Lakme 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation Review, Swatches
Hi guys,
Today I am reviewing the new Lakme 9 to 5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation, it’s a new addition to their 9 to 5 Primer + Matte range after the lipsticks. If you have not seen the lipsticks review, see HERE.
Claims: Introducing the new Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation, the brand’s first ever powder foundation that comes with an in-built primer. The product gives you the best of not both, but three worlds, with benefits of a primer, foundation and compact all in one to give you that flawless matte finish on your face.
The Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation is the ultimate product for today’s multitasking woman, with its ability to eliminate elaborate make up routines. The in-built primer gives you a strong base that blends effortlessly and conceals fine lines, while allowing you to get even and buildable coverage, all while giving you the picture-perfect long lasting matte finish.
The best part? It comes in six new shades, made to suit every Indian woman. What’s different about these shades, is that there 2 New Shades for the 1st time in the Lakme face rage, that are best suited for deeper skin tones. It’s ‘THE’ product you need to add in your everyday beauty bag! Whether it’s work or travel, this is your ideal beauty buddy.
MRP: Rs.600/- for 9g
Shades Available: 6
Rose Silk
Ivory Cream
Silky Golden
Natural Light
Honey Dew
Natural Almond
First of all, I absolutely love the rose gold compact. The packaging is very pretty. It has a mirror and a puff, the base has small holes for the air to circulate and puff to breathe and not catch any bacteria.
The only thing I would say is it doesn’t close tight and the powder is very, very soft, so it would break easily. I am not sure how travel friendly it is, also make sure you handle it well. It would break if dropped even once.
The texture is very, very creamy and silky. The powder is very finely milled and gives a decent coverage. It needs building up for more coverage, but doesn’t look heavy or cakey at all. Also doesn’t give a white cast or cling to patches or make the skin completely flat matte! Which I often notice in other powders.
I am in love with the texture and formula. It is definitely long lasting, coz of the primer part in it. It stayed put through the day, only touched up T-zone once during the day. It did not fill in the lines and pores though, that can be done only with a liquid primer + liquid foundation.
But I love how comfortable it feels on the skin, I definitely recommend it! Also loving the variety in shades launched this time. Usually Lakme has just 3-4 shades in compacts, they have launched 6 shades with 2 specifically for deeper skin tones. And 2 have pink undertones while 2 have yellow undertones, so they have taken care of all skin tones majorly.
I do have a giveaway on my Twitter where you can win this powder foundation, you can follow me on twitter HERE, if in case you would be interested 🙂
Let me know your thoughts on this powder foundation, in the comments below.
Faces Ultime Pro Second Skin Foundation, Pressed Powder & New Matte Lip Crayons Review
Hi guys,
So Faces recently added 11 new shades to their already 12 existing shades in Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayons and I have 4 of them with me. There are some very pretty nudes and I have all 3 of their nudes.
Also they launched the Ultime Pro Primer, Second Skin Foundation and Pressed Powder. I have been using the second skin foundation and powder since quite some time now and here are my thoughts..
Claims: FACES Ultime Pro Second Skin Foundation with its new breakthrough color technology is an ultra-lightweight, liquid-to-powder formula that works like magic on your skin. A serum based foundation, it is super luxurious on your skin and has anti-ageing properties. It gives seamless adjustable coverage and a natural matte and velvety smooth finish that looks and feels like your own skin. As it melts into your skin like a serum, the result is a noticeably brighter more youthful appearance. Available in a unique packaging with a glass bottle and dropper, and in four shades of Ivory, Natural, Beige and Sand, FACES Ultime Pro Second Skin Foundation matches specifically with the Indian skin tone and comes with SPF 15.
MRP: Rs.1499/- for 30ml
Faces Ultime Pro Second Skin Pressed Powder
Claims: A powdery finish compact makeup, Faces Ultime Pro Second Skin Pressed Powder creates even-toned skin instantly, delivering natural finish to your skin. Step out confidently into the sun as Ultime Pro Second Skin Pressed powder comes with SPF 15 feature, protecting your skin throughout. With an incredibly luxurious texture, medium coverage and being light weight, it is perfect for your daily makeup. Choose your shade as this pressed powder comes in four different shades of Ivory, Natural, Beige and Sand.
MRP: Rs.899/- for 9g
Both the foundation and powder come in black and silver packaging, the packaging is very classy and nice. Especially the powder with the silver band at the center giving it an asymmetrical look.
I was pretty excited to try the foundation as it is serum based and very thin yet promises good coverage. It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper exactly like serums.
The foundation is very thin but not very runny like water. It spreads easily on the skin and I need just one drop to cover my entire face. You can always build it up and since it is very thin, it doesn’t look cakey at all anytime.
It blends really nicely with fingers without giving a streaky finish. In fact, I would suggest using fingers for this as the brush/blender would soak up some product and you anyway need very little product with this. You might need 1.5-2 drops if you use a brush or blender.
As you blend it through the skin, it gives a matte, powdery feel and evens out the skin tone really well. It gives a velvet matte finish as claimed and you wouldn’t even need to set it with powder. However for the very same reason, you need a rich, hydrating moisturizer underneath this or it will cling to all dry patches.
It has SPF 15 and is mineral oil free, hence non comedogenic and wouldn’t clog pores or break you out.
I love how just one little drop covers my entire face and gives medium coverage, it is full of pigment and covers pretty well. Though if you looking for full coverage, you will need an additional layer.
Since it is very thin and natural looking, it photographs really well. It doesn’t feel like foundation at all since it is super light weight and I am using it almost every day currently. Only reaching out for this foundation.
It is expensive though and also not very travel friendly coz of the glass bottle packaging. It would have been great if Faces had 2 more shades in this, since these 4 shades are not enough for all skin tones.
I have the shade ‘Natural’ and I was confused between Natural and Beige, thankfully Natural works perfect for me.
I have the pressed powder too in the shade ‘Natural’. I absolutely love the travel friendly and handy packaging.
The powder comes with a separate compartment on top for the puff and the steel like mirror finish on both the sides of the compartment, below the puff and in the 2nd compartment above the powder. The powder is very, very smooth and silky to touch and gives decent coverage. The coverage is good enough for people with fairly decent skin for everyday use. It mattifies the skin well, and still doesn’t feel dry.
One drop of the serum foundation and the pressed powder on top, and I am good to go with the base. That equals pretty good coverage.
Pressed Powder, Foundation both in ‘Natural’
I definitely recommend the powder, the price point is decent too. But again, more shades would have been better.
I would love to see a serum like concealer in this same Second Skin Range.
Coming to the new shades in the Faces Ultime Pro Matte Crayons, the packaging, pricing, etc. is the same. You can check the detailed review on these HERE.
MRP: Rs.799/- each
Pigmented and creamy, and give a nice matte finish. These are very comfortable to wear but will accentuate fine lines, so make sure you exfoliate and moisturize lips well as with all matte lip products.
Last time they launched many bright shades and I was longing for some nudes. And this time they have many nudes and I can’t be happier! 😀
I love the color coordinated packaging and they all come with a separate sharpener as well.
Pink Pout is a neutral warm carrot pink, very everyday/wearable pink.
Blushing Nude is a dusty mauve
Spiced Latte is a cool toned brown
Cashmere is nude peachy brown, can see the peach in it compared to Spiced Latte
I absolutely love all four and especially the three nudes, I won’t be able to pick one favourite. Cashmere is a must have though, perfect everyday shade.
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC 41 Review
By Linda
Hello Ladies,
Again I’m back with another review of a MAC product that is a highly recommended and belongs to the Studio range of collections. The sales assistant helped me out in picking the closest shade[NC 41] for my yellow toned medium to fair skin.I would recommend you to first try a suitable shade yourself before purchasing since these are high end products with varieties of shades and what you buy should be worth the money . I read many good reviews of this product due to its dual performance as a foundation plus powder hence made up mind that I’m definitely purchasing this product.
