Powder Reviews.

 

Hey guys, in last weeks post we spoke about powders and how much Compact Matters.  So we thought of reviewing some of the compacts we have used, pressed powders and loose powders. We will be covering some powders in today's post and few in the next one. We hope this review helps you make your final pick.

 

 

 

Maybelline Clear Glow Pressed Powder retails for Rs.275 . It is available in 5 shades out of which one is a translucent pressed powder. It comes along with a mirror and a makeup sponge. It is a lightweight compact that could even fit into a tiny clutch. It comes with SPF 26 PA++ which is an added bonus. However it claims to instantly make your fair and control shine, which is not true. If used with a foundation or BB cream, it makes your skin look healthier but does not provide "instant fairness". Like any pressed powder, immediately post application it controls shine but in order to control the shine throughout you have to touch it up every few hours. Over all, it is a travel and pocket friendly pressed powder.


L'Oreal Paris Mat Magique All-In-One Pressed Powder retails at Rs.399.  It Is available in 5 shades. It has a mirror and come along with a sponge. It has a transparent cover with a pink rim, letting you see the shade. It is not very light, but small and easy to carry. It has SPF 34 PA+++ that protects your skin and  keeps your makeup intact and fresh for 5-6 hours, not for 12 hours like it claims to. This is one of the best pressed powders I have used. This definitely gives you a matte finish and absorbs all excess oils. This keeps you makeup in tact and is a good options for special functions or outings. It makes your skin look healthier and gives an instant glow. I apply this with a powder brush, which keeps it light and does not cake up your face. The only thing I don't like is the fact that the mirror is below the compact, thus making you lift the compact layer every time you want to see the mirror. This is definitely something I love and will repurchase.


Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder retails for Rs.475 . It is available in 5 shades. It comes along with a mirror and a make up sponge. Even though the packing is nothing fancy, the quality of the sponge and the box is good and sturdy. If you have been reading Compact Matters for a while, you would know that we totally love the Fit Me foundation and concealer. However, comparatively this product is a little bit of a disappointment. It does a good job keeping your foundation in place but has to be touched up every few hours and for this price, I would expect a little more from Maybelline. I do not mind using this product but I dont think I will re-purchase it.


NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder retails at Rs. 825.  It is a white powder that can be used for all shades and contains 100% pure mineral silica which helps with oil control on the face. It comes in a small plastic box with small holes between the container and the lid to prevent dispensing off too much product. It is available in 3 shades, translucent, mint green and banana. It is really good for setting your makeup specially ender the eye. It lasts pretty long, sets your makeup well and does not need touch ups. This does a good job but I won't buy it again as it is a pinch on the pocket and has a strong chemical like smell.

 

 

 

That is all for this week. We will be back with another post next week. If you have any suggestions or requests, leave a comment below. For regular updates, follow our Facebook page on www.facebook.com/compactmatters.

Powders 101.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well. We are back with our Make up Basics 101 series. In today's post we will be talking about a step after applying your foundation and concealer, Powders. Powders, more commonly known as compacts, is a product that most women own. It is a common misconception that foundation is too heavy on the face for Indian weather and thus most women resort to getting a compact instead. If you are interested in knowing more about compacts, keep reading.

What are powders?
After applying our base, we definitely want it to stay for a long time and not melt in the heat. Setting it with powder is the key to this problem. The powder sets our base and also gives a matte finish.

Types of powders

The two main types of powders are pressed powder and loose powder. Both aim to do the same thing but differ in some ways.


Press powders are packed in small round cases along with a mirror and puff pad. They are easy to carry and not messy at all. However the puff pad on regular use will get dirty and cleaning it is a task. You can use it but a better option would be a kabuki brush or a big powder  brush. The puffy brush picks the right amount and lightly displaces it across your face. The brush is more preferable since it does not displace or rub your base makeup. All you need to do is take the brush with some powder are lightly brush it across the areas to want to set.

L'OREAL PARIS Mat Magique retails for Rs.399 and H&M kabuki brush.

Loose powder is packed in round plastic cases. These are light but really messy, so carrying it in your handbag may not be the bet option.  Loose powder cases generally have a thin plastic layer in the middle with holes, which lets you take the right amount of powder.  There are very few brands which give a puff pad along with it. But there's nothing to worry about since the powder brush is your best friend in this case.Loose powder consists of small particles with a light consistency and the powder brush easily applies it on your face. It is easy to blend and also has less chances of looking caked up.Loose powder, along with setting the base makeup,can also be used for baking.

NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder retails for Rs.825 and PAC Powder Brush 282

Types of Loose Powders

 The translucent powder works great on all when blended well. It sets your makeup and disappears into your skin without looking too much.

Tinted powders give slight coverage and are a good option for everyday use. It gives colour to your face and if applied again and again can look caked up.
So tinted may be a good option for everyday day use it to add some colour along with your primer but if you are looking for something to just set your base, translucent powder is your answer.


How to apply it?
Applying any kind of powder involve the same steps. You start by dabbing your brush or puff into the powder, tap off the extra and then gently brush it across your face. Remember to set the areas you concealed as you want your concealer to stay for a long time. Also do not apply too many layers as your face may look white and caked up.After setting your base you are good to continue with your blush and bronzer.


If you need to touch up your compact, carry your compact along with a kabuki brush. They are not messy and will easily fit into your bag.

