Clinique-ly insane??
 Nov 20th, 2003
Advantages:
Allergy tested, huge range of products
Disadvantages:
Pretty expensive, not available everywhere
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
Quality
Length of Use
Use Many of the Products?
more
  tamsin23
About me:
Well "baby" Poppy is not such a baby anymore! We celebrated her 1st birthday on the 3rd Ma...
Member since:30.03.2003
Reviews:36
Members who trust:52
Review rated by 56 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
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I've written a few hair product ops, but that's as far as my beauty advice has stretched so far. I am willing to let a select few of into my little skin deep beauty secret.... It's a little green and white packaged range and it's made by a company called..
Shhh *whispers*.... Clinique. Boys, if you are still reading here, well done and this is also a product range for men, so persevere!
Right, a bit of history.
======================== Mr. Joseph Lauder and his Wife Estee formed a company in 1946 selling face creams and lotions. We know this company today as Estee Lauder. In 1968, they brought out a range of allergy tested, 100% fragrance free products under the label "Clinique". Bet you didn't know that! I didn't. The majority of the company is still family owned by the Lauders, although the company went public in November 1995.
Dermatologists have always developed the Clinique range and I feel it is the leading brand in maintaining top-notch skin. They do not test products on animals. I have always been wary of highly perfumed products where my face is concerned. My mum always warned me to look after my skin or I would end up ironing the creases out every morning like
she does!
So, what do they make??
======================= The company has the following main product ranges:
Skincare
Makeup
Colour
Haircare
Body
Sun
Fragrance
Mens
Skincare
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Their main skincare range is marketed under the "3-step" recommended cleaning routine. This is cleanse-tone-moisturise. This was drummed into me as a girl when I started to cake myself in cheap makeup. I followed this routine even then and never suffered with spots as a teenager.
Their products in this range are cleverly marked with a number 1, 2 or 3 on the bottle / tub so you know if you pick one of each number, you have a complete solution.
They also sell exfoliators, makeup removers, anti-blemish and anti-aging products. Makeup
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This is Clinique's range of concealers, foundations and powders. These products are formulated to suit various skin types. It can be very confusing, but Clinique beauty advisors are on hand at the counter to advise you on what would best suit your skin. Sometimes, however, I do find the advisor has just “nipped out to lunch” or similar and the other Clarins or Estee Lauder consultants do not know the products. This now makes me laugh, knowing that Estee Lauder and Clinique are the same company and yet in direct competition. These are available in up to 11 shades so most colours of skin can be catered for.
Colour
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Colour for lips (sticks / pencils / glosses), eyes (shadows / pencils / mascaras), cheeks (blushers) and nails (polishes). There are lots of different colours available, but colour ranges are added to all the time to include various seasons.
Under these categories, you get yet more choice. For example, lipstick isn’t just in the traditional stick variety, no. Now you can choose from sticks, bars, palettes and various formulas of each of these depending on the “look” you are after. You can get shiny lips, matt lips and even Leslie Ash lips. Well, I actually lied about the last one, but you get the idea. Haircare
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You can now buy shampoos, conditioners and hair styling products from Clinique. So not just your face benefits from the pureness of the products. Hair and even body are catered for now.
Body
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This range includes washes, deodorants, exfoliators, oils and moisturisers to give the whole body some pampering. I have to admit, I’ve not tried this range because I am reluctant to spend excessive money on deodorant! If I do, I will update it for you. Sun
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This is generally available in the summer and includes sun protection, after sun and a self-tan range. I have seen this all year round, but I’m not sure of how widely available it is. You are advised to protect your skin from the sun all year round, so it is a good idea to sell the products. A lot of the face products from Clinique already have an SPF (sun protection factor) built into them. This will help the ageing factor, and hence leave my iron away in the cupboard for a few more years.
Fragrance
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There are two main Clinique perfume ranges, Happy and Aromatics Elixir. There is now a new fragrance called Simply which I must smell next time I am passing. I use Happy during the day for work; it is a sunny, floral, light smell, which is just right for me for daytime. The Aromatics is much heavier for nights out in my opinion. There is also a Happy for Men, which I haven’t smelt, but sounds like a good potential Christmas present for Significant Other. Mens
----
The men’s range is limited to shaving products, fragrance (as mentioned) and skincare. Until men start wearing makeup regularly (excluding David Beckham of course), I think the range will be a lot smaller. However, there is enough choice to select a 1-2-3 skincare routine to look after your skin.
These ranges are mainly sold in packaging in their trademark pale green and white. It is very simple and understated and would look at home on any dressing table or in any bathroom cabinet. Different products use various different colours, but it’s all plain and simple packaging.
Prices
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This is the only downside to Clinique in my opinion. The prices are quite high compared to some other high street brands. But, like Estee Lauder, Prescriptives (another EL company btw) and Clarins, Clinique follows a similar price structure to them. Here is a guide to what you can expect to pay for various products: Moisturiser – 14.00 – 27.00
Foundation – 17.00
Lipstick – 12.00
Shampoo – 8.00
Deodorant – 10.50
Fragrance – 29.50
(Sorry my pound sign is broken, but these prices are in British pounds) A good way to try products is to ask for samples of foundations or lipsticks, which most consultants will be happy to give you. If you already use a few products, keep your eyes open for the free gift offer they do every 6 months or so called Clinique Bonus Time. If you buy two products, you get a free gift package, which normally consists of a little makeup bag with lots of sample sizes inside of lots of products. I have tried most of the makeup and skincare products now, mostly through the free gifts.
My opinion
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In my experience, a little really goes a long way with Clinique products. The foundation I use just glides on and leaves my skin feeling silky soft and not clogged at all. I get even coverage by using a small amount. The products do warrant the extra money in my opinion because lipsticks are generally richer in colour and stay put longer than cheaper alternatives, mascaras don’t clog and go goopy or run down my face halfway through the day and generally, my whole face feels soft and cared for.
For more information including a full product range and stockist locator, check their website at www.clinique.co.uk or you can write to
Clinique Laboratories, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10153
U.S. Thanks for reading as usual, and I look forward to your comments. Tamsin xx
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by (2%):
04.10.2006 21:41
Good, interesting and informative review! x
12.05.2006 22:43
Great in depth review, and no I didn't know that! I love Clinique the products are top notch and the packaging is fab! Fella bought me the new(ish) Happy to be perfume which is great for the day. xx
02.03.2004 13:18
I've been a Happy girl for a couple of years now. Lovely stuff, reminds me of holidays. Jackie