Jane Iredale • Pure Pressed Base • Powder

rated 4.0(594 reviews)

Average Rating.4.0
Would buy this product again.73%
Package Quality4.0
Price4.2
Ingredients

rated 5 of 5 its123me on 12/20/2011 9:34:00 PM more reviews by its123me

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Well I have to add my praises to those of all of the people who have praised this product. I have sensitive, rosacea, and dermatitis prone skin. My skin also quite light and cool toned, and I have had trouble finding a good foundation, that both looks good and doesn't irritate my skin. I am allergic to bismuth, so mineral makeup and all powders have been problematic. I also like more natural looking products. I have tried Dior, MAC, Clinique, Lancome, Bare Escentuals, Everyday Minerals, Laura Mercier, Just For Redheads, Aveda, and Benefit. All have looked artificial, broken me out, and made my rosacea look so much worse. Sigh. So, I finally decided to take a chance on Jane Iredale. I wear the Bisque color which is kind of yellow colored, which is good to counteract the redness in my skin. I did a lot of online research, including using their online makeover feature--it really helped me choose the correct color. I would not have really known to choose something yellow toned, as my skin is very not yellow! I did try it on first in the store--they carry it at a local beauty supply/salon called Kamay.


Do I like it? I love it. I think it looks completely natural and barely there, which is the look I like. I apply it very lightly over sunscreen and don't always apply all over, but mostly to my T-zone. It does need reapplication halfway through the day, but if I applied it heavier, it might not, but I like the sheer look. It doesn't settle into pores or lines and it's not shiny. It doesn't look at all like I have anything on--just perfect skin. Both my husband and son have thought that I wasn't wearing makeup (they both hate makeup on me) on the days I was wearing it! That's a big recommendation.


Yes, it is expensive. But, if it works, it's better than breakouts, redness, and irritation. Personally, I don't use much daily, so I expect it to last a long time. By the way, I have been using a puff to apply, as brushes irritate my skin. I also love the case. I haven't seen a real metal compact since I was a kid in the 1960s--very chic.


I'm really hoping that this is finally my Holy Grail makeup. It's my turn to find my perfect product. So far, so good.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 littlefangfang on 12/20/2011 8:06:00 PM more reviews by littlefangfang

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Let me start with their customer service, it was OUTSTANDING. I always have a hard time to pick the right shade for all foundations even when I'm in the stores. Well, obviously it makes it a lot harder to try to match the right shade online through the color chart. So, I wrote an email to their customer service and described my skin type and shade. I told them I'm NC 40 with MAC. The very next day I got a reply from one of their representatives and asked me for my mailing address so she could send me samples. Within a week, I got 5 decent sized samples in those eye shadow containers. I tried them on and found the best match. I have to say after years and years of searching for the best foundation and after trying pretty much all the good brands ( from Department stores, sephora, sallys, ulta to drug store brands)you can think of, this is it! Highly recommended!!

BTW, before you purchase your next product regardless it's makeup or skin care make sure you check out www.ewg.org/skindeep/ first to see the toxic level. you will be shocked how much toxic chemicals are in our beauty products which we use on the daily basis.

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

rated 5 of 5 laurendaugherty on 12/9/2011 12:46:00 PM more reviews by laurendaugherty

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This product is very expensive in my opinion ($50-$55), but totally worth it. Great for sensitive skin. Stays on all day, and somehow looks better towards the end of the day than it does at the beginning. I've found that it looks much better and more even when applied with a fat makeup brush than with the little compact puff it comes with.

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

rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* stillhot on 12/6/2011 11:15:00 AM more reviews by stillhot

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I had never heard of JI until I saw someone wearing it, and was taken with how beautiful their skin looked. Although this is marketed as a full out foundation, (which would be perfect for younger skin than mine) I use it as a finishing powder. It keeps my Chanel foundation perfect until I take it off; indeed my skin looks the same at night as it did in the a.m. Which is a good or bad thing, depending on the lighting!!

