The Power of Powder

My very first memory of make up was in my very early teens, I used to plaster my face in  that 99p powder from Bodycare that everyone at school had (in a shade 5 times too light for my face) and then I would slick on some white cream eyeshadow with a bit of clear mascara and I was ready to roll. I literally cringe at this memory... but at the time I thought I looked just fab!! I like to think over the years my experience with trying out a range of powders has lead me to a slightly more natural look than the one I started out with. So here are some mini reviews on some of the powders in my collection today. Some of these are powder foundations and some are just compact powders. I rarely use a powder alone as a foundation- so my reviews are based on all of these being used as finishing powders over the top of a liquid foundation.

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

My Rating: 9/10

Price:  £22.00

£22.00

I have two favourites at the moment, I'll start with the mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. This is such a lovely powder- it is so natural, blends well, and leaves a smooth and flawless finish. It ticks that all important box of being non cakey! There is nothing worse that a cakey powder as we all know (that 99p bodycare powder from my youth creeps into my mind again) Its also not too matte, and contains minerals meaning this claims to actually be good for your skin too. Always a bonus. I have found it good to use if I'm having a breakout crisis- it doesn't irritate the breakout at all . This is one I will be repurchasing for a long time (I have had my current one for over a year, I don't use it daily but it gets a lot of use and has lasted extremely well)

Illamasqua Powder Foundation

My Rating: 8.5/10

Price: £26.00

RRP- £26.00

My second favourite of the moment is the Illamasqua powder foundation. As much as I love this product I feel I have to mention that getting to product to me in one piece via the post was more than a mission and a half. The first 3 they sent me were totally broken- I opened the packages to a huge dust cloud of powder falling everywhere. ...Three attempts and a refund later I ended up with one that was in a usable condition (yet still not perfect). So now I have that little moan out of my system I can get into the actual product. This is a full coverage powder foundation (although I personally use it over the top of a foundation but it could be worn alone for those who like a more subtle and natural look). I would say this would be good for those of you with a more oily complexion, but suits my combination skin perfectly too.

Loreal True Match 'The Powder'

My Rating: 7.5/10

Price: £8.19

I really like this powder and its much more affordable than my other 2 favourites. I would say this is a fairly light coverage powder- but its perfect for setting foundations and has that all important non-cakey factor too. The packaging lets this one down a little for me. It has 2 openings- the top one with the powder and a bottom compartment with a little mirror and the applicator (which I never use anyway) It seems they have tried to do something a little different with this design, which in my opinion just hasn't really worked. Keep the mirror in the lid I say- nice and simple. Overall a good powder for the price- it blends nice and evenly as it claims and has a super soft texture.

Korres Wild Rose Compact Powder

My Rating: 5/10

Price: £21.00

£21.00

Next is one I was a little disappointed with. The Korres Wild Rose compact powder. I just loved the sound of this- wild rose was the word that sold it for me.  (if only I had looked past the lovely name and into the product a little more before I purchased it) It claims to help repair fine lines and even the skin-tone. Don't get me wrong this product isn't an awful product- but for the price I feel I can get much better.  In all honestly I don't feel like the application is very smooth and for me it didn't live up to its claim to even out the skin tone. I also feel the packaging is pretty bulky and unappealing.

Revlon Colourstay Pressed Powder

My Rating: 7/10

Price: £10.99

 Ill be honest and say I only really use it to set my Revlon Colourstay foundation so my review on this one is a little limited perhaps. But combined with the foundation it has worked wonders for me- its a great one for my long shifts at work, it claims to last 16 hours- I cant vouch for that, but after my 12 hour shift it seems to have stayed put and still look pretty flawless. For the price this is an excellent buy.

Bare Escentuals (Bareminerals) Mineral Veil

My Rating: 8/10

Price: £20.00

I had forgotten I had this little gem until last week when I found her hiding amongst my blushers. It used to be my 'go to' setting powder years ago before my interest in make up expanded. Its a loose powder so has that disadvantage of being a little messy. Its only available in 4 shades I believe- but they are pretty adaptable and blend nicely. It is free from parabens, does a great job of absorbing excess oil and it has a sheer, glowing, luminous finish. Its made its way back into my top make up drawer now- I'm glad I re-discovered her!





Links to where you can purchase these if you would like to try them out.... let me know what you think!!

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/159/1343/Products/Face/Powder/Mineralize-Skinfinish-Natural/index.tmpl

Illamasqua Powder Foundation
http://www.illamasqua.com/shop/products/face-and-body/foundations/pf-200-powder-foundation

Loreal True Match Powder
http://www.loreal-paris.co.uk/make-up/true-match.aspx

Korres Wild Rose Powder
http://www.korres.com/default.aspx?page_id=250

Revlon Colourstay Powder
http://www.revlon.co.uk/Revlon-Home/Products/Face/Powder/ColorStay-Pressed-Powder.aspx

Bareminerals Mineral Veil
http://www.bareminerals.co.uk/Finishing-Powder/BM_SUB_FINISHING_POWDER,default,sc.html