Clinique Archives * Style Chicks

Concealer that Stays Put Without Being Obvious: Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer

September 10, 2018 · 6 Comments

If you’re reading this, you likely have something you would like to conceal. We recently tried Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer which has long-lasting, blendable coverage that does not settle into fine lines.

I began to become self-conscious about my dark circles in fourth grade and have tried more concealers than I can possibly count in decades since.

Clinique Line Correcting Concealer won’t settle into lines or creases or get cakey

So I was very happy to obtain excellent results using Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer. It lives up to its’ promise of smoothing lines, not settling in one bit. The coverage is moderate and the finish is luminous, giving a healthy, natural glow while still covering blemishes or dark circles. It looks natural, not cakey or dry.

It’s lightweight and provides good cover when applying one layer. Also, I can layer a second “coat” of the product if one finds themselves, like me, with especially dark circles paired with fair skin. It does not get cakey.
It is long wearing, staying in place all day till I removed it before bedtime.
As a surprise bonus, it stays soft and hydrated without interfering with other eye makeup, which for me, means no more raccoon eyes from mascara and concealer interactions. This is a big get in of itself.

Comes in six shades

DESIGN FEATURES

The Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer applicator wand has a larger than typical doe shaped slanted applicator tip to apply the product in broad or pinpoint strokes.
A little bit goes a long way, especially since there is little need to reapply during the day.

Large doe foot shaped applicator dabs concealer on precisely

DARK CIRCLE CONCEALER TIP: Clinique recommends using your ring finger to lightly tap the concealer under the eye area, over your lids, and into the inner corner of each eye to conceal any shadows.

BEST INTENDED USE

To conceal lines on the face, such as smile lines, draw a thin line or series of dots along the wrinkle, pat in and upwards with the ring finger. Choose a shade slightly lighter than your actual skin tone to highlight the area.

For dark circles, blending fine lines on the face, and concealing blemishes and redness. It is intended to be applied over foundation or directly to the skin over a light eye cream base.

SHADE OPTIONS

Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer comes in six shades and is 0.31 oz for $20.50. It blends well with Clinique’s foundation lines both for texture and shade choices.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer anywhere Clinique is sold, including online and instore Clinique, BlueMercury, Sephora and Ulta

Legit Dupe Alert for Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

June 27, 2018 · 4 Comments

It is hard to beat Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. It performs well, soaking into the skin and making it soft and smooth without leaving a greasy finish. Moms use it, Grandmas use it, college ladies use it, some guys use it, everybody uses it, and with good reason. I buy a Clinique DDML 4.2 ounce bottle several times a year during every good Clinique Bonus (GWP) event. It is a classic go-to kind of product that works regardless of skin type or age.

But… that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t give a good dupe a try. As long as quality is not sacrificed, who doesn’t like more bang for their beauty buck?

And a good Clinique DDML dupe comes from an unexpected place: Sally Beauty. Sally Beauty dupes several popular products including our beloved DDML. It’s called Distinctively Unique Moisturizing Lotion (Compare to Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion) and its’ made by Generic Value Products. For brevity, we will refer to it as Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive in this post.

Here are a few thoughts on Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive:

Perks

Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive looks and smells like Clinique DDML to me. It is a slightly lighter yellow hue. By smells the same, I mean no scent. A big plus for those of us with sensitive skin.

It has a similar but with a somewhat lighter consistency. It soaks into my skin well without being sticky or greasy. Like the original, it does not make my skin breakout and is completely non-irritating.

My skin stays hydrated for the day with either brand.

It sells for $9.99 for a four-ounce pump bottle compared to Clinique DDML 4.2 ounce bottle for $27. It goes on sale for Buy two get one free frequently.

Caveats

I tend to need more of the Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive – two pumps worth instead just one Clinique DDML to coat my face and throat, so “Distinctive” is not a true 1/3 of the price of DDML, but still a deal.

Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive comes in one form: lotion. Whereas Clinique Dramatically Different comes in lotion, a cream for dry skin, a gel for oily skin, and a hydrating jelly form to lock moisture in and keeps pollution out.

My real gripe with Sally Beauty GVP “Distinctive” is the packaging. The pump mechanism works intermittently so I must remove the top and squeeze contents out of the bottle. I would prefer a working pump or make it a cap style package.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

Sally Beauty GVP “Distinctive” is an excellent dupe of a well-loved product which is a great find. There is not a compromise to quality, although I do need to use a bit more of it than I would of the Clinique DDML. I use both Clinique DDML and Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive within my beauty routine.

If you buy Clinique DDML during bonus campaigns, then Sally Beauty GVP Distinctive lotion can hold you over between bonus GWP events.

Sally Beauty also has two-day shipping which may be faster than getting to a Clinique counter.

The Sally Beauty version is an especially good deal when Sallys runs their BOGO or buy two get one free offers. Getting three bottles basically for the price of one Clinique DDML means I can keep a “Distinctive” bottle in my gym bag, one at home, and one in my travel bag.

WHERE TO FIND IT

Find Distinctively Unique Moisturizing Lotion by Generic Value Products at Sally Beauty

Find Clinique Dramatically Different Moisture Lotion at your favorite Clinique counter. It is also at Clinique.com, Sephora, Ulta, and many of your favorite online beauty boutiques.

Product Review: Clinique Non-Aerosol Hairspray

July 13, 2015 · Leave a Comment

As more public places are anti-fragrance, it is difficult to find a hairspray that is suitable for the office. Clinique, long-known for products suitable for those with sensitive skin and eyes, has a hairspray that manages to simultaneously pull off the five following beauty feats:
1) Unscented . And when I say unscented, I mean not just devoid of a perfume-y top note scent masking the noxious smell of hairspray or alcohol, it is impressively devoid of detectible scent or odor in the bottle or when sprayed on my hair.

2) Non-Aerosol. Irritating to the eyes and banned from many offices, aerosols are just not an option for some situations.

3) A fine mist. My primary gripe against most non-aerosol hairsprays is when it sprays, it is in uneven spurts that completely miss some areas and soak others. This is a light, even coverage.

4) Hold without buildup. A light to medium hold you can still brush through and not get gunky flakes or clumps of hair and stringy pieces. When combed out, hair looks like normal, clean hair, not dull, post-style stringiness.

5) Hair is touchable after use. Not crunchy. Big bonus.

Like a covert beauty weapon, Clinique Non-Aerosol is my go-to hairspray for when I am not *SUPPOSED* to be wearing hairspray – like to the office, for outside events like picnics, or other low-key events.

I can’t say this would be my hairspray for a big event or night out, or if I was looking to tease in volume for a high pony tail or updo. For these styles a different spray would likely give longer and stronger hold. I also did not feel it particularly added any shine (or dullness as some sprays can do), but I suppose that is part of not being very detectible.

SUMMARY: Good go-to hairspray for the office or activities you are supposed to look polished and presentable, but not “done-up”. REALLY no scent.

Clinique Non-Aerosol Hairspray is available at:

· Clinique.com

· Macy’s

· Nordstrom

Clinique Non Aerosol Hairspray