Clinique even better clinical serum foundation

Milabu Rating

  • Overall
    (4.3)

Price Category: Pro-Grade

  • $43.00 Retail

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Pros

  • SPF 25
  • Long wearing
  • Lightweight
  • Skincare benefits
  • Contains skin improving ingredients
  • Effortless application

Cons

  • Limitations with oily skin
  • Not an inclusive shade range in terms of undertones and deeper shades

Overview

The new and improved Clinique Even Better Foundation has arrived. The Clinical Serum version promises a flawless long wear that humidity and sweat resistant with a satin matte finish.

See Foundation in Action ▶️

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Our Rating Criteria

Clinique Even Better Foundation 2.0.

Wow, 96% of reviewers (out of over 3,000) on Ulta.com recommend this product! I’m going to call this the 2.0 version of Clinique Even Better Foundation. The OG Even Better is a thick formula that has been around for what feels like forever. Though, Clinique has stepped up their game lately (I love their Cheek Pop Blush). Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation is new and improved for up to 24 hours of creaseproof, fade proof, cakeless wear. It promises to provide a satin matte finish with a buildable full coverage. Now, let me tell you what I like about this product.

Promises vs. Performance: So many claims, will they all hold up?

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum is part makeup, part skincare (86% skincare, 14% makeup to be exact). It combines the skin-perfecting coverage you want out of a foundation with the transforming power of a serum. The oil free formula features ingredients to help skin: UP302 reduces the look of dark spots and unevenness; Vitamin C brightens; salicylic acid helps improve texture; hyaluronic acid helps plump skin. Even Better Clinical promises to be weightless with a 24 hour wear that is resistant to caking, settling, creasing, poring, and streaking. In addition, it is waterproof as well as sweat and humidity resistant. Clinique does say the formula is best suited for combination to oily skin types.

There are so many claims with this foundation and I was excited! Knowing this is more of a matte finish, I did make sure to prep my skin beforehand with a moisturizer. I found a little goes a long way with this foundation and just one pump gave me a solid medium coverage. I really enjoyed how this foundation blended out with a brush. As I was applying, I got a really pretty satin finish. It looked like I had that lit from within type of glow happening. It effortlessly evened out my skin tone for a really nice even base. I have no complaints about how this foundation wore. After a full day of wear, I had no extra creasing, fading, settling, or caking as Clinique promised. The wear was still really even and kept my oils at bay while still providing a natural glow.

I will say, I do need to keep testing the long term skincare benefits of Even Better Clinical. But, as a foundation, I do recommend this product for normal, dry, and combination skin types.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(4.3)
Clinique even better clinical serum foundation

:Clinique Even Better Serum Foundation

Price: $43.00

1.0 oz

Value

(4.3)

Application

(4.4)

Coverage

(4.2)

Texture

(4)

Longevity

(4.5)

Shade Range

(4.5)

Extra Benefits

(4.5)

Industry Standard

(4.6)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

:Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Price: $48.00

1.0 oz

Value

(3.9)

Application

(4.8)

Coverage

(5)

Texture

(4)

Longevity

(4.8)

Shade Range

(5)

Extra Benefits

(3.5)

MILABU PICKS

(4.5+)
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Application

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Coverage

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Texture

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Longevity

(4.5+)

Shade Range

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Extra Benefits

(4.5+)
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Our Rating Criteria

How It Compares: Clinique Even Better Foundation is a solid option.

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation lives up to its claims. It provides a buildable full coverage and satin matte finish. It wears really well on the skin providing a long wear that doesn’t crease or cake. Other products layer really well over top as well! I’m impressed with this 2.0 Even Better foundation, and think all skin types would enjoy this product.

I do think Estée Lauder Double Wear (rated ***** 4.6) has a bit of an advantage. Not only is it an iconic, best selling product, but its performance matches. It features a buildable medium to full coverage and soft matte finish. This product can give me all day wear with no creasing, caking, settling, or fading. Unlike Clinique Even Better, this foundation is transfer proof and does not budge.

However, if you have sensitive skin and are sensitive to fragrance, Clinique Even Better Clinical would be a good option as Double Wear does contain fragrance.

For a complete list of our top foundation formulas (rated ****4.5+), check out our MILABU PICKS article, ‘The 12 Best Foundations You Need To Try.’

Milabu Beauty Method: Get an evened out, luminous matte complexion.

Somehow, this foundation is both mattifying and provides me with a lit from within glow. And I love it.

  1. Because it is a more matte formula, I do like to prep my skin with a nice moisturizer. Bobbi Brown Face Base ($20, mini, or $64, full size) is one of my favorites for under makeup. Let this sink in for about 5 minutes before applying the foundation.
  2. Begin with 1 pump on the back of your hand. Stripe the foundation across your face to disperse product evenly.
  3. Going in with a dense brush, buff the foundation into the skin. I enjoy using the Heavenly Luxe Buffing Brush ($49) from IT Cosmetics.
  4. Apply concealer and any other cream products.
  5. While this is a matte finish with a long wear, I find a setting powder really helps lock the formula in place. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish ($45) pairs really well.

Advertised Product Highlights

Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation

SHADE: CN 02 Breeze

COLOR: Very fair with cool neutral undertones

FORMULATION: Liquid

FINISH: Satin matte

COVERAGE: Buildable full coverage

LONGEVITY: 24 hour wear

SKIN TYPE: Combination, Oily, (good for sensitive skin)

PROTECTION: SPF 25; Blue light protection

BENEFITS: Contains salicylic acid to help smooth skin; Hyaluronic acid plumps skin; Vitamin C helps restore radiance; UP302 targets dark spots; Weightless; Sweat and humidity resistant; Waterproof; No caking, settling, creasing

OTHER: Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested; Allergy tested Non-acnegenic; Recyclable glass bottle; Available in 42 shades

CLEAN BEAUTY CLAIMS: Fragrance free; Oil free; No parabens, phthalates, synthetic colors, SLS or SLES

Edited by Maddie

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