REVIEW: Glossier Wowder + All Shades Swatched

So Glossier tried some sneakier marketing, and I don't know if it worked out the way they expected. Between the name of the product (which has been trademarked for the past year) and the brand's usual font on their "teaser" website, the internet immediately sussed out that "Wowder" was a Glossier product. But while the tactic may not have worked the way the brand expected, it did kick up a lot of interest. The day this product launched, for example, I noticed half a dozen posts on various forums asking if anybody was buying Wowder or had tested it. And on that day, after I'd woken up and settled in with my coffee, I did indeed buy it.

I bought all three shades using my store credit.

And the brush.

And I had them shipped to me via next day air.

I was intrigued by this product and very eager to try it, despite the fact that there's only ever been one powder I've loved on my like-the-deserts-miss-the-rain skin.

Hey, I admit to being a bitch about marketing ploys, but I've never claimed that I'm totally immune to them.

Since I've mentioned the brush twice and I'm not a brush expert by any means, let's just get it out of the way. It wasn't specially designed for Wowder; it was made in China and is a basic, dense powder brush with a "G" on the end, so it's likely a private label product the company liked. The bristles are synthetic and they're very soft. For comparison, I'd say that this brush is similar in shape to the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, but it's a little less dense, and it's not as fluffy or huge as most powder brushes. Basically, it's a perfectly decent brush that's worth it if you don't have a lot of brushes and you're purchasing the Wowder duo. However, if you have a powder brush you like? You probably don't need it.

Let's move on to the powder itself. Wowder is a loose powder that Glossier claims will give you "that glowy, real-skin finish, just without all the drawbacks of other powders." In other words, it'll be mattifying without being cakey or flat, smoothing without looking white in flash photos, and workable on both bare skin and over foundation. It's $22 for 0.25 ounces of product (or $35 for the powder and the brush) housed in a plastic container with a "trampoline mesh" insert and a screwtop lid.

Some people have complained about Wowder's packaging, saying it's not as "clean" or "elegant" as their other products. The jar may look like Benefit's cash poor, hipster cousin, but I don't think it's completely off-brand. Besides, the fact that Glossier sends you stickers to slap all over their products and never seems to use a model over the age of 30 suggests that they aren't striving for that grown up, sleek-and-chic image like NARS or Lancome.

That quarter of an ounce size has raised some eyebrows as well, and justifiably so--it's kind of tiny. When I compared the cost per ounce of Wowder to a slew of other loose powders, however, I noticed that it was middle of the road. Here they are, ranked from most expensive to cheapest:

Kevyn Aucoin Gossamer Loose Setting Powder, $72 for 0.11oz = $654.55/ounce
Makeup Forever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder, $36 for 0.29oz = $124.14/ounce
RMS Beauty Tinted Un-Powder, $34 for 0.32oz = $106.25/ounce
NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder, $37 for 0.35oz = $105.71/ounce
Besame Brightening Setting Face Powder, $22 for 0.21oz = $104.76/ounce
Koh Gen Do Natural Lighting Powder, $42 for 0.42oz = $100/ounce
CoverFX Perfecting Setting Powder, $35 for 0.35oz = $100/ounce
Glossier Wowder, $22 for 0.25oz = $88/ounce
Armani Micro-Fil Loose Powder, $45 for 0.53oz = $84.91/ounce
Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, $23 for 0.3oz = $76.67/ounce
Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder, $30 for 0.67oz = $44.78/ounce
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $38/ounce
Cinema Secrets Ultralucent Setting Powder, $22 for 0.67oz = $32.84/ounce
MAC Studio Finish Face Powder, $28 for 1.4oz = $20/ounce
L'Oreal Hydra Perfecte Powder, $8.97 for 0.5oz = $17.94/ounce
CoverGirl Translucent Professional Loose Powder, $5.85 for 0.7oz = $8.34/ounce
Coty Airspun Translucent Powder, $5.90 for 2.3oz = $2.60/ounce
Obviously, Coty Airspun is cheap as fuck, Laura Mercier Translucent is a better deal than people give it credit for, and Kevyn Aucoin Gossamer will rob you of your next iPhone. Taken as a whole, though, I don't think the price for Wowder is awful. A bit higher than it probably should be? Yes. Exorbitant and completely out of touch with average makeup costs? Eh, not really.

I'll also point out that the trampoline mesh does, in all fairness, keep you from losing too much powder every time you open the jar or swirl your brush. The one exception is when you open a brand new jar and peel off the sanitary sticker; two of my three Wowder jars blew out little spurts of powder as I peeled back that sticker. But overall, you shouldn't have too much powder waste.

Wowder was produced in three shades, and you're meant to select whatever color corresponds to your Perfecting Skin Tint or Stretch Concealer shade: Light/Medium, Dark/Deep, and Rich. Again, I purchased all three colors and used Light/Medium on my own fair skin. The other two shades were swatched up against some medium-to-deep foundation and concealer samples I've collected.

 For swatching purposes, I applied the tiniest bit of Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream to my arm to get the powder to stick and marked the swatch with some Milani Liquid Eyes eyeliner. As far as I can see, this did not impact the color accuracy of the swatches. I'm very fair, so please don't judge the depth of Dark/Deep and Rich by how dark they look on my arm; use the other shades as markers instead. In all of these swatches, the natural light photo is on top and the flash photo is on the bottom.

Light/Medium

From left to right: NARS Sheer Glow in Siberia; Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint in Sand; Colourpop No Filter Concealer in Fair 5; Glossier Wowder in Light/Medium; Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation in 001; Deciem The Ordinary Coverage Foundation in 1.0N; Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Warm.

Dark/Deep

From left to right: Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint in Medium; YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat in Cool Bisque; Glossier Wowder in Dark/Deep; Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Medium Light; Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation in 002 and 301.

Rich

From left to right: Milk Makeup Sunshine Skin Tint in Deep; Colourpop No Filter Concealer in Rich 75; Glossier Wowder in Rich; Koh Gen Do Moisture Foundation in 302 and 303; Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Dark Golden.

This is a fairly inclusive shade range. I do wish Rich was a hair deeper, but Jackie Aina (linked above) was able to use it as a sort of natural contour powder on her skin, so perhaps I'm being overly picky. I will say that all of the shades read very neutral to me, though the product is (as I will show in a moment) so sheer that I don't think it'll matter much.

