K-Palette Zero Teka Oil Control Matte Powder

Contents: 5g/0.17oz
Local of Purchase: Sasa
Price: HK$118

Ingredients: Talc Mica, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Ethylhecyl Methoxycinnamate, Zinc Stearate, Vinyl Dimethicone, Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Otctyldodecanol, Octocrylene, Myristic Acid, Saccharomyes, Persimmon Fruit Juice Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Succinoyl Atelocollagen, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 2, Ceramide 6 II, Phytosteryl Isostearate, Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Phosphate, Water, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Zirconium Dioxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, MEthicone, Dimethicone, Methicone Copolymer

My Opinion:

I'm not too fuzzy about blotting powders, as long as it soaks up oil without breaking me out, it'll do. 

I've been using this for nearly 3 weeks, and it was ok, it is tiny enough for me to keep it in my purse, but in terms of oil control I still think that Mac's blotting powder is better.

This powder isn't entirely translucent, it has a slight tint, so it'll only work for someone with light to medium skin tone. I'll finish this, but I don't think I'll be repurchasing.

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Powder

Contents: 0.29 oz/8.2g
Shade: Translucent 7037
Price: US$13.99
Local of Purchase: Ulta

According to Ulta's webpage:

 

Versatile powder color corrects the most common skin imperfections, smoothes skin texture and evens out skin tone. All colors blend together to create a perfect canvas finish: Pink brightens, Green tones down redness and Yellow adds warmth. High-tech Japanese formula delivers a natural-looking finish that won't cake, crease or settle into fine lines.
Hypoallergenic. Fragrance Free. Paraben Free. Dermatologist Approved. Non-Comedogenic.

 

How to Use:

 

May be worn alone or over makeup. Brush on powder evenly over face and neck to even out skin tone with a perfect canvas finish. For best results on dry to very dry skin, apply moisturizer prior to using powder.

 

Ingredients: Mica, Boron Nitride, Mineral Oil, Aluminum Distearate, Petrolatum, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Carmine, Ultramarines

My Opinion:

I got this mainly because it claims to be a correcting powder, and since my skin is either reddish or sallow, I though this might help.

This is a finely milled powder, that did brighten my complexion, but did nothing to tone down redness.

I've been using this to set my makeup and it does the job, but I don't love it enough to repurchase.

Benefit Powderflage

 

Contents: 3.2g / 0.11oz

Price: US$28.00

 

According to Benefit's webpage:

 

Virtually weightless diffusing powder concealer camouflages fine lines and dark circles. It's fast, easy, lite and breezy! Since it does not absorb water it not only camouflages, but is a famous setting powder for the under eyes or face. Wear alone or apply over cream concealer to help it last longer. Accompanying "flager" brush applies exactly the right amount of silky pink powder. Includes step-by-step lesson.

 

Ingredients: talc, mica, silica, dimethicone, titanium dioxide, hdi/trimethylol/hexyllactone crosspolymer, vinyl dimethicone / methicone / silsesquioxane crosspolymer, dimethicone, vinyl dimethicone crospolymer, trimethylsiloxysilicate, ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, ultramarines, manganese violet, polymethyl, methacrylate, sodium dehydroacetate, methylparaben, propylparaben, isopropyl titanium triisolstearate, iron oxides, tin oxide, tocopherol, glycinre soja (soybean)oil, ascorbyl palmitate.

 

My Opinion:

 

This is a very finely milled pink powder that is supposed to brighten you undereye area. As you all know I have seriously dark genetic circles, and since I've finally learned that no skin care products will ever remove it, I've started to invest in products that will camouflage it.

 

I got this in 2008 and I only use it to set my under concealer, you only need a tiny bit of product, that's why I still have about half of it left.

 

Honestly I didn't notice any brightening effect and I don't think 3g of setting powder is worth US$28.00, I don't mind paying for something that works, but I think I'm going to stick with my BeautyMaker Bright Eye Pressed Powder, although it isn't as finely milled as Powderflage it does set my undereye concealer without settling. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Makeup Disaster

This 3 products together was a disaster:

1. Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie Pore Cover
2. Maybelline Pure Makeup
3. Kenzo Powder

The Majolica Primer did not work with the Maybelline foundation, the foundation just wouldn't blend on top of the primer and the balling up was pretty bad. I've used these 2 items separately and never had any problems.

The powder gave me the biggest irritation ever, I had it on for about 30 minutes and was itching all over the place.  

I had to wash everything off and ended up giving the powder away.

Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover

Contents: 10g
Price: HK$158.00
Local of Purchase: Watsons

Shiseido Majolica Majorca Pressed Pore Cover. Visible pores disappear with just one coat. A powder that leaves skin looking and feeling matt, soft and smooth. A powder that leaves skin immaculate like an angel. Formulated with three different powerful powders for an exquisite balance, an amazing and satisfying smoothness continues for hours.

