Clinique Even Better Compact Makeup (Cream Foundation)

Clinique have recently introduced a new product in their 'Even Better' range seeing the success of their Even Better Foundation. I wasn't really expecting very much out of the Even Better Compact Makeup purely because cream foundations can be a big hit or miss even by the best brands. The only ones I love till date are by Cover FX. Even MAC's Studio Tech is not that amazing to be honest and definitely not feasible for everyday wear.

As weird as it may sound, the first thing I look for in a compact foundation is value for money. They are obviously much less in quantity than a huge bottle of foundation so it's inevitable that I want this little pot of cream to last me at least 2 months. What happens with most cream foundations is that you have to use a tonne of product and because they are so creamy and gooey in texture, you unconsciously end up using more.

The new generation of cream foundations however are more powdery, thin in texture and sturdy in the compact (meaning you can't poke your finger and create a dent) than overtly creamy and you should need a few brush strokes to cover your entire face without hardly creating a dent in the product. This exactly does that! It's doesn't form a continuous film over your face but rather provides instant full coverage to areas where applied, so you can even skip out areas that do not need coverage at all. I can definitely see this lasting just as long as a liquid foundation if not longer.

The finish of this is unbelievably skin like. It obviously leans more towards matte but it's no where near cakey or dry, just perfectly undetectable finish unless someone gets really close to your face. Also unlike most cream foundations, this does not create a grainy, pixel like effect on the face that most full coverage products do, it's in fact quite smooth and flawless. The shade I have is 'Neutral' which is a good match for MAC NW35 but still works for my NC30 skin colour. I would opt for a different shade next time however.

excuse my messy hair, working from home geekiness

Regarding coverage, it's medium to full depending on what you are looking for. It's surely buildable I found in my experience with it and does not need any powder to set when applied on dry, normal or combination skin types. Oily skin types can use this easily in my opinion but a good dusting of powder on the t-zone would be necessary.

This is my second Clinique Foundation and I love both of them a bit too much. It's funny how I always ignore Clinique when it comes to base products but I have never been disappointed with them. Maybe they should amp up their glamour quotient as I can't see why their Foundations are not as hyped as say the overrated Bobbi Brown or the unaffordable By Terry.

Containing a handy SPF of 15, this baby retails for £27.50 in a tonne of shades, even for women of colour.

www.clinique.co.uk