Now the ingredients! Glossier has done their usual "IT'S REVOLUTIONARY!" marketing ploy by claiming that Wowder is "not a powder" and is "unlike any powder you've met before." (Which, if it's NOT a powder, how are you comparing it to powders you've used BEFORE? I'm being a pedant. I'll stop. Sorry.) The truth is that Wowder contains many of the usual loose powder suspects: mica, silica, and kaolin top the list, and titanium dioxide and several iron oxides pull up the rear. Yet again, I wish Glossier would stop pretending their products are fresh, top-of-the-line formulations and instead focus on how easy and no-fuss their range is for the average consumer.

The one ingredient that concerned me, personally, was kaolin, which can suck the moisture from my already parched skin. I've used this product for about a week and haven't had any problems with this drying out my face or making me itchy. Also, it doesn't contain any of my acne triggers, but keep an eye out for your problem ingredients.

Sorry about the fucked up eyebrows. I was testing out a new technique.

 To demonstrate Wowder's texture, I decided to do most of this post's photos on a no-foundation day. I used the Wowder brush to apply a dusting of Light/Medium to my forehead, nose, and chin. The above before-and-after pictures look almost identical, right? You have to click on the picture and expand it to see a difference, don't you?

Yeah, that's not shocking. While Wowder does manage to mattify and smooth the skin a bit, it's a very subtle effect. This is clearly what the company wanted, and I won't deny that I'm happy with how much my skin still looks like skin. But if you're expecting dramatic results, you're not going to get it with this powder. It's very much a Glossier product, designed to be super sheer and natural. Here's a macro shot of my skin with a layer of the powder on top so you can see how seamlessly it applied:

So yeah, it's pretty on bare skin. It also looked nice on top of my staple foundations, MAC Face & Body and Buxom Show Some Skin. Wowder sounds like a wonder product so far.

But I noticed some issues with this powder over other base products. Specifically, it seems to cake up a bit over foundations and concealers that are more matte or have thicker formulations.

In the picture above, I applied MAC Face & Body all over my face, then used my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer wherever necessary, which on this day included my chin. It's a bit tough to see, but take a peek at the section of skin I boxed in: that's Wowder clinging to, and getting flaky on, my NARS concealer. I also tested this on my mother's base products, and while Wowder looked lovely over her Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (sheer and dewy), it went weirdly ashen over the IT Cosmetics CC Cream (medium coverage and satin).

Another issue with Wowder is the staying power. It's comfortable and satin-y on the dry parts of my face for about 3-4 hours before disappearing, and it only keeps my oily nose matte for about 2 hours before I have to reapply or blot. It does layer beautifully, insofar as reapplying the powder over oil breakthrough gives you the same smooth, soft look, but let's be honest: how many people are going to carry around a loose powder for touch-ups? And even if you're like me and you keep blotting sheets in your purse, shouldn't you get more than 3 hours out of a mattifying product?

Figuring out what to rate this product was a struggle. I do really enjoy it for my skin type and the looks I usually do, and it's a nice finishing touch on my no foundation days. I can see me using up the whole jar. But giving it a high rating just didn't feel right. After mulling it over, I realized the issue: I wouldn't recommend this to a lot of other people. If you have combination or oily skin, I can't imagine Wowder beating out your other loose powders, and it may cake up over your other base products if your taste in formulas is different from mine. If you have dry skin and you want a matte powder, I'm more likely to suggest the Dolce & Gabbana powder foundation I love so much, since it gives a matte finish with more coverage, better staying power, and a consistently smooth texture.

In the end, Glossier has done worse. They've also done better. Wowder is a decent powder, but it certainly doesn't (are you ready for it?) wow me like I hoped it would.

RATING: 3 out of 5

Glossier products are available on their website.

REVIEW: Tonymoly Delight Cotton Pact

I've been enjoying Japanese and Korean beauty products since college, so I'm glad that they're becoming more popular among internet beauty aficionados. More popularity means better access to legitimate products, even in the misty, murky land of eBay. I've been purchasing my Korean beauty from a trustworthy seller, f21plus, for a few years now, and I recently decided to purchase the Tonymoly Delight Cotton Pact in shade #1 Cotton Clear.

Sorry about those cuticles. Eek.

This pact cost me $5.79 for 5 grams of product. Shipping was free, and it only took two weeks to reach me--very fast for overseas shipping!

As the 5 gram size suggests, this is a very small compact, but I wanted that for travel purposes. The packaging is made out of relatively sturdy plastic. There is a nice mirror in the lid--great for touch-ups--and a puff in the bottom. The puff is incredibly soft and of nice quality, though it can be a bit of a bitch to clean. The closure is good on this compact; it shuts tightly every time.

Cotton Clear is the translucent white shade; there is a second, light beige color called #2 Cotton Beige available as well. Please notice that I said this powder is translucent, not transparent: if you are darker than about NC/NW15, it may start to leave a white cast on your skin. I swiped some of the product on my brother's arms, which are about NC25-30 right now, and definitely noticed a strong gray cast. I'm so pale that this wasn't a problem for me, but it's definitely worth noting the limited shade range.

The feel of this powder is relatively creamy, though it doesn't feel quite as light and airy as high-end powders like my D&G. Many of these Korean blot powders contain talc or cornstarch to soak up moisture and give the product a soft feel. Tonymoly states that this powder contains white clay, but I wouldn't be surprised if talc was in the ingredients list as well. (My Korean is very rusty, so I can't really read the ingredients list.)

The Tonymoly Delight Cotton Pact works relatively well. The "before" picture shows my nose after about 3-4 hours of wearing makeup, with a definite oily sheen across my skin. The "after" picture was taken immediately after applying a small amount of product with the puff; it definitely soaks up the oil. This soft matte effect lasts for about 2 hours before I start to get shiny again. This is important to note: the Tonymoly Delight Cotton Pact is a blotting powder, not an oil control powder--it will soak up oil, but it will not prevent oil production. If you have very oily skin, this may not be the product for you.

While the powder makes pores a bit more obvious and appears a little dry in HD photos, it looks fine to the naked eye. So I skip this powder for high definition photography, but I keep in my briefcase for my 12-hour work days. You can blot with this powder several times throughout the day without trouble, though I prefer to use this powder in tandem with oil-blotting sheets.

I'm enjoying my Tonymoly Delight Cotton Pact, but I have to admit that it has limited applications. It only works on a small range of skintones, and it may look drying in photographs. If you're light skinned and you want a small, cheap blot powder to carry around in your bag, give this a try; otherwise, I'd give a different powder a time to...well, shine.

RATING: 3 out of 5

My Skin is Mad at Me

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I don't like summer. Every year, beauty magazines erupt with worshipful odes to the sultry season, farmers markets pop up on side streets, and festivals fill our schedules.