That's all for this post, we will be back with a new post soon. 

Photography Credits- Shivam Bhatt.  

The Body Shop Tea Tree Product Reviews.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well. In today's post, we will be reviewing products from The Body Shop's Tea Tree Range. Tea Tree products are best for people with blemished skin or people who have break outs often. We have been using some of these products for years now and thought of sharing our views specially since The Body Shop has a sale on their website till the 14th of July. We hope this post helps you.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Cleaning Facial Wash retails for Rs. 695 for 250 ml. This is definitely one of my favourite face washes. It is a gel based face wash, suitable for everyday use which helps control oil and prevents any blemishes and breakouts. It washes off all the dirt and oils and leaves your skin feeling clean, cool and refreshed. It makes your skin feel healthy and prevents blemishes and pimples. This is a really good buy and something we both love and recommend.

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Night Lotion is priced at Rs. 995 for 30 ml. This lotion is mainly for blemish damaged skin and aims to work on those areas. It has a pump which makes the application  easy and clean. One pump is enough for your entire face. The lotion is light, fresh and non greasy. I don't have a lot of blemishes on my face so this did not help me a lot. However it helped repair the few problem areas and prevents any additional breakouts and blemishes. The lotion stings a bit but makes your skin feel hydrated and fresh.  

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner retails for Rs.795 for 250ml.Though a little heavy on the pocket, this is one of my favourite toners of all time. A few drops of this on a cotton swab is good enough for your entire face after which you must wash your face with water. It thoroughly cleanses your pores and prevents your skin from getting oily. It helps to dry up acne and reduces break outs.

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser retails for Rs.950 for 30ml. It is essentially a pore reducing primer. Like most products in the range, it also mattifies your skin. This is the primer I reach for when I am having a breakout and have to do a full coverage look. If your skin is not dry, you can use this instead of a moisturiser. You can also apply this product all by itself just to tighten your pores and mattify your face. You need only 3 dots of product for your face and you can massage it into your skin gently. Unlike most primers, it makes your skin feel healthy and fresh. 

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask retails Rs.1095 for 100ml. After cleaning your face with a face wash, you need to put a thick layer of the product onto your face and leave it for 15 minutes. You can apply the product with a brush or your fingers. It dries up after 15 minutes and then you can wash it off. This product absorbs all impurities from your face thereby reducing breakouts. I like applying a small amount of it on a new/fresh pimple as it soaks in all the impurities and the pimple dries out within no time

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub retails for Rs.995 for 100ml. It is a gentle scrub with natural exfoliators. You can gently massage the product on a wet face which will help unclog pores and get rid of impurities and dead cells. Unlike most scrubs, you can use this twice a day.

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Targeted Gel retails for Rs.895 for 2.5ml. This product is my go to product when I am on the go and am having a severe break out. It comes in a small plastic tube with a wand, that comes handy during application. This helps contain the break out until you have the opportunity to cleanse, scrub and tone your skin. This product never leaves my handbag since it really helps dealing with unexpected breakouts.

That's all for this post, we will be back with a new post soon. 

Photography Credits- Shivam Bhatt.  

Image not available Photos not available for this variation

Beauty Formulas - Charcoal Face wash and Mask review.

Hey guys, hope you all are fine. We have got such an amazing response to the blog and are really thankful for your support.

 Now coming back to today's post, I will be reviewing two charcoal products from the brand Beauty Formulas. So charcoal products have been the new sensation and have been talked about by people all over. I wanted to know what the fuss was about and was looking for a good charcoal product in India. Honestly I had not heard of this brand and came across the product in Mangalore in May. However I later found it on amazon.in and saw the different kinds of products they have. Out of the many products they have, today I will be reviewing the Detox Cleanser with activated Charcoal and  Clay Mask with activated Charcoal. 

 

 

DETOX CLEANSER with activated Charcoal retails at Rs. 250 for 150ml. I have used this product regularly for about Two months and it surely did not disappoint. It claims to remove impurities, excess oils, makeup and leave your skin feeling cleansed and refreshed. It does live up to its claims, as it washes off any dirt or oils on your face. It is really great for days when you have applied heavy makeup, as it washes away any makeup left on your skin. The product leaves you feeling fresh and adds a slight glow too. The face wash has a very runny consistency, is black in colour and does not have a strong smell. This is really good for oily skin and can be used for normal skin too. The quantity is really good and is packed in a big plastic tube. It is worth the money you pay and definitely something I recommend.  
 

 

 

You can buy it here-

CLAY MASK with activated Charcoal retails at Rs. 230 for 100ml. This mask claims to absorb excess oils, draw out deep rooted dirt and cleanse the skin. This mask like the face wash washes off excess oils and gives you a clean and fresh face. I don't have sensitive skin but it still made my skin burn a bit. So, people with sensitive skin should be careful and try it on a small patch first. It is a thick grey coloured mask, which needs to be applied for about 10-15 minutes and then washed off. It is packed in a similar plastic tube but is smaller in size.
 

You can buy it here -

The mask and face wash are kind of similar, so if you don't want something for everyday use, you can just use the mask once a week. Both these products are really good and something I recommend.

That's all for this post, we will be back with a new post next week. Let us know if you have any feedback. You can also like and share our facebook page - www.facebook.com/compactmatters. 
We really appreciate the support.