What MAC Claims: A one step powder and foundation that gives skin a smooth, flawless, all matte finish with medium to full coverage. Long-wearing, velvety texture allows skin to breathe.
Packaging
Packaging consists of a classic MAC black compact case which has a built in mirror, the compressed product (in the mid section) and a third compartment where a sponge applicator is stored. A convenient packaging which can be carried easily where ever you go. What I like about the packaging is the separate compartment for the sponge applicator [please excuse my sponge since I haven’t washed it since I purchased this product ,Yes bad me !!] .In most of the compacts, the applicator is kept on top of product due to which the excess product is picked by the applicator when not in use hence forth the waste of product.
Cost: 2290 INR for 15 g
My take on MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation [Shade NC 41]
As I applied this product on my well cleansed and moisturized skin, the first thing I noticed was my pores vanished in seconds. The powder is fine and so soft that it blends easily into the skin. The biggest bonus in this product is the sponge applicator. I found the applicator to be of a very good quality .I have been using this product for more than a year and the sponge is still intact. In fact I use this sponge for blending my other liquid foundation and it gives me a flawless finish.
On application of this product the oiliness on my skin did vanish giving a medium coverage to my skin. It does not seem to look cakey at all and even does not highlight the dry patches on my skin. The product lasts for around 5-6 hours on my combination skin. After which I do a touch up on my T zone. What I noticed is, it doesn’t completely cover the dark spots and minor blemishes and dark circles [hence medium coverage].
I have used this product alone most of the time, but somehow I feel a liquid foundation would help in giving full coverage along with a concealer and a flawless finish .As I mentioned earlier it doesn’t give a cakey look even after layering several products on the skin and it even does not flash on photographs. It just feels like a second skin.
A drawback I noticed was when you use a sponge applicator, it picks up more product than usual hence you tend to finish your product sooner. So in that case a blending brush is always helpful.
The product I’ve been using is almost over but it hasn’t broken as yet since it is fine milled and compressed well into the container. Hence no product wasted.
TIP: Dampen the sponge applicator a little with water and apply the product on to your skin. The product lasts on skin for a considerable longer time than usual and controls oiliness too. [Based on personal experience].
Definitely this is a multipurpose product that can be used alone or along with a liquid foundation which gives a flawless finish.
Pros:
Diminishes pores within seconds
Doesn’t give a cakey look
Photo friendly
Controls oiliness giving a matte finish
Can be used alone or along with a liquid foundations
Highly recommended for oily skin
Travel friendly light weight packaging
Long-lasting product
Cons:
Heavy on pockets
Medium coverage
Works better with liquid foundation
Rating: 4.5/5
Would I recommend MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation? Yes definitely I would recommend since it’s a multipurpose product.
Editor’s Note: I would like to add one thing here, it broke one of my friend really bad every time she used it. So I would recommend trying it out first 2-3 times at the stores and see if it suits your skin, before investing in it. If it works for your skin, then it is indeed a great powder with very good coverage.
Have you tried the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation?
L’Oreal Paris Mat Magique Compact Powder Review, Swatches, FOTD
Hi guys,
L’Oreal Paris India is on a roll and launching a lot of new products, the latest being the Mat Magique Compact Powder. Just 2 months ago they launched the Infallible range which had the Infallible 24H Powder Foundation too. And now a new range of compact powders 😀 Well, we are not complaining 😉
What the Company claims: With 5 shades, specially created to suit Indian skin tones, Mat Magique compact blends smoothly into your skin to give an impeccable coverage without looking cakey. At a special price point of just Rs. 399, L’Oréal Paris Mat Magique compact is easy to apply and frees you from touch ups, every time you decide to go out. The new compact from L’Oréal Paris is also enriched with SPF 34 PA+++ to help protect your skin from the sun and make it look blemish free, healthy and radiant all day long.
