I’m quite a fan of the Clinique Even Better serum which I use for spot treatment. Of all the “whitening” serums I’ve been using, its the one that seems to work best for me in the quickest time. I don’t use it all the time though. And then Clinique came out with the Even Better Makeup foundation which I also liked because of the texture on my skin.
Now, to complement this is the Even Better Concealer. Honestly, I’m not quite sure about the use of the “Even Better” name because whilst this does do a pretty good job in making your skin look even better, as I’ll show you below, it confuses me somewhat because I associate “Even Better” with the skincare and less so makeup. I think it contains some of the ingredients in the skincare, so it not only conceals but “treats” but honestly, I’m not quite sold on that.
Still, for a concealer, I’d say it ticks all the right boxes barring just one small fly in the ointment 🙂
The jar packaging. Ah Clinique, if you could have just packaged this concealer in a tube, I’d have been all over you, raving about how absolutely wonderful this product is. Ok, so it isn’t quite the be all end all but what this little jar of concealer means, is that you need a brush to apply the product.
I happen to have a synthetic brush on hand so it didn’t bother me, but if you don’t already have a brush then you will be irked because a) your fingers will get in the way of the small opening of the jar and b) its too bothersome if you have long nails. So you need a brush to use this product.
Texture wise, its pretty good. It looks and feels thick but on skin, it isn’t. It is very easy to blend and what I do is use a brush to pick up product, dab on the parts I need to conceal and then use my finger to pat it in place. What I get is pretty good concealment of blemishes, spots and particularly, dark eye circles. Here are the unretouched before/after photos.
Note: Look around the eye area, cheek and the blemish spot on the cheek
It is medium coverage though not 100% coverage. But I like how it looks because it looks natural and not heavy on skin, while covering up redness, if you see the spot on the cheek.
It isn’t drying, it has a nice slip yet stays on skin all day giving you an even better base. The lightest shade is quite perfect for me, and it even lends a slight brightening tone to the skin. What I like the most is how natural it looks on skin once blended in. In the swatch below, its unblended on left and blended on the right… but you can’t see anything on the right can you? Yeah, neither can I 😛
It is, by all accounts a very good product. I think Clinique has done very well for themselves with this concealer. Now, please put it in a tube already and I swear they can do no wrong then 😛
In a nutshell
The Clinique Even Better concealer is a cream based concealer that comes in a little glass jar. You will need a brush to apply this best. Packaging aside, I love the texture and coverage, which is medium coverage. I’m not crazy about looking flawless so all I really need is to lightly conceal blemishes and under eye circles. There is a slight brightening effect and it isn’t dry or drying, so its really good for the under eye area. It helps me look more awake. Do note that I do not have serious dark eye circles so I don’t know how it performs on those. But for my daily use, I love it. It isn’t thick or dry or drying, stays on all day and hides what needs to be hidden without looking plastic and fake. I love it and only wish it came in a tube instead of a pot.
Pros: Cream texture is long lasting without being dry, drying or cakey, Medium coverage and buildable, Brightening effect, Conceals blemishes and can be used on the under eye area to brighten and hide dark circles
Cons: Jar packaging requires the use of a brush to apply
Who will like this: Anyone who wants a long lasting concealer that has brightening properties, Anyone who needs a medium coverage concealer that can work on blemishes, marks and the under eye are without drying up the skin and accentuating fine lines
I’ve come across some people who say that this formula is too thick but I will disagree. If you use your fingers to dig out the product I will agree then. Its way too thick. However, if you use a brush, pick up the product, dab it on skin then use your fingers to dab and smooth it, it almost disappears into your skin. Its the heat from your fingers that help even out the texture and that is why I always blend and set my concealer with my fingers.
I make no comment on the price. I think its a fair price for the product, and it will last a long while even with regular use.
Have you tried the Clinique Even Better concealer? Did you even realise it existed? 😀 Well, now you do, and if you are in the market for a new concealer, I will urge you to take a look at least, to see if you mind the jar packaging that much or if it will tick all the right boxes for you too 🙂
Paris B
Clinique Even Better Concealer comes in 4 shades Price: RM80 Availability: All Clinique counters
Efrain says
July 16, 2012 at 9:24 amI saw it in Musing of a Muse’s blog but the fact that is in a jar made me don’t really get interested in it (this because the one I have of MAC is the same format and they aren’t practical). Now I’m going to look at it because it’s sounds interesting
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:19 pmYes, the necessity of a separate brush does make it very impractical to use on the go. However as a product I think it works well 🙂
mckhor says
July 16, 2012 at 10:29 amThe concealer i’m using now is going to finish soon and i’m looking for one which have good coverage but not too thick in the texture. This Clinique Even Better Concealer really caught my eye but the jar packaging and it requires a brush to apply has put me off from purchase it!
