Classic Clinique

Clinique Laboratories Inc. is one of the world's most famous producers of prestige skin care, makeup, hair and perfume products. Clinique was first launched in 1968 and claims that all cosmetics are Allergy Tested & 100% Fragrance Free. It all started when a Vogue Editor Carol Philips joined Lauder to create a new cosmetic line. Clinique is part of the Estée Lauder group. This includes Estée Lauder, Prescriptives, Origins, M·A·C, Bobbi Brown, Aveda, La Mer, Stila, Jo Malone, Bumble and Bumble, Kate Spade beauty and Michael Kors.

They do not test on animals, use high quality products and safety test all of them.

I use make-up and sun care products by Clinique. They have such a wide range of affordable lip-glosses and eye shadows that last for ages and are cheaper than Dior or Chanel. The face powder is also fantastic. I use the Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder that is oil free. The compact is the classic Clinique pearly green and has a mirror, which unfortunately is not that flattering! The powder does work really well though and minimises shine.

So how expensive is Clinique?
The face powder mentioned is £16.50, the new ‘Gloss wear for lips’ are £9.50, shampoo is £8.00, and facial soap is £8.50. There are so many products so you will probably find it easier to look on the website.

Image:
In part you are paying somewhat to the image. Clinique is a famous brand. You may prefer pulling out a Clinique compact to pulling a generic type compact out of your make-up bag. Even Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’ endorsed Clinique!

Staff:
Another things about Clinique are the pleasant, friendly and helpful staff behind the counters. They all wear white dresses with brass buttons up the front, a bit like nurses. They are not as intimidating as some counter staff but they may look quite scary at first with their hair all pinned up and too much make-up on. The younger ones are more laid back but the older ladies may be pushier. The other day, a friend and I were having a quiet browse at a counter when a lady with grey hair and a loud voice boomed suddenly ‘hello girls! Are you alright there?’ My friend almost started laughing as this lady (who was the counter manager) had bright red lips and nails and obvious lip-liner. Still she was helpful and I purchased some lip-gloss. She was also kind enough to give my friend and I a full sized lipstick sample each. (The colour is ‘All Heart’ and looks really lovely once I’ve toned it down with some sheer lip-balm.)

Locations:
All department stores will have a Clinique counter. Harvey Nichols, Harrods (This is wear the first counter opened in the UK) Selfridges, House of Fraser, Allders, John Lewis and Debenhams. The larger Boots stores may have beauty counters and you will find a Clinique counter here as well.