But you know what summer does to me? It eats my skin! Seriously. I'm very fair and am incredibly sensitive to heat and humidity, so I burn in two minutes and look like a beet in half that time. The air conditioning dries out my face. Walking from the bus stop to campus leaves me covered in a heat rash. I sweat like a stuck pig. Bugs, poisonous plants, and wayward children seem boundless. Yes, summer has some perks, like garden-fresh veggies and sleeveless shirts. But for the most part, I see summer as a stepping stone to fall.

Here's how I clean up my complexion when summer is at its cruelest. Fair warning: I look drunk in these pictures. #sorryboutit

First, I take stock of my skin. I have some small pimples on my chin and forehead, a patch of hives on the lower part of my cheek, and a little bit of everyday unevenness, like the sallow spots at the sides of my mouth. My skin also has a bit of an odd texture at this point--partially from the A/C dehydrating my face--so I need to use something as a primer.

I apply a thin layer of my Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Liquid SPF50 ($39, Sephora) all over my face. Normally I use a dryer sunscreen through my T-zone to prevent oil breakthrough, but because I'm dehydrated, I'm sticking with the Shiseido. Then I conceal my undereyes and my red spots with the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx01 ($48, Neiman Marcus). (NOTE: the Shiseido SPF50 lotion always has a white cast when freshly applied. I find that said white cast after a little while.)

Now it's time for some overall coverage! I like to use a thin layer of MAC Face & Body foundation ($27, MAC)--click here for my F&B application tips. Right now I'm using about 2 parts N1 to 1 part White; in the winter, I switch that ratio around. I like to let F&B sit on my face for a few seconds so it "melts in" to my skin and becomes less dewy.

For finishing touches, I dab on a small amount of highlighter, like MAC Strobe Cream ($10, MAC). To get a little more coverage and smooth everything out, I use a light dusting of Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Powder Foundation in #50 Ivory ($60, Sephora) through my t-zone.

And there you have it: how I save my skin from summer!


For the record, there are plenty of great drugstore products you could use to replace some of the more expensive items in this blogpost. The only reason why my base products are all mid/high-end is because they're the only brands that make stuff in my shade and/or produce a white corrector. If your shade is easier to find in the drugstore, definitely scope out your options!

The Foundation Master Tip Post

Foundation has been one of my main concerns for about 3 years now, especially since I no longer "tan" up to MAC NW15 and favor a more natural-looking product than I did in my youth. But I'm not the only person who has bases on the brain. Makeup forums are flooded with questions from posters with strong pink undertones, painful skin conditions, and the deepest ebony skintone who can never find their perfect foundation. Dense cover-ups like Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage have such a steep learning cover that endless tutorials on how to use them properly are written and recorded. People know exactly what they want from a foundation, but aren't sure how to walk up to a counter and eloquently request a medium-coverage, demi-matte liquid foundation with neutral shades, a high SPF rating, and no glitter or shimmer. But most of all, makeup lovers are always looking for new ways to apply their foundation and make it look unbearably beautiful.

So I decided to hit the books--literally--and flip through my countless beauty tomes to provide some expert tips and suggestions. I've also watched plenty of videos from makeup artists and nagged many a beauty blogger and forum poster to get their own quirky tricks-of-the-trade. Finally, I've added my own 2 cents here and there, drawing knowledge from my 10+ years of wearing makeup (and looking utterly cake-faced for most of that decade).

BEFORE WE GET IN TO IT...

I find that there are some products people always mix up or misunderstand: in skincare, exfoliant, cleanser, and makeup remover cause confusion, and in makeup, there's a lot of debate about foundation, concealer, BB/CC creams, and tinted moisturizers. As a general rule:

• Foundations are bases that you build on top of--think of the foundation of a house. They're primarily made to even out your skintone and cover minor flaws. Concealers do just that: conceal. Most are higher coverage than foundations and are used to cover up acne, scars, undereye circles, and major discoloration. Tinted moisturizers are essentially very sheer foundations; most contain some skincare benefits and sunscreen, but at the end of the day, they can't replace your regular skincare. BB and CC creams are like foundations with added skincare benefits if you're in Asia; in the western world, they're usually just tinted moisturizers with a snazzy marketing campaign.
• An exfoliant gets rid of dead skin cells so that your skin is smoother. It does not clean your skin or remove makeup. A cleanser cleans your skin and removes dirt, excess oil, and so forth; very few are designed to remove makeup. A makeup remover does just what you think it does: it breaks down makeup and gets it off of your face. Generally speaking, if you wear makeup, you'll need a makeup remover AND a cleanser, not just one or the other.
• If you're unsure about what an undertone is, ie, "cool," "olive," check out this great source for starters.

And as always: these are only suggestions. If there was one resounding makeup gospel, we wouldn't have slews of makeup artists and books espousing different opinions on how to pluck a brow or clean a face. Always do what works best for you!

FINDING A SHADE MATCH OR A FORMULA

1. "Where you test foundation is not on your face, but on the side of your neck...you want the foundation to be continuing from your neck" (Mary Greenwell). If you match to your face, you're most likely going to get the "floating head" look, where your face is several shades darker than the rest of you (Lisa Eldridge).

2. If you test foundation on your wrist, you're again testing it on a part of your body that is usually exposed to the sun and will more often than not be too dark to ensure an accurate match.

3. "Personally, I match to the chest. In Caucasians, the neck is often the lightest part of the body, and in some ethnicities, it tends to be the darkest part. Obviously, use common sense, but I've found the chest to be a better guideline for tone and depth" (mikmik90).

4. "NEVER buy a foundation from a store match." Take home a sample and try it out for a day or two, making sure you check it in different lights (natural, artificial, fluorescent) to see if it really matches you (HanSoloShotFirst).

5. Experiment with different application techniques or primers before you give up on a foundation (NanRX). For example: I hated MAC Face & Body when I applied it with a brush because it looked streaky and gross, and sponges just soaked all of the product right up, but when I apply it with my fingers, it looks PERFECT. Check this post for more of my MAC Face & Body tips!

6. "Just because you're fair doesn't mean you're cool-toned! A lot of super-fair people just grab the lightest shade in the range assuming it's right, but often that shade is a pink-toned one. Take the time to find out if you are cool or warm, and match your foundation appropriately" (rc630).

