Review: Essence Fix & Matte Translucent Loose Powder

Do you have oily skin? Because I do. I can't use liquid foundation alone. I always have to top it off with powder. I usually use my Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Foundation for more coverage, but I've heard that loose powders work best since they're finely milled.

I've tried the Nichido Finishing Powder and I think it's okay but it doesn't really last that long and it may fade away in blotches so it looks weird. However, when you use the Nichido powder alone, it's great. It has that milky smell that I actually like. I sometimes even use it for my hair when my roots are oily.

So I've researched about mattifying loose powders that are affordable but are still of good quality and I found that this Essence Fix & Matte Translucent Loose Powder and the ELF HD Powder had great reviews. However, some complained about the ELF powder since it caused them to break out or that the velvety finish would not last long and would instead make them look blotchy or something. On the other hand, I wasn't too sure about the Essence one either since there weren't too many reviews BUT all the reviews that were available gave it a perfect score.

I had the option to either buy the ELF powder from a seller online since it was not available in the Philippines or to go to SM Makati and buy the Essence powder. Of course I ended up getting this one since it was more available, it had better reviews and it was much more affordable. (the ELF powder was over 300 pesos while the Essence one was around 250 php)

SO HERE'S MY REVIEW:

I LOVE IT. It is finely milled so it makes pores less visible and it is just easy to apply. It does last long. However, it's incredibly hot here in the Philippines right now so it does not completely keep the oil at bay but it still does the job. IT DOES NOT COME WITH A POWDER PUFF. This means that it's gonna be messy when you bring it with you everywhere since holes inside the jar will not be sealed or covered. However, you can buy your own powder puff and just put in the jar. I actually used the one that was included in my Nichido Finishing Powder. 

Like I said it is affordable at only around 250Php and it's available in SM Megamall, SM Makati, and SM Mall of Asia so it isn't available in all SM branches BUT it is a new brand here so they might open stalls in different malls soon as well. *Here's to hoping* Also, this product did not break me out. YAY!

You can apply this with either a flat top brush or a powder puff, but I like using a powder puff for a more even distribution, plus I think that doing so may distribute more product on to your face. But don't worry, it isn't cakey at all. 

I'm actually using the powder in this pic but I didn't realize that it was blurry til now -_-

PROS AND CONS:

PROS:

• finely milled
• easy application
• affordable (below 260Php)
• long lasting
• comparable to MAC's Prep+Prime Translucent Powder
• did not break me out
• no weird smell
• easy to apply

CONS:

• no powder puff so it may be messy to carry it around 
• not available in all department stores (yet)

RATING: 9/10

I am loving Essence right now btw. <3
I hope they open more stalls.

REVIEW: E.L.F. Blush & Bronzer Palette

Yesterday, I was out shopping with my mom and decided to stop by at the department store to buy some foundation (which I'll be doing a review on soon) when I recalled that I also wanted to buy a contouring powder for umm... reasons.

I guess I got a little jealous when I watched Youtube's pixi2woo's contour & highlight video. I highly recommend that you subscribe to her channel since she is just amazing and she makes everything seem so easy. It's perfect for beginners or amateurs (like me). PLUS you'll love her accent. hahaha!

(To watch the said video, click here)

So back to the palette. 

I was actually opting to buy some thing from Ever Bilena. I was going to buy their blush in Earth (Php 160.00) but realized it was too dark for me. Also, I was never really a fan of their products since I find them hard to blend. 

(the Ever Bilena cheek blush in Earth) 

So I decided to check out E.L.F. and asked the sales lady if they had anything that I could use for contouring. She recommended the bronzers but I decided not to go with it since it's best not to use anything shimmery for contouring. That's when she suggested the E.L.F. Blush & Bronzer Palette. I got it on sale for only 185 pesos, but it's regularly priced at Php 250.

 I found the box really cute. It had this notepad thing going on.
And the container itself was plain and simple. It was smaller than most palettes though which was okay since it was really handy and quite inexpensive.











The blushes were both really pretty. 
However, they seemed a little intimidating at first since I was used to wearing blushes that were a little peachy or even red (since I turn red and not pink when I blush). Also, the pale pink looked too pale for my taste while the other one was too bright or unnatural. I thought I wouldn't be able to use the blushes much since it wouldn't go well with my skin.

 The bronzer was the perfect shade and it was matte. Most makeup artists would recommend you buying a matte one instead of one with shimmer since it was more practical for contouring. Besides, you could always shimmer to the matte ones if you want. :)

The darker pink and the lighter bronzer (which I used as a highlighter) had some shimmer on it, which led me to believe that these would be pretty sheer.

But I have been seriously misled. 

Swatches of the Blushes and Bronzers at one swipe each

As you can see, the blushes and bronzers are incredibly pigmented. You get a lot of the product in just one swipe. The color isn't as harsh on my skin and looked really pretty, even. What came to a shock to me was that the light pink color looked pretty natural and so did the barbie pink one. I loved the highlighter and bronzer as well. They were easy to use and blend.  However, the light pink and the highlighter can be a bit chalky when you use too much. The staying power was quite good as well.

So here's a before and after of my face. I didn't use too much of the product though so it isn't quite obvious in the pictures (which is good since it looks natural). However, you'll still notice the pop of color on my face and the difference made with the contouring.

before 

after

(sorry 'bout the bad lighting)

PROS

• pretty packaging
• pretty colors <3
• looked natural
• can work on all skin tones
• did not break me out
• great for contouring & highlighting
• inexpensive (4 colors for Php250!)
• great lasting power
• easy to use 
• available in most department stores (Landmark, SM, Watson's, Robinson's)

CONS

• the light pink may be a too pale for some
• the light pink & the highlighter can be a bit too chalky
• no mirror
• no brush

Will I repurchase?

Yes. Once I finish this baby off, I'm definitely gonna get another one.

Rating:

8/10