Since my MAC Blotting Powder hit the pan I’ve been on the lookout for a new setting/finishing powder. I’m now back to using my Studio Fix Powder foundation, and I really don’t need anything heavy, just something to keep the midday oilies at bay.
My first choice was to go for pressed powder, but the cheap Maybelline face powder I bought turned out to be cakey and pale. Grr. Really, sometimes being cheap does not pay. Anyway, I did a bit of research online and found that they did have translucent powder, known as Sexy Mama. You have to give the name credit, too, for luring me in.
So I dropped by Beauty Bar in Greenbelt 5 and checked out their counter.
Reviews after the cut.
First up, Sexy Mama Anti-Shine Translucent Powder.
- The Balm Sexy Mama Anti-Shine Translucent Powder
It comes in a really cute package! I have to say the pinup on the cover got me bad :) I have a thing for these vintage-y looks. They’re just so offbeat and edgy. Cute right?
Inside, you get a mirror and the powder. Check out the photo below:
- Open sesame!
Yep, I took the pictures covertly on my office desk, nyahaha! And yes, that’s my arm in the red “poncho”. It’s terribly cold in the office these days. I already have two knitted jackets under that red blanket of mine. Anyway, you have to apply this with a brush, which is why I bought a cheap Shawill mini kabuki while waiting for Suesh to have stock again [Breaking News! Suesh just texted me. My order should be in by next week].
How does it fare?
I really, really want to love it. I’ve been using it for a few days now, and though it does work on the “invisible” part, I think it’s sorely lacking in oil control. My face gets oily after an hour of commuting, which I find normal because of the weather. But after reapplying this with the brush, I get oily again after just an hour or so, in an airconditioned room! That’s not very good oil control, I think. Plus it has the tendency to look obvious.
I’m going to try this with a better brush and maybe on top of liquid foundation. It’s a little messy to use and I still prefer pressed powder for touchups, but the packaging! It screams at me :) I think I can use this for a while, but it’s not HG material.
For my second review: TimeBalm Concealer.
The SA gave me this in Light/Medium, and I think the color’s suitable for my NC30 skin tone. Now I had no idea if this was good or not. I just randomly thought I’d buy a concealer since my previous ones didn’t really help in concealing my dark undereye circles.
Here’s what it looks like:
The Balm TimeBalm Concealer
I told the SA to get me a new one that doesn’t have sticky top, but she told me it was just on the “plastic” wrapping of the product. Stupid me didn’t check. Apparently, the plastic wrap is around the product, and the sticky part really is the cover. Eeeew. I hate it when my new stuff look old. Blerg.
I was surprised to find a sponge inside. Not very hygienic, plus it’s difficult to pull out:
Opened up, sponge inside
See? Not very fun to get it out.
So finally I did pull it up and as mentioned, I’m not very fond of it. Regarding the actual concealer, I have to say I was a bit disappointed. It cakes, it’s hard to blend and it’s generally just not very good for my undereye area. It requires a lot of tugging, and seriously, the last thing I want to do is worsen my undereye problem. I already have fine lines from rubbing them, so no no no to this concealer. I read somewhere that you need to prep with eye cream, but even then I think it’s just generally problematic. I used it on blemishes on my chin that’s been prepped with moisturizer and primer, but still it cakes.
I say skip this one.
So there are my findings from my latest The Balm purchases. Maybe I’ll go for their blushes instead next time. I have their Stainiac and it’s pretty good.
I like the pin up girls on The Balm’s packaging. :P But too bad the quality isn’t that good. :(
I know, right? The covers are so cute. I’m gonna finish the Sexy Mama powder. Maybe I just need a better brush. Plus I’m gonna get their blushes next time. They have this one called Down Boy and another known as Hot Mama hehehe
I haven’t tried any of “the Balm’s” product but I’ve seen them around at the Beauty Bar :) thanks for the review
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It’s really the packaging that got me hehe. So pretty.
i was actually thinking about buying the time balm concealer some time before! good thing i didn’t! anyway, have you heard about mineral make up? it seems (if i’m not mistaken…) like you haven’t posted anything about them…they’re in the hype right now, and a lot of mineral make up makers offer setting powder…there’s even rice powder from elegant minerals!
I tried mineral makeup two years (?) ago, and i didn’t like it very much. Maybe the brand I tried wasn’t good (Luminare) as it made my face really itchy. Plus I don’t have that much time in the morning to layer and buff. Right now I’m thinking of going for liquid foundation? Just want to try something different :D