Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is one of my most recent Sephora purchases and I can already say that I have a new obsession with this product.  I first read about this product several years ago in one of the Allure Best of Beauty issues and I have seen that this product has won awards for several years in a row.  I use through powders very slowly and I have been waiting to finish up my last few compacts before purchasing a new one so I have had this one my shopping list for quite a long time.  The Translucent Loose Setting Powder is one of the best selling products at Sephora and one of the top rated powders on their website and it lives up to its reputation.

This product can be purchased anywhere that Laura Mercier is sold, I purchased it at Sephora and will be pulling all of my product details from that company's website.  "An award-winning, silky powder with a touch of sheer coverage to set makeup for lasting.  Translucent Loose Setting Powder locks in makeup for long-lasting wear, without adding weight or texture.  This bestseller creates a modern, matte finish with a touch of sheer coverage, while it absorbs oil and reduces shine all day.  The pros know why it is their favorite: It's a little denser than an average powder, providing super-smooth, even application and blending.  This no-flashback formula means you'll look great in photos, and it creates a soft-focus effect to subtly blur the look of fine lines and imperfections.  This truly translucent shade works on all skintones", states the Sephora website.

I have been using this powder for the past week and I have been very impressed with it so far.  I first tried it with the same big fluffy brush that I would use for pressed powder or bronzer and I found that this is not the best way for me to apply it.  The big brush got product all over the place on my face and I used much more product than I really needed.  I started using the Bare Minerals Flawless Face Brush and this smaller brush allows for more targeted placement and less wasted product.  I have not tried to use any type of powder puff to apply this product as I find that this type of application tends to apply too much product on my dry skin and causes it to cake on my skin.  I am still glad that I received this brush in a Bare Minerals powder foundation kit that I bought a few years ago and I would repurchase this brush if it ever broke.  

The translucent shade adds no color to my face and I do believe that a range of skintones would be able to use this product.  I don't know if those with deeper skintones would be able to use it (at least not all over their face).  I mostly use this product to set my foundation and concealer on my T-Zone and under my eyes.  I usually get a bit oily on my T-Zone throughout the day and I need something to set the undereye concealer that I use every day.  I do use a very little bit of this on my cheeks to set my foundation and create a smooth canvas for blush.  The best mode of application for me is to start with applying this product under my eyes, apply some to my T-Zone and then use what is left on the brush to finish off my cheek area.  I use very little product when applying in this fashion and I will have this product for a quite before needing to repurchase.  I still keep blotting papers in my purse and use these to touch my nose and forehead up around lunchtime.

I can why this Laura Mercier product is a best seller for the brand and a multiple award winner in the Allure Best of Beauty Awards.  I have used a few loose powders over the years and nothing compares to this product, I will repurchase this product as soon as I run out of my current jar and I would recommend it to anyone that it is need of a powder.  I think I have found a new favorite and will look to Allure Beauty Awards for more recommendations!

photo courtesy of Sephora

MAC Blot Powder/Pressed

I have been testing out new staples for the past few weeks and I have found a powder that has occupied a permanent place in my purse every since I first used it.  I am talking about the MAC Blot Powder (pressed version).  I may have dry skin but I always like to have some combination of a pressed powder and blotting papers in my purse.  I use a small amount of a loose powder on my face to set my makeup every morning but I find that my forehead and nose tend to get somewhat shiny throughout the day and I like to keep products with me that can quickly correct this issue.  I don't even remember what the last pressed powder that I reviewed on this blog was, I go through them so slowly and I just finished up a small powder that was so old that the writing had worn off the top of the compact by the time that I was finally done with it.  At this rate, the MAC Blot Power should last me for at least another year or two...

MAC has been one of my favorite brands recently and I have been picking up items for myself nearly every single time that I visited the counter to pick up gifts this past holiday season.  I was trying to remain practical with many of these purchases and I picked up some face items and an extra tube of the Opulash Mascara.  One of my biggest beauty goals for next year is to more brands and I need to try and look for other brands that can perform as well as MAC but this will not kick off for a few more days and it seems like my blog is on MAC overboard right now.

The MAC website provides the following description of the Blot Powder/Pressed, "A unique, oil-controlling pressed powder that sets foundation and finishes the face while adding minimal colour and texture.  For use in professional situations and for frequent touch-ups on set or throughout the day.  Provides a very sheer, matte-looking finish."

