About Clinique
Clinique is a well-known cosmetic brand that specializes in skin care products and makeup. With over 50 years of expertise in the beauty industry, the brand has amassed a huge fan following.
Run by Estee Lauder, its products can be found in department stores and beauty shops around the world with new releases frequently coming to market for a variety of issues and concerns.
With an astounding 3.3 million followers on Instagram, the brand has been featured in numerous media publications including Vogue, Refinery29, Vanity Fair, and Allure Magazine.
Additionally, Clinique’s award-winning products hold numerous titles, such as a 2014 CEW Insiders’ Choice Beauty Award and an Allure 2019 Best of Beauty Award.
Does this company stand the test of time, or is it time to try something new? This Clinique makeup review will hopefully answer that for you.
We’ll provide details on the brand, its products, customer ratings, promotions, and more to help you decide if its products are worth the buy.
Overview of Clinique
It all started when Vogue asked a seemingly simple question: what is the perfect skincare regime? A superhero team of dermatologists and entrepreneurs sought to find out.
Dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich, Vogue editor Carol Phillips, and businesswoman Evelyn Lauder teamed up to create Clinique in 1968, and the brand launched at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City, New York, and the rest is history.
Considered one of the first dermatologist-led skincare brands, the company is recognized today for its iconic 3-step skincare regime of:
- Cleansing
- Exfoliating
- Moisturizing
Its collection offers hundreds of skincare products that target a number of skin concerns, in addition to sensitive skin-friendly makeup.
What makes this company stand out from its competition is its Clinique ID Program. With this program, users can customize their own skincare products based on their specific needs and concerns.
This is a great asset to have, especially for those who are uncertain of what products to buy, so Clinique has essentially done the work for you.
Still operating from its headquarters in New York City, Clinique is housed under its parent company, Estee Lauder. The company built a reputation for itself as one of the godfathers that would help set the precedent for future beauty brands.
Clinique ensures that their formulas are free from harmful ingredients like parabens, fragrances, and phthalates. Plus, they thoroughly test every product for safety and efficacy before it hits stores.
The company is also committed to practicing sustainable measures when it comes to its manufacturing processes. According to Clinique’s mission, it aims to offer 100% recyclable, refillable, or reusable packaging by 2025.
Now that you know a bit more about the brand, this Clinique makeup review will go over some pros and cons:
Pros
- A wide variety of skincare products for men and women that target specific skin types and concerns, including sensitive skin-friendly products
- Over 50 years of experience formulating skincare and makeup products
- Free of harsh substances such as parabens, phthalates, and fragrances
- Sustainable measures enforced throughout its production line
- Clinique ID provides a 30-second skin analysis to help translate your results into customized skincare recommendations
- Products are dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
- The brand is widely available at a number of department stores and beauty shops like Sephora
- Installment payment available through Afterpay
- Free standard shipping on all orders
Cons
- Some customer report bad experiences with Clinique’s customer service team
When you’re first researching the world of cosmetics, Clinique is usually one of the first companies to pop up in the search bar. Operating for more than 50 years, the brand has managed to still be a contender within the beauty industry.
On their website, there are hundreds of skincare and makeup products to choose from. Offering options for both men and women, this Clinique makeup review will provide you with a selection of their best-selling formulas to help get you started.
Clinique Products Review
Take this as a sign to upgrade your skincare regime and makeup game. With that being said, Clinique offers a wide assortment of products suited for your every need, including foundations, serums, colognes, primers, exfoliators, and more.
Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, this Clinique makeup review has all the details on the brand’s best-selling products. Be advised that many of the products below are available for purchase through Afterpay.
Clinique All About Eyes Review
Our undereye areas are like delicate flower petals. If we don’t treat them properly, they will start to discolor over time. Clinique developed the All About Eyes cream to provide this sensitive area with some much-needed TLC.
Featuring Caffeine, Mulberry Root Extract, and Green Tea, this product works to diminish the appearance of puffiness and dark circles, leaving you with a fresh and vibrant complexion.
