If you are going to buy an independently reviewed services or products via a hyperlink on our web site, WWD might obtain an affiliate fee.
Black Honey, Take the Day Off, Completely satisfied — few magnificence manufacturers have spurned as many iconic magnificence merchandise as Clinique. The model is a family title and so too are its high skincare, fragrances, and make-up necessities (in a magnificence lover’s dwelling, anyway). At 56 years younger, Clinique affords lots of of solution-driven magnificence merchandise for consumers to select from, so our editors rolled up our sleeves to check and assessment the easiest Clinique magnificence merchandise.
In partnership with Estée Lauder and dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich, former Vogue particular tasks and sweetness editor Carol Phillips based Clinique in 1968 to reply one singular query: Can nice pores and skin be created? Phillips and Dr. Orentreich oversaw Clinique’s debut lineup of 117 skincare merchandise, nonetheless the model’s easy three-step system — cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize — is what continues to resonate with consumers right now. It was the primary dermatologist-backed status skincare line to launch within the US, and in a world the place rose-scented salves reigned division retailer magnificence aisles, the most effective Clinique skincare merchandise have been an anomaly for his or her fragrance-free formulations.
WWD Store Senior Magnificence & Life-style Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan assessments Clinique’s Moisture Surge moisturizer in our New York Metropolis workplace.
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Clinique’s skincare choices have been the model’s driving power in its nascent days, however by the ’90s, its make-up made a splash. The crown jewel? Nearly Lipstick in Black Honey, a raisin-toned tint that turned the ‘It’ lip coloration for ’90s icons like Drew Barrymore and Courteney Cox. The your-lips-but-better lipstick is seeing a resurgence now courtesy of TikTok-viral posts — we noticed the lipstick promote out a number of occasions in 2023. This 12 months, Clinique expanded the Black Honey franchise to incorporate a lip oil, eyeshadow palette, and mascara.
To pick out the most effective Clinique merchandise, our editors examined 31 of the model’s bestsellers. Narrowing down the highest 11 magnificence merchandise was a tall order — only a few Clinique merchandise left us unimpressed. The under Clinique merchandise stand out for his or her delicate skin-friendly formulation, spectacular outcomes, and worth. Forward, browse the most effective Clinique skincare and make-up merchandise you’ll need in your magnificence rotation, stat.
Prime Clinique Magnificence Merchandise of 2024
Join WWD Store’s publication to get the inside track on the most effective in magnificence and elegance with in-depth opinions of thrilling new releases and purchaser’s guides to search out the merchandise it is advisable strive ASAP.
Clinique Dramatically Totally different Moisturizing Lotion+
Maybe Clinique’s most iconic face moisturizer, Dramatically Totally different Moisturizing Lotion stays a high face cream for dry pores and skin sorts that tamps down irritation and floods pores and skin with moisture with simply two pumps. This high Clinique moisturizer accommodates hyaluronic acid to attract moisture into the pores and skin, in addition to sunflower seed cake and barley extract that assist to strengthen the pores and skin barrier.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “That is the primary dry pores and skin moisturizer I included into my skincare routine as a youngster — a decade and alter later, and this face cream holds up. It’s a fragrance-free formulation that’s nice for hydrating delicate pores and skin, additionally carrying fantastically below any make-up I apply on high. I really like how silky the formulation feels on my pores and skin and that the hermetic container retains each valuable bit recent till I take advantage of it up.” — WWD Store Senior Magnificence & Life-style Editor Claire Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $33
Clinique Nearly Lipstick in Black Honey
TikTok is understood for bringing again nostalgic tendencies and giving them a brand new life. Earlier than the extremely coveted tinted balm earned 450 million views on TikTok for its snug put on and wine-stained impact, stars like Drew Barrymore, Liv Tyler, and Molly Ringwald popularized the shade within the ’90s. When you swipe it on, it’ll change into the lip product that you simply attain for essentially the most — it’s hydrating, flattering, and buildable.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “Clinique Black Honey is oomph in a tube. Though the bullet seems practically black, the pigment goes on extremely sheer to offer your lips a you-but-better impact. When you don’t prefer to put on lipstick however love slightly coloration in your lips, this will probably be your new gold customary.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $23
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion 2 is a bestseller for its efficient formulation that resurfaces pores and skin with out inflicting redness or peeling. Its star ingredient is witch hazel, a confirmed acne-fighting ingredient and blackhead remover that helps management extreme oil manufacturing on the pores and skin. This formulation additionally accommodates hyaluronic acid to revive moisture after use, leading to a plumped, clear complexion. It was one of many first Clinique magnificence merchandise to launch, functioning because the important exfoliant within the model’s three-step system.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “As a lot as I need to begin pinching my pores and skin as quickly as I see a pesky blackhead pop up, I do know that gradual and regular wins the race for clearer pores. This skin-clearing toner was the product that gave me the epiphany. After I use it nightly, I discover that my pores are far much less noticeable in a magnifying mirror and with none redness or sensitivity. For these with mixture pores and skin like me, that is true godsend. It tamps down oiliness in my T-zone whereas treating the remainder of my pores and skin to light-weight hydrators for a balanced consequence.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $22