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rated 5 of 5 *TOP REVIEWER* avironneur on 11/22/2011 2:41:00 PM more reviews by avironneur

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

WHAT IS IT? Mineral powder foundation (no bismuth oxychloride for those interested) that also provides a tested SPF 20 coverage. Active sunscreen ingredients are 14% Titanium Oxide and 3% Zinc Oxide

INGREDIENTS:Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 14%, Zinc Oxide 3%. Ingredients: Mica, Boron Nitride, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Plankton Extract, Algae Extract, Pinus Strobus (Pine) Bark Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Chromium Oxide Greens.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM? I'm a guy so I am approaching this product from a different perspective and using it for different needs than the average makeup wearer. For me, this product succeeds at covering redness and blotchy, uneven skin tone resulting from seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea. It also, when applied with either the Jane Iredale Handi Brush or a standard kabuki brush, provides coverage that is imperceptible to others which is critical for me as I am not interested in looking like I am wearing makeup. I wear this product over a very light hydrating toner and find that it does not overly dry out my oily/combination skin even in cooler weather. I would imagine in serious cold (below 32 F / 0 C) one would want to apply some sort of oil or cream to lock in moisture as this powder certainly will not add moisture. I use Avene Water Spray or any other available thermal water spray (you could use rosewater for example) to "set" the powder so it does not appear cakey.

The packaging is in the form of a metal compact (I would prefer something more discreet but...) that can be refilled which is excellent in my opinion, given my concerns for the environment and avoidance of wasteful packaging. The metal compact can also be recycled should you decide to no longer use the product.

WOULD YOU BUY AGAIN? Absolutely. This protects my skin from the sun adequately for everyday exposure at work or on days when I am not spending significant time outside and applies evently and imperceptibly which prevents me from looking like a drag queen or tranny mess (no offence to those who are either - it takes all kinds)

PRICE: $57 CAD for compact + product, $47 CAD for refills. Prices 5-7 dollars cheaper for Americans. Product should last several months even with daily use

13 out of 14 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 2 of 5 2010jesslee on 11/22/2011 5:04:00 AM more reviews by 2010jesslee

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I am a JI's fan and I use lots of their products. I want to love this product but I really don't know why this product make my face so shiny after 2-3hours. I have applied it in so many different ways: different primer, different finishing powder and brushes etc... I have even put on JI beyond Matte powder and it is still the same, their Absence didn't help either.
This powder really gives good coverage at the beginning but the powder slide off when my face was getting more and more oily. I have oily acne prone skin that's why I want to go for mineral skin care. Besides, I have to say under sunlight it looks not so pretty, but at night time it does like Great under light bulb (yellowish light). I guess because of the light reflective ingredients from the powder? but I want to look great under natural light too :-(
Also algae extract is actually a Pore clogging agent, I search it on the net and it has the highest ranking. Most of the time, after the day I use this powder I got small pimples, the one has a white heads in it. I also think that it is too fast to finish one pan, it is not a cheap product so every 2 months need to get a refill.
So, I think if you have normal or dry skin, or more mature skin, this product will look great on u, i suppose your face will look 'dewy' and not greasy, and moisturizing too. For oily skin friends, I am afraid u need a good oil control primer and finishing powder to stay away from the shine.
I hope in the future, JI can have a better formulation for foundation to help people oily like mine, ...

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

rated 5 of 5 xcheck on 11/12/2011 4:43:00 PM more reviews by xcheck

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This powder gives me a very natural look. It will not sit in your pores like a liquid foundation. It covers redness beautifully; it is magic. I use the Handi Brush, which is an amazing brush for application. It helps to use a spray to set the powder, I use both the Jane Iredale spray and also another herbal tonic. Both work great. The price is high but the powder lasts a bit longer than liquid foundation. The only slight issue I can comment on besides the high price is that during the winter, sometimes powder can be difficult to wear on dry skin. That, however, is a moisturizing problem, not related to the product. This is one of the best powder foundations on the market.

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rated 4 of 5 woodenshoe on 11/10/2011 12:33:00 PM more reviews by woodenshoe

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark   Hair: Other   Eyes: Black    

I absolutely love this foundation. I prefer the Pressed Base because it it is easy to apply without creating a mess.


My skin is extremely oily and prone to breakouts and this foundation has a visible positive effect on my skin. It comes in a wide range of colors which made it easy for me to pick the perfect color for my skintone.


