Clinique’s Clarifying Powder Makeup is a relatively new product in the Clinique line. It’s a compact which is looks is similar to all other Clinique compacts, but Clinique.com “This sheer, buildable oil-free cover helps keep skin clear by controlling oily build-up for up to 8 hours.”

Ingredients: (provided by a www.clinique.com e-mail, by request):
talc [] dimethicone [] silica [] zea mays (corn) starch [] polymethyl methacrylate []
zinc stearate [] cetearyl octanoate [] trimethylsiloxysilicate [] salicylic
acid [] sucrose [] ethylhexylglycerin [] nylon-12 [] octyldodecyl lactate [] lauroyl lysine []
pca [] lauryl alcohol [] bht [] dehydroacetic acid [] methylparaben [] propylparaben [] butylparaben []
[+/-(may contain) mica [] iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499) [] yellow 5 lake (ci 19140) [] titanium dioxide (ci 77891) [] red 30 (ci 73360) [] red 7 lake (ci 15850) [] blue 1 lake (ci 42090) [] carmine (ci 75470) [] manganese violet (ci 77742) [] chromium oxide greens (ci 77288) []chromium hydroxide green (ci 77289) [] bismuth oxychloride (ci 77163) [] yellow 6 lake (ci15985) [] red 6 (ci 15850) [] ferric ferrocyanide (ci 77510)]

I bought this compact at my local Clinique counter (in Macy’s) in order to get a free gift with purchase. I was prepared to buy the cheaper compact, but I wanted the gift. So the makeup artist asked if I ever broke out, which I responded to with “yes.” So she suggested this compact, which cost $4 more, but would provide more coverage. It would also prevent breakouts. Since that put me to the amount necessary for my free gift with purchase, I agreed.

For $20, you get .38 oz of powder.

The shade which I got is clarifying neutral, which is the second lightest shade in the line (I guess I am not as far as I thought). There are eight colors available in this line. They are: Clarifying Cream, Clarifying Neutral, Clarifying Buff, Clarifying Beige, Clarifying Caramel, Clarifying Honey Glow, Clarifying Almond, Clarifying Cocoa. Swatches of the shades are available at the product webpage at www.clinique.com (be careful, the product is listed under foundation, not powder).

This is a pressed powder. As with most pressed powders, it comes with its own sponge for application. The compact is square, and has a quite nice mirror (one of my favorite features of this compact).

Application is easy. With the provided sponge, the powder goes on quite easily. The one problem is that a layer proves to be pretty heavy, which is not ideal. For a more natural application, I tend to go over it with a big brush, making sure that the product does not appear cakey in its application. It does tend to become cakey. So layering on layer after layer of this stuff is not a good idea. A little bit goes a long way. Too much may cause a truly powdery look.

As far as coverage goes, this stuff is excellent. A little does truly go a long way. I am lucky to have reasonably decent skin, so a ton of coverage is not necessary for me. My skin does look noticeably better when I wear this powder, though, and foundation is not necessary. It is not so opaque that it hides my freckles. It just assists in the camouflaging of the blemishes that I get across my forehead.

Shine is also controlled when wearing this powder. Though I have combination skin, my skin has always leaned towards dry more than oily side. The finish does prove to be matte, though. I have never felt shiny while wearing this powder.

I really like the fact that this product is very long lasting. I even go as far to say that this product lasts all day, which is rarity in any beauty product. If I wear it all day, I don’t feel the need to reapply, unless I am going out at night. The fact that it is long lasting is one of the major bonuses.

The real question to ask is whether or not the product keeps skin clear. Honestly, no. I don’t notice much of a difference in my skin compared to before. At the same time, one must consider the fact that my skin wasn’t that bad to begin with. Someone with more problematic skin may want to try this stuff, because it may help a lot. For me, no. For someone with a lot of problems, maybe.

I believe that even though this clarifying powder has not given me clear skin, its still good stuff. No, it’s not perfect. Yet it provides coverage and is long lasting. The compact is nice, and a little does go a long way. My skin does look nice when I wear it, and I haven’t broken out in any strange rashes in the time that I’ve used it. That’s all I ask for, which makes it all good.

Recommended: Yes