Put to the test: Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation

26 March 2021
By Fashion Quarterly

The FQ team puts Clinique's new Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation, which combines the best of skincare and make-up, through its paces.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CLINIQUE

Imagine a foundation that doesn’t just cover up blemishes and imperfections but actually works around the clock to improve skin tone, texture and luminosity with every application. Formulated with not one but three skin-nourishing serum ingredients straight from the skincare world, Clinique‘s new Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation combines the best of make-up and skincare to deliver serious results. 

Featuring radiance-enhancing vitamin C, hydrating hero hyaluronic acid, and texture-improving salicylic acid, the clever foundation works like skincare does to boost overall skin health. And while the game-changing formula is packed with skincare benefits, it performs just like you would expect a Clinique foundation to – it’s long-lasting, colour true and creates a natural yet flawless base.

To find out how this foundation-skincare hybrid stacks up in the real world, the Fashion Quarterly team put Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation to the test. Here’s how they found it after two weeks of use.

As much as I’m fond of an extensive skincare routine, a foundation that combines the best of make-up and skincare and saves me a little time in the mornings gets my tick of approval. Packed with two of my go-to serum ingredients, brightening vitamin C and hydrating hyaluronic acid, plus skin-smoothing salicylic acid, Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation is more like the final step in my skincare routine. 

The formula is incredibly lightweight and glides onto my skin without weighing it down. However, you only need the tiniest amount for medium coverage. There’s no need for concealer as the formula improves skin tone and texture almost instantly.

Long-wearing formulas don’t always deliver on the promise – but Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation stays put and true to colour right around the clock. While the benefits of traditional foundation formulas are whisked away with your make-up remover, Clinique’s skincare-supercharged formula improves my skin luminosity and tone with each use. 

As a long–time fan of the brand, a new Clinique product will always pique my interest. And when a pre-existing favourite is coupled with a skincare shortcut — well, you have me sold. 

Packed with the power of a full coverage foundation, plus hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin C— all products that I layer on my skin daily — I was excited to give Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation a go.

The first thing that stuck out for me was the buildable coverage. It’s not often that you’ll find a liquid product with such full coverage. For special occasions, I recommend using a brush to build a flawless base gradually. 

I prefer something a little on the lighter side for day-to-day use and found that blending the product with one of my favourite moisturisers, Clinique Moisture Surge, gave me a radiant, lightweight cover that evened out my skin tone perfectly.

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap and Superprimer Face Primers have been two essentials in my skincare routine, so naturally, I was looking forward to putting the new Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation to the test. 

The long-wearing formula didn’t disappoint. A tiny amount went a long way, and I found it can be built up for full-coverage or mixed with Clinique Moisture Surge for a dewy, luminous look. 

While I would usually use concealer to cover up blemishes, with Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation, I didn’t need it as it helped even out my skin tone. I have a family history of skin cancer, so the SPF20 is important to me too. After trialling the foundation for two weeks I found my skin was bright and radiant.

Clinique has always been one of my go-to’s for skincare and make-up. The Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation paired with the Clinique Moisture Surge 72 Hour Hydrator is a combination my skin is loving!

The Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation complemented my combination skin type and helped rejuvenate and hydrate my post-pregnancy skin. With regular use, my skin looked brighter and clearer.

I found the foundation versatile and buildable in coverage, making it perfect for both day and evening wear. I opted for lighter coverage during the day and mixed the foundation with Clinique Moisture Surge, giving me enough coverage to get me through the day. By night, I went for a full-coverage look which gave me a long-lasting effect. The shade was a natural colour match for my skin and gave me an overall matte finish with an even skin tone.

I tried both Clinique Moisture Surge 72 hours Auto-Replenishing Hydrator together with the new Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation for two weeks. Firstly I found my skin relieved from dryness within a day of applying the gel-cream. It felt as if I had a hydrating facial. My skin felt great, hydrated and smooth.  

After applying the moisturiser, I used a brush to apply the Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum foundation. The first time I used it, I applied the same quantity as my usual foundation and realised that you only need a small amount. I also used to apply a concealer but found that I didn’t need any concealer with Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum foundation. It works immediately to even out skin tone and hides blemishes. While the formula is medium to full coverage, it looks very natural, and the colour matches my skin tone perfectly. I like the matte finish and long-lasting coverage. Plus, the fact that it has SFP 20 protection is always important to me when looking for a new foundation. 

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation ($75) is available at Clinique counters nationwide, Farmers and online now. Find your match in store at the Clinique counter today and take home a free five-day supply (while stocks last, one sample per client).

Share:

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover
Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

Sign up to the Fashion Quarterly newsletter.

*Ts&Cs apply.
Find out more at fq.co.nz/fq-newsletter