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.  

Concealer Reviews.

Hey guys! In our last post we wrote about concealers and how you can use it to conceal all your blemishes. However, picking the right concealer may get difficult as there are various brands with different concealers having diverse claims. Don't worry, we are here to help you find some of the best concealers available. Keep reading to know more.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer retails at Rs.500 for 6.8ml. It is a liquid concealer with a creamy texture, which can be used to conceal blemishes and highlight the high points of one’s face. It does not need regular touch ups but needs to be set with powder to avoid creases and transferring. It may be a little difficult to find the right shade as it has only 3 shades in the Indian market. However, if you have the wrong shade you can always use it for some other purpose. Light concealers can be used for highlighting and dark ones for contouring.  This is a really good option for people with bad dark circles. It is packed in a long plastic tube with a long applicator, making the application very easy.   
 

L’Oreal True Match Concealer retails at Rs.950 for 02oz.* It is available in 3 shades in the Indian market which may give you a limited choice. It is more liquid-y in texture and easy to blend compared to the Maybelline Fit Me. It does tend to wear off and crease after about 4 hours and thus must be set with powder for best results. This covers up blemishes well but does not highlight the high points of one’s face. It comes in a cylindrical plastic tube with a short applicator.

SEPHORA SMOOTHING&BRIGHTENING Concealer retails at Rs.950 for 12ml. This is a good concealer for a beginner since it provides sheer coverage, making blemishes less prominent while still providing a natural look. This works well as a highlighter by a providing one with a natural glow. It does not crease too much since it has a light texture and may or may not need to be set with powder. It comes in the shape of a pen with a brush as its nib. As you twist the pen, the product comes out through the brush with which it can be applied. The brush applicator helps to spread the product evenly. A reasonable alternative for this concealer is Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer which retails at Rs.500 for 1.5ml.  

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind retails at Rs.800 for 20ml. This comes in a plastic tube with a round sponge on top of it. Once you twist the knob, the  product comes through the sponge. Cleaning the sponge is not possible which gets me a little worried about the hygiene. However, this is the best concealer I have tried till date. I can totally skip the colour correcting under my eyes. It conceals blemishes really well and stays for long hours. It is also a good highlighting concealer. It is available on various websites and instagram stores. If you have bad dark circles and are in search of a good concealer, I highly recommend this concealer.

NYX HD Concealer retails at Rs.400 for 3g. I have the shade  CW12 which is a colour correcting concealer. It is a dupe for the NARS radiant creamy concealer. It has a creamy texture and blends easily. A small amount is sufficient to hide acne scars and blemishes. It comes in a glass tube with a long wand. It is light weight and affordable. This concealer may not be available in India right now but NYX is coming to India very soon! Stay tuned to our blog to know more about it.

   

We hope this post helps you finalise your buy. We will be back with a new post soon.

Concealers 101.

The foundation sets the base for rest of your makeup, but does not highlight your features or conceal any blemishes. It is the concealer that does this trick. To know more about concealers, keep reading.

What is a Concealer?

 A concealer is that product which helps to conceal your dark circles, spots and blemishes. It can also be used highlight the high points of your face and add a glow to your base. It is applied after the foundation and is followed by powder.

Types of Concealer:

Liquid Concealer is the most common kind of concealer used as it is easy to apply and blend. This helps you hide your dark circles and blemishes easily.

Stick Concealer is in the form of a crayon and may need to be sharpened from time to time. These are not very easy to blend but still do its work. This works best on spots, acne marks or blemishes.

Colour Correcting Concealer is a type of concealer that uses the properties of colour correctors to conceal discolouration. It is available in various colours like salmon, green, lavender and yellow. Each colour is used to get rid of a certain kind of discolouration. These are mostly available in cream or liquid form.

Picking the right concealer:

Picking the right shade of concealer is very important. Your concealer should be one or two shades lighter than your foundation. You must avoid picking a shade that's too light as it may highlight your problem areas and may end up looking like white patches on your face. Before making your final choice have a look and test out the various options available. While testing a concealer, apply a small amount of the product on your wrist, blend it out and see if it covers up your veins. Once you find a shade that conceals and brightens your face while not being too light for the rest of your face, you have a winner.

How to apply concealer?

Applying any kind of concealer involves the same steps. Once you have applied your foundation you are ready to conceal. To cover up your dark circles you can start by making an inverted triangle under your eye. Starting from the inner corner, dragging it down and then extending it above your check bone. After making your outline, fill it up with the product but do not put too much or it may look caked up.

The next step it blending your concealer, this can be done using a buffing brush or a damp beauty bender. Remember to use dabbing motions in order to prevent your concealer from shifting. This step may take a while but it is important.

Once you have covered your dark circles you can use the concealer to cover any spots or acne marks. You may use a shade lighter shade for your dark circles, but to conceal marks and spots, use a shade that matches your foundation. Spot concealing can be done by taking some product on the brush and then applying it directly on the mark. Once you blend it, your good to go. This can be done with the stick concealer as well.

