Cosmetics GURU

Review – Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15 - Kiss and ...

First of all, let me say that getting makeup from a department store is really frustrating. I had the lady from the Dior booth helping me, and she didn’t know the products so she couldn’t recommend anything, nor did she know where any of the Clinique products were located. Secondly, my makeup was done horribly that day, It was raining and after 14 hours it wasn’t holding up so well, and I feel like that affected the service I received. Normally when I purchase from the Clinique, Estee Lauder or Dior counters, the representative will give me free products to try, everything from fragrance samples to full-sized products… this time I got nothing! Packaging/design: Clinique borrowed a page from Smashbox when designing the packaging for this mineral foundation. Well, it’s actually more like they borrowed the page… then photocopied it. It uses the exact same circular shaving tool as Smashbox’s Halo, only they have placed it slightly off centre so as not to break copyright. It’s a great design, so I shouldn’t complain… it minimizes waste, keeps the powder pressed and tidy until use, and is small enough to fit in most makeup bags. Much better than M.A.C.’s Mineralize Loose Powder’s packaging. The exterior packaging features a mirrored hinged lid with a white base. Hinge looks pretty sturdy, as does the push-button lid release (which actually broke on my Halo). Applicator: Smashbox provides a kabuki brush, M.A.C.’s mineral foundation uses a flat sponge applicator, and Clinique provides what looks like (in my opinion) a blush or highlight brush. Though the small brush guarantees a very slow application, it works well enough, and the slim design allows you to hit the difficult areas like under the eye and around the nose with ease. Also, it is compact enough to actually fit inside the jar, which is definitely convenient. Product: This product doesn’t go very far, I find myself having to shave off a full rotation worth of product for just one application, whereas with Smashbox Halo a quarter turn is enough for your whole face. I will say that this product has the best coverage of any mineral powder foundation I have ever used, and it actually has mild light reflecting properties like Halo, but still manages to mattify your skin (unlike Halo, which leaves you luminous and glowing). Mineralize has decent coverage, but it takes several applications to build it up, and leaves your skin feeling dry and heavy. Superbalanced feels incredibly smooth on your skin, to the point where I actually found myself touching my face subconsciously throughout the day, marvelling at the smoothness!. This product is actually is quite hydrating, as well. In fact, it does for me what Halo did when I first started using it before I became, seemingly, immune to its effects. I feel like it’s actually repairing my skin! The only downfall that I can see is that it is powdery. I still need to get my hands on the new Urban Decay finishing sprays, but for now I have been using M.A.C.’s Fix+ and it works, but not as well as I would like. Overall, I would say if you are interested in this product, have them test it on you in the store and make sure you have a good finishing spray handy. When applied heavily and finished with a spray, it gives a natural airbrushed effect, but it takes time, practice and the right products to get that effect. If you don’t want to have to buy accessories for your foundation, this may not be the product for you.

Read more...