The Student Room Group

Clinique vs. MAC foundation and moisturiser

This poll is closed

Which brand do you prefer in terms of cosmetics?

Clinique55%
MAC40%
Other, please state5%
Total votes: 20
My current foundation (dream matte mousse) and moisturiser (dove/nivea) are near to finishing, and I want to buy some new ones, I was originally going to get max factor or the new 16 hour falliable one, but after reading around reviews, the makeup brands that have the best reviews are either the clinique or MAC collection. Please tell me about your own experiences with these brands, to help me decide which type of moisturiser and foundation to get.
Btw - I have combination face skin, usually clear, but occasionally get couple of spots, got little marks from scars which I always hide. I want good coverage, but I want it to look natural, something I can wear everyday. I want a moisturiser I can use on my face and body, which wont make it greasy/oily and drys quickly and closes pores.
I can never get the correct one for my skin colour :frown: with the dream matte mousse, I mixed the sun beige and fawn colours to get my skintone. Hope thats enough info :smile: If there are other products which you feel would do better for me, let me know. Thanks in advance. xxx
Reply 1
i would say MAC because the makeup really is beautiful, and they WILL have a colour to suit you - no more mixing :smile: they have SOO many shades, i am between NW20 and NW25 but both look fine because there is so little difference. MAC foundation is beautiful, if you apply it using a foundation brush it looks completely flawless, and the concealor is too amazing for words if you have a spot or something.
i personally have never used the MAC moisturiser, i find the clinique dramatically different one a little too heavy for my skin. i loved Bobbi Brown light moisturiser though, it didnt make my combination skin greasy or break out, but it moisturised any dry areas :smile:

good luck!
xXx
Reply 2
st ives all their body moisturising lotions i've used are light,it absorbs into your skin quickly,leaves it moisturised and not greasy at all.you'd hardly think you yourself put anything on your face :smile:
I've used both & I've gotta say Mac. I used Clinique for about 4 years & I was forever trying to find the perfect match shade that suited my skin type (combination as well) but I never found one that I was completly satisfied with. :frown: I tried different types & shades too, each matched up by make up consultants.

Recently brought MAC Studio Tech & it is amazing! It's about the same price as Clinique & for some reason I didn't envisage it to be as good! If you have combination skin, get the 'powder' version as opposed to the liquid. While I was convinced to get the liquid, the advisor assured me the powder (which is more like a cream) is better for combination skin & just as good (if not better as you can take it out with you on a night out). The only downside to MAC is that a lot of their foundations give quite a made up look that would only personally be appropriate for night time, but its lovely to have a change of foundation when I go out- my daytime foundation is Estee Lauder Doublewear.

Don't get me wrong, Clinique has a lovely foundation range but their 3 step range is much more amazing!
:smile: any more reviews?
Reply 5
im another mac fan, i have tried a few different foundations, Select, Studio Tech and Studio fix liquid.

The select and studio fix liquid were very good, cant decide which one i prefer, but the last one i bought was the select, i think it looks slightly more natural.

There is studio fix (the creamy-powder compact foundation) which is ok but i found quite dry. wasnt so keen on studio tech (the creamy compact foundation) myself and i think with hindsight they sold me the wrong colour (the girl was useless and was rushing me, and definitely didnt sell me the one i tried on. my only bad experience with mac, and i have bought a hell of a lot from there!). i also found studio tech pretty hard to blend, and once i did, it looked like it hadnt given much coverage, not in a subtle way. i find the liquids far easier to build up so you can have as much coverage as you want. it is true they can look a little heavy, but if you persevere with blending and use a brush it looks really nice.

i have combination skin as well, and i do find that my nose and forehead still look shiny in photos with these, but mac also do blot powder for about ÂŁ15, it is amazing. the best non-shiny-skin product i have found. it hasnt got too much colour in so doesnt look too caked. and it lasts forever.

i too chose mac for the colour, im nc44 and years and years of searching i could never find a foundation with a yellow base so my skin didnt look grey or red, then i started uni in a town where there was a mac counter and my life changed forever :smile: they do have the best range of colours, are longlasting and pretty good value for money. dont let them bully you into buying a really expensive brush thou, get a tesco one for mcuh cheaper! or get the limited edition sets of mini brushes they sometimes do, works out much cheaper and they are the same except have shorter handles.

as for moisturisers, i still havent found the perfect one. i did try a mac one called moisture feed. they gave me a little sample tub once, and it was a dream, made my skin feel so smooth, and it was so easily absorbed, and smelt delicious. but its quite pricey. i think they have just revamped the skincare so they may have some more. at the moment i am using a cheapo botanics day shift moisture cream which is pretty good. my skin is verging on the dry end of the combination scale and tends to drink up my moisturiser, but this one pretty much lasts the day. and has the all important spf. have to use body butter on my body and i think thats slightly too greasy for the face :P
what's the difference between studio fix and studio tech? also, is there much difference in whether you get the powder or liquid version because i find powder to be so much more convenient and much quicker to apply
Reply 7
sucker_love
what's the difference between studio fix and studio tech? also, is there much difference in whether you get the powder or liquid version because i find powder to be so much more convenient and much quicker to apply


Studio Fix is the compact powder foundation. It is a powder but has a slightly creamy texture. But gives more coverage than ordinary "powder", hence it is foundation.

Studio Tech is very creamy, is also in a compact and you apply it with a sponge that is provided.

There is also Studio Fix liquid, which is designed to give the same sort of coverage as the powder but in liquid form.