 Since the concealer used on your dark circles is one or two shades lighter than the foundation, it can be used to highlight your cheek bones, cupids bow, chin, brow bone and fore head. 

Once you have concealed all areas, it needs to be set with some powder. You need to take some powder on a powder brush and dab it on the concealed areas. This will help to set the concealer and prevent any kinds of creases and cracks.

With colour corrector and foundation, Application of concealer, With colour corrector, foundation and concealer.

With foundation,  Application of concealer, With foundation and concealer.

Photography by Shivam Bhatt and Ananya Khatri.

 

 We hope you found this post helpful. We will be back with a new post next week. 

 

Foundation Reviews

Every brand in the market has multiple foundations with different claims. Selecting a foundation can get a little confusing especially for beginners. So we have we have compiled reviews of 5 foundations that may help narrow down your next foundation purchase.

Remember: This is not a top 5 foundation list.These are just products we have personally used and feel it can meet different needs in terms of coverage, longevity and skin type.

•  Maybelline’s Fit Me Foundation Matte and Poreless : which retails at Rs.525 for 30ml. It is one of our favourite foundations for normal to dry skin. It has medium coverage but can be easily built up to full coverage. It has a range of shades which are available in stores and online as well. This foundation does live up to its claims of giving a matte finish while matching natural tones and still gives a seamless finish. The foundation has a very runny texture and needs to be set by powder. It lasts for a good 5 hours without a touch up and if set with powder, the oxidisation is negligible. It does not make the skin oily and photographs well. The only complain from this product, is the packaging. It comes in a glass bottle like most foundations, but does not have a pump. After the first use itself, the product is all over the cap and if not shut well, it may spill easily.
• You can buy it here-

• L’Oreal Paris True Match Foundation- retailed at Rs.1025 for 30ml.The claims and texture of the product is similar to Maybelline’s Fit Me foundation. It also has SPF 17. It it not very thick in nature making it easy to blend. It has an amazing shade range available in stores and online. It provides medium coverage which makes the skin look healthier ,just like any other foundation. However once the foundation is taken off it gives no additional benefits to the skin, like it claims to. It looks fresh for 3-4 hours after which it does tend to oxide slightly and must be set with settling powder. It comes in a glass bottle with a pump making the application easy.
• You can buy it here - 

• Lakmé 9 to 5 weightless mousse foundation- retailed at Rs.575 for 29ml. It has a thick texture and consistency providing a matte finish. It comes only in 4 shades, all having yellow undertones. Like it claims, it provides coverage for daily use, blends effortlessly and is still weightless. This is definitely the most lightweight or weightless foundation we have come across. Even the most lightweight BB creams feel heavier than this foundation. However, it has low coverage and cannot conceal any blemishes. This can be your go to foundation if you are looking for a everyday natural look. This can be blended without a brush or makeup sponge and does not need to be set by powder. It lasts for a good 5-6 hours before it stars to oxidise. As for the packaging, it comes in a plastic tube with a nozzle, making it travel friendly.
• You can buy it here-

• L’Oreal Paris Infallible Foundation -retailed at Rs.1325 for 30ml. Its consistency is thicker than most liquid foundations and may feel a bit heavy on the skin. It has a range of shades available in the market and online as well. It comes with SPF 18 , with almost no oxidation and  photographs well too. It claims to last for 24 hours, cover all imperfections with no transfer and dry outs. It is easy to blend, has high coverage and lasts long if not for 24 hours. If not set with powder, it does transfer. It is perfect for all skin types as it prevents the skin from getting oily or dry. It may be a pinch on your pocket but it is really good for special occasions. It is packed in a glass bottle and is not messy as it comes with a pump.
• You can buy it here -

• Za Perfect Fit Liquid Foundation- retailed at Rs.700 for 30ml. The foundation has a water based formula with  SPF 17 PA++. It is an extremely lightweight foundation which  provides sheer coverage lasting for 4 hours. It is a good option for daily wear since it makes  your skin look healthy. It has a limited range of shades with mostly pink undertones. It needs to be set with powder to prevent oxidisation. It is packed in a small plastic bottle with a nozzle, making it easy to carry. I believe this is a good alternative for  the Lakmé 9 to 5 foundation if you have predominant pink undertones or cannot find your shade in their range.

• You can buy it at http://www.nykaa.com/   or  http://www.flipkart.com/

We hope you found this post helpful. Let us know if you have any feedback or questions.We will be back with a new post next week.

Photography Credits:Shivam Bhatt.

Foundations 101.

Foundation is the most popular among the base make up products.That being said,we have realised a lot of people have misconceptions about foundations. They feel it makes them look “white” and unnatural. Add to that the hot humid weather of India, which makes people dread even the thought of having a layer of product all over their face. However with a simple understanding of foundations and the requirements of your skin, we can help you get rid of all your misconceptions.

What is foundation?

Foundation is a product that aims to provide an even toned coverage and make your skin look healthy. It may differ from high coverage to low coverage depending on the product and requirements of the skin. It is usually preceded by primer and colour corrector and is followed by concealer.

