Coastal Scents • Silica Spheres Powder • Loose Powders

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*TOP REVIEWER* mayrei on 7/7/2010 12:07:00 PM more reviews by mayrei

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

I had previously been using a different brand of silica powder from a mineral makeup company, which is perfectly nice, but I recently ran out. I decided to try this pure silica powder from CS and I'm sooooooo glad I did. Not only is it a fraction of the price, but you get twice the product and it feels nicer, too. I bought the 1 oz jar for something like $4.
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I mix this with Kaolin Clay (also purchased from CS for $2) and it makes a fantastic finishing powder that keeps me shine free all day.

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5kids4us on 6/28/2010 6:33:00 PM more reviews by 5kids4us

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I have exceptionally oily skin. I've been with BeautiControl for 20 years as a skin care and cosmetics consultant and I have never had a client with as oily of skin as mine. This ingredient is awesome if you have extremely oily skin. I use it before applying BeautiControl's mineral makeup. I also apply a light dusting over my makeup. I set everything with a misting of BeautiControl's hydrating mist and a blast on cool of a hair dryer. This allows me to stay shine-free all day in the humidity and heat. Unbelievable. I was using oil-absorbing linen sheets every two hours and now I only need to use one per day at most.

Here are some warnings though. It is messy even if you put it in the sifting container (buy separately) and use the right brush. Also, I have to be diligent about cleansing my skin to avoid clogged pores, but with the silica shere powder I have had to increase my efforts. So I am not only cleansing my skin thoroughly at night and doing weekly (clay) masks, but I also use BeautiControl's multivitamin capsules every morning as they keep the pores clean. The makeup artist who told me about them doesn't have this problem but her skin isn't prone to clogging the way mine is.

If you do not have very oily skin, you may find that this ingredient is too drying.

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*TOP REVIEWER* bih80 on 6/21/2010 12:46:00 AM more reviews by bih80

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I live by this stuff. I have an oily T-Zone and dusting it in the morning regulates my oil through the day. It leaves a silky smooth feel especially under my eyes, really sets my concealer. It's so cheap too! I got my friend hooked on it, she has very oily skin and this was the only thing that controlled it.

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inapathy on 6/19/2010 2:08:00 PM more reviews by inapathy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I live by this stuff. I'm an oily mess without it. I bought a huge bag for 20 bucks at coastal scents. The only thing is, its super messy and smokey so I'd try not to inhale. I put it in my bare mineral veil container and I'm good to go! Its my everyday veil since bare minerals is a bit pricey.

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*TOP REVIEWER* yoyocanary on 6/17/2010 7:13:00 PM more reviews by yoyocanary

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I like to mix this with silicone based primers (like Smashbox Photofinish) to really smooth out my skin before applying foundation, and it works wonderfully. I also like to use this as a setting powder, and it works great for that (and it works well to cover any shimmer in my Revlon PhotoReady foundation!). I can't use a lot of it, though, because it makes my skin feel dry, and it WILL give a white cast if applied too heavily. It requires a light dusting, and that's it. A one ounce container lasted me well over a year, but I think I will purchase this type of powder elsewhere next time I buy some.

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brianadecaro on 6/17/2010 6:45:00 PM more reviews by brianadecaro

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This powder is a shining example of why I love this website SOO much! I bought the MUFE HD powder without reading the reviews first. Gasp! I know! In those reviews, I stumbled across several people that said to get this instead for, ahem, $4!!! I wasn't really all that fond of the MUFE version, especially for it's hefty price tag, so I returned it and bought this. To my delight, I liked this one better! It seems more finely milled than its more expensive counterpart - they are EXACTLY the same! This does not leave so much of a white cast on me as the other one did.
This is HG material for sure. It gives an airbrushed look, sets foundation and absorbs oil. A little trick I use it that after I apply my foundation, I very lightly dust this all over my face. Then I put my blush on AFTER this powder. The blush seems to stick to the powder better and lasts all day. And for a gigantic supply for $4, this is a total win!