INNOVATIONS & INGREDIENTS
Mat Magique compact – It’s the Matte that does it all! Infused with Volcanic Perlite Minerals Mat Magique compact lets you stay shine-free, worry-free, and flawless for 12 hours.
I have the shades G2 Golden Ivory and N6 Nude Honey which are like the closest match for me, G7 Golden Amber is the darkest shade and N2 Nude Vanilla is the lightest.
At first, I love the transparent and pink round packaging, it looks pretty on your table or in your bag too. The bottom base is also transparent and you have the mirror and a round, white thick sponge in the lower compartment. Now the mirror being in the lower compartment and the product on upper, it would be a bit of a struggle to take the sponge and go up and down again and again. Outside India, it had a rectangular packaging with sponge and powder on each side and mirror on the front.
L- Golden Ivory, R- Nude Honey
I am glad that the shades are all warm and suitable for Indian skin tones! Most of the products including the previous Infallible 24H Powder Foundation were a bit light and gave a strong whitish cast. Thankfully, these ones match Indian skin tones perfectly and do not look white or ghastly at all.
L- Golden Ivory, R- Nude Honey
And SPF34 PA+++ is the highest protection I have seen in a compact powder yet! Kudos to L’Oreal Paris for adding in such high sun protection factor.
Coming to the coverage and staying power, it gives light to medium coverage which is perfect for daily use. It stays on for quite a few hours and absorbs oil and shine for almost 5-6 hours and keeps it at bay, thanks to the Volcanic Perlite Minerals. Post 5-6 hours, you notice a bit of shine but not too much, just a touch up with this and you are again sorted for few hours.
It is not very powdery or not too drying, but it is not creamy either. If you have dry patches on your face and you use this compact without using a moisturiser, then it will cling to the dry patches. But in a hour or two, it won’t feel dry coz it balances with the skin’s natural oils.
The price point of Rs.399/- is amazing!! Absolutely happy with L’Oreal Paris to keep the price low, it is one of their rare 2-3 products that are priced below Rs.500/- 😀
And coming to the shades, I have Golden Ivory and Nude Honey. Golden Ivory is slightly light for me and Nude Honey is slightly dark. But these powders oxidize a little bit during the day and hence Golden Ivory settles to match my skin.
Here are the swatches..
L- Golden Ivory, R- Nude Honey
I am wearing Golden Ivory here.
Wearing Golden Ivory
Overall, I am very happy with these compact powders. They have everything you could ask for in a compact from coverage to staying powder to keeping oil at bay to sun protection to the perfect shades and price. Highly recommend them! And they would work for all skin types.
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 4/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5
Have you tried the new L’Oreal Paris Mat Magique All In One Transforming Powders?
A monthly favourites video, I have way too many favourites this time and also I realised I went on and on, I had to edit a lot of stuff coz the original video was about 25 minutes :/
Here is the video:
List of products:
The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Scrub & Body Butter (Review HERE)
Bioderma Photoderm Max Mineral Compact SPF50+ (Review HERE)
Lakme Absolute Face Stylist Compact – Rs.1000
Bioderma Sebium Purifying Foaming Cleansing Gel – Rs.1350
Za Total Hydration Amino Mineral Gel (Review HERE)
Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner– Rs.83 for 80ml, Rs.91 for 80ml respectively
Revlon recently launched their Nearly Naked Makeup range in Mumbai last month where got to see the products and try them first hand and also we learnt a few things about the ingredients, etc and the celebrity Makeup Artist Bianca Harkopf told us more about the foundation and how she uses it. I have been using the foundation and powder since some time and here are my two cents on it.
Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup
What the Company claims: The ultimate lightweight makeup! Formulated with weightless pigments, this refreshingly light formula melts right in creating a fresh, even complexion. Works in harmony with your skin to cover flaws and perfect tone and texture.
Key features:
Naturally flawless complexion
Creates a fresh, even look and covers flaws
Blends seamlessly with buildable coverage for a natural finish
SPF20
Has green tea, black tea, oatmeal and jojoba oil
MRP: Rs.750/- for 30ml
Shades Available: 3
Shell- For light skin tones
Fresh Beige- For medium skin tones
True Beige- For darker skin tones
I have also recorded a video talking about both the Foundation and Powder and also has a demo.
Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup i.e. the Liquid Foundation comes in a square glass bottle packaging with a white cap, and unfortunately, without a pump. So one has to dispense the product directly from the bottle and it gets very messy and unhygienic and also leads to wastage of product. The glass bottle is also not travel friendly.
It is neither too thick nor too runny and blends easily on the skin. It gives a dewy finish and coverage wise it gives light to medium coverage. As the range goes ‘Nearly Naked’, it is true to its name and gives a nice, even , dewy skin and lets the skin breathe without clogging the pores but yet smoothens out the pores. It is ‘My Skin But Better’ kind of finish.
It stays for about 7-8 hours easily but I need to powder the T-zone and oily skin will need 1-2 touch ups with powder through the day. I love dewy finish and usually skip powders, so I absolutely love the finish of this. If you have heavy dark circles or acne scars, you will need to cover those with a separate concealer.
I have the shades Shell and Fresh Beige here. Fresh Beige is a good match for me.
L: Shell, R: Fresh Beige
I have used only the foundation here in this Before – After pic
Before – After
It has SPF 20, which is an added benefit if you are indoors or forgot using your sunscreen, though SPF 20 is not enough and does not replace your sunscreen. Even though this foundation has SPF, it photographs really well and does not give a whitish cast in pictures. Also it does not oxidize much, but does adjust to your skin tone in some time.
I even skipped the moisturizer and my skin did not feel dry at all, it is quite hydrating. It would work for all skin types with a little touch up for oily skin. Overall, it is perfect for everyday use for light to medium coverage. It is priced very economically and would last quite some time.
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 4/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5
Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder
What the Company claims: Makeup so refreshingly light it melts right in, creating a fresh, even look. Our pressed powder blends so seamlessly with such a lightweight feel, you may forget you’re wearing any makeup at all.
• Evens skin tone
• Non-cakey formula provides a shine-free finish
• Available in 3 shades for varying skin tones
MRP: Rs.725/- for 8g
Shades Available: 3
Fair
Medium
Medium Deep
Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder comes in a long, rectangular white packaging. It has a see through round plastic on top where one can see the powder which will not be a very pretty sight once it is half used :/ It has a small rectangular mirror on one side and a tiny rectangular puff on the powder side.
I am not very happy with the packaging, not at all travel friendly and the tiny puff is impossible to use on the entire face unless you spend a lot of time. The classic, round packaging would have still been better!
L- R: Fair, Medium Deep
The texture of this powder is what compensates the packaging. It is soft as butter and super creamy, it does not feel like a powder at all. You will not even get the usual stray powder when you dip a brush in it as it on the creamier side unlike other dry powders.
The coverage is quite light but it does even out the skin tone and mattify the skin. It also smoothens the pores and gives the face a polished look, which is seen in very few powders. My Inglot AMC Pressed Powder was one such creamy powder.
L: Medium Deep, R: Fair
I prefer using a brush as it takes forever with this tiny sponge. I have the shades Fair and Medium Deep. I thought Medium would be a better match for me and Fair will be very light. But since the coverage is not very high, Fair did work well and it did not look very light. I am going to try using the Medium Deep for contouring, would let you know how it works.
At Rs.725/-, this one is priced slightly higher but the quantity and quality is quite good. I would have definitely preferred better packaging though.
Overall I would say if you are looking for a daily use pressed powder but which is not drying and gives a nice, creamy finish and evens out the skin tone or something to set your makeup, you should check the Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder.
To sum it up, I am very happy with both the Foundation and the Powder, only not happy with the packaging and less number of shades. I would say go and try it out at the store and find your perfect match. If you are medium skin toned, then both the Powder and Foundation in Medium & Fresh Beige respectively would work for you.
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
What do you think about the Revlon Nearly Naked Range?