7. "If you ever have your makeup done in a cosmetics department or makeup store, take a mirror and go out into the daylight to see the truth. Often the lightest in makeup boutiques  are not neutral. Once you get home, you may look completely different." (Kevyn Aucoin, "Face Forward")

8. "The concept of texture applies not only to the look, but to the feel of makeup too. Typically (though not always), matte makeup products contain little if no oil. So products of this type are  well suited for those who tend toward oily skin. People with normal skin often favor water-based products with only a hint of added moisture. Those prone to excessive dryness lean toward oil-based cosmetics. But don't let the texture of your own skin keep you from experimenting with seemingly incompatible products." (Kevyn Aucoin, "Face Forward")

9. "To make sure you select the right color foundation, choose three shades that you think are about right and streak each one over your face and under your jaw line. Only one will completely disappear on your skin, and that is the color you should buy." (Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

10. "Do not use pink-based foundation to try to make yellow-toned skin look pinker, or vice versa. Instead, choose a foundation that matches your skin and let your color cosmetics do the work afterwards." (Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

11. "If your foundation formula is too oily, try adding a few drops of astringent. This will make the foundation a bit sheerer, but does cut down on the oiliness." (Kevyn Aucoin, "Making Faces")

12. "If, and when, you use foundation all over the face, be sure to blend into your jawline, and slightly onto the neck. Otherwise, you'll have a distinct line between the two, and it will make you look like you have a mask on." (Kevyn Aucoin, "Making Faces")

13. "As with anything in the cosmetics industry, it is important to take a step back and remove yourself from the marketing hype – i.e. THE BULLSHIT. As soon as you buy into the bullshit, you will be let down and you will have product issues.  Everyone needs to be realistic, and understand that not everything will work for you.  Heck, products may even make your skin worse" (BernB).

14. Don't be afraid to mix foundations to get different shades, textures or finishes, and levels of coverage (Lisa Eldridge).

PREPPING THE CANVAS

1. Your skin is an ever-changing organ, and unless you're some kind of magical unicorn, your diet is going to impact that organ. Drink plenty of water and try to eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. Also, be aware of how certain foods or nutrients impact your skin. I find that low-fat dairy products make my skin look more luminous and feel more moisturized and plump, but some people actually break out from dairy. Soy and refined sugars are also common acne triggers.

2. "You are not a peach; get that fuzz of of your face! Fresh shave = best foundation application ever" (HeavensDevil).

3. Almost every makeup artist, YouTube guru, and beauty lover will tell you that regular exfoliation is an absolute must for smooth foundation application. Just be sure to use a gentle product; abrasive scrubs like the St. Ives Apricot Scrub can do more harm to your skin than good, especially if you scrub them on with lots of pressure. AHAs and BHAs are good chemical exfoliants (ATSV); if you really want something physical, try an Asian konjac sponge.

4. By the same token, don't over-exfoliate. Very few people need to have dead skin cells scrubbed off every day, especially if you use a physical exfoliant or a potent chemical one. Twice a week is enough for most.

5. "Even oily skins need moisturizer, because a moisturizer helps seal water into the top layers to keep skin soft and supple. However, don't load the skin down with a very heavy formulation. Instead, choose a light, watery fluid, as this will be enough for you." ("The Ultimate Beauty Book," by Norton, Shapland, and Wadeson)

6. "If you're unsure of your skin's oily and dry areas, press a tissue to your face an hour after washing it. Any greasy patches on the tissue signify oily areas." ("The Ultimate Beauty Book," by Norton, Shapland, and Wadeson)

7. "If you have combination skin, take this tip from the beauty salons and use two [products]: one suitable for oily skin and one for dry skin. Just apply each one to the relevant area that needs it." ("The Ultimate Beauty Book," by Norton, Shapland, and Wadeson)

8. The skin around your eyes is especially thin and delicate. Do not pull or rub at this skin! If you're applying product around your eyes (concealer, eye cream, etc.), use very gentle patting and sweeping motions.

9. "Make sure you give moisturizer time to sink in before you start applying your makeup" ("The Ultimate Beauty Book," by Norton, Shapland, and Wadeson). Makeup spread over freshly-applied moisturizer or eye cream can slide around and crease. You may want to reverse this tip if you have very dry skin and/or are using a super-matte product, however, as the added moisture can make the foundation apply more smoothly.

10. "A lot of people apply [hydrating eye creams] very incorrectly...don't start [under your eyes] where the darkness is. The idea of an eye cream is that you're keeping the area that is very thin at the corners of the eyes hydrated. So when you start, you want to tap around [the outer corner of the eye] and move inward...start on the outer corners and go around that orbital area" (Josh Collier).

11. Mix 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel with 1 teaspoon of silica powder (both ingredients should be available at places like TKBTrading.com and CoastalScents.com). Store the mixture in a small tub with an airtight lid. Apply a small amount of this mixture to your face before applying your foundation to prevent oil breakthrough (andreajunelle, BernB, and rayvnna).

12. "It is important to remember, mineral foundation is just minerals and pigment.  It doesn’t have ingredients to control oil; it doesn’t have ingredients to make it long lasting.  You must incorporate other products to provide these benefits" (BernB).

13. You need to wash your brushes thoroughly and regularly, and powder puffs should be replaced every few months, to keep your face clean and your application flawless. I cannot understand people who never clean their brushes or replace their puffs--you wouldn't use the same fork to eat all of your food and never wash it, would you? For help on how to clean your brushes, check out this great video. The actual soap or cleanser you use to clean your brushes is personal preference, but I personally have always used the Dr. Bronner's bar soap or baby shampoo.

"NATURAL" APPLICATION TIPS, TRICKS, AND IDEAS

1. "By massaging in to the face, I'm going to get a beautiful finish...I never use brushes" (Mary Greenwell). Try rubbing and patting your foundation on with your hands. This tends to press the foundation in the skin and warm it up more quickly so it really "melts in."

2. I often get asked how I make my foundation look so "perfect but natural." The trick is...I use very little foundation. I'll usually just pour out a dime-sized amount of MAC Face and Body (a very sheer foundation) all over my face and the top of my neck, then I'll put a bit of powder on my oily areas and dot concealer on my undereyes and my zits. That's it. I'm not wearing a mask. Try applying half as much foundation as you normally do and see how that works for you. As per Kevyn Aucoin: "I prefer little or no foundation for everyday use. Too much foundation can give the face an artificial, heavy look." ("Making Faces")

3. "I have this sort of peeve with contour and highlight. A lot of people are obsessed with it lately...and I'll just be honest, I think it looks kind of silly outside of photoshoots because it's designed to make you look a certain way in a photograph. But when you're in a real life, having all of this brown around [the perimeters of your face]? A little bit of contour is fine, but c'mon!" (Dustin Hunter)

4. "Always work from the center of the face out" (purplecouch). For many people, the most discolored parts of the face are in the center (nose, chin, middle of forehead, apples of the cheeks), and the skin at the perimeters is often the cleanest and "prettiest" (temples, back of the cheeks, etc).

