This new collection from Clinique ties right into the Athleisure Beauty trend that really started to take off towards the end of last year. I think what’s going to persuade you one way or the other that specialist skin and make up products are needed for your work out is what type of exerciser you are.
There are some women I know – and men – who are extreme trainers. Sprinting uphill through mud on a drizzly day is just what they like to do and no amount of work out suitable skin product, make up or otherwise, is going to be relevant to them. In fact, I don’t think this collection is going to cut it for any hard-core fitness training – at the end of a session nothing is going to stop that sweat pouring so its irrelevant whether you’re wearing a mattifying moisturiser or not.
If you’re more moderate and need to fit in a tai chi class before work, then you might well find some of the products useful in allowing you to progress to work not looking like you did the uphill through the mud. Yoga? You’ll be fine and ditto a long walk or cycle at a moderate pace. Athleisure Beauty doesn’t – any of it – keep you Instagram ready while your heart rate is hammering and you’re losing buckets of sweat through your face. It’s not a miracle. It needs to be viewed as an accessory to an active life, not an exercise companion.
So, it’s really a question of breaking down what does what. I’m kind of thrilled that Lip & Cheek Flush is Origins Pinch Your Cheeks in disguise, because that’s an excellent product. It’s £15.50 on the Origins site and suspiciously sold out, while Clinique are charging £20. The 24 Hour Mascara is a joy – Clinique are under-recognised for their mascaras and I’d snap this one up whether you’ve even got a pair of trainers or not. It’s on a fine brush that gives long, well separated, deeply black lashes. It’s also £20. I found the Post Work Out Neutralizing Face Powder an absolute fail – it’s got a built-in sponge/puff that doesn’t really want the powder to come through so you have to pat at your face with it so hard that it’s just not worth it for a tiny smidge of yellow powder that doesn’t seem to do anything at all anyway. It’s £28 that you probably shouldn’t spend.
On the plus, the Post-Work Out Mattifying Moisturiser, £26, is lovely – immediately skin thirst quenching and definitely mattifying. Make sure your sweat has subsided though before you put it on. CliniqueFit Workout Makeup SPF40 is the same type of watery consistency as L’Oreal Nude Magique, Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint AND the Clinique BIY Pigment Drops. The coverage seems perfect for oily skin because of its watery nature that feels oil-less. I’d really question the SPF40 though – it might well be that when you start out but after 5K in the sunshine? I’m not so sure. Although it uses physical and chemical sunscreens, I don’t think you should use it as sun protection cream while you’re active outside unless you’re prepared to reapply.
I liked the Workout Face & Body Hydrating Spray but don’t really have any information on what’s in it. It’s a water based spritz … er, much like Clinique Moisture Surge Spray which is £22.50 for 100ml while the Workout Spray is £13 for 30ml. I don’t have a bottle of Moisture Surge to do a direct comparison on ingredients but Workout Spray definitely has oily skin battlers in it such as clary sage, gentian and witch hazel. Lastly, the Post-Workout Face & Body Wipes, £16. I love them – body wipes are definitely a thing in hot countries, especially Asian countries and I can see these being so useful for a quick wipe over when you’d rather skip the changing room crowd and head home for a shower. But, wipes are on their way out – they’re just too harsh on the environment. Actually, this collection is over-packaged but at least the exterior is recyclable.
The upshot of the CliniqueFit range is that, in my view, it’s an oily skin range in a current trend disguise. Whether that makes it great or completely unnecessary for fitness regimes is something I just can’t say. I’m not a gym bunny but I am active and it’s never occurred to me to use something special for activities. If you have oily skin, however, I’d definitely be looking at it as an every-day range and whatever skin type you have, nab that mascara (HERE)!
Non Aff Link HERE.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
10 comments
Looks like a strong launch for Clinique. I hate that all the products come individually wrapped (in plastic it looks like). Such an extravagance of unnecessary waste. Didn’t Clinique get the memo about the oceans dying?
Thank you for such an in-depth review – so helpful.
2019’s trend will be Sleep Makup to alwas look made up even if you need loo at 3am.
2020’s Hospital Chique so you don’t have to worry about how you look in a room full of nurses ans surgeons.
haha.. I always put on gloss to go the loo in the middle of the night.. don’t you? ;-))))))
I am glad you see the humour as well. I was worried my comment came off too sarcastic or cynic.
Of course everyone should buy what they want, but we can clearly see a shift in society of being “made up” all the time: gym, swimming, …
I do see this with a worried mind though as it has implications of course.
I just don’t get marketing makeup products for workouts. I just think there is already a certain pressure to look a certain way and now this is going into the gym are as well? Not a fan of this and I would not be buying any of this.
Unlike most here it seems, I DO wear makeup to the gym. Estée Lauder double wear wears like iron, even when you “glow” and wipe delicately with your towel, none comes off! Miracle stuff. I love the look of this collection, thanks for the reviews! I am oily and as you say, this might be just the ticket! I hope the spray will be available as a big size becaus that sounds heavenly…
I just wanted to add that I wear makeup because I hate to see myself looking ugly, and mirrors are abundant in gyms – so it’s not about “expectation” or male pressure it’s just that I don’t want to get depressed when I catch sight of my ugly mug and think, oh why do I bother? I’m not going to even do a workout I’m so ugly. Sad but there you go! God bless the power of makeup and I hope this trend brings lots of new gym makeup for me (hooray!)
Thanks for giving your perspective Pete. I have oily rosacea skin with some melasma thrown in. Wearing makeup to gym classes or-heaven forbid-on a flight is not about appeasing men or instagram for me- it’s about maintaining or boosting my own self confidence. I like the sound of the moisturizer and might look into this range more. Thanks Jane for flagging it up!
Exactly! You’ve put it much better than I could but yes that’s what I mean. People get so worked up about wearing makeup but they fail to realise it’s our OWN pleasure we’re seeking