Avon • Smooth minerals pressed foundation • Powder

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*TOP REVIEWER* andToto2 on 1/4/2013 7:34:00 AM more reviews by andToto2

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Grey    

I'm always looking for a great powder foundation. I like my Colorstay (the formula I use of that depends on the time of year) but sometimes I just want the lighter feeling of a powder foundation. The reviews on here and on Avon.com are so glowing, I decided to give it a try. It's quite nice in most respects. As someone else mentioned, it makes my skin itch a bit when I first apply it, but that goes away quickly. It is quite natural looking, it covers fairly well, and doesn't look very dry on my skin, as many powders and powder foundations can, especially in the winter when I am much dryer. The one thing that I don't like about it is the sheen that it leaves on my skin. I guess you could call it a glow, but whatever you call it, it's just kind of an unnatural finish. It's not extreme, but it's there. It holds up well on my skin throughout the day, and seems to hold shine at bay quite well.I still haven't figured out the best way to apply it for me. The applicator that it comes with doesn't thrill me. I have tried the E.L.F. Studio foundation brush, didn't like the way that worked out. I am fair to light, and I bought this in light beige. I was afraid the Ivory would be too pink and a bit too light. The light beige matches my skin quite well. All in all, it is quite good. But Maybelline Pure Stay powder foundation is still the best powder foundation I have tried at any price point.

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blackpoppy26 on 1/3/2013 6:25:00 PM more reviews by blackpoppy26

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Very Oily, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

A little cakey, and really shows dry skin and lines but stays on my face well and feels nice..I would use this if im popping to the store or going for a jog.

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bimini156 on 12/28/2012 8:44:00 AM more reviews by bimini156

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Grey, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Can't believe I hadn't reviewed this yet. I have ordered at least 4 of these. My 22 year old daughter loves it also. She wears it as a foundation. For me as a foundation it was only so-so. What I love this for is touch ups during the day. I keep one in my purse, one in the downstairs bathroom and one in the upstairs bathroom. I just use the included pad on my T-zone. I think it gives a beautiful finish. I think I usually pay $8 for this on sale. A really great product from Avon. I have the color light beige and this is a good match for my NC25 complexion.

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AyameAngel on 12/8/2012 10:14:00 AM more reviews by AyameAngel

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is the first compact foundation I've ever had that I've hit the pan on. The color I have is in the lightest shade in 'Soft Ivory' and it's a tad to dark for my skin because I'm literally white as snow.
The coverage is medium and applies smoothly and evenly with the puff it comes with, if you want lighter coverage a powder brush will do the trick.
Overall, I love this product and would recommened it to anyone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* dddoxie on 11/12/2012 9:53:00 AM more reviews by dddoxie

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

If you're looking for a 'dupe' for MAC MSFN that doesn't break you out in huge cystic acne (like it did me), look no further than this product.

The finish is very similar to MSFN, a satiny finish with the ever-so-soft sheen. Buffs into the skin beautifully and leaves a very natural finish.

i love the way this wears too. Doesn't break down like other powders do. Lasts quite a while without requiring touch ups. Only have to blot about 1x/day too.

The product is a nice consistency; not too powdery but a bit 'stiffer' so that it doesn't create a lot of mess when applying.

I got Light Beige and it's a great match for my NC20/25 skin.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

DonnaJazzhands on 5/15/2012 8:46:00 PM more reviews by DonnaJazzhands

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I love this foundation. It's perfect for my oily skin, and the coverage is great. I bought this powder in the fairest color which I believe is called "Soft Ivory" and it mixes very well with my pale skin. Probably the best part of all is that it's a pressed powder, so there is no swirling, tapping, etc. that comes with the mess of loose minerals. No more makeup stains on my clothes! The powder also has very subtle light reflecting pigments in it, so even oily skin types can achieve that "dewy" and "fresh faced" look with this powder. All this for the price of $11.00! I even went back to Avon.com and repurchased this since right now it's only $7.99! I'm very happy with this makeup.

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*TOP REVIEWER* heathermrm on 4/16/2012 11:28:00 AM more reviews by heathermrm

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

In my ongoing quest to replace one of my HG foundations (EM pressed powder in Fairly Light - the version in the white plastic compact) that has been d/c which sucks!! I have emailed the company several times over the past 6 months and while they say they do plan on bringing it back, they don't know when.....sigh....


Based on a few recommendations from the skb, this is one of the options I elected to try in addition to a few others (Palladio, NYX, Laura Geller - see separate reviews)


I am NC 15 (for those of you not familiar w/ EM). I purchased online for around $10 and I purchased in 2 colors since I wasn't sure which would be best for me - I got in T03 light beige (too light for me = up for swap) and T04 nude = perfect match.