This powder is currently available in four shades and is a part of the permanent MAC product line.  I use the shade "Light", this is the palest shade and the only one that suits me.  The powder is very sheer and that is the only reason that can use "Light", if this product was more pigmented then I would need an even paler shade.

I usually use this powder only to touch up during the day, I apply a very little bit of it to my forehead and nose around lunchtime and my skin remains matte through the rest of the day.  I tried this product to set my face in the morning (instead of my usual loose powder) and it works equally well for this purpose but I just prefer to use loose formulas in the morning and then touch up with a pressed formula.  There is nothing special about this product and I can't say that it is an outstanding product but it works nicely and I would recommend it to someone looking for a good touch up powder.  I find that there are very little differences in between most pressed powder formulas and there is very little variation in between formulas/brands.  I would repurchase this product however it will take me a long time to use it up and I will probably want to try and review a different product by the time that I have gotten through this whole compact...

photo courtesy of MAC

Vincent Longo Pressed Face Powder

The past few times that I have bought powder, I have been buying loose formulas.  In fact, I haven't used a pressed face powder in the past few years and I am beginning to miss the coverage and ease of the product use.  Especially after the last few times of spilling loose powder all over my outfit and having to change my shirt right before I am going out.  I have been thinking fondly of one of my former favorite pressed powders and I am plotting a full Vincent Longo order just for this product.  I first bought the pressed powder formula from Vincent Longo several years ago and I am relooking at it for next fall (all summer long I will use bronzer and have very little need for pressed powder).  My goal is to add the right pressed powder to my makeup collection and be able to create a no-makeup look from tinted moisturizer and pressed powder.

"One of the softest, lightest weight powders available in compact form.  By triple milling the powder and using real silk fibers, the powder becomes ultra fine and smooth to the touch.  The large mirrored compact is great for touching up your makeup on-the-go.  Blends completely into foundation and concealer, leaving no residue for a totally invisible finish.  Absorbs surface oils and sets foundation and concealer to maintain a smooth, matte canvas throughout the day.  Eye and cheek color glide-on over the pressed powder, color will not streak."  I am envisioning using this pressed powder formula for two major purposes; the first being for additional coverage over tinted moisturizer and the second being for a touch up product to use as needed throughout the day. 

Vincent Longo's website recommends the best usage of this product.  "Dab the Deluxe Velour Puff into the compact being sure to work the powder into the velour fibers.  Tap the puff into the palm of your hand to remove excess powder and starting with the undereye area, lightly press the powder into your skin.  Continue pressing as you move over your eyelids, up to your forehead, along your temples and cheekbones, down your nose and ending along your chin and jaw line."  I haven't used a puff for pressed powder since I was in high school and didn't know the value of a good set of makeup brushes.  I understand that using a puff is much easier for touch ups since then I wouldn't have to carry a brush around with me all day, however I bet that I will try it once with a puff and then go right back to packing a brush in my makeup bag.  I have also heard that using the puff gives more coverage and this type of use is recommended if you are using a pressed powder instead of foundation.  Personally, I find that using a puff makes the finish less natural on my skin and leaves excess powder all over my face.  Even though the company recommends one of their puffs, I will continue to use pressed powders with a fluffy face brush.

This product is currently available in six shades, one that is translucent and five that are tinted.  I use the Translucent shade since the rest are too dark for my pale skin.  The Translucent shade if the easiest work with and typically is most flattering shade of powder.  I have only been using translucent loose powders and I don't see myself starting to use tinted powders anytime soon, I never find tinted powders to look very natural or flattering.  With the exceptions of bronzers, I never use tinted powders and have never found a way to make them work for my skintone. 

I am not currently shopping for a pressed powder but I just wanted to write up how much I liked this powder the last time that I bought and wanted to see if the shades and formula were still the same.  I still don't think that I will ever pressed powder exclusively but I want another product to take with me in my bag and for when I don't have the patience to deal with loose powder in the mornings.

photo courtesy of Vincent Longo

Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder

Earlier in the spring, I finished up my beloved Make Up For Ever HD Loose Powder and I was undecided if I wanted to try something new and see what else what out on the market or repurchase the HD powder yet again.  I was able to table my decision for a decent amoutn of time since during the summer I just use powder bronzer instead of any type of powder.  However as the summer drew to an end, I had to make a decision on what to do.  I had been looking through loose powders on the Sephora website and I was leaning toward just repurchasing the Make Up For Ever product when I saw this brand new powder from the Korres Wild Rose line.  I have used and loved the face cream from this collection so I decided to take a risk and buy something other than the Make Up For Ever loose powder.

