Ok so powders. I’m not a big fan. They can be drying or aging or — THE ABSOLUTE WORST — both. 

I use them as a last step to cut shine only when necessary. 

So when I was given two Laura Geller powder products to test for DailyGlow I was a bit reluctant. Looking like a scaly lizzard is certainly not divalicious. I was way more excited to experiment with the Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Shine and the Too Faced Summer Eyeshadow Palette I was given (reviews to come).

I really had to think long and hard about how and when I’d use a powder foundation and bronzer.

What it came down to for me was if I really wanted a matte finish with no shine. And even still powder wouldn’t be my first choice. And even still I would prep and hydrate skin with moisturizer and primer to give it some lushness first.

As someone with semi-oily skin, I do tend to blot throughout the day, especially in the summer. I use a sponge or a blotting tissue to remove — not add to — what’s on my face. So this combo I also thought might be a solution for a day when I knew I would sweat (that moisture and heat on the skin mixed with powder might even end up looking fresh and radiant, not patchy and chalky). I know, I’m a dreamer.

So I gave it a run for the money. I dusted on Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation followed by Baked Impressions Water-Resistant Bronzer. A little liner, mascara and lip balm later and I left my spot in Nolita to take care of a few errands, then hit Equinox Soho for a light workout. 

The makeup felt a little tight on my skin at first since I’m so used to liquids and creams, but over time I couldn’t feel I had anything on. When I finally got home I was still expecting to see the powder flaking or scaling, settling into fine lines and pores, and looking all sorts of tragic. 

Instead, it looked like this:

Matte yet bright. 

Pretty impressive for someone who typically leaves the house and already has shine (which I’ve come to embrace as “glow”).

It’s definitely not something I’d use everyday and I think I’d be more inclined to wear the products separately versus layered one over the other, but this finish is definitely reminiscent of Fall 2013 runway beauty trends. And I’m not mad at that.

XOLC

Note: This post is not sponsored. Samples were provided for review and/or for my use as a professional makeup artist.