The bar to be met is VERY high: I am looking for highly pigmented (to cover my slight/blushing rosacea), non-drying, easily blendable, reasonable $, long lasting/wearing and non-drying. This meets all my criteria EXCEPT the price and the fact I need to perform 2 steps for best application (see below). Also as w/ all my mu, I do set w/ Urban Decay All Nighter (f/k/a Skindinavia Dance!) and w/ this, it does last 12 hours, but I haven't tried w/out the UD All Nighter = I cannot comment on how long-lasting it is w/out. I may try this in the near future tho and if so, will update.


I have applied both using my EM flat brush and my slightly dampened BeautyBlender sponge. I find I get the best coverage if I use the EM brush first and f/u w/ the BB on my more troublesome spots 2nd.


I will probably re-purchase unless EM finally makes good on their promise to bring back my HG.

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Hachiko8 on 12/21/2011 1:58:00 AM more reviews by Hachiko8

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I actually liked this powder because of the natural looking and flawless finish that it gives. It didn't give me breakouts. The first time I tried it, my face became a little itchy but then the itchiness didn't last for long. I have an oily and sensitive skin so I thought It wasn't for me. But then I continued using it because it reduces the shine on my face. And later on, I found out that the culprit was the toner that I use because when I stopped it, the pimples subsided too. I just don't like the powder puff that comes with it. So I use another applicator instead of the original one that comes with the packaging. Just an advice: this is not good for very dry skin because it has a tendency to settle into lines and pores. If you have dry skin, better put on moisturizer first or if you're not comfortable with applying moisturizer before makeup, better wet the sponge applicator first. That works for me and gives a glowing, and dewy finish...Hope they won't discontinue this.

Update: My face broke out a few days ago and this is the culprit. I learned that once you've been using this foundation for a long time, the skin will develop an allergic reaction, I don't know if it's with the formula or the minerals. I was kind of skeptic at first but then my aunt confirmed my suspicion. I recommended this powder to her and she's been using this on her sensitive acne prone skin for sometime until she told me she also broke out lately..I have to switch to a new product..

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

makeupbylaura1 on 11/22/2011 6:59:00 PM more reviews by makeupbylaura1

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I like the coverage on this powder it actually does leave your face looking flawless. Everything on this product is good as far as coverage and staying power. The specks that show in outside light is what I just can't seem to get used to. I like my foundation to be matte not glittery and this pwder does that. Not too crazy but it is a bit shimmery. It is the only reason why I gave it 4 lippies. Other than that this is a great powder foundation if you don't mind the light shimmer it comes with. Im an NC35 in Mac and this powder in Medium Beige was a bit too dark for my liking. I have to try a lighter color.

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*TOP REVIEWER* KingTaco on 10/30/2011 3:48:00 AM more reviews by KingTaco

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

My ever-continuing hunt for foundation led me to this. The price was pretty good (2 for $11) so I figured why not. I ordered it in Light Beige, and it's a smidge too dark for me but it doesn't look horrible and it leans yellow so I'm content for now.

It goes on smooth and evenly with a cosmetic sponge (the applicator Avon included is horrible) for pretty decent coverage. A kabuki brush did not give me enough coverage.

The wear is fantastic. I get some breakthrough shine around 3-4 hours after application which for me is a miracle. I only have to re-apply on my nose, not the entire T-zone. It does not fade patchily or unevenly nor it does not settle into my giant pores. I do use a primer underneath.

I'm waiting for it to go on sale again so I can try the lightest shade, but for now I'm pretty happy with this.

My only real complaint is that there isn't a separate little compartment for your applicator or sponge, so you either have to lay it on the powder (which strikes me as a bit unhygienic) or let the sponge float around in the makeup bag. I'll get over it though.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

chrissypoo327 on 3/15/2011 1:24:00 PM more reviews by chrissypoo327

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have tried several mineral foundations, from dirty cheap to pricey. Altogether, this is about my favorite, and I was quite surprised. I ordered it only because of their no-hassle return, thinking I wouldn't care for it as I don't care for a lot of Avon's makeup, but hoping for the best. My biggest issue with minerals is the mica/shine. At almost 53, I still have oily skin, esp. in summer. The coverage is buildable and excellent. I do still get oily after 5 or 6 hours, but minimally. Most importantly, no mica shine, which made me ever so happy. I don't use their applicator, but switch between several higher-end kabuki-type applicators which work great.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* icaria on 2/1/2011 3:10:00 PM more reviews by icaria

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

UPDATE: WOULD NOT CONSIDER DUE TO ANIMAL TESTING FOR CHINESE MARKET 17/02/2012 Not bad but hard to apply because the sponge is too small. Fine for sheer coverage. Don't put too much on it will not look natural.

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*TOP REVIEWER* coscouns on 12/16/2010 9:35:00 PM more reviews by coscouns

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Beautiful foundation powder. I have dry skin and it doesn't look powdery or settle into lines. It feels good on the skin; not heavy at all. Light beige was a good match for me- NC25 and mac light/medium in msfn.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

polalola on 10/29/2010 10:03:00 PM more reviews by polalola

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy   Eyes: Brown    

nice product, leaves skin looking natural not to heavy

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No