Clinique • Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfecting Makeup • Foundations

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productjunkie82 on 5/15/2013 8:47:00 PM more reviews by productjunkie82

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

So, I am a BA for Clinique. At first I was just trying this so I could sample some product that I hadn't tried yet. After wearing it for a day, I'm totally 110% sold. I have type 3 Oily Combo skin. Based on reviews and my experience I do not recommend for dry skin. Also, I buffed this in with a stippling brush which I think is better than a regular foundation brush.....and based on the thickness of this foundation, that is my recommendation for everyone! Stayed all day & looked less oily than our Stay Matte (used the past few weeks) and does a better job of covering while still providing some salicylic acid than our Acne Solutions did (that was my 1st foundation with Clinique). So yay!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* applecour on 4/1/2013 2:08:00 PM more reviews by applecour

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Grey    

So, I tried this foundation and was matched to Alabaster. Originally, I loved it. But then I realized that it was oxidizing terribly. In the car yesterday, under natural light, it looked as though I had a mask on. I was so freaked out! I HATE the mask look. I didn't notice any "pore refining" or "airbrushed" look when using this. Needless to say, I returned it today. I've always been let down by Clinique foundations, and this case was no different. I give up. I'll stick with MAC or L'Oreal.

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QueenofHeartsx on 3/30/2013 9:58:00 AM more reviews by QueenofHeartsx

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I don't really have huge pores to cover so this review is more general. I am in shade Golden Natural which is a touch to too dark (but not that bad). The formula is very thick and high coverage, it covers my hyperpigmentation very well. The finish wasn't too bad either, neither matte nor dewy. Just as I was about to get up from infront of the mirror i noticed it creased a little at the corner of my mouth and i wiped lightly to clean it up.. To my horror, the foundation came clean off my face. I had to set it with UD setting spray but I don't want to have to spritz that everyday. I'll be getting rid of this foundation unfortunately.

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Missers on 3/28/2013 3:21:00 PM more reviews by Missers

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I got this yesterday and so far am not impressed . It is really orange on me I also had to use quite a bit to get any coverage at all.

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kasf on 3/20/2013 6:48:00 PM more reviews by kasf

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I really like this foundation. It provides a very natural finish with moderate coverage. I have oily aging skin with large pores on my nose. When I use my Sephora Airbrush to apply it my pores disappear. It just makes my face look soft and natural.
I was using Estee lauder Doublewear but no matter how I would apply it my pores on my nose would show through and also I felt it made my skin look old.
I have passed on most of Cliniques latest foundations because they seem to pinkish in tone and the fairest shades have been too dark. I purchased this in alabaster which is the lightest shade. The color seems dark when I squeeze onto the back of my hand but dries much lighter on my face.
Perhaps those with dry skin will not like this foundation but I think it is a great choice for oily skin.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Caligallola on 3/18/2013 2:11:00 AM more reviews by Caligallola

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have been through a lot of foundations trying to find the perfect one since Clinique discontinued their Superfit foundation. So far this has been the best. I do have enlarged pores, combination oily skin, some uneveness & fine lines starting. This gives a flawless look, some what of a matte finish, moderate coverage doesnt feel heavy & doesn't settle into my lines or pores. At the end of the day my face still looks fresh. A little product does go a long way.

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Lanaone on 3/9/2013 12:01:00 AM more reviews by Lanaone

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I used to be a devoted Clinique user and the majority of my makeup and skin care was Clinique. This went for about 2 or so years until friends suggested a different product. I was also deterred when someone mentioned the amount of alcohol in Clinique which dried quickly and would always leave me going back for another pump of moisturizer as it had already evaporated on my face. I did enjoy Clinique when I was using it regularly but I don't feel it gives me the skin I want which other products do. Anyway, I received this item for free during a promotion at Singapore's Changi Airport - basically if you transit through there anytime during 2013, ask the information counter about your complimentary S$40 to spend at the airport. Needing foundation, I chose to purchase this as it was S$39 as opposed to my other choice, Lancôme as it was more expensive. Having used Clinique for so long I wanted to love it; I really did, but it didn't work out.

I did have high hopes though as my pores are always an issue so at first glance, Pore Perfecting is something I'd be very interested in. The colour range was VERY limited at Singapore so couldn't go for my usual Honey but instead opted for Golden Beige which seems to work though a little bit lighter (I like that though as my oily skin oxidizes my foundation at alarming rates.) as other reviews have stated its a very pastey mix and it needs to be worked with very quickly before it sets. I don't know if my method is wrong (I've tried using my fingers and brushes to apply) but it just sets before I'm done with it. I work in small sections and disburse the product straight out of the tube onto my brush but alas I cannot get a smooth perfected finish that I want. I think moving from my last foundation, garnier's BB cream, which had a MUCH more liquid consistency and then moving to this is too dramatic for me. For now it will sit in my cupboard for the times I've run out of my choice foundation and need to use this. Sad as though I didn't pay anything for it technically, that money could have been well spent elsewhere.

