I swear by Clinique. I am 33 and have been using their products for about 15 years, although it only took a few days for me to see a difference in my skin after using their products. I started having a big problem with acne when I was about 19 or 20, and I was devastated by it. Clinique saved my life LOL. Once I tried it on the advice of my grandmother, the acne cleared. I got to the point where I couldn't afforf to buy it and the acne came back. I ended yp on Accutane at one point and THAT did not even take care of the acne. I started using Clinique again, adn poof the acne cleared up! I have been using it faithfully ever since. Just like everyone else, I am on a tight budget. Although most mall brand cosmetice have the reputation of being more pricey, Clinique really goes a very long way. Clinique is one of my few guilty pleasures, and I have found a few ways to get it for free or cheap. My husband is military so I am able to get Clinique at a military rate, which is even better. If you have that option, you are even better off to get Clinique. You can go to a Clinique counter and tell one of the sales girls that you are thinking of switching to Clinique, and ask if they have samples. They are usually pretty liberal with their samples, just don't bat an eye at their prices. The samples usually last me about a month, and when I purchase the products a regular-sized bottle will usually last me about 3 months, and a large will last up to 10 or 11 months. They have 2 or 3 different sizes for most of their facial cleansing products. As far as their make-up goes, on a dailt basis I usually just use their tinted moisturizer with SPF 15. It is the BOMB, and has a really long shelf-life. (How many over-the-counter brands don't need to be replaced within a year?) You can also go online to Clinique.com for information about which of their products would be best for your skin type, as well as free offers at certain times of the year, and I think that they may even offer free samples online.
I have acne scars that a dermatologist could not do anything about without chemical peels or laser therapy, and Clinique's clarifying lotion really made a difference by actually reducing the appearance of the acne scars. That Clarifying Lotion is not really a lotion, it is in liquid form, and it is really the "difference maker" for me. I love the way my skin feels. I use their bar soap (I can't remamber what it is called right now), then the Clarifying Lotion, then the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion-that is really a lotion :)The entire thing is called their 3-Step Skin Care System I think. I promise you, I rarely even wear make-up anymore. I usually only wear make-up if I want to 'gussy up' for my husband, if we are going to church, or if we are going out somewhere special. Another example of what this does for me, I promise you this is a true story, I would not make this up: The last time I was in the hospital (this was in September of 2007), I came out of surgery and was in recovery. As soon as I woke up I had about 5 nurses standing around my bed. I remember thinking that something must be wrong, so I said, "what's going on?". One nurse said, "Nothing, we just HAVE to know what you use on your skin..." When I said that I used Clinique, they were all nodding their heads yes and saying that they had heard that anyone who uses it swears by it. It sounds crazy, but it is a true story. I asked my husband if that really happened or if I dreamed it, and he told me that it really did happen that way. I gotta tell you after that happened, I went out and bought ALL Clinique products: eyeliner, eye shadow, blush, lipstick, mascara, pressed powder, the works! Honestly the mascara is the best. None of the other made much of a difference, except that they go on really smooth and feel really light and nice on. They look great on as well. I have never had a problem with eye shadow getting into creases in my eyelids, or with blush looking splotchy, but I have never been one to wear dark or heavy makeup because I have a really fair complexion. I just love the way the mascara goes on. The one I get is Naturally Glossy, and it does not clump up at all.
If you have any questions just let me know. Best of luck! I hope I have helped you!