Jane Iredale PurePressed Base Pressed Mineral Powder in Warm Silk

Since I came across Jane Iredale in makeup school, I have been very curious about the brand. Jane Iredale is known for being the first brand to offer mineral-based cosmetics, touting its popular slogan, "the skin care makeup." Even my dermatologist only recommends this line for my hypersensitive skin.

It usually retails for an arm and a leg, but happily I came across its warehouse sale and got it for a good 40% off. This pressed powder foundation contains 9.9g and offers SPF 20 with UVA and UVB filters. 

The shade matched for me: Warm Silk, which is described as an almost universal shade on their website. 

The sleek, matte gold compact is barely an inch thick. It clasps on and off with the help of a tiny round magnet. The packaging has considerable weight, and while it is marketed as a luxury product, it has an earthy quality that well reflects its "natural" roots. 

The shade up close. I quite like the artful "i."

It comes with a flat puff that is not very useful (not pictured) and a plastic separator. The standard mirror is present. 

The back.

This foundation in particular is popular with The Skin Cancer Foundation.

The ingredients are made up of mineral components, truly a confirmation of their natural origin. I had high hopes for this foundation because of the excellent reviews on Makeupalley. I found that it does not irritate my skin -- meaning no red blotches or breakouts after use. The shade Warm Silk is also a good match for my skin tone. My gripes are probably longer. On its own, without the help of an oil-controlling primer, it does nothing to control the oilies (I was told this pressed type is the one recommended for oily to combination skin). So, be warned, and whip up the primer. It is not the easiest pressed powder foundation to blend on to skin. My only comparisons would be Japanese brands RMK and Lunasol, which are very easy to apply. However, since Jane Iredale PurePressed Base hardly contains any synthetic ingredients, that part can be overlooked. The key is to apply the product little by little, building it up slowly, otherwise piling it all at once leaves a caked up face. It does take a while to build up coverage, but it happens. It also does not have the best pore-concealing abilities, but again, that must be a primer's function.

It is recommended to use a hydration spray to set it.

Instructions on how to apply. 

Jane Iredale's Handi Brush is best paired with this pressed powder foundation, however, it is out of stock in Manila, and I couldn't pin it down in Hong Kong either.

Above is what the Handi Brush looks like. Overall, it is a good mineral powder experience, and I would probably continue using it, but I would not buy again because it can be quite a fuss to use. I would not want to keep brushing product on sensitive skin because it irritates the epidermis further. The finished look it gives is acceptable, but not very exceptional. For its retail price, I would gladly try other brands. 

As they were clearing out most of the products, the kind SA gave me freebies!

Clockwise from left is PurePressed Eyeshadow in Blue Moon, which makes an excellent liner and contour color. It has a very nice texture. The sample loose powder in Radiant is great as a blusher, adding subtle color and contouring the cheek area nicely. I quite like the loose powder texture more than the PurePressed Base. Lipglosses in Blackcurrant and Cosmos -- good color payoff, but I do not like the minty sensation and the sticky texture; the colors are not very flattering on my skin tone, but Cosmos would look great for ivory beauties and Blackcurrant would be phenomenal for dusky ladies. 

Swatches of the above. 

Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box

Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box is a collection of the brand's nine best-selling deluxe formula shades (thank you S, for this). 

Above, packaged in its original see-through box. It comes with a travel-sized Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

The compact velvety case looks like a sequined clutch bag.

The eclectic mix of brights and neutrals in this collection certainly makes it my kind of palette.

Here they are swatched lightly.

All of them feel buttery soft and are very pigmented. It encourages creativity, what with the bright green, deep gold, and rich neutrals. Peace makes a good liner shade, for the color just pops. Overall, this makes a good starter kit for those wanting to experiment with bolder shades at an exceptional texture. 

Mirror, mirror.

The puny Potion.

As stated before, I have never been a fan of this eyeshadow base. It was also a challenge to scoop out any product from this bottle. 

Description.

Breakdown.

MIMC (Mineral Make Cosmetic) Natural Mineral Color Powder Eyeshadows

MIMC, or Mineral Makeup Cosmetic is a Japanese mineral makeup brand. Japan is not very well-known for producing mineral makeup, unlike the U.S. which makes mainstream brands like Bare Escentuals, Afterglow, Youngblood, and Jane Iredale to name some. In Japan and Hong Kong, MIMC managed to gain a good following. I believe the brand spiked my interest since I laid eyes on it in a Beyond Organics store (selling all organic products from all over the world) in Times Square Causeway Bay. I took many a swatch and pestered the sales clerk for some time. I did this for a couple of trips and after about two years of looking at their brochure, I finally decided to try some of its products. I thought this brand is the perfect blend for my love of Japanese cosmetics and curiosity over mineral makeup.