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happynappy1 on 3/7/2013 12:37:00 PM more reviews by happynappy1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark, Cool   Hair: Black, Kinky, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I'm almost afraid to review this product but ... it is kind of awesome.

Let me start by saying that I generally HATE Clinique foundations. Their colors for dark skin are always flat and tend toward ashy. However, after trying fiftyleven other foundations that didn't work for me, I thought I'd give this one a shot.

Pros:
-- The colors are warm and rich .... Love it. I bought the color Pecan (I'm NW50) and while it initially went on rather reddish, it dried down to an absolutely perfect match for my skin.
-- Though the bottle is small, you need very, very little to cover your whole face.
-- Coverage is FANTASTIC. I have some serious hyperpigmentation and this covered everything.
-- Dries down so that you do not need a powder. I dusted a bit on my face to set the foundation but I really didn't need it.
-- I don't know how this can be but somehow this stuff looks ... better ... as the day goes on. I don't know how but it does.
-- One blot in four hours.

Cons:
-- It's a bit drying. I'm 42 and don't need the whole "matte for days" look so I need to hydrate well before applying this.
-- It easily looks cakey. Be very careful how much you apply.

Will come back in to let MUAers know how this affects my sensitive, acne-prone skin but so far, I'm loving it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Di57 on 2/11/2013 2:18:00 AM more reviews by Di57

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Well, having read the reviews on this I was really keen to try it. I used to be a die-hard Repairwear fan until Clinique changed the formulation to the oil-slick slop called 'Laser focus'.

The Pore Refining Solutions must have just been released here in Australia (NSW) because I had to wait for the Myer's lady to unpack the box of testers yesterday. I was her first guinea-pig for a trial application.

My first clue should have been the length of time it took her to squeeze the stuff out of the little bottle (plastic bottle with nozzle neck). After a really decent squeeze, the stuff plopped about 30 cms down the front of the counter.

Next problem, colour match. I'm a neutral fair/medium, and a test strip of Neutral 9 looked not too bad but a little pale, and warm 11 was probably the right colour, but wrong tone (yellow bases will look muddy on me). So, I had my face done in the 9, and got a sample of 11 to do at home.

During the in-store application, the brush felt it was dragging across my face and I did notice the sales assistant had to do a number of squeezes before we'd finished (taking care to point the bottle in a safe direction). End result, a little pale, and whilst it looked fairly satin-y when she finished, before I got home it started to look dry. Coupled with the shade being a little pale, not a good look.

Then, just to be cheeky, before I left town, I popped in to DJ's down the road and fronted up at their makeup counter. Told the lady there I just had the pore-refining solutions applied 'up the road'. Firstly she was miffed that they hadn't received their stock yet, and secondly, commented that it looked dry on me, and asked if they applied a moisturiser first (yes, they did). Mmmm, she said. Yep, my thoughts exactly.

I tried it again today using shade 11. The sample was in a little flat pot and when I opened the lid, it was still sitting there just as it was when squeezed from the tube - like a rosette of cake frosting. That gives you an idea of the texture. I used a brush to apply, and went through the whole sample just trying to get an even coverage. And the brush did drag, despite good moisturising before applying the foundation. If I had the same quantity of the old Repairwear in the pot, I would have got 3 applications out of it.

The coverage was so-so, but my face felt and looked dry and tight all day. I got home and my daughter commented that my make-up looked 'patchy'.

I'm in my mid-fifties, and if I wanted my face to look dry and patchy, I'd go bare-faced. Curiously, its quite humid here at present, and I tend to have a normal-to-oily skin. I didn't spend all day looking in the mirror, so possibly it was the mask-like feel on my face, especially forehead, that twisted my perception.

Given the other positive reviews on this product, I'm really wondering now, as I write this, whether Myer was given old bottles of the stuff and it had gone off??? I don't know. If I find out that is the case, I will certainly modify this review. For now, I can only call 'em as I see 'em.

Alas, my search continues. All I want is a medium-coverage foundation, good colour match, one that covers ancient freckles, and one thathas some life to it - just a hint of healthy moisture. Also on the list is the requirement that in high sweaty humidity, it hasn't run off my face before I've left the house. Still looking!!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* bernsie on 11/20/2012 10:04:00 AM more reviews by bernsie

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other, Medium   Hair: Silver   Eyes: Hazel    