5. "If you are not a dab hand with foundation, applying liquid [products] with a damp sponge (make sure all the excess liquid is squeezed out first) is the best way to get even coverage. Fingertip application can result in a streaky finish if you are not extra careful." (Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

6. "Remember that it is always best to start with a little foundation and build up coverage slowly, rather than put on too much and have to remove it." (Barbara Daly quoted by Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

7. If you want to make your foundation more sheer, mix a little bit of that foundation in to your favorite moisturizer.

8. "Most foundations sit on top of the skin a minute or two before soaking in. This is at the root of my theory about why so many women are averse to foundation. It looks weird at first--you have to give it a minute!" (Molly Young)

9. Be careful about how many layers of product you're putting on different parts of your face. Too thick of a layer of makeup will look cakey and fake in daylight. For example: if you plan on using an undereye concealer, you probably don't need to apply foundation under your eyes.

"GLAMOUR" APPLICATION TIPS, TRICKS, AND IDEAS

1. Cream foundations are usually your best bet for very full-coverage. They also tend to photograph well.

2. Drag queens are a great source of inspiration and information when it comes to caking it on and looking good. Two important tips you can learn from a drag queen: let thick cream foundations and concealers sit on your face for a few minutes so that the heat of your skin will warm them up and make them easier to blend; this is called "cooking." If you do your base first, apply a thick layer of loose powder under your eyes; this will catch eyeshadow fallout (Manila Luzon). You can dust it away when you're done.

3. Too dry-skinned or worried about caking to do the drag queen powder trick? Just apply your eye makeup first. Clean up the fallout when you're done, then go on to your base.

4. "[Color correctors] work wonders to disguise uneven pigment, or to calm down the appearance of high coloration. Use them sparingly underneath your foundation, and you will be amazed at the results...green counteracts redness. Use on blotchy patches and also to disguise broken veins. Yellow can seem a godsend after a late night because it has an 'anti-fatigue' action that counteracts dark circles under the eyes. Lilac gives a welcome lift to sallow skin and helps to eradicate a dull complexion." (Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

5. "Concealer can be mixed with creme or liquid eyeshadows, creme blush, or lip colors to pale down or dilute the application." (Kevyn Aucoin, "Making Faces")

6. Many long-wearing and full-coverage products have a matte finish. If you want more glow, try spritzing your face with a finishing spray. These sprays add some glow to the skin and can cut down on how powdery or "flat" you look; as an added bonus, most of these sprays have ingredients that increase the longevity of your makeup. Skindinavia makes several formulations, and Makeup Forever Mist & Fix is great for a high-shine finish. Drag queens have been known to coat their faces in hairspray (not recommended) and theater makeup sealants (Mehron, Kryolan, etc).

7. If you want your skin to look extra-glowy and almost soft-focus in flash photography, try layering a luminizing lotion like MAC Strobe Cream under your foundation. 

8. Instead of applying your moisturizer/primer, then foundation, then powder, try rearranging the steps, especially if you have oily skin. "We've been told to powder after foundation, and this makes total sense. And it works. But what works really well is to powder before foundation. After moisturizer and primer, then you powder. Then you apply foundation over the powder! This will fill in pores [and] keep your foundation in place all day. If you have dry skin, you will not need to powder your foundation after. You can just leave it. For those with very oily skin, you will need a touch of powder on the t-zone only" (Wayne Goss). People with dryer skin may get a glowier, less cakey look if they apply a little moisturizer on top of their makeup (The "Pixiwoo" Sisters).

ACNE, AGING, AND OTHER CONCERNS

1. Having acne doesn't mean you need a full-coverage foundation. For most people, a very light base all over will work best; then you can conceal the spots with a stronger foundation or a concealer (Lisa Eldridge).

2. "As someone who has 'ruddy' skin, I would say never try to match the light undertones of the skin. If you slap that light color all over your face, people will ask if you are sick. Instead, look for a NEUTRAL color half way in depth between the base color and the red areas. This will prevent you from looking washed out" (LyrA236).

3. "Always apply [concealer] with a fine-tipped brush...and place it exactly on top of [blemishes], not on the surrounding skin. If there is not a concealer to match your foundation, opt for one a shade lighter. A concaler that is even one shade too dark will serve only to highlight an imminent eruption." (Maggie Hunt quoted by Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

4. "Older women often think that their foundation has changed because it doesn't suit them anymore. What they don't realize is that often it is their complexion that has changed, for example become paler, as they have aged. It is important not to get stuck in a foundation rut." (Stephen Glass quoted by Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

5. "Remember to slather any exposed areas of your body with sun protection at all times, even in midwinter. Sun exposure is the single most important factor in premature skin aging." (Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

6. "If you feel you can't use any products on your skin without irritating it, cleanse with whole milk and moisturize with a solution of glycerin and rosewater. These should soothe it." ("The Ultimate Beauty Book," by Norton, Shapland, and Wadeson)

7. "If you are unlucky enough to have genuinely sensitive skin, avoid products that contain known allergens such as fragrance, live plant extracts, or lanolin." (Juliet Cohen, "Vogue Makeup")

8. You can temporarily reduce a pimple's redness by holding an ice cube against the blemish, or by dotting on some anti-redness eye drops.

9. Sheets and pillowcases are getting a lot of press with regards to skincare. Two common tips: wash your sheets and pillowcases regularly to remove oils and dirt, thereby preventing acne and breakouts, and try using a silk pillowcase to prevent neck and face wrinkles.

REMOVING IT

1. If you use any sort of long-wearing product, you'll probably need an oil-based makeup remover to break down the product and get it off. Water, mild soaps, and basic cleansers are usually not strong enough to remove all of the product, and leftover product can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

2. Don't be rough on your skin, especially the delicate skin around your eyes. Just let the makeup remover soak on your face and break down the product, no need to rub (Lisa Eldridge).

3. Always wash your hands before you wash your face. You don't want to be rubbing dirt and oil all over your "cleansed" skin.

4. Avoid washing your face or showering in super-hot water. It can dry out your skin and cause broken capillaries. Go for warm water for makeup removal instead, then switch to cool or cold water for your final rinse to make your skin feel fresh and smooth.