Its cream and gel textured formula can be used as an under-eye primer because it helps makeup adhere to your skin.
Plus, you don’t need to worry about causing damage or irritation to your sensitive under-eye area: this Clinique eye cream blend was ophthalmologist tested for efficacy and safety.
Safe to use twice daily, the All About Eyes cream is available in two sizes:
- 0.5oz for $35
- 1oz for $58
Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Review
Did you know that our skin absorbs a shocking amount of pollutants and debris over the course of a day? That’s one of the reasons why cleansing is such an important part of your skincare routine.
A quality cleanser helps scrub away those impurities before they seep into your pores, causing breakouts.
Clinique’s All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap is designed to loosen surface flakes while protecting the complexion’s natural moisture balance.
Considered the first step in Clinique’s 3-step care system, this formula works into a non-drying lather that keeps your skin feeling soft, clean, and comfortable.
The brand doesn’t try to pretend that everyone has the same skin type. Instead, Clinique offers three different formulas for dry, combination, and oily complexions. Its key ingredient is sucrose, which is known to calm and soothe the skin.
The three All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap formulas are available in two sizes:
- 6.7fl oz: $19
- 13.5fl oz: $31
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm Review
Just because you’re wearing hard-to-remove makeup doesn’t mean you should resort to harsh substances to take it off.
For a better alternative, the Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm is designed to gently wipe off layers of foundation and eyeshadow through its non-drying formula.
Meant to softly eliminate the stress of pollution to make the skin look younger, this silky cream works for all complexion types. Infused with a blend of safflower seed oil, this cleansing balm is more skin-friendly than those super de-hydrating makeup wipes.
To use, simply massage the product all over your face. You’ll notice the balm melt into a silky-smooth oil as your fingertips warm it up. Its non-greasy formula rinses off easily with water.
The Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm is available for $31 (3.8oz).
Clinique Moisturizer Review
Enriched with natural ingredients such as sunflower seed cake, barley extract, and cucumber fruit extract, the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is meant to provide ultra hydration to your complexion.
Designed to be the final step in Clinique’s 3-part skincare system, this cream delivers 8 hours of moisture while strengthening your skin barrier for a youthful glow.
Formulated specifically for dry and combination skin types, this product is best paired with other complementary products, such as the Clinique Moisture Surge Eye Hydrator.
Safe for your face, neck, and decolletage, this Clinique moisturizer comes in 3 different sizes:
- 50ml tube: $16
- 125ml with pump: $30
- 200ml with pump: $41
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel Review
For those who are not keen on cream-based formulas, Clinique offers its Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel as an alternative.
Infused with the same ingredients of sunflower seed cake and barley extract, this formula helps keep your skin glowing as it balances and refreshes oiler complexion types.
It also contains hyaluronic acid to act as a natural moisture magnet and humectant. Meant to be absorbed quickly into the skin, this dermatologist-developed blend can be a crucial step in your get-ready routine.
The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is currently available in three sizes:
- 50 ml tube: $16
- 125 ml with pump: $30
- 200 ml with pump: $41
Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup Review
Optimized for those who suffer from the occasional pimple, the Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup can easily cover up imperfections and blemishes with its skin-clearing formula.
This tinted foundation provides moderate coverage that can neutralize redness. Enhanced with salicylic acid, this product also helps to prevent future breakouts.
This oil-free base results in a natural matte finish that’s ideal for oily or combination skin types.
There are 16 different colors to choose from. To make shopping for your perfect match easier, the product page features 16 diverse models, each wearing one shade of the Clinique foundation.
In a 1.0oz bottle, the Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup retails for $31.
Clinique Lip Stick Review Review
Pucker up. It’s time to achieve those Kardashian-like kissers with the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm. This tinted salve provides a hint of color while delivering a healthy dose of hydration.
Boosted with mango and shea butter, you can say goodbye to those harsh, rough, and chapped textures.
This Clinique lipstick is offered in 15 different colors, such as mega melon, super strawberry, and voluptuous violet. To make full use of this salve, we recommend outlining your lips with this product first before filling them in.