It is very important to use the Jane Iredale handi brush or the Jane Iredale flocked sponge to apply it. Other brushes just don´t have the same effect when it comes to coverage, blending and creating a natural effect.


I take one lippie of for the price since it's almost unaffordable when you are on a tight budget like me, but that doesn't stop me from buying it again and again.

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rated 1 of 5 miraclemirror on 11/9/2011 10:34:00 PM more reviews by miraclemirror

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

i am sensitive to this product which I am not certain why..
I am letting go of this product. Interested can message me...

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rated 5 of 5 lipglossraider on 10/10/2011 9:52:00 AM more reviews by lipglossraider

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

ive bought this in a golden glow shade. first day trying it. i liked the coverage it gives me-it gives about light to medium coverage. it feels natural and light. the colour goes on really well and lasts all day specially with the handi brush. i get an oily T-zone by the end of they day i look very shiny, but with this powder its stopped that happening which im happy about! will keep using this...feels of great quality too!

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rated 5 of 5 doreenk on 9/29/2011 7:07:00 PM more reviews by doreenk

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I am usually not a fan of powder/pressed powder foundation as I found that they are too dry for my dehydrated skin. They accentuate dry patches and look powdery. However, this product changes my mind. Thanks to my friend who recommended this to me. I use shade Natural. This is very light weight and comfortable to wear. I don’t feel/look like wearing anything yet it gives me a more even and radiant complexion for the whole day. I come back home after a day of work with my face still looking nice and fresh. The coverage is sheer to medium. I use this with Jane Iredale Handi brush which works wonders and set it with my facial spray. That seals the foundation perfectly on my skin. I must stress that a good brush is necessary to obtain a beautiful canvas. Before I got myself the Handi brush, I used it with my kabuki brush and it looked awful. The sponge that comes with the compact is good for a quick touch-up if necessary. I gently dab it on the areas that required attention i.e. T-Zone, then am good to go again. This is now my go-to foundation on days when I feel like not having too much on my face.

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rated 4 of 5 msroser on 9/25/2011 12:13:00 PM more reviews by msroser

Age: 44-55   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

My dermatologist recommended I try this as a product that would not exacerbate my recalcitrant acne. Yes, I am 46 and have both wrinkles AND acne. The joy!

I've been using it daily for about three months now. The powder goes on beautifully, covers well without having to cake it on, and stays on all day. There is some transfer to my phone, and to my horror, to the lapel of a colleague's suit when he gave me a hug.

To the credit of Jane Iredale, this product does not appear to have made me break out. I still get a cyst or to at that time of the month, but it seems unrelated to my use of this product.

My real negative on this is the slight sheen it imparts. I'm not a fan. I know some people like that, and if you do, this might be the perfect foundation for you. But I don't like it, and I wish I could get this kind of gentle, complete coverage without it.

I just saw photos of myself from an evening event, taken using flash, and my face appears to be glowing like I just disembarked from an alien space ship.

Not the pretty, polished look I was going for, to say the least.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 GStelz on 9/11/2011 8:17:00 PM more reviews by GStelz

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

WOW! I finally have my HG foundation. My skin is sensitive, acne-prone, and combination oil level. I've really used almost every brand of foundation out there: Bobbi Brown, Bare Minerals, Chanel, Lancome, Prescriptives, Smashbox, the usual list of suspects most of us go through.

I use PTR's Clini-Matte SPF 20 then use the JI Pure Pressed Base. Every time I go to apply this foundation I think to myself "I have no idea how this is going to even out my face". It just doesn't look like much when you're used to liquid. I use the Jane Iredale Flocked Sponge to buff this into my skin and it's like magic. If I have a blemish I use a concealer brush to work a bit of the foundation on to a spot and it's gone!

Jane recommends setting the foundation with one of her facial mists as this foundation is VERY matte; I use Mario Badescu's Aloe and Rosewater Facial Spray. This makes the foundation melt into my skin and gives me the most amazing air brushed look I've ever been able to achieve in my years of using make up. It's so light and breathable and looks like I just have perfect skin, not like I am wearing make up. Also, this make up definitely does not irritate my skin in any way. It's considered a "skin care make up" and I believe it. My skin is healthy and happy when I wash my face at night.

