I know I’m really late joining the merry mineral makeup bandwagon but then again, I’m also way behind with makeup appreciation. At the age where girls were secretly experimenting with their mother’s makeup stash, I probably had my nose buried in a book or something. Anyway, I think I may have just found an excellent and more affordable alternative to my Clinique Superbalanced Makeup foundation. Much as I love Clinique, their foundations are simply too expensive for me to keep buying on a regular basis. P1,750 is no easy sum to let go of, even if I can afford it right now.
Out of curiosity, I sent for some free foundation samples from Ellana Minerals around the time I started this blog. I liked Ellana immediately because of their user-friendly, idiot-proof website and efficient shopping cart system. But what really won me over was the free samples they offer, which is really useful if you’ve never purchased mineral foundation before or have no clue as to what your foundation shade is. All you have to do is answer a quiz that will tell you what shade and finish that suits you skin tone perfectly. Once you have the quiz results, simply fill out the request form for free samples and pay P50 for shipping. You’ll receive two similar shades for you to choose from as well as samples of mineral concealer, finishing powder, and blush (I heart extra freebies). I road tested the premium foundation samples and sheer finishing powder for about a week to see how my skin would react to it (no breakouts, yay).
Although I was happy with the shades that were chosen for me, my oily skin made their staying power somewhat mediocre. I decided to buy from Ellana anyway, but with one difference – instead of buying the Premium Blend Foundation and Translucent Finishing Powder from my samples, I bought the Intense Coverage Foundation and Oil Absorbing Finishing Powder. Best decision I’ve ever made!
DO LIKE
* The coverage. This foundation really does deliver what it promises, namely more intense coverage. It was so opaque, I didn’t need to use concealer to cover up my blemishes anymore!
* The feel. Despite the strong coverage, the foundation feels as light as a sheer layer of pressed powder on my skin.
* The finish. This has to be what I love the most about the foundation. It has a matte finish that gives way to a romantic glow an hour or so after application. I went out on a date with my boyfriend wearing this foundation and I couldn’t stop staring at my skin every time I went to the restroom. I’m not vain by any means, but I couldn’t get over how pretty my skin looked! Even my boyfriend noticed that my face had a healthier glow about it. :D
* The oil control factor. When I got my foundation in the mail, I decided to see how long it would take before my oily skin starts to show its true nature. With the premiere foundation, I had to constantly retouch every two hours or so. Not with the Intense Coverage one! Together with the finishing powder, it was a whopping five hours before my nose started showing a little bit of shine.
* The price tag. Only P300 for 4g! And since you use very little product with every application, one pot of mineral foundation will last you quite a while.
DO NOT LIKE
* Too messy for furtive retouching. If only mineral foundation came in pressed powder form! Unfortunately, it’s their nature to come as loose powder in a jar, making it kind of complicated to retouch and apply when you like doing your makeup on the go. I’m one of those girls who like sneaking a look at themselves on their pressed powder’s mirror during lulls at the dinner table. Yes, my table manners are nonexistent.
CONCLUSION
I used to be a non-believer of mineral foundation, thinking it was just some silly fad. After trying out the samples and my new foundation, I can’t imagine myself ever going back to department store brands. (Well I suppose I’ll still spend for Clinique face powder for easy retouching.) The Intense Coverage Foundation delivers so much despite being so inexpensive, and it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. I suggest obtaining some samples from their website and testing the product for yourself if you’re not entirely convinced.
WILL I REPURCHASE?
Hell yes!
DO LIKE
* The finish. I felt that the Sheer blend did nothing for my face, but the Oil Absorbing Finishing Powder minimized the appearance of my pores, diffused the shininess, and made my blush look more subtle and natural.
* Oil control factor. As I mentioned earlier, it took five hours before I felt the need to retouch my makeup. However, I’m not sure if it was the foundation or the finishing powder that was responsible for making my face look dewy rather than oily. On Sunday, I placed the finishing powder to the test by applying it over the Premium Foundation (the one without oil control). It took about three hours before I felt the need to retouch, and even then I only had to put a little powder on my nose. (I’d post photos but the difference can only be seen in person)
* The price tag. Only P280 for 6g. A real steal for such an excellent product!
DO NOT LIKE
* The clump factor. I’m not sure why my finishing powder arrived all clumpy while the foundation didn’t. The clumpiness makes it difficult to apply evenly onto my kabuki brush, but at least this doesn’t seem to make my makeup uneven.
CONCLUSION
When I was new to the whole makeup thing, I didn’t realize that I would need a finishing powder to “set” my makeup. After trying out the Oil Absorbing powder, I understand why! I pretty much use this whenever I go out, even when I’ve only got face powder on. If you have oily skin and would like to start using mineral makeup, get this together with the Ellana Intense Coverage Foundation. I’m telling you, you’re going to love how your skin looks after!
WILL I REPURCHASE?
Yes yes, a thousand times yes!
Cool, you might just make me convert into a believer.
Though, I am a believer of Mineraux’s blush and bronzer. The colors are nice, really! check em out here: http://www.mineraux.com.ph/ I think plum or auburn would look nice on your skin tone :)
Ooh thanks for the tip! I’ve heard good things about the Mineraux bronzer too but I don’t know the first thing about applying it though. Does it work like blush? Or do you just kind of apply it all over your face?
Hmm, depends on the look you want to achieve. For summer-ish looks (or when I’m nicely tanned) I use it as blush. But other times, I use it as a highlighter so it goes all over (cheekbones, chin, nose, upper portion of eyelids) using a fluffy powder blush.
:)
For easy retouching, buy one of those refillable brushes that you can fill up with powder. Or press the powder into one of your old compacts with 70% rubbing alcohol. It looks like shit when I do it, but it works!
Rubbing alcohol might cause my skin to break out, but I’ll definitely be on the lookout for refillable brushes. :D
I don’t think the alcohol stays in the product, unlike alcohol in lotions/creams. It pretty much evaporates.
But hey, better safe than sorry!
hi ms. lauren., what is the color of your foundation and finisihng powdeR?..
Hi there! I’ve been wanting to start a nice make up routine, and I find your blog really helpful. A lot of the items you reviewed captured my interest particularly Ellana minerals intense coverage foundation. I opened here website, but can’t seem to find this particular item. Is it still available?
Hi Jel! Thanks for reading my blog. :) Ellana reformulated and renamed their foundation sometime last year. The Intense Coverage Foundation is now the Perfect Blend. The shades are still the same though. :)
Hi,
does the oil-absorbing finishing powder gives a gray cast on pictures?
Such a helpful review.
I highly suggest a before and after look.
You have a great skin by the way.
Thanks! :) I don’t think it causes a gray cast, at least in my experience.
Hello there! May I ask how will I know the right shade for me? ’cause it might be too dark/light for me, and what are the things I need to choose when I just want powder for the face? Thanks in advance :))
Ellana gives out free samples, all you have to do is pay for shipping. :) I’d suggest the foundation since it’s pretty much just loose powder!
I read on their site that the Perfect Blend is different from the Intensive Coverage. The Perfect Blend are designed for Combination skin & can be used to all skin types, usually light to medium coverage; while the Intensive Coverage are designed for oily skin, from medium to heavy coverage :D Got it here : http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150128041470259&set=a.210493980258.174969.210493050258&type=1&theater
Their sites down ware can I buy this line I want to get this asap of possible HELP>> looks like a really awesome line I been hearing that’s it is as good as high end with out the high price tag.
Nice review! thanks for sharing..=)
I’ve always though that setting powders are a blah and i don’t need them. But reading your blog makes me think twice! I am going to try Ellana too :)