Clinique Even Better Foundation review

I decided to try this foundation as the fact it was oil free & SPF 15 appealed to me.

It is a high end foundation which I purchased in Debenhams for £23.00 and has 30ml of product (1 fl oz) which is typical of a foundation.

The packaging is very chic and small so it's ideal for travel.  There is no pump but the bottle is squeezy so the amount of product released is easily controlled.

The shade I brought was '01 - Alabaster' and I'm an NW20 in MAC foundations. It comes in 25 shades, but doesn't go particularly light so if you have a pale complexion make sure you get matched up by a Clinique consultant before you buy. The foundation is fragrance free and I would advise shaking the product well before application as it is a reasonably thin consistency.

I have only used the product a handful of times but I've already noticed it blends brilliantly and dries smooth on the skin without feeling sticky or wet.  It doesn't appear to settle into any fine lines or wrinkles and evens out my skin tone amazingly!  It also states to prevent future uneven skin tone.  I have redness on my cheeks, and dark circles under my eyes and the redness is concealed beautifully.  It gives a natural finish, almost like a skin, but better!. I still use concealer on any blemishes and on my under eye circles as they still need help even after applying the foundation.


It's an oil free formula which suits my skin type but I still use a primer under this & a powder to set to ensure my oily skin is kept at bay.  This is just my foundation routine because I'm very oily, but if you have combination/oily skin you made not need to prime you skin or powder.  I find that I need to blot and touch up after around 6 hours which is reasonable as I only tend to wear foundation for around 10-12 hours.  If I didn't touch up during the day I do think that by the end of the day I would be fairly shiny on my T-Zone but the make up holds onto the skin well and doesn't slide off the face which is good.

The foundation isn't a completely matte finish & does have a satin finish to it without being dewy or shiny.  I would say it provides light to medium coverage (more medium) but is definitely buildable to create a full coverage.  

I like that it contains SPF 15 as its protecting my skin and its unique mineral blend is good on the skin preventing any break outs.  This is a great spring/summer foundation as it's light and doesn't feel like you're wearing make up which is perfect for day to day use.

I would give this product... * 4.5 STARS *

Hannah xxx

La Roche-Posay Effaclar & Effaclar Duo review

I have very oily skin so I'm a sucker for any products that claim to help maintain the oil production!

I had heard a lot about the La Roche-Posay Effaclar range, mainly from Tanya Burr's YouTube channel as she swears by it so I thought I would give it a go.  What makes it so appealing is that it's suitable for all types of imperfection-prone skin & that the company credit themselves on being committed to preserving the environment through an Eco-friendly packaging policy.  La Roche-Posay also have some cosmetic products available.

I purchased both products from my local Boots store when they had an offer on of 'two for £15'.  I purchased the Effaclar which is a foaming face gel for oily and sensitive skin along with the Effaclar Duo which is a corrective & unclogging anti-imperfection cream.  

The Effaclar face gel is 200ml of product and retails individually at £10.21.  

The gel claims to gently purify the skin, eliminating impurities and excess sebum. The formula contains soothing and anti-irritating La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water which is a truly active dermatological ingredient.  The Thermal Spring Water is also available to buy in a spray form which is an ideal way of hydrating the skin throughout the day but also to set make up after application.

The Thermal Spring Water is the key ingredient in this range and is sourced from a spring in the centre of France, and is exceptionally rich in anti-oxidant Selenium. It has soothing, softening and anti-irritating properties and it is renowned for its dermatological efficacy.

I have been using the gel for roughly 2 months and its amazing!  It takes the form of a typical face wash, a thick clear consistency which foams/lathers when reacting to the water on the face. I use it paired with the Effaclar Duo in the evening and individually in my morning skin care regime.  It removes any excess oils and keeps the production at bay during the day.  It doesn't feel drying on the skin and makes it feel so smooth.  There is a slight fragrance but this is quite refreshing and doesn't linger.  I also like that its soap free, alcohol free & paraben free. 

The Effaclar Duo is 40ml of product and retails individually at £13.00.

The 'Corrective and Unclogging Anti-Imperfection Care' claims to help reduce the appearance of imperfections and purifies pores. It combines 4 active ingredients to act on the 2 major signs of skin with imperfections, these help reduce severe local imperfections by purifying the skin and protecting against breakouts developing & help unclog pores by eliminating dead cells responsible for their obstruction.  Like the Effaclar gel, these active ingredients are combined with soothing and anti-irritating La Roche-Posay thermal spring water.

Pores are purified, and imperfections appear reduced. My skin looks smoother and clearer. It appears to regain a long-lasting balance to help recover the qualities of more healthy-looking skin.  

Again, there is no real scent to the product and is also paraben free.  Possibly due to the thermal spring water, this product is reasonably thin & runny so be sure to shake the product well before use.

Whether or not this product is suitable as a moisturiser 365 days a year, i don't know.  It states to use morning and/or evening but I would be more inclined to use this product if my skin needs a 'pick-me-up' or if I've broken out due to the time of the month!  This product is a great base for make up too & overall I think it's unbelievable.  Maybe a tad pricey for a drugstore product but well worth it.  I have been using for 2 months and both products still have another months worth of use remaining.

I would give these products...* 5 STARS *

Hannah xxx

FACTS ABOUT LA ROCHE-POSAY PRODUCTS:

• Hypo-allergenic skincare formulations
• Non-comedogenic
• Optimum concentrations of dermatological active ingredients with soothing thermal spa water
• Simplified formulas for purity and tolerance
• All products tested on sensitive skin types
• Especially designed packaging to minimise any possible bacterial contamination
• Committed to preserving the environment through an Eco-friendly packaging policy