5. STOP SLEEPING IN YOUR MAKEUP!!! Remove it and remove it COMPLETELY before you crawl in to bed.

6. "Wipes are not the same as cleansing. I meet so many clients in my line of work that tell me, 'Oh, you know, I'm breaking out from my foundation, I don't know why, I don't know what it is. I heard it was so good!' The first thing I always ask is not 'what foundation is it,' but 'how do you remove it'. And most of the time? 'Oh, I use a makeup wipe!' 'Okay, well, what do you cleanse with after?' 'I don't--isn't that the same thing?' It is NOT the same thing. [Makeup wipes are] not a cleanser, [they are] a makeup remover; those are two different philosophies of skincare, two different steps. You do NOT cleanse your face with a wipe, you remove your makeup with a wipe, and then you cleanse after." (Josh Collier)

7. Cetaphil's cleanser is commonly recommended for people with sensitive skin, but some complain that it leaves a film on their face or isn't effective. Here are some tips for making it work: "I've used Cetaphil on and off for over a year now, and I've found the best way to use it is to firstly ensure that your face and hands are dry. Squeeze a small amount of Cetaphil into the palm of your hand, then emulsify it by rubbing your hands together for a few seconds before applying it to your face. Massage this emulsion around your face for about a minute. Remove it with warm water and a soft wash cloth. Emulsifying it before application seems to help it cleanse my skin much better (it goes a lot creamier) and the use of a wash cloth not only helps to gently exfoliate my skin but also stops it leaving a film" (JoshuaP).

Sample Rundown #2

Another day, another stack of samples finished! And I was able to get a picture of me wearing all of these products at once except for the YSL Touche Eclat and one of the mascaras. Let's get to those first, eh?

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat in Shade #1, Luminous Radiance -- A cult favorite, a product so often tried and lauded that I'm surprised they ever handed out samples! The card actually had samples of 3 different shades; I cut them apart, gave the darker 2 away, and kept this lightest shade. This product is meant to be a luminizer and brightener, not a concealer, but I labeled this post as a "concealer"-containing post because...well, some gifted people with no undereye circles DO use Touche Eclat as their concealer. I tried it in the most-recommended places: along my jawline, down my nose, and right underneath my undereyes (over concealer). It was nice...but nothing to write home about. It just made my skin look a tiny bit shinier. I think you'd enjoy this product more if you're in to the whole "highlight and contour to reshape your face" deal, or if you wore heavier foundations than I do and needed to put radiance back in to your skin.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash mascara -- Straight off the bat, let me say that writing "Escentuals" always makes me twitch. Beyond that, this is a pretty nice product. The brush is covered in tiny rubberized bristles that comb through your lashes and prevent clumping. It's very black and provides plenty of length. There was hardly any flaking, which is as much as I can ask from a mascara (as 99% of them will, in my experience, flake at least a tad). Buxom Lash is relatively natural-looking on me. It's a very nice mascara, but I usually prefer very thickening, volumizing mascaras, and if I want something natural, there are more affordable drugstore options I prefer. Still, it's a good option for those who want a plush, lengthening formula.

Alright, now for the rest of the stuff, which is all on my face in these pictures. Expand for super-creepy-HD-macro-goodness!

Smashbox Full Exposure mascara -- Talk about a disappointment. This run-of-the-mill mascara tinted my lashes and did little else, even after applying coat after coat of the product. I've scanned a few other reviews, and some people are apparently blaming it on the brush, which is Ye Olde Fashioned Mascara Wand. I have to disagree: Prestige My Biggest Lashes and Jordana Best Lash Extreme have pretty much the same wand, and they are incredibly dramatic. No, the formula of this is just kinda...crap. Pass.

Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets All-In-One BB Cream in Shade #1, Clear -- Here's a tricky one. I've been so on the fence with this product that I've actually posted the above pictures on Makeup Alley to crowd source opinions on how it looked, and I'm still not 100% on whether or not I'd continue using this product. The actual product is a creamy, smooth liquid with a gag-inducing scent, and it looks simultaneously Pepto-Bismal Pink and Gray when first applied. It has light coverage and looks fine on my normal and oily areas, kinda dry on my dryer areas, and a bit too dark/pink. But after 15-20 minutes and a light dusting of powder through the t-zone, it looks...pretty much fine. Not too dark or too pink, not oily on my nose, smooth and lovely on my dry skin...hum. I don't think it's quite as fantastic as MAC F&B on my skin, but let's be honest: what is? I'm not buying a full-size for now because the price is ridiculous, there's no SPF (this is a BB cream, guys, WTF), and I'm not sure how I feel about it, but maybe I'll swap for a tube and give it further tests. Any thoughts, guys? Again, I'm wearing it in the pictures above with a bit of the Suqqu powder (described below), but no concealer.

Fyrinnae Lip Lustre in Ocelot -- I knew this color was too pastel and porn-ish as soon as I put it on (the natural+flash picture is the best representation of what it looks like IRL), but I gave it a test to see how I liked the formula. These lip lustres are essentially cream lipsticks: they aren't shiny like a lipgloss or transfer-proof like a long-wear lipstick, but they're opaque on the first swipe and have decent color payoff. You can kind of feel this on your lips, which doesn't bother me in the slightest, but those of you who are in to weightless lippies may want to pass. My biggest complaint with this product is that it accentuated dryness and fine lip lines, although applying a second coat softened that up a bit. I might try this formulation in a few more colors, but for now, I'm not impressed enough to rush out and order more.

Mai Couture Highlighter Paper -- I knew this was a gimmick when I added it to my Nordies cart months ago, but I figured it'd be fun. This sample pack contains 2 pieces of highlighting paper. One side is coated in shimmer, the other side is bare/matte...I'm probably stating the obvious here, but you're meant to hold the bare side and dab the shimmer side on to your face. I was afraid this would spit glitter everywhere when I opened it, but actually, the highlighter sticks to the paper like glue. Which, um, makes it kind of awkward to get it on your face. You kind of have to rub this piece of paper all over your cheeks, and because it IS paper, it gets crumpled and things apply unevenly. The shimmer is also...well, pretty obvious shimmer. I can't see too many people having a use for this product when there are much better highlighters on the market.

