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Original poster

Clinique 3-step.... but it must be preceeded by Rinse off Facial Cleanser, oh yes and then followed by Pore reducing Serum.....

57 replies

bramblina · 26/04/2014 23:48

.....really? All those products on my face, in order, on a morning, before I achieve anything else? Is this neccessary and do you do it?
Their facial wash was enough for me until I spoke to the lady on the counter and she almost forced me to spend 17 while offering me a 3-step trial pack.....I think she only offered me the trial because I refused to pay 20 for the bigger "trial" pack and then thought I was going to buy the facial wash.....
DO I really need the whole thing? I didn't think I actually had the time.

I did need Brewbut now I need Wine that's at 7am!!!

OP posts:
Philoslothy · 27/04/2014 12:30

I don 't think it is in Boots, I buy it online or bring back from. France when we go.

Floisme · 27/04/2014 12:37

The real 3-step plan:

  1. Install in all women an abject terror of ageing.
  2. Persuade us that this natural and inevitable process can be avoided by buying cleanser, facial wash, exfoliator, toner, serum, BB cream, CC cream, moisturiser, eye cream and primer. But only their own products, obviously.
  3. Sit back and count the money.
StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 27/04/2014 12:41

I have a very complicated evening routine involving many lotions and potions but my skin has never looked better, less of a routine on a morning.

PacificDogwood · 27/04/2014 12:41
Grin

Too right, Floisme, too right.
Now that 3-step-plan works an absolute treat Angry

BelleateSebastian · 27/04/2014 12:52

I don't like Clinique, I believed the bloody woman on the counter and used it regularly for years, made not a jot of difference. The only one I found to make a huge difference was the Eve Lom, but a) can't afford it and b) can't be arse with it!!

I wash my face in the bath or shower with water and sometimes Aapri facial scrub, then use Liz Earle cleanser and moisturise with whatever comes to hand first (Liz Earle, nivea or Garnier)

Fairylea · 27/04/2014 12:57

I worked for clinique for 15 years.

It's all a load of shit really. My skin looked good using the 3 step and the billions of other products but years later it still looks good and I'm using aldi face wash and nivea cream... I have had times of spots and acne and the clinique didn't make any difference than garnier deep pore wash.

I've tried just about every product there is out there. The clarifying lotion is pretty good but basically because it exfoliates. I have achieve similar results using St Ives scrub after a face wash and then using a moisturiser afterwards.

I'd never buy luxury products again.

Even when I worked for clinique and then chanel it was amazing how many of us would lie to customers and swear we used the products when even with the 65% discount there were lots of things we just wouldn't bother buying..

RhondaJean · 27/04/2014 13:26

Clinique isn't luxury though, it's mid price.

In response to the question up there about why I use two totally different systems - it was kinda by accident. DH bought me a sanctuary facial in a box and I used the products and liked them, but they were too heavy to use in the morning. Similarly I found the Clinique was really good but the moisturising lotion was too light at night, I needed something richer.

So I've kinda gone with it for a few months and it's working for me. The issue with my skin is not aging mind you, yes I'm late 30s but it's more to do with breakouts/ blackheads etc and it's only been recently I realised I actually have dry skin, I've spent years using quite harsh products to dry up oily skin I don't have which we're only making things worse.

I'm happy with it anyway.

BelleateSebastian · 27/04/2014 13:32

RhondaJean I know what you mean (as there are more expensive beauty products) but I think £15 for a bar of soap is a luxury! certainly one of the things I stopped buying when we went from 2 wages down to 1 when the Dc's were little.

RhondaJean · 27/04/2014 13:36

Yep I get that it's a luxury to many of us - but in skincare terms as a brand, it's not a luxury brand it's mid price.

Have you seen the price of creme de mer! Or whatever it's called.

Fairylea · 27/04/2014 13:41

Clinique is still considered a premium brand... whether that translates as luxury or not... hmmm. The parts in isolation are mid priced but to buy the whole routine and a treatment (ie one of the flash pots of anti ageing or whatever else you like to apply on top of the 3 step system) it's about £100 easily.

ouryve · 27/04/2014 13:46

I just use the comforting cream cleanser, rinse off and moisturise. Sod all the rest. I used to use the pink gin clarifying lotion when I had a spotty breakout, but they don'y happen much, any more.

