Introduction:



I absolutely love Clinique make up. I am always wandering past the beauty counter to see what I can buy next and what their special offers are. If I have finally allowed myself to buy something I try and get it when they have one of their 'buy two products and get this make up bag packed with trial sized gifts' offers on. I find I get really good value for money with all the trial sized products you can get. The real downside is that I end up trying loads of products which I then want to buy as well! I had convinced myself I needed a new face powder, and after speaking to the lady on the beauty counter about my needs she advised me that this face powder would suit me. I didn't need much persuading before purchasing it and hurrying home to try it out.



Price and availability:



I paid twenty one pounds for this face powder and think that is a pretty standard price. I haven't looked around on the internet to see if I can get it cheaper, but I am always very aware of buying fake products. I also like buying these products over the counter so I can make the most of the special offers, and also they register you then send you special offers through the post which you can then take advantage of. There are Clinique make up counters in a lot of big department stores, such as Fenwick's, Debenhams, John Lewis and House of Fraser.



Actual product:



The powder comes in Clinique's latest standard cardboard box. I always try and keep the products in the box for as long as possible to minimise the damage and dirt which seems to be added to products from random leakages in my make up bag! Within the box is an added powder brush, it looks like a lovely brush, it is silver in appearance and a pop up one. It is a reasonably good brush, especially for a free addition, but I prefer to use a bigger bristled brush (this was also recommended to me by the lady on the make up counter too). I never end up using these brushes, so I would rather they didn't add them and knocked the price down a tiny bit!



The powder comes in a shallow clear plastic container with a screw on and off lid in a silver colour. It is fairly secure and has not unscrewed and leaked by itself (yet!) Once you screw the lid off there is a small 'sieve' type layer before the lid. This allows a small amount of the powder through at any one time. This is a really good mechanism to stop you wasting any material, for example in case there was a sudden gust of wind you would only lose the small amount which has made it through the sieve and not the whole pot's worth!



I find the best way to apply the powder is to put a small amount at a time on a really big wide brush and then sweep it over your face, moving the brush in circles to try and spread it out as best you can. You really don't need to apply much of this powder to cover your face so apply a little at a time then build it up. it's easier to add more than take some off. Once you have added too much there is nothing you can do to tone it down other than take it all off and start again. Trust me, that is very frustrating.



Conclusion:



This powder is very light and translucent so gives a lovely radiant glow, which is exactly what I wanted from this powder. I hate the heavily made up look and powders can really contribute to that at times. The powder has really good lasting power and although it doesn't last all day and night it is easy enough to carry round in your handbag so you can give yourself a boost when you get a chance.



The powder has a really great balance bwteen not giving too much coverage, but giving just enough to even out your skin tone and reduce any red unflattering areas, like spots scars, without looking too made up. If you do want the made up, 'doll skin' look then you would not find this powder enough for you, so in that case I would not recommend it, but for the more natural look I am after, this is perfect.



I have heard other people say this really blocks their pores, but after about a months worth of use I have not noticed this unpleasant side effect.



Although this product is slightly expensive, I think it will last a long time. I use it daily and after a month have not even used half the pot, which makes me think it could be better value for money that first thought. The inital outlay is a bit pricey though!