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*TOP REVIEWER* makeupaddict76 on 4/10/2010 2:50:00 AM more reviews by makeupaddict76

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I have the MUFE HD Powder but since this CS Silica Powder was fraction of the price, why not try... It looks and feels exactly the same as my MUFE and I use the same method to apply by using my Sephora #55 brush. Unfortunately it did not settle into your skin like the MUFE and didn't control my oil. BTW, have you guys seen this picture of Nicole Kidman when she had white powder all over her face at some NY premiere? Well it happened to me except it was 10 times worse, looked like someone threw flour all over my face, I was mortified when I saw the pictures. I dunno if it made a dfference if I blended the crap out of it, there was no residue of powder in person but in the photo, this was a different story.

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lagomorph on 3/14/2010 7:57:00 PM more reviews by lagomorph

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

This gives the same sort of "soft focus" finish as Smashbox
or Monistat primer except in a powder form. With my dry skin I can only use this during the summer months.

I love to mix a tiny bit with a creamy concealer and use it as a base for my eyelids.

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*TOP REVIEWER* annaharris_227 on 2/26/2010 10:34:00 PM more reviews by annaharris_227

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

I had tested out the original MUFE HD powder previously at Sephora, and I loved the super-silky feel and the fact that it doesn't look cakey on. But I didn't purchase it at the time because I had another powder that I was trying to finish up. Then, just like everyone else here, I discovered that it's simply 100% pure silica powder...and that's all. And then I heard that I can purchase the same exact product at Coastal Scents. Now that I've felt both versions on my hand and tried them on my face, I can proudly state that there is NO DIFFERENCE between either product! Don't get me wrong--I love my high end indulgences just like everyone else here, but when you're selling a 100% product in its pure form and then turning around and charging an arm and leg, I have a problem with that. Honestly, people....save your money for the MUFE HD foundation or the matching HD concealer instead!

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*TOP REVIEWER* dopalives on 2/13/2010 10:27:00 PM more reviews by dopalives

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

For those interested in an alternative:

Regarding silica spheres:

Here is the size of the particles:

TKB Trading = median size 5 microns
MUFE = under 7 microns
CS = 10-14 microns


Price comparisons:

TKB Trading = $20.50 for 8 oz., $11.50 for 4 oz., $3.45 for 1 oz.
MUFE = $30 for 0.35 oz. (!!!)
CS = $21.90 for 8 oz., $4.00 for 1 oz.

I just got an 8 oz. bag from TKB Trading and I'm amazed. Awesome price, cheap shipping, and super fast too. I hope this helps.

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irinahanu on 2/1/2010 1:52:00 PM more reviews by irinahanu

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought it hoping it will help with the oil control,but it didn't.As a powder it's good and cheap,you need a small amount,it will last a long time.
It didn't broke me out.
It literally flies all over,you have to be very careful.
One positive thing is that it makes the skin really smooth.
UPDATE [Jan.02.2011]: I still use it everyday and I like it.As a setting powder it works great.

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Queridaphile on 1/12/2010 7:22:00 PM more reviews by Queridaphile

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Love this stuff. It is an absolute necessity in my regimen. I use it as a base for my mineral foundation and as a fixative for my cream concealer. This stuff does a great job of keeping everything in place. On its own, I don't find that it keeps the oilies at bay, but it doesn't break me out either.

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love_starbucks on 1/7/2010 11:26:00 AM more reviews by love_starbucks

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I got this powder because i originally was interested in the MUFE HD powder. When I found out this was the same thing for a fraction of the price, I quickly ordered. At first I was a little dissapointed because I was expecting soo much goven the hype over the MUFE HD line. It wasnt AMAZING, but after a while i used it again, and i have to say its a good powder. It definitely diffuses the look of small flaws, and many powders have the opposite effect, which is my problem with a lot of only powder face products. This looks great in photos and sort of blurs imprefections slightly. Dont expect a miracle, but for the price, i love it and will buy again when i run out. I put this into an empty sifter jar from BE that i had. That makes it a lotttt easier to use.

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janeeee999 on 12/10/2009 8:22:00 PM more reviews by janeeee999

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This product is the most versatile powder ever! I use it as part of my mineral make-up recipe. It's part of my shea butter cream recipe and my HD powder recipe too. I don't know what I'd do without it. I just want to note that for all those that have reviewed about the crappy container it comes in, I have to say that this product is supposed to be used as an ingredient for a finished product. It is not an actual make-up product. I've purchased silica powder that comes in ziplock bags before so a nice plastic container is a bonus.
You should try grinding some silicon oil with the silica powder, it keeps the powder from flying around too much.