BelleateSebastian · 27/04/2014 13:47

I can't even afford to go on the type of shop that sell Creme de le Mer!! lol

ouryve · 27/04/2014 13:50

And I only use clinique because I can't tolerate anything at all perfumed on my skin on more than a very occasional basis and the bottles of stuff seem like an outlay, but tend to last me about 8 months, so ends up only costing me about £1 a week.

RhondaJean · 27/04/2014 14:03

I love wandering round frasers beauty hall in Glasgow - its such a lovely building as well, obviously you need to let things settle on your skin to see how they react so never buy while you are talking to the sales person...Blush

It does seem to last ages. I use a Clinique foundation as well which I think it £24 but lasts me at least four months, and I wear it daily. Previously I'd be buying one at about 10-12 pounds which seemed to last 6-8 weeks (loreal/max factor type) so if anything it's cheaper. Also if you time it for the bonus time gift it's good, I've never bought eye cream for example and I've got some lovely summery eye shadow colours and a nice summery chubby stick too for free.

Philoslothy · 27/04/2014 14:40

Floisme Sun 27-Apr-14 12:37:58
The real 3-step plan:
1) Install in all women an abject terror of ageing.
2) Persuade us that this natural and inevitable process can be avoided by buying cleanser, facial wash, exfoliator, toner, serum, BB cream, CC cream, moisturiser, eye cream and primer. But only their own products, obviously.
3) Sit back and count the money.

I don't fear looking old, my skin are battles are against enlarged pores, spots and tired eyes not wrinkles.

I mix and match brands. I never spend what I can't afford.

goodasitgets · 27/04/2014 15:08

I don't use the three step but I do the same as another poster
Balm, exfoliating toner, hydrate toner, moisturise. Also use hydraluron and a serum at night. Mix and match brands

mrsminiverscharlady · 27/04/2014 15:17

The woman on the Clinique counter in John Lewis did the 3-step thing on the back of my hand last week. Within seconds my hand had gone bright red and itchy. She had the cheek to look surprised that I didn't want to buy them after that! It was sore for days until all the skin peeled off and now I'm back to normal, but I'm glad I didn't put it on my face!

Floisme · 27/04/2014 17:33

Philoslothy Did you think my comments were directed at you? They were not, I was talking about myself as much as anyone else. If you notice, I said 'us', not 'you'. I have been as gullible as anyone and came very close to wrecking my skin by overloading it with products. It became very sensitive and, for a while, the only thing it would tolerate was extra virgin cooking oil. It has now calmed down but I still use oil for cleansing and moisturising because quite frankly, it works as well as anything else.

It was not a pleasant experience and has left me with a very low opinion of the cosmetics industry. As I wrote in my first post, I consider them liars and charlatans and I will continue to say so. You are, of course, free to disagree Smile

Girlsbrigadewashorrible · 27/04/2014 17:55

I have used Clinique on and off for a few years and I really don't think their products are any better than other brands, but I do like the eye creams as they don't irritate. My last bottle of face wash has gone very watery for some reason. DH swears he hasn't been using it and then topping it up from the tap! Has anyone else noticed that or should I have shaken it before using it? Can I also recommend La Roche Posay products which I think are excellent and a fair bit cheaper that Clinique. Often on 3 for 2 in boots (bigger stores).

Philoslothy · 27/04/2014 18:16

I was just joining in the discussion really, I didn't think it was a personal criticism .

Floisme · 27/04/2014 18:21

I'm glad about that Philoslothy, I do get quite heated about this sometimes Grin

Philoslothy · 27/04/2014 18:23

I do think that you make a fair point about a the beauty industry creating a fear of ageing and therefore keeping its market alive.

A little like the diet industry encourages daft unsustainable diets so we remain customers forever.

Floisme · 27/04/2014 18:29

Yes, very similar.

MrsCripps · 27/04/2014 20:24

The worst skin of my life followed the Clinique 3 step Hmm
Severe HUGE painful spots - a faceful of them.
Severe dermatitis around the eyes and mouth combine with spots = horrendous pain and discomfort .
I wanted to rip my face off !
Oh and I was charged £££££ - because "it works "- erm fuck the fuck off!

MrsDavidBowie · 27/04/2014 20:32

I had a terrible reaction to the Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser about 25 years ago and have steered clear of their skin care since (but do like the cc cream in the summer)

I am nearly 54 and find Dermalogica suits me....calming face wash (buy the huge 500ml salon size bottles), followed by Age smart moisturiser.
No toners. Occasionally a serum.

I have great skin and it takes no time at all to look after it. I also use micro exfoliant 3 times a week with Mia clarisonic .