Suqqu Loose Powder in Natural -- Crap. Crap crap crap crap crap, I think I love this stuff. I avoid loose powders like the plague because they're messy and hard to travel with; when I dumped this tiny sample pot o' Suqque powder a kind MUAer had given me in to an empty MAC compact, powder fluffed up on to my desk. But holy squid on a stick, this powder is gooooorgeous! It's so finely-milled, a little goes a long way, and it feels beautiful on my skin. The oil control properties aren't the best, but I tend to think of this as more of a setting-and-bettering powder. It makes my skin look flawless. Everybody, start telling me that Suqqu is an evil company that promotes baby eating so I don't feel the need to get a full size of this! >_X

The BOGL 2014 Bases Collection

We've trucked through my cheek products and lipstick stash, so it's on to the foundations and concealers! While I've tried close to a hundred different bases (no exaggeration), these are the products that have stayed in my collection for an entire year or that will definitely see continued use throughout 2014.

Bear in mind that:

• I am a MAC N5 at my lightest, N15 at my darkest, and my undertones are neutral/cool yellow. This means you're going to see a lot of paler products.
• I've done reviews for several of these products (so use dem tags!), as well as breakdowns on how to use the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer and MAC Face & Body.
• I usually prefer a lighter coverage product. Some of these can be worked up to a higher coverage, and I've tested full-coverage foundations in the past, but you won't find much of that in my regular collection.
• I have combination-dry skin, meaning most of these are not going to be known for their oil control properties.
• The only reason my collection lacks drugstore products is because most DS brands do not make super-pale, neutral shades that work for my skin type.

And now the products!

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF30 in Level 1 (Fair/Light) -- Works for N10-15 skin, neutral beige undertone. This is exactly what the bottle says: a sheer-coverage foundation that stays matte, but not chalky, and provides some sun protection. The formula is incredibly smooth and creamy; despite having a matte finish, it never dries me out, and I can wear it comfortably in the winter (albeit sans powder). I recommend this product to anybody looking for a tinted moisturizer that will give you some coverage and won't turn you in to a giant greaseball.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly -- Works for N10-15 skin, cool yellow undertone. This is one of the palest and most cool-yellow concealers I've ever seen, which is what initially drew me to it. At first I thought this product was far too yellow for me, but it always photographed beautifully. I quickly realized I was smearing way too much on my undereyes; now, I wipe off the doe foot applicator, apply the tiniest dot, and blend it out with my fingers. I don't find that this product is particularly "radiant"--it sets to a satin-matte finish on my normal undereyes--but it also doesn't dry my skin out, which is a bonus. Definitely a great slap-it-on-and-go kind of concealer.

MAC Face & Body, 2 parts White to 1 part N1 -- Works for N5-10 skin, pink undertone; when I darken up, I use a 50/50 mix. Everybody and their mother knows that, despite the strong pink undertones, this is my absolute favorite foundation. It evens out my skintone, but never looks like makeup. I've actually brushed 5-6 layers of this stuff on somebody's face, and it still looked like real skin, and she said it felt weightless. I keep waffling on trying C2 for a more yellow undertone, since it appears to be quite a golden yellow...we'll see what the new year brings.

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment Primer in Fair SPF30 -- Works for N5-10 skin, cool yellow undertone. I absolutely hate the name of this damn thing because...well, ok, partially because I always mix the words up, but also because I think it's a bit misleading. Yes, you can use this product as a primer, and yes, it's definitely a tinted BB cream-esque product. But you can also use it as a base in and of itself. The coverage is quite sheer, so you'll need concealer for your undereyes or acne, but it otherwise does a good job of evening everything out. Fair warning: the texture is very silicone-y, which can be disconcerting for some.

MAC Pressed Blot Powder in Light -- Translucent and therefore usable on a wide range of skintones; I've seen it used from N10 to N20 skin. This is not the queen of blot powders--I know for a fact that there are products with better oil control properties, more natural ingredients, etc--but it works great for my skintype. Why? Because I can use it on my oil slick of a nose to matte everything up without it getting cakey, and I can dust it over the dryer parts of my face with no adverse effects. It's pressed (I can't handle loose powders), the packaging is sleek and convenient, and it's affordable, especially if you have a pro-card. I use this powder exclusively for touch-ups and oil blotting, as it doesn't really provide coverage or correction. Tip: if you need a new powder puff, just buy some of the CoverGirl ones; they fit perfectly in to this compact.

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx01 and Sx02 -- Sx01 works for N5-10 skin with a cool yellow undertone; Sx02 works for N10-15 skin with a neutral-pink undertone. I tend to use Sx01 for my face and Sx02 for my undereyes. These are the most densely pigmented base products I've ever used; as you can probably tell, I only have small samples in my collection because I swapped away the full jar. I was never going to use the whole thing, you need so little! These are my go-tos for long trips, since they can be mixed down to make a tinted moisturizer, used as a concealer, or carefully applied for fuller coverage.

Clinique Airbrush Concealer in Fair -- Works for NW10-20 skin, pink undertone. Hyped up by Lisa Eldridge and several YouTube stars, this concealer isn't my favorite because of how sheer it is. I mostly use it as an undereye corrector for other concealers, or as a "if it fell out of my makeup bag I wouldn't be completely devastated" kind of product. That's not to say that it's BAD, it's just that there are other products I greatly prefer. Still, it's a good makeup bag staple because of how quick and easy it is to apply, and because it's nigh on impossible to overdo it.

Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Powder Foundation -- Works for N5-10 skin, cool yellow undertone. This is the only powder foundation that's ever worked on my dry skin, and I have to admit that I love everything about it except for the price. Touted as a medium-to-full coverage matte product, I find it to be more of a light-to-medium-coverage satin finish powder, depending on how it's applied. I mostly use this as a setting powder over my foundation; it provides a little extra coverage and makes me look flawless, but not "made up."

REVIEW: Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Finish Powder Foundation

We all know that I'm a sucker for three things: bright lipsticks, liquid and cream highlighters, and any foundation that offers a shade conceivably lighter than MAC NW/NC15. This blog's reviews clearly demonstrate my preoccupation with finding base products that are super-pale, relatively neutral, and workable on dry-combination skin. And when these products don't work out for me--when they're pale enough but way too pink, or when they're a beautiful formulation that runs too dark, or when they're the perfect shade but they eat my skin alive--I go through some intense mood swings. It looks something like this:

It's pretty exhausting and more than a little immature, I must admit.

Dolce & Gabbana has been a beacon of hope for me. Granted, the Luminous Liquid Foundation did not work on my oily OR dry areas in the slightest, and the Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation was just a bit too much coverage and work for my tastes (but it's perfect in all other aspects, so if you're a medium-to-full coverage cream foundation kinda person, for serious, check it out). But I continue to flock to the brand because, despite the terrifying price and the formulation discord, they have a super-pale, neutral shade that works for N5-10 skin: #60 Classic.