"A weightless mineral-based soft-focus finishing powder in a universally flattering shade for all skintones.  With Wild Rose Extract and reflective  mineral pigments in rose gold and nude rose, this ultra-sheer silky powder helps to absorb excess oil, leaving skin with a subtle, natural, healthy glow.  The soft focus mineral blend reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines and brightens skintone.  Silica and zinc oxide promote healthy, beautiful skin while simultaneously clearing the skin of toxins.  Titanium dioxide and iron oxide brighten the complexion for a smoother, more even skintone.  Vitamin C is a potent, natural source of Vitamin C that helps brighten skin and soften the appearance of fine line and imperfections.", states the Sephora website in a description of this product.

This is not a high definition powder and it was not designed for to accomplish that purpose, it is more of the traditional loose powder formulation.  However it is highly effective as a loose powder to set makeup and enhance my complexion.  I use this powder as one of the last steps of my makeup routine to help set concealer and make my makeup last through the day.  It isn't a product that I would put in my makeup bag to use for touch-ups during the day; it is a bit messy in application, must be used with a large, fluffy brush, and isn't as effective as a pressed formula to help control shine.  This is not a mattifying powder and therefore I would not recommend it to anyone with major shine issues, your skin will get oily very quickly and a oil control formula would be much more effective for you. 

I found that this powder is best for those of use with normal to slightly dry skin and who have redness or dullness issues with their complexion.  This powder comes in one shade that is recommended for all skintones and has a bit of both subtle rose and gold tones in it.  This powder helps to reduce the redness in my cheeks and even out my skintone.  It won't get rid of redness by itself, I still have to use it with foundation and primer to really reduce the redness.  This product is not made to be a miracle-worker, it is a good powder to set makeup and help your complexion look brighter.  The whole Wild Rose line is a good choice for someone with sensitive or reddened skin and I haven't had any issue with any of the products that I have tried from it so far, so I really recommend this entire line for someone who has had issues with sensitivity in the past.

This product is a great loose powder but doesn't replace the HD powder because it's not formulated to.  I am happy that I decided to buy this product going into the fall and winter, it hasn't settled into any dry areas of my skin yet and has helped to brighten my overall complexion when I wearing it.  If you must carry a powder with you all day, then this isn't a product that I would recommend for the reasons that I stated above.  This powder is best used to set makeup and a pressed powder is much better to carry in your bag.

photo courtesy of Sephora

MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder

This month, MAC has released the Magically Cool Liquid Powder into it's permanent collection.  I had my first experience with it during the release of Venomous Villians early last fall.  Two shades of this were introduced with the collection and sold out at my counter before I was able to get my second haul in.  My first haul was all eyes and lips and I hoping that this would be around when I went up the week after but it was not to be.  I was able to play with the tester since the MAC associates really wanted me to see this and she showed me why she loved it.  I wasn't looking for powder in round one so I put it back but then I lost my chance with it.  But I have another one now!

"You've longed for it and now it's captured: MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder.  This feather-light, silky powder goes on with the refreshing impact of an ocean mist.  What's more, this magical melange contains just enough optical blurring via it's light-diffusing pigments to render skin's surface into line-softened, natural luminosity.  How magical is that?"  I'm a bit surprised that this product wasn't released with the upcoming Surf Baby collection and then made permanent after that, it would have been a perfect fit with the overall theme of that collection.  Or I could just buy it with my products from Surf Baby.  I am even looking for a new loose powder since I am finishing up my Make Up For Ever HD Powder.

Magically Cool Liquid Powder - A silky, feather-light powder, formulated with 70% water, dusts on to the skin as a cooling mist to set and enhance the look of any foundation.  Beyond sheer: light-relfecting and translucent.  A virtually invisible way to add luminosity and a soft radiant glow to the skin.
- Truth & Light - sheer shimmer that reflects silver and pink
- Honey Rose - sheer rosy beige with multi-dimensional shimmer
- Cajun - sheer bronze shimmer that relfects gold

187 Duo Fibre Brush - A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments.  Use to create soft layers or add textures.  Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibers.