Types of Foundation:

Liquid foundation- The most common among all kinds as it suits all skin types. Liquid foundations may provide a matte or dewy finish. 

Stick foundation- It is a bit rare and is mostly used by professionals. This is not the best option for beginners since it is a little hard to blend. It should be avoided by people having dry skin.

Powder foundations- Another common type of foundation. Mostly used to set the liquid foundation and prevent it from slipping and transferring. It is a good option for people with oily skin since it helps with oil control.

Cream foundation- Also known as mousse foundation is not a popular choice. It works best for normal to dry Skin.

How to pick the correct shade of foundation?

In order to identify the correct shade of foundation for yourself, you first need to identify your undertones. If you have a warm toned skin, then you predominately have yellow undertones. If you have a cool toned skin, then you predominately  have pink undertones. It is highly unlikely for an individual to have only yellow or pink undertones. Most individuals are a combination of both. However whichever undertones dominates your skin is your primary undertone. Most Indians have yellow undertones. So while picking up your foundation, if the shade seems fine but it does not seem to match your complexion, you probably need to check for a product with different undertones.

Often while choosing a foundation, people swatch the foundation on their wrist. However there might be a slight difference in shade on your wrist and on your face. So, to get a more accurate match it is better to swatch the foundation on your jaw line.

Foundations also tend to oxidise which means they become a little darker a while after being applied. The oxidation depends on the product. Thus never pick up a foundation in a rush. Take your time.  Swatch various shades. Look at other products and then come back and decide which shade works the best for you.

How to apply foundation?

Once the primer has settled into your pores, you can begin with the application of the foundation. The application depends on the texture of the foundation and the coverage you are looking for. If you are not looking for full coverage, just take a small amount of foundation on the back of your palm, dot it all over your face and neck with your fingers and blend it with a buffer brush or make up sponge. However if you are looking for higher coverage, use a foundation brush instead of your fingers. This is the general method of application for liquid and cream foundations.

The application for powder foundations is comparatively simpler. All you need to do is dab a powder brush into the product (You can remove the excess product) and then just simply swirl the brush all over your face in downward strokes. 

To avoid a patchy look remember to put some foundation on your neck as well.

Alternatives for Foundation:

BB Cream( Blemish Balm or  Beauty Balm) - It is a tinted moisturiser with anti aging properties  providing a limited coverage. It can be used as a primer, to conceal blemishes and to brighten one’s skin. This is definitely a better option during those breakout days, giving you a glow without applying too much.

CC cream (colour correcting or complexion correcting cream)-  It is similar to a BB cream but differs in coverage and texture. It has a higher coverage with a thicker texture compared to a BB cream.

We hope you found this post helpful. Let us know if you have any feedback or questions.We will be back with a new post next week.

Photography Credits: Shivam Bhatt.

Colour Correcting 101.

Sometimes even a good concealer can't help you get rid of discolouration on your face. Through layers of built up concealer, you can see acne scars or grey dark circle peeping. That is when you need some colour correcting. 

What is colour correcting?

Colour Correcting is rectifying any discolouration on your face due to pigmentation, dark circles or acne scars. It is applied after primer and is followed by foundation. It counteracts the discolouration and helps you get flawless skin

Make Up Forever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette retails for Rs.3500.

How to pick the right colour?

Colour correcting is based on the colour wheel. Firstly, you need to identify the areas of discolouration or dark patches on your face. After that you need to find the opposite shade of the discolouration according to the colour wheel. 

That is the colour you need to use to get rid of that particular discolouration.

Example:

Blue is corrected by Orange.

Types of Colour Correctors:

Peach colour corrector: corrects dark Circles, pigmentation and acne scars for people with a light skin tone.

Salmon colour corrector: corrects dark Circles, pigmentation and acne scars for people with a dark skin tone.

Green colour correctors: covers redness, blemishes and acne scars.

Lavender colour correctors: brighten the skin and get rid of pale yellow skin.

Yellow: corrects purple under eyes circles, blue bruises and veins.

How to apply colour correctors?

Once your primer has settled in, you are good to go. Applying the colour corrector with your fingers may seem a little messy but is surely a better option. When you apply it with a brush, it may get layered and difficult to blend. Thin layers work best, but if you feel the need for some more product, build it up little by little. The next step is applying your foundation. Applying the foundation using a beauty blender or makeup sponge is the best choice as a brush could move or remove the colour corrector. We definitely don't want that right? 

Is it the same for everyone?

Just like each one of us is different, so is our skin. The intensity of under eye bags, spots or acne marks differ from person to person . Not everyone needs colour correcting. But if you do, you must  understand your skin tone, its requirements and accordingly pick the colour corrector. Use only what your skin needs and get closer to achieving that perfect base.



We hope you found this post helpful. Comment below and leave us your feedback. We'll be back with a new post next week.
 

Foundation only(left), Foundation with colour corrector(right)

Foundation only(left), Foundation with colour corrector(right)

Photography by Shivam Bhatt.