For 0.10oz, make the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm a carry-on essential for $19.
Clinique Blushing Blush Powder Blush Review
Sometimes a spot of color is all you need to make your overall makeup look more natural. The Blushing Blush Powder Blush is designed to build to your desired intensity with its sculpting brush.
Coming in a silky smooth formula, this blend can be applied effortlessly across the cheekbones to help deliver a slight pink tinge.
Meant to last for the entire day, this oil-free cosmetic is available in 7 different hues including cupid, aglow, and smoldering plum. An essential product for achieving that romantic, flushed complexion, the Blushing Powder Blush costs $26 for 0.21oz.
Clinique Happy For Men Cologne Spray Review
Scented with a hint of fresh citrus, the Happy For Men Cologne Spray delivers a waft of cool and crisp notes that can help lift your spirits up.
It’s a great perfume alternative to have if you’re not a fan of heavy musky undertones or rich spices. The light, airy tones of lemon and lime can help cut down powerful aromas such as body odor and sweat.
Note that bottled fragrances included in the Clinique for men line are best applied after showering. This Clinique makeup review recommends applying a few pumps onto the wrists and neck instead of opting for the ‘walk into it’ technique.
For a scent that embodies relaxation and comfort, the Happy For Men Cologne Spray is available in two sizes:
1.7 oz: $55
3.4 oz: $72
Clinique Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
We turned to online testimonials to see what customers really thought about the brand. Overall, we found an overwhelming amount of positive Clinique makeup reviews.
On the company’s website, its bestsellers garner thousands of reviews and collectively average 4.6/5 stars. Here’s a glimpse into its cult-classics:
- Chubby Stick™ Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm: an average of 4.6/5 stars from over 3k ratings
- Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator: an average of 4.6/5 stars from over 1.8k ratings
- Dramatically Different™ Moisturizing Lotion+: an average of 4.3/5 stars from over 3.6k ratings
- All About Clean™ Liquid Facial Soap: an average of 4.8/5 stars from over 3k ratings
- All About Clean™ Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser: an average of 4.7/5 stars from over 1.2k ratings
- Take The Day Off™ Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips: an average of 4.7/5 stars from over 2k ratings
Overall, customers rave about how well Clinique’s products remove makeup, how gentle they are on sensitive skin, and how hydrated and soft their skin feels after applying.
For example, the All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap is recommended by 97% of users for how it helps make their skin feel refreshed and clean. One reviewer, in particular, noted that it doesn’t dry out her skin or leave a tight feeling after use:
“I have very dry skin and this cleanser is absolutely the best. It cleans your skin well and leaves no residue behind. You do not get that ‘tight dry’ feeling that other cleansers have when you wash your face.”
The praise continues for Clinique at other websites such as Sephora and Influenster. On Sephora, a majority of their formulas hold thousands of comments with a common score of 4/5 stars.
Sephora shoppers particularly love Clinique’s Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips and Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss, which are both awarded 4.5/5 stars from 3.1k ratings and 1.7k ratings, respectively.
One phenomenal score for the brand is that the makeup remover has been favorited more than 77k times!
On the flip side, Influenster showcases a staggering count of 446.3k user testimonials. Here, customers argue that Clinique formulas help to provide lasting hydration.
Similarly, a good amount of buyers state that their facial lotions and creams were great in revitalizing and smoothening out their complexion.
“I have combination skin that gets super dry in the winter months. This stuff has done wonders for my skin. It’s gone from dull to having the wonderful glow to it,” one Influenster reviewer wrote for the Pep-Start 2 in 1 Exfoliating Cleanser.
Unfortunately, not all experiences were positive, and a few negative Clinique makeup reviews are circulating.
On Trustpilot, the brand holds a poor rating of 1.8/5 stars from over 116 reviews. Most of the customers on this website reported issues with the brand’s customer service and delivery.