It depends what kind of skin you have as to which would suit you. Mine is quite dry so i didnt like studio fix, but if you have found powders better it might be perfect for you. Studio Tech is quite good if you have very dry skin. If you dont really get on with liquid, maybe it would be worth giving studio fix a shot.

oh and both studio tech and studio fix powder come in a swish little compact with a mirror!
studio tech is sounding good to me but the nearest mac counter is 45mins away from me and i have so many foundations i have to use up first. im such a sucker for make-up adverts on tv
Reply 9
Where can you buy MAC makeup from? Would you say the studio tech or studio fix is better?
Reply 10
I use studio fix, and its bloody excellent.

You can buy online at http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk
Reply 11
Lucy_88
Where can you buy MAC makeup from? Would you say the studio tech or studio fix is better?


depends on your skin type and your make-up routine. i wasnt a huge fan of either so i go for the liquid one personally :smile: but i know some people who prefer the compacts.

where are you in the uk? you can get mac in some department stores (house of fraser, selfridges, harvey nicholls in london sells it but i dont think they do in manchester), harrods... there are also a couple of mac shops, definitely in london (covent garden has one). and you can buy online off the mac website.

you can buy some mac stuff on ebay but there are a lot of fakes about so you have to be careful. but its always good and fun to get to the counters and try stuff out if you're near one. and then you definitely get the right colour and might be able to blag a few sample freebies.
Reply 12
I'm live in Chester, I don't think they sell it anywhere there:frown:
And i can't buy it online because i wouldn't know what shade to get. Looks like i'll be sticking with maybelline wonder finish
there are so many shades i think id have to go to the counter and try them on
Reply 14
Lucy_88
I'm live in Chester, I don't think they sell it anywhere there:frown:
And i can't buy it online because i wouldn't know what shade to get. Looks like i'll be sticking with maybelline wonder finish


welll if you ever fancy a short train journey across to manchester, theres plenty of places tthat sell it there!

sucker_love
there are so many shades i think id have to go to the counter and try them on


yea definitely worth it, and they are normally very knowledgeable and friendly
Reply 15
Ooo just found out you can get it in Browns in Chester:biggrin:
Reply 16
Lucy_88
Ooo just found out you can get it in Browns in Chester:biggrin:

hehe i just had a look and was about to say. happy shopping. hope it doesnt become an addiction.
tlyh
im another mac fan, i have tried a few different foundations, Select, Studio Tech and Studio fix liquid.

The select and studio fix liquid were very good, cant decide which one i prefer, but the last one i bought was the select, i think it looks slightly more natural.

There is studio fix (the creamy-powder compact foundation) which is ok but i found quite dry. wasnt so keen on studio tech (the creamy compact foundation) myself and i think with hindsight they sold me the wrong colour (the girl was useless and was rushing me, and definitely didnt sell me the one i tried on. my only bad experience with mac, and i have bought a hell of a lot from there!). i also found studio tech pretty hard to blend, and once i did, it looked like it hadnt given much coverage, not in a subtle way. i find the liquids far easier to build up so you can have as much coverage as you want. it is true they can look a little heavy, but if you persevere with blending and use a brush it looks really nice.

i have combination skin as well, and i do find that my nose and forehead still look shiny in photos with these, but mac also do blot powder for about ÂŁ15, it is amazing. the best non-shiny-skin product i have found. it hasnt got too much colour in so doesnt look too caked. and it lasts forever.

i too chose mac for the colour, im nc44 and years and years of searching i could never find a foundation with a yellow base so my skin didnt look grey or red, then i started uni in a town where there was a mac counter and my life changed forever :smile: they do have the best range of colours, are longlasting and pretty good value for money. dont let them bully you into buying a really expensive brush thou, get a tesco one for mcuh cheaper! or get the limited edition sets of mini brushes they sometimes do, works out much cheaper and they are the same except have shorter handles.

as for moisturisers, i still havent found the perfect one. i did try a mac one called moisture feed. they gave me a little sample tub once, and it was a dream, made my skin feel so smooth, and it was so easily absorbed, and smelt delicious. but its quite pricey. i think they have just revamped the skincare so they may have some more. at the moment i am using a cheapo botanics day shift moisture cream which is pretty good. my skin is verging on the dry end of the combination scale and tends to drink up my moisturiser, but this one pretty much lasts the day. and has the all important spf. have to use body butter on my body and i think thats slightly too greasy for the face :P

thanks :smile: I am liking this one http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT4723&PRODUCT_ID=PROD66214# I think selfridges in mancheser do them. The MAC moisturisers are too expensive, I think I will stick with olay or something.
Reply 18
BlueAngel
thanks :smile: I am liking this one http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/templates/products/sp.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT4723&PRODUCT_ID=PROD66214# I think selfridges in mancheser do them.


heh moistureblend is one of the couple i havent tried. i did try it on the back of my hand and feels nice and silky. yes there is a counter at selfridges in manchester, they are ususally very friendly and helpful. there is one in the trafford centre branch too, and a counter at kendals if selfridges is too busy.
Reply 19
well i have dry skin and find clinique's 'soft finish' foundation to be the only foundation which gives me a dewy, moisturised look. I hardly ever wear foundation, usually just tinted moisturiser unless i'm going out.

But if your skin errs on the dry side, Lush's Dream Cream is a great body moisturiser which i use on my face as well. Worn under Soft Finish foundation, i get glowy, dewy, perfect-looking skin.