BTW I have no idea where you’d get this, but I’ve read that applying green under your eyes “erases” the dark circles. Shades of Seventeen magazine! I just had a Tip. lol
I’ve never paid a lot for makeup, but it was worth it to me. I’ll have to try the new one - as soon as they have a special “gift with purchase” going on. I haven’t bought lipstick in years thanks to those gifts!
How long did it take before you started noticing a difference? Do you use it every day?
