A new launch from Benefit always feels like Christmas to me. Benefit are one of the brands who always seem to get it right, so when this exciting little package landed in my postbox, I was pretty excited. When it comes to powder, I am absolutely hooked to my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural Powder and have used it and sworn by it for years, so it really is going to take something really really good to make me stop using that. Let's see if The Porefessional Agent Zero Shine Powder from Benefit did the trick...
The Packaging: Benefit are no strangers when it comes to cool and quirky packaging. I personally don't think this looks 'designer' or high-end in my make up bag, not as much as my Chanel, Dior or even MAC products, but, that's really not the look that Benefit go for whatsoever - all my Benefit products are bright, happy and friendly and this certainly fits into that brief and I'm more than happy to have a few of their bright products in my make up bag amongst all the other dark packaging. The packaging is surprisingly really light weight and quite small, you could easily just throw this dinky little powder into your bag and even clutch bag on a night out because it's so light and easy to throw around.
The Aims Of The Product: This powder aims to beat shine completeley, as the name suggests. It apparently instantly minimizes shine, helps smooth the look of pores and is designed to be an invisible shine-control powder. Benefit promise that this will give you smoother-than-smooth skin, eliminating any pores and shine.
Application: Benefit suggest twisting off built-in brush from base, tapping the powder into lid and dipping the brush into it. I was actually surprised at how little came out, but how much this tiny amount covered my face - I really didn't expect such a tiny amount of powder to make any difference to my complexion whatsoever. I like that Benefit suggest that you can sweep this onto either moisturised skin OR over makeup to instantly mattify your complexion - it's nice that you can use this without foundation too. I personally don't like the brush that much, it doesn't really work on my skin very well as it's a little bit too small and quite rough so personally I'd use my trusty Real Techniques brush when applying powder. However, I feel like the brush is an added extra as I'd never even expect to get a brush with this product, it means that this product is really good for use on the go. Who wants to carry a huge brush around with them all day anyway? This really is the perfect touch-up/on the go product.
What it's like on my skin: I personally think it makes my foundation look very smooth, foundation is smooth in general, but it does apply almost a sheet of 'smoothness' and a serious matte finish to my foundation, with only a tiny bit of powder. I don't really have oily skin so oil breaking through really wasn't a problem for me but this did last all day, I didn't find myself touching it up. It does minimize pores and give a really nice 'smooth' look as mentioned before. It actually seems to make my make up look more natural.
You can see the mini brush above.
Conclusion: I personally think that this is a good powder, a little bit goes a long way and it does make your skin look uber smooth and matte. I didn't notice any shine in particular. I wouldn't say that you should drop the powder that you're using at the moment and buy this one, but if you've got a spare £23.00 laying around and fancy buying a nice, on-the-go powder, then go for this one as it does give a lovely, smooth finish. I will be using this as my 'night out' powder, it is light-weight, easily fits in my bag and it's perfect for touch ups.
Thank you very much Benefit for sending me this lovely little powder.
What's your favourite powder? Have you used any other Benefit products? What Benefit products do you love?
Lots of love, Em x
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