 

Ingredients: Talc, Polyethylene, Diisostearyl malate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Calcium Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethylhexanoin, Silica, Sorbitan sesquiisostearate, Citric Acid, Sodium phosphate, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Mica, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides

 

My Opinion:

This is a translucent powder that I've been using to set my makeup, and I didn't really notice my pores disappearing after using it.

It did help slightly with oil control, but since this product is marketed to cover pores, it did not deliver.

However as a setting powder I've really liked it, it's very smooth, doesn't look powdery and it didn't cake. I think this is one of the best drugstore translucent/setting powder that I've tried so far.

My only complain is the case, the pan didn't really stay put in the case, if I turn over the case the pan will just fall out, and although I do not use the sponge (I prefer to apply it with a brush), I still have to keep the sponge in the case because if I close the case without it, the pan will just move around, and since I'm afraid that the powder might shatter, I had to leave the sponge in. I'm suspecting that I got a broken case because I've read a few reviews about this product but nobody seems to complaining about the case.

Everyday Minerals Base

Shade: Light and Fawn
Contents: 0.19oz / 5g @
Price: US$4.20 (I got this ages ago when they still have the Super Custom Kit where you get 12 items for US$50)


Ingredients: Mica, Titamium Dioxide, Iron Oxice Ultramarines

My  Opinion:

 

Everyday Minerals was the first mineral makeup that I've tried and up till now is still my favorite mineral powder foundation.

 

I've started using it since 2007 and initially it was a pain to color match, I think they are not as forgiving as liquid foundation, and if the color doesn't really matches it is very apparent. Anyway, it took me nearly a year to find the perfect match (summer shade) which is a mixture of Ligh and Fawn in the ratio of 2:1, and during the winter I can get away with the shade Linen.

 

I'm not sure if the above mentioned shades are still available, because most of my stuffs were purchased back in 2009, before they've discontinued the Super Custom Kit (12 full size items for US$50.00).

 

I've still got 10 pots of foundations left, but if I ever finish them I'm not sure if I'll repurchase because I've read that they've changed the formula and my shade (fawn) is no longer available on their webpage. I can't bear to go thru another year of color matching.

Becca Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder Foundation

Content: 7.0g / 0.246oz
Shade: Bloom
Price: US$40.00
Local of Purchase: Dermstore.com

According to Dermstore's webpage:

What it is:
A mineral pressed powder infused with antioxidants.

What it's used for:
Becca Cosmetics Perfect Skin Mineral Powder Foundation (formerly Boudoir Skin Mineral Powder Foundation) features pure mineral pigments that provide buildable coverage with a smooth finish to even out skin flaws, including age spots, blemishes, redness and an uneven skin tone. Red algae boosts circulation as vitamins A, B, C and E protect the skin from free-radical damage.

 

Ingredients: Mica, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Boron Nitride, Zinc Stearate, Squalane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Trimyristin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, Panthenyl Triacetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Water/Aqua/Eau, P-Anisic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Potassium Sorbate. May Contain/peut Contenir [+/-]: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

 

My Opinion:

 

The weather's getting warmer, and I'd usually prefer powder over liquid foundations on warmer days, and since I'm a huge fan of minerals, I've decided to try this out.

 

I've already been using loose minerals for several years, and although I do love the finish, I'm seriously not very fond of loose powder, they are just too messy to work with, so the idea of a pressed mineral powder was really tempting.

 

When I got this in the mail, I was really excited, because the packaging was just gorgeous and the color matches me perfectly, however, after using it twice I've concluded that it has got close to no coverage and I've only been able to use it as a setting powder.

Kenzo Powder

Price: HK$120.00
Local of Purchase: Angel cosmetics

I got this ages ago, and I'm not sure if Kenzo still makes cosmetics because I was unable to find this anywhere.

 

Anyway this powder feels like butter, and although I've tried my share of powders I've never tried something so soft and buttery. Texture wise it is the best, but somehow I had the worst skin reaction with this product.

 

The first time that I've used it. I've used it together with a new primer, so I was unsure what was causing the allergy (no breakouts, just swollen itchy red skin), I gave it another go, and was sure that this was the cause. I was super sad to have to give it away..... 

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

Shade: Sand
Contents: 0.32 oz / 9g
Price: US$6.99 (Buy 2 get 1 free)
Local of Purchase: Ulta

According to Ulta's webpage:

Description:

Jet-milled into ultra-fine particles for an air-soft, ultra-silky texture

Revolutionary liquid binder ingredients provide cushiony, smooth application

Formula ensures superior blendability for even application every time

Magically matches skin's texture, never dusts up or settles into lines

 

Ingredients: Talc, Nylon-12, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Methylparaben, Triisocetyl Citrate, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben. May contain: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide.