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:21 pmAww pity! Its a good product, just comes in the wrong packaging LOL! I don’t know if Lancome still does Effacernes but that’s pretty good, and the Diorskin Nude Hydrating one’s good too. Depending on what you need it for really. For blemishes, Make Up For Ever Full Cover is good.
Stacey says
July 16, 2012 at 11:15 amI have the Even Better serum and the Even Better foundation and I love them both. I picked up the foundation for only SGD35 at Changi duty free. I love it how it is inexpensive and works so well! I think I might buy the concealer as well!
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:22 pmThe Even Better foundation is pretty good! I like it very much too 🙂 Hope you’ll like the concealer as well to round up your Even Better trio!
Renee | Beauty Fool says
July 16, 2012 at 11:25 amOoh looks good! I have been using the DermaWhite (I think that’s what it’s called!) stick concealer since high school and it’s really great, but I have never heard of this! Will definitely check it out, it looks great! Although that jar packaging seems a bit “meh”, haha.
xx Renee
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:23 pmI think I know which one you were referring to. I never liked stick concealers because it all looks goopy after a while but then jar packaging is just about as bad LOL!
Sze Ling says
July 16, 2012 at 11:36 amNo to small jar packaging. 😛
I like how the Dior Nude concealer look on you. Definitely better than this. 🙂
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:23 pmIn person it’d be hard to tell it apart but for packaging, the Dior one most certainly wins 🙂
Beth Maiorana says
July 16, 2012 at 12:40 pmYour coverage of this product (no pun intended, either!!) intrigues me, Paris. I basically like Clinique’s product line and your description of this seems so accurate: it sounds exactly like a typical Clinique product. I am really curious about it now. So I plan on checking it out … many thanks!! xoxo Beth in Pgh 😉
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:25 pmHi Beth I was hoping to go even better with this coverage teehee… Its great to know that Clinique’s product line works for you. Some of their treatment products work well for me but their basic line kills my skin! I hope you will like this if you check it out 🙂
Gin says
July 16, 2012 at 12:43 pmIf only compare performance between this and Dior nude, which would u choose??
Also, how much product is there in the jar? It seems big hahaha..
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:26 pmThe jar has 3g which sounds little but its a solid so there’s actually quite a fair bit of product. Its just a little jar actually – close up photos make it look larger than it is LOL! I’ve done my comparison with the Dior concealer in a separate post 😉
Tracy says
July 16, 2012 at 1:15 pmI did not know this existed! I liked the serum too, so I bet I’d like this. But after I finish the plethora of concealers in my drawer I think. 🙂
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:29 pmNow you know, Tracy! Come to think of it, whenever I do finish a concealer, its cause for celebration because it takes far too long. Might be a good thing, coz it means we have less to conceal? 😀
derkal23 says
July 16, 2012 at 2:32 pmI believe the jar concept is where Clinique loses most of their clients 🙂 I for myself is not obsessed with jar/unsanitary issue, because I do my makeup after skincare and I am the only one using my products, so I believe that they are pretty much in good shape. I am sure, in antibacterial point of view, tube packaging is much better, but a jar packaging is never the sole reason for me not to buy a working stuff.
Things all said and done, I haven’t tried this concealer. I am still using my Boi-ing (Benefit) and have a tube of Mac concealer, however I may try this later because I really like Clinique’s foundations/tinted moisturizers/BB Creams.
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:32 pmSadly yes. The jar is quite off putting especially if you’re in a hurry. I can’t really stick my fingers in there although the use of a brush does mean more precise application and less product wastage 🙂 My skincare and cosmetics in jars all stay alright too because like you, I’m the only one using it 🙂 I tried Boi-ing once but I found it too thick. Incidentally it was the very first concealer I ever tried using and was so impressed by it i ventured out more 😀
casey23 says
July 18, 2012 at 8:05 pmBoi-ing is also one of my first concealer, too! Skin makeup is still new to me, I started to use foundation frequently this year and I’ve been using concealer like 6 months give or take.. Boi-ing was really surprising, since I have oily skin I was sure that it will not look good on me but I kind of liked it. Though I believe there is a better concealer out there 🙂 I still don’t know if a concealer works for me or not. I do know that no matter which concealer I use, I still get smudgy eyes even if I use eyeshadow base.. so I am still in the learning process about concealers and around eye area 🙂
Paris B says
July 20, 2012 at 5:10 pmThe problem with is women is that we always believe there’s something better out there hehe…. If you have oily lids, I know shadows will tend to smudge. Have you tried using an eyelid primer like Too Faced Shadow Insurance or Urban Decay Primer Potion? These are supposed to help.