Clinique Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
There are only a few face lotions that work effectively as effectively on oily, acne-prone pores and skin as they do on the driest pores and skin sorts. Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is certainly one of them. The gel moisturizer is souped up with hyaluronic acid plus an aloe bio-ferment; collectively, these elements dwell as much as the product’s title for long-lasting moisture.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “As somebody with dry pores and skin, moisturizers with a gel texture often don’t lower it. Nonetheless Clinique’s Moisture Surge Hydrator rapidly turned my go-to face cream this summer season as a result of its light-weight and intensely hydrating — it’s like an I.V. drip to your pores and skin that doesn’t go away you with a greasy texture or a slimy feeling. It feels cooling on contact and has a method of constructing any basis I apply on high look extra pure and radiant.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $47
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleaning Balm Make-up Remover
Clinique’s Take the Day Off cleaning balm turns the rote activity of washing your face right into a sensorial step in your self-care routine. The balm melts on the pores and skin as you therapeutic massage it on, dissolving into an oil that wicks away each little bit of make-up and dirt. Safflower seed oil is the important thing ingredient on this high Clinique cleanser; it leaves your pores and skin feeling delicate and supple — not stripped! — after rinsing and patting dry.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “Aptly named, this Clinique cleaning balm removes each little bit of grime and make-up that comes its method. It’s softer than many cleaning balms available on the market, making it simpler to seize the correct amount out of the bathtub with out losing product. I at all times give myself a mini face therapeutic massage after I’m rubbing it in; it doesn’t include perfume however smells naturally good. As a contact lens-wearer with delicate eyes, I additionally respect that it’s ophthalmologist examined.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $53
Clinique Even Higher Make-up Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Basis
That is an glorious basis for mature pores and skin sorts and people coping with discoloration because of the wallop of vitamin C you’ll discover within the formulation: The free radical-foraging ingredient helps to brighten your total pores and skin tone, whereas stopping new darkish spots and discoloration from surfacing. Past its face serum-caliber elements, Clinique’s Even Higher Make-up Basis has a skin-mimicking end with bulletproof protection. Reasonably than settling into wonderful strains or caking all through the day, it melds along with your pores and skin for a barely-there really feel, even supposing it packs sufficient protection to hide breakouts. Extra to like: It’s secure for delicate pores and skin, accessible in 50 shades, and perfume free.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “I like to recommend this high basis to any of my associates who wish to pull off a no-makeup make-up look. It’s extra like a pores and skin tint than a real full-coverage basis. My pores and skin seems luminous and my tone feels extra even after I’m carrying it, and it’s so light-weight that I can clean on a couple of layers earlier than heading out on a sunny day with out concern of it clogging my pores or melting off my pores and skin.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $46
Clinique Moisture Surge In a single day Masks
Deal with your pores and skin to a serious enhance in radiance and moisture in a single day with this high hydrating masks. A part of the Moisture Surge line that our editors can’t get sufficient of, the face masks goes on like an evening cream with potent skin-reviving powers. Aloe vera delivers light-weight hydration and irritation-calming advantages, whereas panthenol floods pores and skin with moisture. Plus, it’s oil-free, that means acne-prone pores and skin sorts can slather it on with out concern.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “Speak about magnificence sleep: After I apply a beneficiant coat of this face masks earlier than I hit the hay, I get up wanting recent from a facial. It’s an excellent hydration booster after I’m touring or when the temperatures plummet; nonetheless I additionally discover that it helps my pores and skin tolerate irritating elements like retinol after I layer it on high. The silky texture melts into my pores and skin, so that you don’t have to fret in regards to the product transferring onto my pillowcase.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $44
Clinique Completely satisfied Eau de Parfum
An antithesis to ’90s grunge sentiments, Clinique Completely satisfied fragrance made a splash when it hit cabinets in 1997. The scent has notes of grapefruit, bergamot, and Hawaiian wedding ceremony flower, coming collectively for an uplifting, crisp impact. Whereas Clinique has since launched six variations of this high ladies’s fragrance, the traditional is an effective because it will get.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “This was my mother’s signature scent after I was rising up — she at all times smelled recent and floral, however not in an awesome method. I really like biking this ladies’s fragrance into my summer season perfume rotation, because it’s gentle, ethereal, and doesn’t trigger a headache when it’s scorching exterior.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $85
Clinique Sensible Medical Restore Wrinkle Correcting Cream
