Marisa Porter

paula’s choice healthy finish powder

Not fair to compare a pressed powder to a loose powder you say?

Well for me that’s the whole point. I wanted to see the difference.

Well couldn’t you have picked the same brand?

Um….no. I already had Paula’s Choice pressed powder and I had to have the Sonia Kashuk brightening powder.

So I’ve never been a huge fan of pressed powder and maybe somebody could shed some light on this for me. I got the pressed powder from Paula’s Choice even though I knew I didn’t like any experience with pressed powders in the past. And though it was better than many, I still had the same puzzled reaction. Why use pressed when you could use loose?

Applied to my wrist the pressed powder appears slightly drier and adds coverage. The loose powder simply adds a slight translucent glitter that, I’m assuming, sets my makeup. I really don’t want another layer of color or coverage, though I’m assuming some do, and that’s why they use pressed powder.

For me, loose powders have always been easier to use. They just seem…more light and fly-around. If you get too much on your brush, you tap it. Then you haphazardly lightly sweep across face. If you put on too much, I use a brush with no product to brush it off. Extra product seems to sink into your skin after 15 minutes or so.

I really enjoy using the Sonia Kashuk Brightening powder, as it is very translucent, and seems to add longevity to my makeup.

But this review makes me sad. Why? Because I adore that perfectly proportioned Paula’s Choice pressed powder container with the perfectly hinged snap tight lid. I love it. It’s elegant. It’s chic. It’s attractive. It’s minimalistic. It’s not overdone.

And this review was tough for me because I adore both of these brands and the women behind them. Their passion for excellence in what they do makes them role models for me.

But, there are plenty of things I love from Paula’s Choice. All so far in the category of skincare for me. And her Barely There Sheer Tint Moisturizer., and the Super Antioxidant Ultra Light Serum.

Paula’s Choice Healthy Finish Pressed Powder Ingredients:
Product Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 7%, Zinc Oxide 8%. Other Ingredients: Talc (absorbent), Squalane (emollient), Octyldodecyl Myristate (emollient/binder), Magnesium Carbonate (absorbent mineral), Octyldodecanol (binding agent), Dimethicone (silicone slip agent), Hydrogenated Lecithin (emollient), Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate (antioxidants), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea (preservatives).

May Contain: Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides (all earth minerals used for coverage, cling and opacity),Ultramarines, Manganese Violet, Chromium Hydroxide Green, Chromium Oxide Greens (all FDA-approved pigments).

Sonia Kashuk Brightening Powder Ingredients

Contains: Talc, Silica, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Zeolite, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Ethylene/Methacrylate Copolymer, Laureth-4, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylparaben, Orchis Mascula Flower Extract, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, BHT, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Manganese Violet, Carmine, Ultramarines, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Bismuth Oxychloride, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Red 30 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 1 Lake.