One disgruntled user loves the company, but has had multiple issues with its customer service and website:
“I love Clinique but ordering online is horrible. I called the 800 number and it was bad customer service, operator did not help me when I told her the website would not take my gift card. She did not take my order over the phone. I’ve tried ordering on the website but it’s always down.”
We also found a few less than savory testimonials on Influenster as well. Some users stated that their skincare products did nothing to improve the quality of their complexion.
Take this customer’s experience with the Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel for example:
“It had a strong smell and it stung quite a bit when I applied the gel. I figured that was how I could tell it was working. Unfortunately, it didn’t make my spots smaller or do anything. I might as well have rubbed water on my breakouts for all the good it would have done.”
We are happy to report that the negative Clinique makeup reviews are few and far between. Overall, there are tens of thousands of positive ratings that attest to the quality and efficacy of the brand’s line.
Of course, makeup is not one-size-fits-all. Though Clinique offers a wide range of products to target many skin concerns, the brand just might not be for you.
Thankfully, the company offers a generous return policy. If you are unsatisfied with a product, you can return what is left for a refund or exchange. We do hope that the brand works on its customer service support and website to ensure a more consistent shopping experience.
Is Clinique Makeup Worth It?
Now you may be wondering, is Clinique a good brand? Based on the thousands of positive comments posted online, this Clinique makeup review is inclined to say yes.
Over the years, the brand has continued to make a name for itself amongst a sea of hundreds of beauty brands. Its product line is beloved by many returning customers, as seen through Influenster and Sephora.
The only downsides we discovered were that some customers found products to be ineffective, while others had poor experiences with the brand’s customer service.
The number of these reports was incredibly low when compared to positive testimonials. Still, it may be something to keep in mind. In terms of price, Clinique’s products are similar to other high-quality, dermatologist brands, and prices start from $20.
If that still doesn’t work for your budget, you can also rely on the Afterpay option for a convenient installment payment plan.
Overall, if you’re looking for a brand that’s reliable, trustworthy, and effective for a majority of users, Clinique could be a good place to start. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, it’s safe to say that the brand knows a thing or two about skincare regimens.
Clinique Promotions & Discounts
Currently, Clinique offers a few ways for customers to save on its products:
When you spend $35 or more, you can use the promo code: ‘ACNE’ to add the complimentary Bye Breakout trio, or: ‘EYES’ to add the Wake-Up & Depuff kit
Up to 6 free samples, depending on the total of your order
Rewards program: New customers receive 15% off their first order. All member earn points to spend on full-size products
Sale outlet: select items are offered at a discounted price
Where to Buy Clinique Makeup
Customers can purchase products, such as the Clinique mascara, by visiting Clinique.com.
You can also find its products at select retailers, including Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, Amazon, Hudson’s Bay, Walmart, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, and Macy’s.
FAQ
Is Clinique recommended by dermatologists?
This Clinique makeup review found out that a majority of their formulas are developed and recommended by dermatologists.
What age group is Clinique for?
The brand’s products are formulated for people of all ages. Though, it seems that the brand is generally marketed to an older and female demographic.
Is Clinique good for older skin?
Some of their products are optimized for older skin, such as the Smart Custom-Repair Serum.
Does Clinique use parabens?
This Clinique makeup review found out that their products are free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrances.
Does Clinique ship internationally?
Yes, Clinique does ship internationally. Customers are encouraged to pick their country from the website directory in order to see prices and information pertaining to their location.
How long does it take for Clinique to ship?
This Clinique makeup review found out that it offers free ground shipping on all of its US orders. Using its main couriers of USPS, UPS, and Ontrac, orders usually take 6 to 14 business days to arrive.
The company also provides other delivery options, such as second-day and overnight shipping. The price for these choices will be calculated at checkout. Customers can view the status of their order by signing into their Clinique account.
How do I return something to Clinique?
If you are not satisfied with a product you purchased directly from Clinique.com, you can message Clinique for a refund or exchange.
Though the company offers both, it doesn’t disclose how many days after purchase refunds are eligible. But, Clinique will handle all return shipping costs.
To initiate this process, customers are encouraged to reach out to their customer service team.