Lots of right now’s hottest anti-aging serums and lotions go for effectively over $100, nonetheless Clinique’s prices you effectively below that with out compromising on outcomes. Reasonably than counting on vitamin A derivatives like retinol to clean out undesirable texture and eradicate wonderful strains, this moisturizer opts for peptides that plump your pores and skin from the within out. Hyaluronic acid floods wonderful strains within the brief time period, whereas soybean seed extract helps a wholesome pores and skin barrier.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “I like to recommend this anti-aging face cream to my associates who’re simply getting right into a wrinkle-fighting routine. As a result of it’s so mild, you don’t must alternate days you apply it (as is the case with retinols). It has a wealthy texture that I want to clean on at night time, nonetheless it additionally acts a pores and skin protectant when it’s chilly and windy open air. I discover refined smoothing of strains on my brow and a serious enhance in radiance after I use it religiously.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $77
Clinique Excessive Influence Excessive-Fi Full Quantity Mascara
Clinique’s Excessive Influence Hello-Fi Full Quantity Mascara is a best choice for delicate eyes and people after voluminous lash outcomes: It contains a bushy, bristly brush for the outer corners of the lashes that tapers right into a wonderful level for element work on smaller lashes and the decrease lash line. And better of all, this mascara rehabs brittle, dry lashes with a mix of plant-based oils that situation the lashes with out inflicting smudging or smearing.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “This mascara may be marketed as a volumizing formulation, however I personally discover that it’s a stand out for its lengthening powers. The conic wand lets me wiggle the inky pigment into my wonderful inside lashes and simply sweep the longer, thicker hairs towards the outer corners of my eyes. I like to recommend one to 2 coats for daytime put on, however you may simply pack on extra for a extra dramatic eye look.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $27
Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream
Some eye lotions are created to deal with singular points — puffiness, discoloration, darkish circles, wonderful strains, you title it — however this one covers all of them. Clinique’s All About Eyes Eye Cream accommodates elements that rehab drained eyes, together with caffeine to scale back swelling, vitamin C for dullness, and whey protein to advertise elasticity. Better of all, it’s pleasant for dabbing on morning and night time, because it performs effectively with make-up you apply on high.
Editor testing and assessment notes: “Eye lotions are a non-negotiable in my skincare routine. This one? Divine! (Don’t simply take my phrase for it, it’s gained quite a few awards because it debuted a long time in the past.) It has a wealthy texture that absorbs in mere seconds after you apply it, serving to to depuff, agency, and hydrate my eyes. One other nice characteristic is that it doesn’t capsule with different merchandise, so you may layer it over eye serums and use it as a base for a smoother concealer software.” — Sullivan
Value upon publish date of this text: $38
How We Examined and Chosen the Greatest Clinique Magnificence Merchandise
Choosing the highest 11 Clinique magnificence merchandise was a tall order for our editors, who, transparently, love every little thing they’ve tried within the line. For unbiased suggestions, we enlisted a panel of 5 testers to swatch and slather on 31 of Clinique’s bestsellers. Our panel included women and men with oily to dry pores and skin sorts, in addition to testers who take care of pores and skin sensitivities like rosacea and pimples. Whereas testing Clinique skincare, our panel evaluated every product on its really feel and outcomes, in addition to particular options like packaging. The skincare merchandise on this record handed with flying colours throughout all pores and skin sorts. Three testers evaluated make-up merchandise from Clinique to evaluate the gadgets which are most universally flattering (good day, Black Honey!), and to eradicate any Clinique make-up merchandise that pilled with different merchandise, have been difficult to use, or offered lackluster outcomes. Of the 31 merchandise we examined, the under runner-ups have been excluded from our record:
- Clinique All About Shadow Quad
- Clinique Cheek Pop Powder Blush
- Clinique Metropolis Block Sheer Oil-Free Sunscreen
- Clinique Sparkle Pores and skin Physique Exfoliator
- Clinique My Completely satisfied in Peony Picnic
- Clinique All About Eyes Serum
Why Belief WWD
Since 1910, WWD — sometimes called “the style bible” — has been the main business voice of authority for senior executives within the international ladies’s and males’s trend, retail and sweetness communities, whereas additionally informing the buyer media that cowl the market. At this time, WWD’s breaking information and development protection continues to be a reliable useful resource for each trend insiders and customers alike. Our purchasing editors proceed to uphold WWD’s editorial requirements and values with high quality, expert-backed product choices. Be taught extra about us right here.
Meet the Creator
Creator Claire Sullivan swipes on Clinique Nearly Lipstick in Black Honey in our New York Metropolis workplace.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Magnificence and Life-style Commerce Editor for Footwear Information and WWD, the place she writes and edits magnificence, trend and life-style tales. She has over six years of expertise as a author and editor for nationwide media retailers together with Martha Stewart Residing, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She retains her finger on the heart beat of all issues associated to magnificence and wellness, in addition to the newest purchasing tendencies from high magnificence manufacturers like Clinique. Sullivan wrote the unique model of this text and contributed to the August 2024 replace.