I was very intrigued with their eyeshadows since the beginning. The Natural Mineral Color Powder is a mineral eyeshadow made of 100% natural ingredients. It comes in many shades ranging from neutrals to more colorful ones (green, pink, violet, purple). 

I settled on three different shades of neutral; to be mixed and matched or worn alone. 

They come in clear plastic vials, easily portable but can be messy when not stored upright.

The shades are number-coded -- 20,112, 27. 

The applicator is a fuzzy, spongy tip. 

Some Japanese info. 

Here they are from darkest to lightest. 27 -- a dark cocoa with red undertones. 112 -- a cool bronzey-brown. 20 -- a light champagne. All have a shimmery finish. 

Under indoor conditions. 27 can be hard to pull off; the red undertones and rich color give off a bruised look when applied heavily. It is best used as a shader/contour color, sparingly. 112 is more forgiving and would work on most skin tones. It gives a nice wash of medium brown color. I usually use 112 and 20 together. 20 can be used on the lids alone for subtle definition or as a highlighter.

Under direct sunlight. The eyeshadows are very smooth and rich in pigment. It didn't cause any irritation and stayed put whole day. These shadows produce the most beautiful finish I have ever encountered. I have always wanted to achieve a wet, glossy eyeshadow look without looking like having oily lids, and these do the job very well. The shadows also do not require a makeup remover to be cleansed off. However, they do have their bad points. It takes some getting used to with application. The sponge tip is not very easy to maneuver, and applying the shadows with a brush, as can be imagined, is quite tricky. I always end up with shimmer on my cheeks because the pigments scatter everywhere. They are not the easiest to blend either. Oddly, i found using my fingers make for the easiest method of application and most natural-looking finish. Overall, these are very good quality shadows that would require a steeper learning curve. If I could just find a way to eliminate the sparkly stuff clinging to the rest of my face, these could be some of the best shadows yet. 

Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in 834 Rose Porcelaine

Happily, happily, my grubby hands ripped open the box that was my birthday present. Imagine my delight to receive my very first -- lo and behold -- Dior 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette in 834 Rose Porcelaine (thank you 大姐 and 三姐)! I spent the next few hours ogling and ooh-ing the lovely thing.

Dior eyeshadow palettes are one of the most established in its category. From the numerous awards the shadows have won, they clearly have a firm grip in the cosmetics industry. The box comes in a beautiful midnight blue with a holographic CD logo stamped grandly.

The palette is protected with a velvet pouch, with CD again printed up front. 

It is obviously a dirt-magnet but nothing that a good wash can't take care of.

The most beautiful thing about this palette is the case. The CD logo comes to life at certain angles when it hits the light, as if glowing from within.

Under normal conditions this is how it looks like. The case carries a substantial weight and bespeaks pure luxury.

The plastic protective cover is clear, sturdy, and actually serves its purpose unlike those of old versions of Lunasol palettes where the thin film of plastic just slides and slips off on to the floor each time it is opened (very annoying).

Rose Porcelaine 834 is part of Dior's Spring 2012 New Look Collection, a campaign that pays homage to Christian Dior's first New Look runway show back in 1947. This nostalgic incarnation certainly adds a special touch to the product.

The colors from bottom left clockwise include a plum violet, a candy pink, a beige white, and a cool light pink. In the center is a warm-toned baby pink.

Standing like guards on opposite ends of the palette are two sponge tip applicators. The separate receptacle for each applicator keeps it clean and hygienic. It is a very nice, well-thought out design.

Above, the eyeshadows are swatched in similar order (from bottom left clockwise and then the middle). As can be seen, they apply very sheer. I am starting to think that the Rose Porcelaine name was derived from its glassy finish.

This is essentially an extremely cool palette that does not work well with my warm skin tone, which could also be one of the reasons why I have a hard time making the colors show up on my lids. The texture is satiny soft, and while build-able, are not as velvety as Urban Decay's formula. As most of the main colors are very light, the look I was able to create made my eyes look even more convex, which is not the most flattering result. 
Though it may take certain skin tones to make it work, Rose Porcelaine 834 can give a natural, clean, elegant look that does not compromise on quality and texture. The shadows stayed on my lids well throughout the day without creasing (under Lunasol Eyelid Base (N)). Paris of My Women Stuff created a beautiful look in her review.

An introduction to Dior eyeshadows. 

Various ways to maximize the use of 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette.

The rear is a visual treat itself.

Ingredients list.

Product identification.

Bottomest bottom.