I should probably make it clear, however, that I didn't buy the D&G Perfect Finish Powder Foundation in 60 Classic. I bought in 50 Ivory. It's not very hard to see why:

While the Classic shade is pretty much identical in the Luminous Liquid and Creamy formulations, it's darker and pinker in the powder formula. You can tell this just by looking at the photos on the website, or by reading reviews: most of the people who report wearing Classic in the powder foundation are NW15, not N5-10 like me. So I went with 50 Ivory, the more neutral-yellow and paler of the two, and I'm glad I did. I'd peg it at about N10, so too dark for me as a foundation when I'm at my lightest, but doable right now (when I'm "slightly tan," ha ha) or when I just want to use it as a sheer setting powder.

This is not a cheap product by any stretch of the imagination: you're paying $59 before taxes for 0.53 oz of product, roughly half the size of most foundations. This is a powder, though, not a liquid, and as far as powder foundations go, the D&G appears to be par for the course in terms of size. Still, definitely a luxury product.

D&G gets this, and their products are made to look beautiful. The compact is a simple but beautiful polished gold, and it comes in a soft black bag. While it's pretty--and probably useful for preventing scratches, which I'm sure this compact will get--that black bag is a major cat hair magnet. I had to lint roll it before I took this picture to avoid feelings of intense cat owner embarrassment. Animal lovers, you have been warned.

The compact has a nice weighty feel to it and comes with a mirror and a sponge. Apparently the sponge applies the product well, but I'm not big on sponges and powder products; they tend to put a bit too much powder on my dry skin, leaving my face looking cakey. It IS nice for touch-ups, though, since my nose can get shiny throughout the day, and if you're in the sponges? There ya go.

Now, there are several ways to apply this foundation. You can press it on with a damp sponge, you can buff it in with a moistened brush, you can buff it on dry with a kabuki, or you can dust it over your face with a bigger, softer brush for super-sheer coverage/setting. Again, I'm not big on sponges, and rubbing a dry product on to my face is just asking for trouble. So I tried it out two ways: as a stand-alone foundation, buffed in to the skin with a dampened brush, and as a setting powder over a liquid foundation.

I used a Real Techniques Expert Face brush and dampened it ever so slightly with a spray bottle full of filtered water. Then I dabbed the brush in to the powder and gently swept it on to my face, working in sections and re-dampening the brush. It wasn't exactly a speedy process--it took me about 5 minutes to do 2 layers--but it gave me nice results. As you can see, I ended up with a satin finish and medium coverage. This was a bit surprising, because the Perfect Finish Powder is touted as a full-coverage product in press releases and reviews, and I found it to be a light to buildable-medium coverage sort of thing. Bear in mind, though, that my idea of "full coverage" revolves around super-intense products like the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer and Kat von D Lock It foundation. To some people, this might be full coverage.

It photographed beautifully in natural light and flash photography. Sorry about the blurriness of the last picture, by the way; my camera's been a beyotch lately....

...and don't be fooled by this picture, either: the D&G definitely gives me a great effect, but it's not "Photoshop in a pan," despite what that first picture suggests. Again, camera's been a bit wonky, so some of this photos are a tad smeary.

ANYWAY, what you CAN see is how well it wears on me. I had some slight shine and wear after 4 or 5 hours, but nothing too dramatic, and it was easily blotted away. People with super-oily skin may find that this product isn't matte enough for them, or they may want to top it off with an additional mattifying powder. Dry skinned folks who like a little more glow will want to add some setting spray to the mix.

I would also like to note that some of my favorite bloggers and kinda-sorta-skintwins haven't had as much luck with this foundation. If you're dryer than I am, have a lot of problems with skin texture (roughness, flaking, etc), or need a foundation that's completely neutral, the D&G powder won't work for you. I'm more apt to recommend it to people with dry, normal, or slightly oily skin and very few textural issues.

The one issue I, personally, had with this product as a stand-alone foundation is that it can be a bit tricky to blend creams over top. I had zero problems with liquids (Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors and Beach Tints) or thinner creams (Yves Saint Laurent Creme de Blushes and ye olde Urban Decay highlighters), but tackier, thicker products (MAC Blushcremes) were a pain in the tuckus to blend. I think they just get "dried up" even further in the powder. No major deal; I'll just avoid wearing a few cheek products when I'm rockin' this bad boy out.

So it's nice on my skin and it's good for travel and I like it as a foundation, blah blah, whatever. Now it's time to talk about what I really love it for: setting a liquid foundation.

GLORIOUS.

Lightly dusted over my t-zone with a very soft, fluffy brush, the D&G Perfect Finish Powder foundation is a thing of beauty. It tones down the inevitable shine my nose (the only part of my face that gets super-shiny) and adds a smidge more coverage to the discolored portions of my face. It doesn't look cakey, dry, or thick, and it doesn't feel heavy on top of another foundation. It just sits its finely milled self on my skin like fairy dust. Any doubts I've harbored about matte powders on dryer skins have been silenced.

Bear in mind, however, that I tend to use sheer tinted moisturizers or light-coverage foundation--I was wearing one layer of MAC Face & Body here, which amounts to light, slightly dewy coverage. If you're already using a medium-to-full coverage and/or uber-matte foundation, adding this powder on top might give you some odd-looking skin. (I could've tested it over the D&G Creamy foundation, but I already know that'd be overkill for me, so I didn't bother.)

As further proof of how luxurious this foundation feels and how surprisingly well it sits on my mostly-dry skin, here are some macro shots. Please note that the itty bitty flecks you see in the first photo are not skin flakes or lumps of powder, they're fallout from a Chanel Illusion d'Ombre shadow. You are welcome to click for some super-creepy zoomy-in-ness.

One layer, applied wet.

Two layers, applied wet.

Lightly dusted over MAC Face & Body foundation. I'm currently between MAC N5-10 and mix about 2 parts F&B White to 1 part F&B N1.

 As a final note, the texture of this product is really, unbelievably beautiful. Applied dry, it's soft and smooth; applied wet, it takes on a slightly creamy texture, similar to that of a cream-to-powder blush. It does not dry me out or sit on my skin--it melds.

It's a bit early to label this product a Holy Grail. And I'm pretty conservative with that title, anyway. But this powder has done some incredible things: it's changed my opinion of powder foundations on dry skin, it's become a staple in my daily foundation routine, and it's convinced me to continue to purchase a $60 product without batting an eyelash. Because it's worth it.

And now I'm feeling like:

RATING: 5 out of 5