My Opinion:

I've already hit pan, so it's obvious that I've liked this powder, it keeps my face oil free during the summer and it doesn't look cakey.

 

I've read alot of people comparing this with MAC Mineralize SkinFinish Natural, personally I don't think they are comparable, I've only used maybelline as a finishing/blotting powder, and I wouldn't use it as a foundation because it has got no coverage, while the MAC one can be used on it's own, it doesn't have any oil control, for me these products serves different purposes.

Bourjois Compact Powder

Shade: 73 Miel Dore
Contents: 9.5g
Price: HK$96.00
Local of Purchase: Watsons

I've tried to locate a product description on Bourjois webpage, and found that this powder is only available in Hong Kong, and the description only comes in Chinese, but I found something about this product in Boots webpage:

 

Bourjois Compact Powder is the must-have partner for your complexion and handbag.This stylishly decorated compact powder will give your make-up perfect hold, whilst providing a sensation of comfort thanks to its soft texture and puff applicator.

 

Ingredients: Talc, Zea mays starch, Dimethicone, Zinc Stearate, Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Zeolite, Sorbic Acid, Methylparaben, Parfum, Zea mays oil, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylparaben, BHT, Ginkgo Biloba, Rosa canina, Coumarin, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica

My Opinion:

 

I've been using The Body Shop's All In One Face Base for several weeks, and that powder is really drying, and since we are in fall now, I've decided to switch to something else.

 

I've really liked the Bourjois Compact Powder, the color matches me perfectly, the powder is very finely milled, and it doesn't look super powdery on my face. Although this powder do not provide sufficient oil control, it is just perfect for fall and winter.

All In One Face Base

Shade: 04
Contents: 9g / 0.3oz
Price: HK$189.00

According to The Body Shop's webpage:

 

A foundation and powder in one neat compact. Use dry for a light matte finish or wet for high coverage. Perfect for on-the-go touch-ups. Matte finish Velvety feel No added fragrance Includes sponge and mirror Dermatologically tested

 

 

Ingredients: Talc, Dimethicone, Silica, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Zinc Stearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Oil, Octyldodecyl Lactate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylparaben, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Lauryl Alcohol, PCA, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

 

 

My Opinion:

 

My skin is combo leaning on the oily side during summer, and I usually need to powder my face at least once throughout the day.

 

I think this powder will work well for someone with very oily skin, because it did really matify my T zone, but unfortunatly I've been dusting this all over my face and when I look myself in the mirror later on, I found that my undereye area was really creepy and I look really old, it appears to emphasize every single dry line in that area.

 

I've learned to only dust this only on my T zone, and avoid using it anywhere near my eyes.

Cabotine Perfumed Dusting Powder

 

Contents: 200g

 

 

My Opinion:

 

This product came in a X'mas set with a perfume that I've finished ages ago, although I did like the scent I never got to finish the powder because it has a shimmery finish that I'm not too fond.

 

I've been using this powder on and off for several years (at least 5), and recently I've started to notice an allergic reaction, I guess this has finally turned bad.....

 

 



Palladio Herbal Dual Wet and Dry Foundation

 





Shade: Laurel Nude (lighter) and Cypress Beige (darker)
Contents: 8g
Price: US$10.99@ (BOGO50%)
Local of Purchase: Ulta

According to Palladio's webpage:

Made for consumers and makeup artists alike, this top-selling formula can be applied both wet, for maximum, all-day coverage, or dry, for light finishes and touch-ups. Alpha Hydroxy fruit acids help eliminate fine lines, and Zinc Oxide prevents breakouts while our specially designed sponge ensures a flawless application every time.

Ingredients:  Talc, Rice (Oryza Sativa) Starch, Nylon-12, Magnesium Stearate, Boron Nitride, Lauroyl Lysine, Ethylhexyl Palmitate (Octyl palmitato), Squalane, Retinyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholecalciferol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (Octylmetoxicinamato ), Yeast Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citris Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Camelia Sinesis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ascorbyl Palmitate

My Opinion:

After reading inumerous raves about this powder, I really had to try it. I've ordered this online, and was unsure which shade I should have, and since they were having a BOGO50% off, I got this in 2 shades.

I'm currently NC30, and although neither shades is an exact match, Cypress Beige seems to be the closest, and so far I've been really liking it. It keeps my facial oil at bay and it doesn't oxidize, although after application it does look powdery, but I can easily fix that with a spritz of  fix+.