Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, my review

My first encounter with with the new Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer has been complicated … A real missed opportunity!

Remember, I mentioned that story in my online shopping post , I had ordered it on the Nordstrom website after having seen at a lot of swatches on the internet in order to find the closest color to my skin tone .
It’s always a bit risky to order a foundation online, especially when it’s a newly released product, with basically no reviews whatsoever. So I tried to look on Temptalia (the Foundation Matrix, which helps you find the right foundation shade depending on other foundations you used to wear or some data you enter on the site) but unfortunately, it didn’t work exactly the way I wanted…

I ordered the color Creamwhip 04, thinking it would be a good match for my skin tone (I’m a NC20-25) (for those here who don’t speak Foundation fluently, my skin is fair with small yellow undertones), and I ended with a product not only too dark but also very peachy (I say “peachy” to be polite, because it was clearly orange). Great for a shade described as light beige!
So, about the rate in the review for the range of colors, I already knew I was going to sack it! wink

Thankfully, I finally managed to get my hands on the lightest shade, Alabaster (02), which is much better. It’s not the perfect match, there is always that little peachy undertone, but fortunately it doesn’t look orange once it’s on my skin! smile

I have been a huge fan of Clinique foundations for ages. The Continuous Coverage was my first foundation… You know, this very thick product, almost impossible to blend but which covers acne scars like nothing else! (it really helped me to handle this complicated transition in my life that is adolescence and all those skin issues)

Since then, I have remained quite faithful to the brand’s foundations. I love the fact that they’re sensitive skin friendly: fragrance free, non-comedogenic… For me, the Clinique bases are really the safe bet. They have some of the qualities of luxury makeup, namely the quality of the formula with the latest technical innovations and above all, a true choice of colors (well, usually ahem).
And they’re often cheaper than other luxury brand foundations. For a Dior or Chanel foundation, the price is often $45 or $50, while a Clinique base is around $25-30.

A new Clinique foundation is a real event for the loyal Clinique customer that I am! smile

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, presentation:

Here is how Clinique is explaining its new foundation:

“An oil-free foundation and concealer in one that achieves a flawless look that lasts all day.

This lightweight, moisturizing foundation and concealer provides full coverage without clogging pores. This 12-hour wear, breathable formula is ideal for very dry to combination oily skin types, its special polymer formula forms a flexible film that moves with the skin for lasting wear, and it dries slowly for easy blending. Get lasting coverage and give skin a perfected look that stays put, even through sweat and humidity.

Just one dip of the wand gives you a full-face application, and it can be used to spot-conceal, too. Due to the rich pigment level that enhances this flawless coverage makeup, shades may appear deeper when first applied. Once blended completely and allowed to dry, Beyond Perfecting Makeup will blend into your skin for a Beyond Perfected flawless look—a little goes a long way.

This product is ophthalmologist tested, allergy tested, and 100 percent fragrance free.“

I confess that even that the fact that it’s a 2 in 1 foundation + concealer doesn’t really interest me. However the claim of natural and covering finish, suitable for combination skins and the long-lasting power even in extreme weather conditions (helloooo sweaty boiling hot Dubai summer), well, that peaked my interest!

Regarding the formula of this foundation, Clinique has used the same technology as Smart, the ‘intelligent serum”, its latest skincare release.
This serum is supposed to adapt to your skin needs selectively: it moisturizes the dry or patchy areas and mattifies when there is an excess of sebum… Beyond Perfecting is perfect for combination skin, which often means several needs in different places of their face.

As always with Clinique, this is a product without any perfume. And it also doesn’t contain an SPF.

The coverage is rather medium to strong, and that’s really what I was looking with my current hormonal acne skin issues. However, the finish is quite natural and also mat. Personally, especially now, that’s exactly what I need with my complicated skin!

The range includes 20 shades. I’m not sure that they’re all available in stores but they’re all on Clinique.com.
However, if you have fair skin, I strongly advise you to visit your store to try it on your skin! The lightest shade is not so light…

For the application of this foundation, the brand has designed special packaging with a sponge applicator, like a giant concealer. The difference is that the applicator is much bigger. You can use it for applying the product directly on the skin before blending it on the face. It can also be used to apply the product on the imperfections that you want to conceal.

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, my opinion:

As I said above, the fact that it’s supposed to be a 2 in 1 Foundation + Concealer, frankly, I wasn’t really sold…
I have become so picky with concealing due to my very dark circles and my nasty acne pimples so I knew this definitely wouldn’t be enough. For a proper blemish correction, the color shouldn’t be the same as the foundation and the concealer texture is usually more opaque and dry so it doesn’t budge throughout the day.

I tried to use it as a concealer but it wasn’t super natural, almost cakey because I had to use a lot of product to cover the blemishes. In addition, it smudged. uneasy
So I’ll continue to use my usual concealers (yes, I have several)(I had mentioned them in the post about the perfect concealer if you want to know more about them smile ).
But if you don’t really have imperfections and under eye dark circles, I guess it can do the trick. But for me, it’s a no-no.

Also, when I saw the size of the sponge applicator, I was totally convinced that I was going to use this as a foundation only and that was about it. This sponge applicator is huge!!! Impossible to be precise with it.
It’s supposed to contain enough product for one application and it actually is.
I’m really not a big fan of this applicator. I don’t like the fact that the only way to apply the product is directly on the skin using it, it’s not hygienic at all!

Clinique recommends to use your finger tips to blend the product onto the skin. I tried but I didn’t really like it, I nearly always felt that I put too much product…
I tried it with a brush (my Full Coverage Face Brush by Bobbi Brown) and the Beauty Blender and I really preferred it that way. You still have the coverage but it is much more natural, as it was merged into the skin.

I also find the mattifying effect quite convincing and it also lasts pretty well on my skin. But an important thing to know if your skin is oily: you will definitely need to put some powder on top. I tried without it, and after 4-5 hours, my nose looked like a lump of butter in the sun. So if you’re like me, loose powder is your BFF!

No spots or black heads to be declared for me with this foundation, which is always a plus, isn’t it?

And it is also quite comfortable, it’s not drying at all. I also found that it doesn’t highlight my pores or my dry patches. It is not exactly a moisturizing product, let’s be realistic, it’s still a makeup product with limited penetration into the skin, so don’t expect too much with it! wink

Finally, the lasting power is quite good. It doesn’t move too much during the day. You simply need to absorb the shine after a few hours and it stays in place. The temperatures are not too hot at the moment, so I couldn’t give it an extreme crash test but it resists the 25-30 degrees that we have here right now.

In summary:

[wprs-pros][wprs-cons]

It’s a good product, especially for combination to oily skin like mine. But again, for me, it’s only a foundation, not a 2 in 1 product.
And please Clinique, can you add more lighter shades? Thanks a lot! wink

Finally, here is what it looks like on me:

Please, feel free to click on the image to enlarge it (I’m not sure to be super comfortable with the idea that you are zooming on my pores but oh well, I’m willing to sacrifice my self-esteem for the cause wink )

On the right picture, I applied the product with a brush and this is “raw” result, without any powder or concealer. (no blush or bronzer and I really look like a ghost)(give me my Hourglass blush palette immediately!!!)

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer is available on Clinique website for $27.

And you, have you tried the Clinique Beyond Perfecting? What are your thoughts?

Photos: bonnie-garner.com

Cet article est aussi disponible en français: Clinique Beyond Perfecting Fond de teint et Correcteur, mon avis