I can't believe I'm the first to review this new Clinique foundation. I'm glad for the opportunity as it's amazing!!! I've been looking for the perfect foundation since 1978. I'll admit that's a long time, but I've been in the beauty industry ever since (though I've been retired the last 10 years.) It's not that I haven't been happy with other foundations as you may see within my reviews here. It's just that since I bought this ($27.00) I've never felt as if anything has fit so perfectly. I was not prepared to LOVE this as much as I do. It is within their Pore Refinig Solutions line of what was only skin care prior to this. I knew anything that would blur pores would do the same for imperfections in general. It contains salycilic acid which acts as a chemical exfoliate as does their clarifying lotions (toners.) It also contains sodium hyaluronate which helps to bind water, moisture to the skin. I'm 54 and have a somewhat oily T Zone. They don't recommend it for very dry skin though I disagree as you may use a particularly rich cream under it. I LOVE this because it looks more like real skin and not like makeup than any other foundation I've ever used and I've been through too many to mention (and embarrassed to admit.) Unfortunately, it doesn't come in a very wide variety of colors (though the 9 Neutral (MF-N) is perfection on me (I'm an NW-30-35 in MAC depending on formula.) Clinique does expand it's range of color if the base sells well so they might eventually expand the color range they have in Even Better Makeup, which is quite extensive. This new Clinique base goes on like a gel. It has great slip and you should start off using a bit less than you're used to w/a liquid foundation. It's medium coverage, but you may build it higher. It's long wearing (though it is not non-transferable.) I find transfer resistant foundations tend to emphasize the texture beneath. This new Clinique Base does the opposite. It will take an uneven texture in all meanings of the term and perfect it. Let's hope they extend the color range. If you are fair you will be hard pressed to find a matching color as it starts in the fair to medium tone in it's lightest color. I think my shade was their 2nd lightest and I'm totally Medium toned, not fair, not dark. This foundation Rocks. I've never given a perfect 5 with this much enthusiasm to anything here on MUA! Hats off to Clinique for this one though it's made in Belgium!!??
Texture: Mat, though not flat mat. Looks like freshly cleansed skin. I kid you not!

14 out of 14 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

quetzibang on 10/21/2012 1:01:00 PM more reviews by quetzibang

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Absolutely amazing. Best foundation I've used, ever. Combine NARS sheer glow's dewy/natural finish, EL DWL's buildable coverage, smashbox's studio skin 15 hour lasting ability, plus magically hiding pores, you get this foundation. I can't believe that perfect skin comes in a 20-something-dollar bottle. Clinique did a really good job of catering to medium skin tones with this line, which is pretty hard to find in other brands. I tend to have combination skin with occasional breakouts, but my main issue is some hyperpigmentation. I can use a tiny drop of this foundation all over my face, put an extra layer over dark spots and under eye circles, and I don't even need concealer. HG.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* rainshine on 10/15/2012 10:44:00 AM more reviews by rainshine

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

After struggling with Revlon CS (too thick, odd gray shade on me) and Estee Lauder Doublewear Light (good coverage, but limited shades, hard to blend) I'm glad I found this! It's light and has a gel-cream feel, yet easily applies for medium-full coverage of pores, spots, redness. Plus it comes in more and better shades than the others. It's a HG--lasts as well as them and has a slightly matte powder finish. Only problem is packaging--it oozes out of the bottle, a tube would be better. PS--This is best for oily/combo skin--of course!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kykelly322 on 10/5/2012 11:27:00 PM more reviews by kykelly322

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This has got to be THE best foundation I have eve tried in my forever long search for the perfect foundation. I'm 33 and have extremely oily skin. I use milk of magnesia as a primer which is a HUGE help in controlling oiliness and is a great MU primer too. The shade choices aren't too great, but I was lucky to find mine which is ivory. It looks a little darker then my skin but it is very forgiving. The coverage is light to medium, and it is a great spot coverage treatment too. I don't use a powder over this and I can actually make it through an 8 hour work day without feeling like a fry daddy. My pores do look less noticeable when its on, so that's a plus as well. I would recommend buying this when Clinique has their gift promo because its $27. This way, you can get all of those little freebies.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* ah63 on 10/5/2012 3:37:00 PM more reviews by ah63

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is a new foundation; came out in September I believe (2012). It runs for $27 (I got it at Macy's). Shade range isn't very big, only 12 shades but I heard rumors they are supposed to add more shades. I recently tried Clinique's new Stay Matte makeup but I like this one better because it has a more natural finish and is light-weight. This has natural coverage in between light and medium. The finish was semi-matte, not too matte. I am NC 30 with yellow undertones and I use #8 Golden Neutral which is only the 3rd lightest shade so not much to choose from on the light colored end of the spectrum. Comes in a light-weight plastic bottle. The product is thick and creamy (kind of like Double Wear Light) so it is hard to get it out of the bottle sometimes. It is easy to store upside down which is what I do so I can get the product out. A squeeze tube would have been better. Despite being very creamy it feels very light-weight on the skin. I finish it with a little MUFE HD powder for a smooth finish. I did have to spot conceal on blemishes and around my nose for a more full coverage look. However, for everyday I don't feel the need to use concealer with this. I have combo/dry skin and it doens't make my skin feel overly dry. Coverage lasted all day on me, but I do powder up mid-day. I'm not sure how it will perform in high heat. As for the pore minimizing claim--I don't know if it is that great. Helps blur the appearance of pores but so do a lot of other foundations I have tried, especially the long-wearing ones. But I still like it and will probably repurchase.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No