Clinique

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clinique is one of the world's largest supplier of prestige makeup and fragrance products. It was launched by Estée Lauder Inc. in 1968 as the first dermatologist-guided, allergy-tested, and fragrance-free cosmetic brand. Clinique was at that time different from most cosmetic companies in that its goal was to meet individual skin care needs by categorizing skin types. Its lower prices can be thought of Estée Lauder's budget line when compared to other Lauder divisions like Prescriptives, Origins, or Estée Lauder's own line.

Skin care

 

3-Step Skin Care system

Clinique was originally based on the 3-Step Skin Care System (often abbreviated to simply 3-Step), which is a system of skin care based on cleansing via Clinique-formulated "facial soap", exfoliating by a toner branded as "Clarifying Lotion", and moisturizing with the "Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion". Since Clinique categorizes skin types, the elements in all three steps of the 3-Step System are tailored for these different types. For example, the "combination-dry" skin type uses the "mild" soap and toner strength "2".

Clinique later introduced Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, an oil free formula of the original designed for oilier skin types. It actually absorbs excess oil off the skin, thus balancing out the oil/water ratio in the skin. In 2006, Clinique has also developed an alternative to their bar-style facial soap, now offering a liquid form of this product with the same ingredients.

3-Step is still central to the Clinique brand. At each of their cosmetic counters, Clinique consultants interact with customers and use a specially designed "Clinique Computer" to find out the customer's skin type (dry, combination dry, combination oily, or oily), skin strength, and provide the products that will best suit the customer's needs.

Expansion

Clinique's line has expanded to include additional skin care products, including products specifically designed to address problems such as acne, enlarged pores, dullness, uneven skin tone, lines/wrinkles, excess oil, and dryness.

A popular product that has recently been re-formulated is the Total Turnaround. Now, it's called "Turnaround Concentrate" and it uses a mixture of Salicylic Acid, Acetyl-Glucosamine, and Chestnut Extract to exfoliate the entire face, plus targeted exfoliation for areas of extra concern. In addition, the new Concentrate exfoliates around-the-clock, and encourages the skin's natural exfoliation system to work on its own too. Skin feels instantly smoother, and appears more radiant.

In 1999 Clinique introduced its first anti-aging line called "Stop Signs", this has been called Clinique's biggest product introduction, said to "make time stand still".

In October 2000, Clinique introduced "Anti-Gravity Firming Lift Cream", said to return the lost "cushion" to thinning skin with its hydrating formula which lifts and firms facial skin.

In 2005, Clinique unveiled a revolutionary product called "Super Defense Triple Action Moisturizer SPF 25," which comes in three different formulations to accommodate various skin types: Normal to Oily, Normal to Dry, and Very Dry Skin. The product not only moisturizes and protects skin from UV rays, but also neutralizes the negative effects of UVA/UVB rays with a cocktail of antioxidants, as well as aiding the skin in defending itself against environmental stresses such as sun damage and pollution.

Clinique also has a facial care line called "CX" which contains products targeted at specific skin concerns such as Rosacea, irritated skin and stretch marks associated with pregnancy.

Clinique has also recently launched "Derma White", an update on the Active White line, developed by Korean dermatologists, to address pigmentation in the skin. Derma White uses blackout yeast to break up the pigment into smaller fragments and exfoliants to help remove them from the skin quicker. There is also a Vitamin C serum claimed to improve the skin's clarity.

General cosmetics

Clinique has an extensive line of make-up products, ranging from lip-sticks/liners to eye-shadows/liners, as well as a large collection of foundations, concealers, powders, blushes and bronzers, and a small line of nail polishes. Many products have been tailored to different skin types and have a good selection of colors. Clinique's philosophy has been to focus mostly on the appearance of the skin itself, and therefore their makeup has been more on the conservative side. However, in recent years and likely in light of recent trends, Clinique has begun to offer a more exciting and creative array of color cosmetics.

In addition to colors, Clinique has also recently launched their line of antibacterial makeup brushes. They're coated with a special solution that kills all bacteria within sixty seconds. There is an eye shadow brush, an eye shader brush, an eye contour brush, a blush brush,a powder brush, a bronzer brush, a concealer brush, an eye definer brush, and a lip brush. Clinique has recently launched a foundation brush, designed to give controlled foundation coverage.

Fragrances

Women's Fragrance

Clinique's original fragrance is "Aromatics Elixir" which promises to "go far beyond the role of perfume". Its ingredients include rose, jasmine, ylang ylang and vetiver. "Aromatics Elixir" will be celebrating its 35 anniversary in 2006.

Clinique's most famous fragrance, entitled "Happy", is advertised as being "a hint of citrus, a wealth of flowers, a mix of emotions and a chic, modern, multi-layered sparkling floral." Happy is also available as a Body Wash, Body Smoother, Body Butter, and Body Cream. With the success of "Happy", Clinique then went on to develop Happy into other sister fragrances, such as Happy To Be and Happy Heart. Clinique also introduced two Limited Edition Happy fragrances "Happy Holiday" and "Happy In Bloom", the second of which is currently still available in shops.

Other Clinique women's fragrances include "Wrappings" (which only appears during the holiday season) and "Simply" (which is currently being phased out).

Men's Fragrance

There are currently two Clinique men's fragrances available: "Chemistry Skin Cologne for Men" is designed to wear daily, which contains Jamaican ginger, citrus and amber. "Clinique Happy For Men" is a cool, crisp fragrance.

Men's Skin Care

The range targeted at men consists of products in three main categories: Skin Care, Shaving, and Grooming.

Basic Skin Care consists of the men's version of 3-Step: Facial Soap or Liquid Face Wash, a range of "Scruffing Lotions" in various strengths, and M-Lotion or M Gel-Lotion; specialist Skin Care is made up of things like Eye Hydrator, Lip Balm and M-Protect 21 (a daily sunscreen).

Clinique's shaving line includes pre-shave exfoliating scrubs, "Electric Shave Primer", shaving creams, gels, and oils.

Clinique's grooming products include "Hair Maximizing Shampoo" and also a hair maximizing styling serum.

Clinique's M-Lotion, M Shave Aloe Gel, Post Shave Healer, and Clinique Happy For Men Cologne Spray, were all included in the FHM Grooming Awards 2005.

It is, however, a fact that Clinique's M-Lotion for men is identical to its Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion for women. The sole difference lies in the packaging.^{[citation needed]}

Trivia

• Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion has not changed in its formulation since its early beginnings.
• Clinique's advertising has not changed since its inception. Ads feature extreme close-ups of individual products on a white background with no text.
• Up until 2005/06 Clinique's packaging had not evolved from the original, but recently Clinique has begun to redesign some of the packaging.

External links

• Clinique's Official International Website
• Clinique's Official UK Website
• Official Estée Lauder website
• The Official Estée