Clinique
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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.
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[edit] Skin care
[edit] 3-Step Skin Care system
Clinique was originally based on a 3-Step Skin Care System. The steps are 1.) cleansing using a facial bar soap, 2.) exfoliating using a toner, called Clarifying Lotion, and 3.) 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.
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 use a specially designed Clinique Computer to determine each customer's skin type (dry, combination dry, combination oily, or oily) and provide the products that will best suit the customer's needs.
[edit] 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.
One product that has recently been re-formulated is the Total Turnaround (now called Turnaround Concentrate). It is a mixture of Salicylic Acid, Acetyl-Glucosamine, and Chestnut Extract to exfoliate the entire face, plus targeted exfoliation for areas of extra concern.
In 1999 Clinique introduced its first anti-aging line called Stop Signs, this has been called Clinique's biggest product introduction.
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 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.
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 black-out yeast extract 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.
[edit] General cosmetics
Clinique has an extensive line of make-up products, including lip-sticks/liners, eye-shadows/liners, 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. 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, Clinique has begun to offer a larger array of color cosmetics. Clinique also offers a line of makeup brushes coated with an antibacterial solution.
[edit] Fragrances
[edit] Women's Fragrance
Clinique's original fragrance is Aromatics Elixir. Its ingredients include rose, jasmine, ylang ylang and vetiver. Aromatics Elixir will be celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2006.
Clinique's most famous fragrance, called 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 in other products. 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 (currently being phased out).
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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]
[edit] 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.