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yiwen86 on 11/29/2009 8:09:00 AM more reviews by yiwen86

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Other    

Initially i was contempt to get either this or MUFE super mat powder. After reading all the hype, I got CS wan instead. I got MAJOR breakouts! I tried mixing with my other loose powder, foundation, etc. It did't work at all. It also didn't help to control my oily t-zone. I stop using for a while, and then I tried again this week. It still didn't work. I finally went out to buy MUFE super mat powder. I flush the CS silica powder down the toilet, to my horror the water turn blackish grey !!!!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Faithersk on 10/29/2009 9:20:00 PM more reviews by Faithersk

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I have always had a hard time rinding a good foundation for my combo skin. Most that are for oil control accentuate lines around my eyes and I still have oil breakthrough by noon. Since I received a sample of this product in a swap, I have tried it with 4 different foundations (that never worked for me before b/c of the oil-slick factor) and I can now wear all of them!! All day, in fact, with one touch-up in the late afternoon. I'm amazed and I can't wait to order a life-time supply. I would hate to every run out. =)

p.s. I got a generous sample of MUFE HD powder from sephora and although the contents are exactly the same, for some reason the MUFE just didn't have the same effects.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ayngemac on 10/12/2009 5:51:00 PM more reviews by ayngemac

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I really love how this works for my oily skin, however, I need to find something to mix it with because the whiteness really shows on my tan skin if I use just a little too much. Also, I don't like how it gets everywhere. It blows all over the place, much more so than regular face powder. Maybe some powdered bronzers? Otherwise, it's great.

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*TOP REVIEWER* musicalhouses on 9/11/2009 2:53:00 AM more reviews by musicalhouses

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Product: Finely-milled, light white powder that goes on mostly transparent. Purely composed of silica. Absorbs oil and has great mattifying and 'soft focus' effect.



My experience: This is my HG. Yes it is my HG. I refuse to use any other powder without using this one now. I use it with other powders and I use it alone, but I could never go without it now! I have some main concerns with my skin, which this addresses very well. Firstly, I have acenic, oily skin that tends to develop into an oil slick as the day progresses, AND to make a bad situation worse, I wear sunscreen everyday, which adds on to the oily look of my skin. Before the advent of this powder, I used to overload on my powder foundation in an attempt to mattify the shine from my sunscreen and face. And while the powder did mattify my face, the mattifying property did not last, and when I took photos, it was evident that I used sunscreen, as all my photos had that ghostly flash that made my face look like it was 4 shades lighter than my neck, AND super oily to boot. I was also tired of having to powder my face by midday lunch break AND after work, when I had already done a full face in the morning. So, when the raves for CS silica powder started filtering in through the boards, I decided to give this a go.


So I placed my order, and waited. It came in a really lousy container, with powder leaking out. Well, OK. I transferred it to another more secure sifter jar, and tried it out. The first few times I tried it, I didn't like it at all. It seemed to stay white instead of blending in transparently into my skin, which was puzzling for me as I was NC20, and girls darker than me were raving on the boards about it, and I couldn't seem to layer it nicely. However, after much experimentation with application techniques - a puff, a 187, a kabuki, a round-tipped powder brush, a flat-top powder brush, I realized that I was putting too much on, and not very evenly. With this powder, very little is required! (However I have to admit I do use more as the weather gets hotter and my face gets oilier to control the shinies). So with that in mind, I used a little each time, adding more if needed, and got pretty good results with any of the brushes. Now, I alternate between a round-tipped powder brush and a flat-top for application, although a soft synthetic kabuki gives good results too. I also realized that if I was using this in conjunction with other powders, this was better UNDER, rather than OVER, other powders. Why this is so baffles me, but it seems to be the case - perhaps it acts as a sort of primer? Who knows, but this is my experience - I'm sure someone else would find that over works better for her.


