If it Ain't Broke...Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup

Napoleanita

In my most recent gift with purchase from Clinique, I got a 3.5 g sample of their Superbalanced Powder Makeup, which is actually pretty sizable at just slightly smaller than the palm of my hand. I realize that isn't saying much as I have freakishly tiny hands...but I digress. It also comes with this itty bitty brush that you're supposed to somehow not lose in the depths of your makeup bag.

Another thing you will immediately notice is the white disk with little holes in it. Here is the revolutionary new "no waster grinder" that is supposed to set this powder apart. You turn the white disk and the little holes shave the block of mineral powder underneath so you end up with fresh loose powder in the top section. You then dip the tiny brush in and slap the makeup on your face. There are lines on the outer rim of the turny part so you know when to stop turning it.



The whole idea is that this "no waste grinder" shaves off just a little powder and is supposed to dispense the perfect amount of powder to avoid wasting extra powder. Honestly, that has never been a problem for me. Aside from that one time I dropped a thing of loose powder and it exploded all over the bathroom, I've never given a thought to how much powder I might be wasting.

Here's what really happened after I used this a few times:

That sure looks like waste powder to me. Seriously, the brush was more effective at flicking the powder out of the compact than picking the powder up so I could put it on my face. There was powder everywhere. Except for my face. I gave up on the stupid tiny brush and grabbed a larger round brush from my bag and gave the powder another twist. With the larger brush I was able to pick up more of the powder and actually get it on my face so I could experience the "smart technology designed to keep dry areas comfortable and oily areas less shiny". Only I didn't experience that. At all. My dry skin continued to feel dry. My slightly oily chin was slightly less oily until I checked my face at work and saw it shining away. I was not at all surprised by this outcome, since I have absolutely no luck with powder foundations. This is why I stick to liquid.

Out of curiosity I looked up the retail price for this new-fangled powder. $34.50?!? Oh hell no.
I give this foundation powder a big fat ZERO out of eight tentacles because it tries to improve something that doesn't need improving and the results were nowhere near what I can get from a much cheaper product. And that little brush is super annoying.

Rating: 0/8 tentacles