Clinique SPF15 City Base Compact Foundation

...have been a user of Clinique make-up for quite some time. I was attracted to Clinique make-up because it is sensitive on your skin, and I have extremely sensitive skin. I have tried many other foundations, creams, powders and all-in-one foundations and this truly is the best foundation I have used. Although Clinique products tend to be on the expensive side, I find it is always worth paying the extra on something as important as a foundation.
...colour that is associated with Clinique products. It has a small silver button with Clinique on, which is what you press to open the compact. Once open the compact is divided into to two halves on the bottom of the inside, one part is the foundation the other is the sponge. On the top of the inside there is a large mirror for application of the product.

The mirror is large enough to use to apply your foundation and see quite a large ... more

I have been a user of Clinique make-up for quite some time. I was attracted to Clinique make-up because it is sensitive on your skin, and I have extremely sensitive skin. I have tried many other foundations, creams, powders and all-in-one foundations and this truly is the best foundation I have used. Although Clinique products tend to be on the expensive side, I find it is always worth paying the extra on something as important as a foundation.

The Packaging

The compact itself is oblong in shape and is the usual green colour that is associated with Clinique products. It has a small silver button with Clinique on, which is what you press to open the compact. Once open the compact is divided into to two halves on the bottom of the inside, one part is the foundation the other is the sponge. On the top of the inside there is a large mirror for application of the product.

The mirror is large enough to use to apply your foundation and see quite a large amount of your face, a large mirror is essential so you can see that the foundation has been evenly applied all over the face. The sponge is of good quality and is also another essential when applying foundation, make-up artists always insist that foundation should be applied with a sponge as it helps spread the foundation out evenly. The sponge can be easily washed with soap and water if it gets too coated in make-up.

The compact comes in a cardboard box, which has the pink and green floral design that most Clinique products come in. In silver writing on the front of the cardboard packaging there is the Clinique logo and a description of the product.

The texture, smell and appearance

Clinique City base foundation has quite a thick texture. It comes in 9 different shades.
If you have very fair skin the shades you should use are Pale, Fair and Honey Milk.
If you have moderately fair skin there are four different shades you can use; Soft Vanilla, Ivory Bisque, Cream blush and Porcelain Beige.
If you have medium skin the three shades are Porcelain Beige, Tawny and Almond Beige.
Finally Almond Beige can also be used if you have olive dark skin.
If you are unsure of your skin type you can take the skin type test on the Clinique website at www.clinique.com or alternatively you can pop into a department store like Boots or Debenhams where there are generally helpful staff that can help you determine your skin type and colour.
All of the different colours have the same texture, very creamy but not too thick.

The foundation does have a slight creamy sweet make-up smell to it, but you can’t smell it when you have applied it to your face

Clinique describe this product as ‘Buildable coverage glides on as a cream, then turns into a silky powder. Imparts a soft, matte finish and also defends against environmental damage.’

The foundation does go onto your face like a cream, but when it has dried it actually looks like a powder finish. It doesn’t go streaky and it is actually really hard wearing.
It is completely oil free and is extremely sensitive on your skin; I have had less spots since I started using this foundation and my skin has never been irritated by it. Some foundations have stung my face in the past, as it is extremely sensitive but this foundation has never done that.

The foundation also protects your face from the UV rays that are in sun light. The foundation is Sun Protection Factor 15, which is the minimum factor we are advised to use. I think this is quite important in a foundation too, as during the summer your face is always in the sun and is the least likely place that I would put sun cream, because I would be wearing foundation.

How and when to use:

I generally use this foundation as my all day every day foundation. I use it for during the day, going out in the evening and even just to touch up blemishes on my face. It is simple to use and very easy to store in your hand bag too!
Clinique advise you to apply the foundation after washing and cleansing your face using their 3 step system (wash, cleanse and moisturise) which I usually tend to do, but I don’t think it’s necessary.

The foundation is applied with the sponge provided and you should work the cream into your face from the centre and blend outwards. I always tend to start with my nose and end with my chin.

The foundation is really easy to take off; I just use a Tesco all in one cleanser which seems to take my make-up off effectively. The foundation will generally stay on for the majority of the day, but comes off quicker when it’s hot.

Cost and where to buy

The Product comes in 14 grams as its only size and can be purchased from the Clinique website for 17 pounds 50 (sorry my pound sign is broken).

Address: http://www.clinique.co.uk/en/products/multi_prod_color_non_sorting.jhtml?categoryId=CAT1031

It can also be purchased from www.strawberry.shoppingsavvy.com, which is quite a good website for cosmetics. It is priced at 22 Dollars, which is about 12 pounds a lot cheaper than from the Clinique Website.

Address: http://strawberry.shoppingsavvy.com/Clinique-City-Base-Compact-Foundation-No.-03-Honeymilk-14g0.5oz-makeup-cosmetics.html

I usually buy my Clinique Foundation from Debenhams, the price of the foundation at Debenhams is 17 Pounds 50 like on the Clinique website.
However, sometimes I shop around for bargains.

My Opinion

Overall, I think that this foundation is good value for money. Although it is on the expensive side it is an essential part of your make-up as it covers the whole of you face. A 14 gram compact of foundation usually last me about 3 months even when using it every day. You only need a small amount of foundation and that’s why it lasts quite a long time.

The foundation is easy to use; it comes with a mirror and a sponge so it can be applied at any time. It is a sheer to moderate cover, with a great matte finish.
It looks really smooth on your face and it can be applied really easily, there isn’t any need to where any powder on top of this foundation as it is an all in one product.

It protects your skin from harmful rays and doesn’t go streaky when worn in the sun.
The product has never irritated my skin or given me spots and doesn’t tend to come off on my clothes.

Overall I would give this product 4/5 because it is really good but could be a cheaper to give it full marks, I would definitely recommend this product for people who like to have a good foundation that is durable but soft on your skin.

For more information, the website is www.clinique.co.uk
 

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