Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Pressed Powder

10 Reviews

1. 

   adoringGatorade3

   Reply

   This is a really great powder!

   The pressed version is everything I hoped the loose version would be.

   Pros:
   – Almost completely undetectable (the loose version was detectable looking up close. This is almost completely invisible. You have to apply a large amount and get really close to the mirror in natural light and even then it’s still almost undetectable even when scrutinising the skin looking for powder.)
   – Lasts well on the skin (Unlike the loose version which would wear off very quickly.)
   – Nice lightly smoothing natural looking satin-matte finish (The loose version has a similar satin-matte finish, but I never really liked the way it looked. This looks nice. The loose version also looked like I could see both the finish of the powder and what was underneath the powder itself which looked slightly off. It definitely mattifies but it isn’t completely matte. It’s never cakey and it’s not a flat finish either.)
   – You don’t need to use a lot of it (I had to use a lot of the loose powder)
   – No itchiness (sometimes the loose powder could itch a bit)
   – No breakouts/irritation
   – Nice skin feel (very light, matte and silky)
   – Easy to use
   – Good looking functional packaging
   – Portable

   The in between:
   – Mirror (nice though a tad small)
   – No applicator (I prefer powders without applicators)
   – Not a very absorbent powder (I have dry skin so it’s fine for me. If you have very oily skin this likely isn’t absorbent enough for you, but then again it is sold as a finishing powder.)

   Cons:
   – Could cause flashback (I haven’t tried it but that’s just the nature of these mica/silica powders)
   – Can cause a slight lightening of the skin (It’s really a non issue for me. I really have to use a lot before it makes my skin look lighter and even then it’s just a very faint lightening. I’m MAC NW20. It’s more transparent than pure silica powder.)
   – Update: I have dropped this several times now (weird because I rarely drop things. Maybe its because of the smooth rounded packaging?) and have discovered like other reviewers that this cracks very easily. The first time I dropped it was from about waist height on a carpeted floor, which I thought wouldn’t cause it to break, but it did. It’s still useable though, but much more messy to use.

2. 

   decimalIguana3

   Reply

   Dang I love this! It’s simple, classic translucent, and the best dupe for any loose powder I’ve used. Not drying under my eyes, and I haven’t noticed any flashback or changing of my foundation shade (as long as I use a setting spray). I’m light/ light medium skinned myself, so I can’t say for for others!

3. 

   dejectedCoati2

   Reply

   I use this as a base for my eyeshadow and for setting my under eyes. Theres no kick up and it really is invisible. It does a great job at helping my concealer not crease and it smoothes that area too. Ive used this on top of the mac pro longwear and it looks a bit dry. Theres a little flashback with this also. I will update as i continue usage.

   edit- i decide to return this!! It makes my undereye too dry. Also i forgot to mention that this powder has no smell. Ive tried the Nars and Makeup forever loose powders and they both smell sooo weird. The MUFE one smelled super chemically and the Nars one smells like cornstarchy and sort of like food seasoning O.o anyways i wouldnt repurchase because ive gone back to using my Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Powder no.20. Its not drying and makes my undereyes look way better. I also use Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation as concealer and the these 2 products are perfection!

4. 

   relievedWigeon8

   Reply

   This is a must have summer travel companion for me!.. I love to use it to blot out oil and sweat on my face during hot/humid days. It really keeps the shine at bay. It’s also great when I overdo a dewy look, I strategically blot areas of intensity and brings it down a few notches. This sleek black elegant compact does NOT come w/ a sponge. I usually purchase a package of flat round sponges and change them up as they get discoloured, fits perfectly in the compact. I retire this compact in the winter months where I tend to use loose powder. What leaves me perplexed is the hardened product in the pan (Mac -matte bronzer has the same consistency also?) which never seems to move?…Very little is sloughed off during use, yet it does its job so I know I’m getting product-no brush strokes, no fallout, it really is ‘pressed’++ into the pan. All I can say is it lasts a long time!

5. 

   pleasedFish5

   Reply

   It’s an okay product… there’s nothing unique about it. It doesn’t emphasize dry patches, packaging is great, but I prefer my rice powder which is cheaper and more effective. If you’re oily, the mattifying properties may not be effective enough- it’s not enough for my combo skin. Of course I’ll use it up (already hit pan) but I won’t repurchase.

6. 

   amazedPaella4

   Reply

   I like this product because it’s pressed but becareful if you drop it itll crack right away…

   I use a face primer and finish off with this – u just need a light coat and I apply it with a brush . I know my friends apply this before bronzer and some do after it really depends – i use it mostly on my T Zone – if i do it in the morning it goes till after lunch which is pretty good and i get oily skin in the office because of the air.

   Good one overall, i know there are lots of good comments about the Laura Mercier setting powder which im sure it’s good but I just dont want to get it everywhere while Im at work.

7. 

   cheerfulSeahorse7

   Reply

   I have repurchased this product twice now, and probably will again unless I can find a cheaper dupe.
   Packaging is great – handy little mirror and clip is secure for travel. Lasts me approx 5 months of 2x day use.
   I dropped it twice and it didn’t break.
   Does a reasonable job of keeping my combination skin relatively shine free, but feel l need more sometimes. Not drying.

8. 

   lovesickDove1

   Reply

   I have oily skin and spent a long time search for a powder that didn’t make me look cakey.
   This is a lovely translucent powder and I usually set it with the MYX Matte Finish setting spray after applying it under my eyes and over my T-zone with a big powder brush. The white doesn’t show up, even in flash photography. By the evening I am a bit oily in the nose area, but it is great for setting my under eye concealer and I would definitely repurchase once it’s empty. I love the packaging, it’s a tough plastic, slightly glittery and has a nicely sized mirror in the lid. I’ve had this for about 6 months now and there’s only a slight dent in the product, so I think the money is worth the investment for the amount of product you receive.

9. 

   amusedWasp1

   Reply

   I have combo skin and an oily T zone. I purchased this at $42.

   It’s a nice translucent powder and I like to use my big fluffy brush to blend over my entire face. I’m quite pale anyway, but I haven’t noticed it having a whitening effect. I haven’t tested it for flashback. I always set this with UD setting spray. It does help with oil control, however from approx the 4 hour mark I start to get oily. I used this interchangeably with my pressed powder from Etude House ‘Dear Girls Oil Control’ compact. I must admit I couldn’t tell the difference when I used one vs the other. My EH powder was $11.50 USD.

   I dropped my Mac powder, and the entire thing shattered. 🙁 However, I won’t repurchase, cos regardless of the price, I liked my EH just as much. Overall, it’s a good product, but I wouldn’t recommend since I’ve found another one I like just as much.

10. 

    needyBittern9

    Reply

    I love this, bought it for travel because the loose version just does not travel well. I am NW45 and this is TRANSLUCENT on my skin people! I was scared when I saw the white powder. This sets my makeup beautifully, gives the blurred look that I love for a setting powder and helps control oil. I have a cocktail of products I use for oil control and setting powder leads that. Very happy with this, will continue to purchase. Since I only use this for traveling it should last a while. Though I have been using the loose version for a few years now… Love this.