casey23 says
July 20, 2012 at 6:39 pmYes I do have two very good primer: Nars smudgeproof eyeshadow base and Benefit’s one (I can’t remember the name :S) But there is no way I can hold my eye makeup in the right place. I know I am doing something wrong in somewhere but where? I will find that out 🙂
KS says
July 16, 2012 at 2:34 pmHi PB, how do you compare this with the Diorskin Nude concealer? Also have you tried the (famous) Bobbi Brown concealer? How would you rate that? I am looking for a new concealor as Boi-ing doesn’t seem to work that well for me anymore.
germs says
July 16, 2012 at 3:07 pmagree with KS’s question! always curious to know how concealers compare against each other, heh. is this Even Better than Diorskin Nude? 😉
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:38 pmHeh… comparison post is up! 😀
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:37 pmHi KS, I’ve done the Dior comparison in a separate post here 🙂 As for Bobbi Brown, no I have not tried it because I found it too yellow for my liking. I can’t wear anything too yellow on my skin no matter what Bobbi says 😛
dani says
July 16, 2012 at 3:21 pmOh wow, it looks so natural! Finding a concealer is always a bit of a struggle for me, so I may just check this one out! 🙂
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:40 pmHave you tried the MUFE Full Cover, Dani? Or their concealer palette? I know many makeup artists use it 🙂
S. says
July 16, 2012 at 4:17 pmI have to admit I didn’t know it exists! I’d love to try it, it seems perfect for me.
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:40 pmteehee… now you know S! 😀
xin says
July 16, 2012 at 4:39 pmuh i am definitely not a fan of concealer in a jar, can’t imagine the mess if i can’t find a brush and how the product will get stuck in my finger nails…
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:41 pmEspecially in your fancy nails, Xin!
Sukie says
July 16, 2012 at 10:28 pmI’m now on the search for an industrial strength undereye concealer as even the By Terry Touche Veloutee’s not doing much for my eye sacks anymore! Do you think this is better than the Dior Nude concealer? Haha I see nearly everyone’s asking the same question so I apologise for asking this again!
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:48 pmI’ve got the Dior vs Clinique review up 🙂 I don’t think either will cover up very deep dark circles though. I personally find anything too high coverage too drying so what I’d do is pair a good medium coverage concealer with an illuminator and hope it does the trick! 😉
Mira says
July 17, 2012 at 12:20 amUh, I hate jar packaging… Between this and the Diorskin Nude concealer, which one is better in your opinion? I just use my liquid foundation as a concealer, I’m cheap like that LOL. >///<
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:48 pmHey, liquid foundation makes a good concealer in a pinch! 🙂 I sometimes do that too with thicker ones. But I like using concealer because it seems to stick better to my skin than just foundation. Maybe just me though 😉
Kiss & Make-up says
July 17, 2012 at 2:06 amI haven’t tried this Clinique concealer yet, and I’m not sure if I’ll try it. I prefer concealer palettes, so I can mix. I’m also not a big fan of concealer in a jar, it just seems a bit unpractical.
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:50 pmI never got the hang of concealer palettes haha… but I do know they are great for being able to cater for different needs 🙂
LeGeeque says
July 17, 2012 at 5:52 amClinique’s skin care products have never worked on me and I’ve never had much luck with the SAs. I swear by their mascaras until I discovered Australis. Might pass on this – love my Dior concealer in a tube but I do think a tub might be a one up over the squeezy tube of Dior. It’s much easier to control how much product you’d want to pick up. With the Dior, I notice I always seem to squeeze too much out and end up wasting a lot. With a tub, I suppose one can always use the other end of any makeup brush (providing it’s clean!) – I can be very resourceful under pressure 😀
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 5:51 pmI’m not too fussed about the tub either and I know what you mean about the product wastage. I sometimes cringe when I squeeze out too much and then have to waste it by wiping off the rest
BunBunMakeupTips says
July 18, 2012 at 6:44 amIt looks really sheer. Can hardly spot the difference in the before and after pictures. I don’t fancy concealers in jars. i have one from thebalm and I’m forever tempted to just dip my finger into the pot for ease of use, but I, fortunately, always stop myself in time and use a brush instead.
Paris B says
July 18, 2012 at 6:33 pmOoh I remember checking the one from theBalm but I think the colours were all off for me so I didn’t manage to try it. Its a bit of a pain, this brush thing
ysk says
July 18, 2012 at 7:44 pmnever try anything from Clinique,perhaps will go pick up one..how many grams??
milktea says
July 19, 2012 at 10:34 pmI normally don’t like Clinique anything but now I want to try this. 🙂
Paris B says
July 20, 2012 at 5:28 pmAlways worth taking a look – no need to buy just yet 😉