It's so reassuring to know I have this product in my arsenal. My husband keeps saying "your skin looks really good!" Considering he is not terribly observant and I typically have to prompt him with "how do I look?!" this is a big deal!

One last point: I've heard people complain about the price. It was $49 to purchase the foundation in the lovely metal case. Going forward, refills will cost me $40. I don't believe this is expensive for a foundation. If you're someone who usually buys foundation at the drugstore, then yes, this is more expensive. But against foundations that I would consider to be competitors it is priced very fairly. It's also a joy to use. Its metal compact is very travel friendly and it feels glamorous, in a mid 1900's movie star sort of way.

Tip: Find the product and have it applied before buying. Since the product is very matte, it might not be the right choice for dry skin types.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 4 of 5 franktommyquaker on 8/25/2011 11:11:00 AM more reviews by franktommyquaker

Age: Unknown   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I like this foundation for several reasons, nice natural SPF 20, this will not clog pores, cause acne or irritation. The product is perfect for you if you break out easy. I took off 1 lippie because I have very oily skin and this does not control oil as well as EL double wear light. If it controled oil better and cost less it would be PERFECT, it does not cause me to get oily ( that happens on its own) it just doesnt control it.

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rated 5 of 5 theinflightradio on 8/20/2011 4:28:00 PM more reviews by theinflightradio

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is by far my HG powder!!! I switched to it in the summertime by recommendation from my dermatologist, and by the time school rolled around, friends were literally complimenting me by the droves in how awesome my skin looked now. And I owe so much of it to this product! The only thing is I wish it weren't so expensive... I tend to run through them pretty quickly so it's hurting my account, no doubt. Still, I will use it until a comparable and cheaper alternative pops up... But with the quality that this powder provides, I'm not sure a cheaper option is really viable. Highly recommend this for anyone with acne-prone skin!

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

rated 5 of 5 mikiraa on 8/5/2011 8:22:00 AM more reviews by mikiraa

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great product. After spending tons of $$$ trying out foundations from LM, Lancome, NARS, Dior, and MUFE, I have to say that this is my HG for daily use and go-to foundation. Not that I don't love my other foundations - it's just that this one is IMO the most reliable one. I've been using this foundation for about 8 months on a daily basis (or at least whenever I wear foundation, which is on average 5 days/week) and I've only needed to repurchase once. For reference I am a MAC NC20-25 (leaning slight more towards the NC20 side, especially during the winter) and I wear Warm Silk, although I could probably go a shade darker.

The foundation comes in a heavy, elegant gold compact with a mirror. On the bottom of the gold compact there is a little pinhole which you can poke a paperclip through to push out the removable foundation compact, so that when the foundation runs out, you can just buy the refill and pop it back in. The compact definitely feels sturdy but is a little on the heavy side.

For me, this provides light to medium coverage. I believe this is slightly buildable but too much could cause this to look cakey. However, when I apply this to my preferred medium coverage, this never looks cakey or overdone. It looks very natural on the skin, and has a matte finish. I apply this over moisturized skin, using a kabuki to swipe it on (I don't swirl this on my face like other mineral foundations). It feels and wears weightlessly - I never think that I'm wearing foundation. I usually dab a little bit of my MUFE Full Cover concealer on my trouble spots after I've applied the foundation, dust a little bit of whatever sheer finishing powder I have on hand, spray a bit of MAC Fix+ and voila - flawless, natural looking face all day. The finishing spray helps to keep it from looking too matte (if you don't like that look). I have worn it without the spray and it wears just as long.

It wears perfectly all day - from when I put it on at 6:30 AM to 10 PM when I finally come home. I usually have training for the sports team I play for after school, and this even stays perfect looking through those 4 hour long sessions. More than once I've had someone come up to me and ask me, "how does your makeup stay so perfect and not melt off after all that exercise?" This is the secret!

I have dry skin in the winter (normal during the summer) and this doesn't dry out my skin at all. I haven't had any breakouts due to this product either. This product might actually have helped to improve my skin a bit! I feel that after I started using this foundation (along with an improved skincare routine) my acne scars are fading, and my skin tone is more even.