If these are the same shades that came out last fall, then I believe that Truth & Light was what was used on me.  If it was then this is the shade that I am going to buy this time around.  The texture of the powder is very light and fluffy and would be best used with a big fluffy brush.  The texture actually feels cold when going on the skin and is very refreshing in the summer months.   I used to use an Awake powder with this type of texture and they are very similar.  I am having a hard time getting this powder now so I am very glad that I can buy this one easily from MAC.

photo courtesy of MAC

Make Up For Ever HD Powder

This is a product that I have been using for the past several months but haven't gotten around to talking about yet. I bought this product at Sephora in the end of May and have been using it ever since with fantastic results. During French Week last July, I talked about the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation and how much I adored it. Yet somehow, this product got left out of everything so far. But I feel that the time has come for me to sing the praises of this powder and convince all of you that you need to go out and buy it right away. If you love the foundation (or even if you have never tried), you will love the matching powder.

Before buying the product off of the recommendation of a coworker, I hadn't used loose powder since my Bare Escentuals debacle in 2007. I never liked loose powders and always ended up creating a disaster all over myself when trying to apply them. This powder is available in one universal shade and appears white in the package. However, my coworker and I both have very different skintones and it works beautifully on both of us so I guess that this really is a universal shade. Here is the description of the powder from Make Up For Ever, "Make Up For Ever HD line was originally created to keep the complexion of the actors looking flawless in the 6x magnification of high definition compared to regular cameras. HD Powder is a unique, extremely fine powder available in one universal shade to make skin absolutely radiant. HD Microfinish Powder consists solely of mineral silica powder, thereby respects all types of skin, even the most sensitive. Its talc free formula does not dry skin".

This product really does manage to make your skin look a million times better after application. My favorite aspects of the product are that it completely sets my foundation and concealer, while minimizing the appearance of redness and large pores. It has been my experience that loose powders always make my pores appear even larger, so this really is a different type of loose powder.

To use this product, I simply shake a bit of it out onto my hand then use a big fluffy powder brush to apply it to my whole face. I have been using the same container of this product since June and it barely looks as though I have made a dent in the product. So this one should last me quite a long time. The only thing that could make my love this powder more? If I came a in pressed version so I could carry it in my bag for touch ups throughout the day.

photo courtesy of Sephora

Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight Powder

The last time that I talked about a Too Faced face product, I was raving about how the company finally introduced a matte bronzer into the makeup industry and how much I was in love with the product and the whole concept. For fall, the company has released a face product that is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The product that I am talking about is the brand new Candlelight Powder, which is meant to give an illuminated, "lit from within" glow. Sephora considers this product to be a "multi-tasking translucent powder infused with illuminating gold powder".

"Inspired by actual candlelight, this product is formulated to set make-up while imparting a soft-focused glow. For all its immediate, "glowing" results, it's also packed with a powerful dose of skin saving anti-oxidants that protect and soothe tired skin as the golden-peachy tone warms and illuminates any complexion - reducing the appearence of fine lines and imperfections".

Here are the active ingredients...

Pure Gold - Has been praised for its reported ability to tighten skin and reduce the appearence of imperfections.

Vitamin C - A required component to help generate healthier collagen production. Delivers a more supple, firmer, and brighter complexion.

Aloe Vera Extract - Provides excellent soothing and calming effects to the skin, while aiding in the restoration of proper moisture levels.

Pomegranate Extract - This famed, antioxidant promotes smooth, radiant skin.

Chamomile - Instantly calms, soothes, and banishes irritation for sensitive skin as natural antioxidants heal and protect.

I am fascinated with this product. I am not totally sure if the golden tone of this powder will work for my skintone but I hope that it does. I love the anti-oxidant protection that this product provides and I have been interested in the effects of pure gold on the skin ever since Stila first used it in there Summer collection. I am thinking that this product would be a great highlighter for the winter months when my skin gets dry and grey. It might also complement a tan in the warmer months without the use of a bronzer. I am going to try it out in both times of the year.

photo courtesy of Sephora