3 Step?? Or is there more to it. (Clinique 3-Step Skin System)

Member Name: dnwhakar

Product:	Clinique 3-Step Skin System
Date:	20/10/03 (942 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Works well, Great for allergic and sensitive skins, Good Investment

Disadvantages: Time Consuming, Messy, Expensive

I have been using Clinique products for two years now. I didnt have bad skin to begin with, in fact people used to tell me I have great skin even when I wasnt using Clinique. After two years, I don't really know if it has improved my skin. Sure it feels soft, smooth etc but it did before too! Maybe if you have bad skin to start with it may be a bit more useful.

One thing that really irks me about the '3 step', is the soap. People say 'oh the soap is wonderful......its so great to be using a soap!' Whats so great about a sopping wet cake of soap which goes slimy and gunky???!!! And please also let me know what is so great about a soap which does NOT remove makeup!!!!! Yes, you got it - you have to buy an extra cleanser (to use before the soap) to remove your makeup. Who has time to cleanse twice may I ask?!! It made me think 'well what exactly is the soap for?!'

I used only the soap, and not the cleanser for about 6 months, before I was told 'oh no - the soap doesnt remove makeup dear, you need a seperate cleanser for that'. So when my soap ran out, I bought a tube of 'foaming cream cleanser', and ditched the soap. My skin still looks the same, and now I know my makeup is acutally being removed at night. I also dont have to put up with the messy bar of slime in my bathroom anymore. (YAY!!)

So the following is my personal nighttime routine. Like alot of women, I wear makeup (face and eye) every single day, so need to get it all off at night. You can see for yourself whether or not Clinique is really '3 step':

First is cleansing. Now as I mentioned above, I use the cream cleanser instead of the soap. If I followed the rules properly, I am supposed to use both. But I only use the cream cleanser.

On to the next step - 'Clinique gentle eye makeup remover'. Nothing really special about this, most other removers are just as good (and a hell of
a lot cheaper to boot).
Next is the clarifying lotion - I have no qualms about this, except that the one I use (#3) smells a bit like nail polish remover, and this is a bit disturbing. Doesnt seem to be hurting though. It does leave my skin a little dry however.

Next step in my routine is 'total turnaround cream (this is my nightime routine - in the morning I would instead use 'daily repairwear lotion' instead). And then I put on the dramatically different moisturiser. Like the other reveiwers, I truly dont think there is much special about this moisturiser. You have to admit though, time will tell. You wont really know until it starts to matter - I am only 19yrs old so am nowhere near getting wrinkles yet. But I hope that using Clinique I am setting myself up for wonderful skin when I am older (lets pray).

Next and finally last step.......'anti gravity firming eye cream' for around the eyes.

Ok ok I admit alot of people wouldnt use the same products I use such as the eye cream and the total turnaround. But I have to say these two products ARE excellent, espec the total turnaround cream. It leaves my skin really soft.

There you have it. My clinique 6 step programme. Double the products, double the steps, double the time. It would be seven steps if I used the soap too like I am supposed to.
For me personally, Clinique products are a 'have'. I am sure if I used a supermarket brand, they would be just as good for my skin. But I love the luxury of top quality skincare such as Clinique. And they are good products, really. I just hate the fact that it takes so much time for me. And when I travel, I have to lug all the products around.

Anyway, thats my experience!! I am still using the products, and won't stop in a hurry. So I guess that says something for them.

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