Behold!...The mother of all foundations! (Clinique Repairwear Anti-Aging Makeup SPF 15)

Member Name: Jessica_Hayley

Product:	Clinique Repairwear Anti-Aging Makeup SPF 15
Date:	09/02/09 (603 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Provides excellent, full yet light coverage providing an 'airbrush' like effect. Moisterising.

Disadvantages: To my knowledge it doesn't diminish the look of wrinkles over time like it says, prevents it rather

MY QUEST TO FIND THE PERFECT FOUNDATION.

Hell, I admit it. I am a self confessed 'make- up junkie'. My obsession stemmed from the tender and naive age of eleven, where pale skin was 'so passé' and it was all about the bronzer. Lets just say like most obsessions, it became unhealthy. Like an onion, you could probably have peeled off layers of make up from my face. Even more embarrassingly nauseating was the fact it propelled my already existing problematic skin from minor spots, to spots the size of Mount Everest. It was a viscous cycle; more spots meant more coverage which meant yet more spots. Why did my skin get so bad? Using the wrong foundations.

I remember these words as if they were said yesterday: 'An anti-aging foundation are you crazy? I am only seventeen!' Trying dozens and dozens of foundations, my optimism was somewhat tainted in my quest to find the perfect product. My cynicism was often propelled by the misdirection of makeup assistants Therefore you can understand why I may have thought the assistant at the Clinique counter had indifferently picked up a foundation as if it was from a lucky dip.

MY IMMEDIATE THOUGHTS

With meticulous care, the assistant found my perfect shade and was ready to reveal her finished piece. Any spot or hyper pigmentation was airbrushed away into oblivion. My face looked vibrant, healthy and it dramatically improved the uneven texture of my skin. Most importantly, it felt light on my skin and provided an even and natural looking coverage. It is a liquid founration and classed as 'full coverage' but don't be put off. There is no 'cakey' effect; it has a natual matte finish and a little goes a long way. It is for type I and II skin essentially, meaning it is best for people with dry skin or dry combination (oily) skin. This is because Repairwear also has moisterising protection to nurture your skins balance. Therefore if your skin is too oily, you may want to look into a similar but different Clinique foundation for your particular skin type. After I saw my reflection I breathed a sigh of relief. My history with foundation has been a rocky struggle. Foundation can either be your best friend or worse enemy, but through years of trial and error I have found the ultimate foundation for any skin type. (It may have took 50 different brands of foundations and hundreds of pounds spent to find it, but I had got there in the end at least)

AGE RESISTING FOUNDATION- TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?

For the readers who are wondering about this foundations anti-aging properties (and why the assistant recommended it to a seventeen year old), my mother can vouch for its effectiveness. The foundation certainly smoothed out existing lines and wrinkles and provided a more youthful look. However, Clinique claim that the foundation can also help diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles over time. My mother still remains dubious to this pretentious claim but states that it certainly slows down the aging process with its SPF 15. Harmful rays abound even if the sun is behind the clouds so this foundation protects your skin on a daily basis, resisting the suns aging effects. Foundations provide a shield against nasty toxins and chemicals. Unlike most foundations though, it also contains antioxidants to further fight against the cell-damaging effects of free radicals. Now I didn't feel so insulted in thinking the woman mistook my age...by 30 years. After all, prevention is the best cure. In the words of my mother, 'I have been using this product since it came out and so far aging hasn't taken its toll too badly. My face hasn't shrivelled up like dried prune yet.'

NASTY CHEMICALS AND THE ONGOING DEBATE BETWEEN MINERAL MAKE UP AND CONVENTIAL MAKE UP

Choosing the right foundation should not be a shallow decision. Foundation packaging may seem alluring, especially if it is from a popular label, but do not be fooled by its deceiving veneer. Even if you have perfectly clear acne-free skin (I hate you all by the way) as the wrong foundations can contain nasty chemicals which are detrimental to the condition of your skin. The chemical 'paraben', has been linked to cancer. Even the supposed 'miracle mineral makeup' contain high levels of Bismuth Oxychloride which can cause breakouts for problematic skin. The minerals have to go through stringent chemical and purification processes in order to eradicate any toxins so it is debatable as to whether natural mineral makeup is indeed natural. Furthermore, some brands of mineral make up contain 'nano-sized' particles. Once these particles permeate the skin, it is frighteningly thought that they may have unlimited access to all tissues and organs. This may cause cell irrevocable cell damage. Even to the brain.And quite frankly, spending too much time on dooyoo has fried my brain enough as it is) Being an avid product geek, I have tried both 'Sheer Cover' and 'Bare Minerals'. They are extremely expensive for the lack of product you get. They say 'a little goes a long way' but you had to brush on nearly half the pot for any difference on just one cheek. It rubs off easily to the point where when you hug someone, you leave your face on their shirt. Never nice.

Repairwear Anti-Aging Makeup eradicates every possible cause of potential skin problems. It is oil free, paraban free, alcohol free, suitable for sensitive skin. Instead of contaminating the skin with nasty chemical, its antioxidants prevent it. Most importantly for my skin, it doesn't block pores. My acne used to get worse from such foundation labels as Collection 2000 and Rimmel, but Clinique products are true to what they preach.

DERMATOLOGIST TESTED, SO IT MUST BE GOOD RIGHT? WRONG!

Beware to products which claim they are 'Dermatologist tested'. Again, 'dermatologist tested' can be a meaningless statement. It may simply be the case that a small number of individuals claiming to have sensitive skin have been tested and demonstrated no reaction to the product. The testing may not be scientifically valid due to lack of participants tested. Also there is the extraneous variable of everyone reacting to substances differently.

However, I know dozens of people who wear Clinique make up for their sensitive skin because like me, every other type of brand has caused unsightly effects. My skin is extremely sensitive and this is quite possibly the only product that hasn't turned my face as red as a tomato as soon as I removed my make up; and alas, no breakouts.

CONCLUSION

If like I was, you are desperately seeking for a foundation to provide that desired 'airbrush effect' we all emulate celebrities for, then I highly recommend Clinique Repairwear Anti-Aging Makeup SPF 15. This product will not rub off throughout the day and is the perfect canvas for the rest of your make up to create a beautiful piece of art work. Men so wish they could get away with wearing make up. The only downsides are that it costs a pricey £27.50. Do not despair my friends! Mine lasts a good 8 months if not longer. Also its claim to reverse wrinkles is a bit incredulous. It does however convert dull skin to a youthful radiance and slow down the daunting notion of aging from taking its toll. My quest is over and my unhealthy, thirsty obsession in finding the perfect foundation has ben quenched. (Time to find the perfect mascara!)

N.b. Be VERY cautious in choosing the right colour. It is always better to have an assistant help you. Also shop lights can be quite bright. My trick is to receive the foundation make over and then pop outside quickly and take a look at the colour in natural daylight.
Clinique also offer other products within their age resisting range.

Summary: Out of the uncountable foundations I have tried, this by far succeeds them all.