Maybelline New York
Clear Smooth
Shine Free Face Powder

1. Shine free finish:
Combined oil absorbing ingredients remove shine, for a clean, shine-free finish.

2. Silky smooth texture:
The extreme fine powder glides like silk and melts smoothly on skin. It covers flawlessly but looks perfectly natural.

Having a combination skin, I’ve been on the look out for great products that’ll help me correct it or, at least, get by with a certain amount of decent skin on a regular basis. But I’m not here to talk about more hardcore skincare products but this new makeup that I’ve recently gotten my hands on.

After seeing the ad on telly for quite a bit now, I had begun to wonder how this Maybelline Clear Smooth Face Powder would actually perform. When it comes to makeup application, I don’t really use a face powder. I even just recently started using a foundation, Elizabeth Arden Intervene Makeup, but I’m still curious on how I could benefit from using a face powder.

I learned that the Clear Smooth Shine Free Face Powder from Maybelline New York is marketed especially for Asian women. This is a good thing since it’s better to use something that’s especially formulated, this is to reduce side effects or unsuitable shades on the varied Asian skin tones. I also found out that it’s fragrance-free, oil-free, and non-comedogenic. It’s good to know that it won’t clog pores. I also appreciate the SPF 18. Hey, sunscreen is sunscreen! It’s available in four (4) shades: Fair, Natural, Honey, and White.

What I have is in the warm Natural shade. I found Fair to be too pink-ish, Honey to be too yellow-ish, and yes, the White shade is white. My skin colour is naturally in the brown shade seen in Asians.

Suggested use: Pat gently on face, concentrating on oil-prone areas.

I’ve read some of the reviews on it and they say that it’s long-wearing, resists humidity all day, and the need for touch up is minimal after eight (8) hours upon application. I guess this is one thing that I’m sure I will definitely observe since I often don’t re-touch my makeup, except for lip gloss and blush on occasion.

I find the packaging of the face powder to be fresh-looking and quite reminiscent to green packaging used by Clinique, only a bit brighter. Though, looking at it up close, it’s quite obvious that it’s the kind of plastic that will easily scratch and look worn out once you start shoving it in your vanity kit or purse as you bring it with you.

For Manila-based beauties, it currently costs Php 199.00 and is available in most drugstores and beauty stores and sections that carry Maybelline.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to using it: with the whole she-bang of makeup and close to au naturale — with just the face powder on. This is going to be interesting. Any of you tried it? Let me in on the pros and cons?

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel