The Neo-Setting Powder

3 Reviews

1. 

   troubledPoultry5

   Reply

   This is a hard one to come up with an appropriate number of “lippies” for a rating. Triplexm’s review below from 2017 is exceedingly accurate on this product. While I didn’t read that prior to purchasing this Kevyn Aucoin Setting Powder from TJ Maxx ($18USD), she is 100% correct that in no way, shape or form is this a “setting powder”. I would say that even the “matte” side of the pan on this (which in actuality is about 1/12th of the space in the pan) still has the faintest hint of shimmer to it. If rated as a “setting powder”, it would get a 1 rating. If rating it as a highlighter for those that want the ability to dial up or dial down their particular level of shine in just one space-saving compact, then it gets a 4 to 5 rating.

   From left to right this product gets increasingly more duo-chrome and shinier, culminating in some seriously soft and blinding powder that you would definitely NOT want to brush over your entire face to set any foundation (unless you want to look like the full moon). But used very sparingly on tops of cheekbones, inner corners of eyes, brow bone or cupid’s bow it’s going to give you that editorial straight up glow and you will absolutely never be able to hit pan on this because there’s just so much of the product, but so little is required to get that effect.

2. 

   cynicalZebra8

   Reply

   This is the cutest palette I’ve had in my life. It looks like a piece of jewelry in my collection. I used this to set my ka foundation but was not happy with the results as it is shimmery… But started using it as a highlighter and yes… It made its way to the most amazing highlighting powemder in my collection. The formula is creamy and very fine it is great for setting but leaves a sheen. I love this so Mucha Nd want to try their blush and contour poders as well. Hope you find my review helpful. By the way I bought it for only $25 at winners and don’t think I’d repurchase at the regards price $80 ish… If you did find it helpful please hit the helpful button
   Thanks so much for reading .

3. 

   offendedSeafowl7

   Reply

   I bought the Neo-Setting Powder from Beautylish when it was first released a couple months ago. I’m a big fan of Kevyn Aucoin – the man and the makeup line – and wanted to love this. My feelings on this product are extremely mixed so read on for my in depth thoughts:

   CONCEPT:
   First thing to get out of the way – this is NOT a setting powder. This is not even a finishing powder. This is a straight-up, full-on highlighter – a 21 gram highlighter, too. I seriously doubt I’ll ever hit pan on this, even if I gave up on all other highlighters for the rest of my life. Before going on any further, I should clarify what a setting powder actually IS and go over why the official description of the Neo-Setting Powder is ultimately misleading. (Feel free to skip ahead, btw).

   A SETTING powder can be loose or pressed, translucent or tinted. Its key purpose, however, is to ‘set’ foundation, thus extending its longevity, as well as diminishing shine and leaving behind a relatively matte finish.

   A FINISHING powder, on the other hand, is typically used as the final step after all other makeup has been applied. Like setting powders, finishing powder can be loose (eg the Guerlain Météorites Pearls) or pressed (eg Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Powders). They are usually subtly luminous and are intended to impart a flatteringly blurred, soft focus finish to the complexion.

   PRODUCT CLAIMS
   Here’s the official description of the KA Neo-Setting Powder, courtesy of Beautylish:

   “Dial your makeup up or down with this innovative, three-in-one setting powder. The exclusive neo-gradient technology takes any look from matte to satin to radiant with just one swipe.
   * Set your makeup with a matte, satin, or radiant finish—all in one sleek palette
   * The silky, triple-milled powder formula glides on to even skin tone and blur imperfections without looking powdery or cakey.”

   DOES IT FULFILL THE CLAIMS?
   Short answer: No. Ideally, a product would always deliver on its claims but in reality, I’m willing to be more lenient. That said, I believe it was a huge mistake to call this product a “Setting Powder” as nothing could be more misleading. Onto the claims:

   3-IN-ONE CHOICE OF FINISH: Conceptually, the Neo-Setting Powder is similar to the KA Neo-Limelight and Neo-Bronzing Powders. Each palette is supposed to compose a gradient of three different shades/finishes. The Neo-Setting Powder does not. I have included pictures and a swatch of the product and you can see that it is shimmery across the board. If there is a variety of finishes, it completely eludes me: there is NO WAY I would call any part of this palette matte. Satin? That’s a major stretch too. Radiant? Sure!

   I’ve tried to discern whether any parts of the palette are less ‘radiant’ than others and I think the left side is the most low-key (let’s call it ‘strobe-worthy radiant’.) We’re already in the highlighter category. Moving on, the middle portion is what I’d call ‘duo-chrome radiant’ – there’s an opalescent finish that you may be able to see in some of the pictures. I find it VERY pretty but, as someone who is not comfortable with highlighter in general, I’m afraid this may be lost on me. Last of all, the right hand side of the palette: this part overlaps with the middle portion to be honest, but takes the duo-chrome a step up. If you want highlighter that is so blinding, it’s visible from outer space – this is for you.

   *SIDE NOTE: I have tried using the middle to right portions for nights out and can confirm that, for these occasions, the Neo-Setting Powder rocks. The opalescent/luminescent/phosphorescent (that’s the word – finally) finish is reeeealllly transfixing. I guarantee that your megawatt glow will be unmatched by anyone else in the club/same full moon party in Koh Samui/same underground rave in Berlin/fellow attendee at Ultra music festival/etc.)

   BLURS IMPERFECTIONS: Usually, I’d say that anything as full on shimmery as the Neo-Setting Powder would draw attention to imperfections and pores but honestly, I don’t even know. This stuff is so blinding it could well make your imperfections invisible.

   APPLICATION: I highly advise using the most airy, precise highlighter brush you own when applying this. No, a tapered candle highlight brush is not going to cut it. You want a fan at the very least. My personal favourite is the G6070 Kebo from Hakuhodo. It’s blue squirrel so it picks up only the finest amount of powder and the smaller size allows for more precision. It’s a fantastic brush in general.

   FINAL THOUGHTS: I really do have mixed feelings about this palette because on the one hand, nope, it is not a setting powder. This is pure highlighter. On the other hand, this is one hell of a highlighter. It’s not terribly subtle granted (the left side of the palette paired with the Hakuhodo G6070 does dial the glow down somewhat.) If this was called the Neo-Highlighter palette or offered in the Neo-Limelight range, I’d give it a 5 star score. (Still: does anyone really need 21g of highlighter??)

   But this is being marketed as a setting powder and in that regard, it fails and is also pretty misleading. I do think people are savvy enough to look at the official photos and discern that this is not a true setting powder (I personally thought it was a finishing powder at first). So that’s why I’ve been slightly lenient in scoring. I took off two stars for the failure to deliver on its claims, which leaves it with three stars (because it truly is the ultimate highlighter for any highlighter fiends out there.)

   I would not rebuy this again if I lost it because I sincerely believe that no one needs 21g of highlighter. YMMV, of course.

   GRADE: As a setting powder: F. As a highlighter (on steroids): A+