In anycase, after much experimentation, I came to love this to death. After I managed to not apply too much, and to apply it under my other powders, this was a dream come true. During the hot Chicago summers, I only needed toput a fair amount of powder all over my face, and I could just leave my makeup alone for the rest of the day, and not have to touch up by dinnertime! Imagine my joy at realizing I didn't have to touch up at all, after being used to touching up twice everyday! My non-makeup-wearing friend was so impressed by the oil-controlling and mattifying properties of this powder after seeing its effects on me that she wanted to get some of her own too! An added bonus is that this photographs really well - it seems to dim the 'sunscreen-flash' effect my face has in photographs (although it doesn't make it disappear - after all sunscreen reflects through everything if a flash is used), and if I'm not wearing sunscreen, this makes my skin look better. At first I didn't really believe the 'soft focus' claims of this powder, and I used it primarily because of it's mattifying properties. However, after taking a look at photos of me with this powder on, I have to say there IS a difference - not a wow-no-wrinkles-at-all difference, but a the-surface-of-my-skin-looks-more-even kind of difference. Not a big one, but it helps. So now, if I know I'm going to be photographed (as was the case in my college graduation), I make sure this is the powder I'll be wearing that day, just so the photos of me look as nice as they can be. In fact, I loved this powder so much that when I left the US, I ordered a huge 8lbs pack of powder to last my entire life, and my children's life, until the day I die - I couldn't imagine ever living without it!



OK so what's the catch? I've said all the good things about it, but I recognize this might not be suitable for everyone. For one, I said it goes on mostly transparent, and when I started using it, I had trouble with the powder appearing white, and I think for girls who are NC35 and darker, they might experience this kind of problem, unless the powder is applied sparingly. Another thing is that since this powder is good for oily skin, I wouldn't recommend it for dry skins, since it could potentially dry the skin out! Also another of my complaints is the cosmetic elegance of the powder - because its so light and finely milled, spills are a disaster, and the powder just tends to poof into the air (those of you who own it will know what I mean). This is because of the nature of silica powder, of course, so it's not anything that can be helped, but careful handling and application of the powder should do the trick.


Overall, I'd recommend this for those who have oily skin and want a powder with mattifying properties, and for those who want a powder for events at which there will be lots of photographs being taken. But I'd be wary about recommending it to girls of darker skin since this can appear a bit whitish, and girls with dry skin, since it could dry out their skin.

23 out of 24 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* pmbechtle on 8/23/2009 8:59:00 AM more reviews by pmbechtle

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is a great setting powder for my combo n/o skin. I use *just a little* to dust over my t-zone and I'm good to go, shineless for hours!

- I threw out the contents of a BE sifter jar (foundation which I wore only twice, and would never use agian). I spooned the CS Silica Spheres into the empty sifter jar. I use a small powder brush to dust it on. If your skin is combination, with just a little shine, use very little! It can be quite drying.

-Let's see... $86/oz. for MUFE HD, or $4/oz. for CS Silica Spheres Powder? Same stuff. You can read the MSDS (safety data) right on the CS site. If you really don't care about the price difference, buy MUFE (you won't have to make your own packaging). If you want the same product for $4/oz., buy the SC. No brainer.
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EDIT 9/20/2009: Regarding the rumored danger of using silica powders - The MSDS for MUFE HD powder and the Coastal Scents Silica Powder are identical. The inhalation danger is from CHRYSTALLIZED SILICA, the forms found in things such as cat litter and diatomaceous earth, NOT SPHERICAL SILICA that is found in these powders. Lots of finely milled loose powders can become airborne, and you should avoid inhaling any of them- but they are safe to use, as long as you aren't like SNORTING them, lol.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Mrs_Pooky on 8/21/2009 3:27:00 PM more reviews by Mrs_Pooky

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

Knowing that silica spheres are the current rage, but being the cheap dupe-lover that I am, I thought I'd give it a try. I'm very glad I did! This definitely blurs imperfections and fine lines while controlling oil on my combo skin very well. It doesn't break me out at all, which is an obvious benefit. I've tried other more expensive silica powders and can't detect a difference. I also purchased boron nitride from CS and added it to the silica to try to help adhere to the skin a bit better. The silica comes in a jar not a shaker. For the price, that's fine with me! I know many people have issues with CS. I've purchased brushes from them as well as the silica and haven't had a problem.

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