My only gripe is that in Canada, this foundation is freaking expensive - especially on a college student's budget! I believe retail it costs $59 for the gold compact and foundation, not including tax. Refills are $47. However, I will continue to purchase since this is the only foundation I've found that lasts so long through the toughest things imaginable. I don't believe I'll ever find something else as good as this!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 Eden24 on 7/10/2011 2:02:00 AM more reviews by Eden24

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I had bad acne when I was younger, and I did a round of Accutane which completely cleared it (yay!). Afterward, I had beautiful skin but was terrified of using any products on it, because I really believe overuse of products is what contributed to my acne in the first place. After tentatively trying out a few foundations with no success (Bobbi Brown, Clinique, etc.), I tried Jane Iredale. It is perfect for my skin, absolutely does not cause clogged pores, and seems to actually improve my skin tone some of the time. I have fair skin and I use the color Warm Silk, and it's a perfect match. The only thing I'll say is that the coverage is pretty sheer, as most powders are, so it's really only good if you're looking for a light coverage to even out skin tone and look "finished". I use a light moisturizer underneath it (a must) and if I'm not being lazy, I use a face mist to look dewy.

Overall, this is a must-have for me!

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rated 5 of 5 Deadhead on 7/9/2011 12:05:00 AM more reviews by Deadhead

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

As a suggestion from my aesthetician, I have been using Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Base going on four years now. It's definitely my HG. I love the heavy compact, which is refillable. I have never had a compact break, nor have I had the powder itself shatter (even though I've dropped it dozens and dozens of times).


The makeup itself has adjustable coverage. You MUST use a moisturizer or something underneath this to make it look natural. If you put this makeup on unprepared skin, it will look just like powder sitting on your face.


I apply mine with a kabuki brush from the Body Shop. I've also had great success using the Jane Iredale flocked sponge (which is washable). The little sponge that comes with the compact is fine, but I feel like it wastes product because it cannot spread the powder as far. I can achieve nearly perfect skin when using the kabuki brush. I also use this under my eyes with the BE concealer brush... I like that look much better than cream or liquid concealer. This also covers any redness or pimples.


The makeup stays on all day, in my opinion. However, I have just moved to a more humid climate and am considering a finishing powder to cut down on my midday shine. Also, one makeup refill will last a lonnnnnnng time, at least several months with daily use.


For what it's worth, I've also used Youngblood and BE mineral powders, but this one gives me more natural results and most importantly for me, it doesn't break me out at all. I'm extremely acne prone. I'm not someone who searches endlessly for the perfect foundation. I have used this for years and am happy with it.


I will buy this time and time again.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 pwm on 7/8/2011 2:51:00 PM more reviews by pwm

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely love the pure pressed base makeup! I have searched for a new foundation now that I am in my sixties ,that would hide age spots, not emphasize wrinkles, be good for my skin,non drying, and give me a flawless look. Jane Iredale is the best I have used that does just about all of these ( also is good for my skin!).I love applying it with brushes so that I don't pull or tug at my skin. Her brushes are great! I have normal, fair skin, with several age spots. I use Dream Tint on a brush sprayed with Pommisst as a primer for my face, then light Circle Delete under my eyes and on discolorations ( works better than numerous concealers I have tried), lid primer in Lemon,light beige PPB all over the face,then ivory PPB under eyes for added concealing and brightening of eye area( a tip from a sales person here),then Beyond Matte HD matifying powder on nose and chin and lower cheeks for added coverage-LOVE this product! Add Barely Rose blush and Pink Biss eye shadows,liner, lip plumper and Pure Gloss in Cherry Sparkle....:) I love the fact that these don't contain dyes,chemical preservatives,fillers, and synthetic fragrances, and have sunscreen too.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rated 5 of 5 anung19girl on 6/28/2011 8:55:00 PM more reviews by anung19girl

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

My mom has rosacea so her skin is has red blotches. I also have red blotches, but not as bad. We both use it and love it! It blends in perfectly and totally covers the blotchiness but still lets some of the color through so it looks like I'm wearing blush. It looks a little lighter in the compact than it does when it goes on the skin. I love this stuff!

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