Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Compact Powder Foundation (All Shades)

I decided to try this after my daughter purchased it instead of her usual Palladio Rice Powder foundation. She raved how smooth it felt - and covered well - w/o feeling heavy. I have to agree - it really does provide great coverage and feels VERY light. I'm using "Natural Ivory" (the 2nd Lightest shade). I'm pleased that it's so neutral - not too yellow or pink. I'm also pleased that a little extra dab on trouble spots - and I don't need concealer like before. This definitely feels lighter and saves time. (Probably better for blemishes, too.) My only complaints are RE: the packaging: a) not a lot of product/the pan is quite shallow; b) sponge compartment has no air holes in it/not breathable. But still - I would definitely re-purchase. :-)
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Update 4/40/08: While I did like this powder and it had VG coverage - after one compact I decided I missed my Physician's Formula Pressed Mineral Powder. PF powder is a bit sheerer - and since it comes in Translucent - I like it's color better (less beige-y). I also feel the PF does not settle into fine lines as much/better for over-40 skin.

I normally use JI purepressed minerals in Sienna, but I decided to try this Neutrogena one out b/c the price is great, it's fairly easy to find and it also has SPF 20 (I think JI has SPF 18.)

Anyway, I really wanted to love this, but this is just so-so. I have very oily skin but found that this Neutrogena powder accentuated the tiniest bits of flakieness on my face, whereas the JI did not. I got the lightest shade, I think Ivory, and when I first put it on, I look pretty pale, but after an hour or so, the oiliness of my face oxidizes it to a near perfect match to my actual skin tone.

I like that the coverage is matte and fairly buildable. I don't love the sponge it comes with though. It's not my HG powder foundation w/ SPF, but it's a good low-end effort. I prefer my JI, but in a pinch, if I don't have time to get to my local makeup boutique to pick up my JI, I will pick this one up again at my local Target.

I have combination skin that is acne prone and thought that this would be a safe product for my skin. The ingredient list is short and Neutrogena claims that it is non-comedogenic and will not clog pores. I was really excited to try this new product because I found a shade that was a perfect match for me. Unfortunately, I had a horrible experience with this product and it caused severe cystic acne. After only two days of not using this powder, my face has cleared and I am not even wearing makeup today. This makeup was the only thing that I changed in my routine last week, so it definitely was the culprit of my cystic acne. The packaging is horrible, and it is very hard to open. It is also deceiving about how much product is in the package, so you’ll be surprised when you open it. I applied the product with a brush and avoided the sponge that is included in the package.

I wanted to love this, mostly because of the price and convenience. I currently use Philosophy Airbrush Canvas mineral makeup and love, love, love it, but at $35 plus shipping, well, I'm always looking for a replacement...

I really like the coverage that this product affords. I have a few old acne scars and redness, and this product covers them quite well. It evens out my complexion without looking mask-like. BTW, I use the lightest color available. It doesn't have a "glowy" look like some MMU, but doesn't look flat, either. My freckles show through, which I like.

My problem is that I have been absolutely breakout free for months and months and months -- ever since I settled on the just-right cleaning, moisturizing and makup combination. I shouldn't have upset the apple cart. Just two days of use and I have a cystic pimple on my chin. Ouch. Haven't had one of those in YEARS. Additionally, the itching that I experienced with Bare Minerals prior to finding Philosphy is also occuring with this product.

Into the trash...glad it was 50% off at Walgreen's this week.

I actually like this powder quite a bit. At first I too thought it was sheer, but after putting concealer on my blemishes first then using the powder with a foundation brush, I found it to be quite buildable. True, it did not give me medium-full coverage like liquid foundations (last tried Maybelline Age-Rewind, and it had great coverage but still felt kind of unnatural; maybe I'm too picky). But it did have a solid medium coverage that was very natural looking so that it did look "like me, only better". The shade 40 Nude is supposedly darker than what I would choose, but worked out great for me (by the way, 30 Buff was more pink and looked darker to me than the Nude). It left only very minor flecks of powder so it's very hard to tell I'm wearing anything. But still, over my Maybelline liquid concealer it looked great. I also did not think the package was flimsy, just average. My only gripe with it is that after 3 hours of wearing it, I started to go from dewy to oily, needing to blot with rice paper. I've only wore it 2 days but it seems blotting every 3 hours will be necessary, though it may be a decent trade off for the most natural-looking, comfortable foundation I have tried. I also have combination skin that can get very oily or very dry. It has not seemed to cause acne so far. Overall very happy with it. May need to try Palladio Wet/Dry next but I think one of these two will be my long term foundation. I will try to update this review after wearing it longer or comparing these two.

I usually like Neutrogena and was so hyped about this product due to all of the raves, but the powder disappointed me. I got it for only $7 (Walgreens sale), and I liked the nude color, but it offered me no coverage. It's just a regular, sheer powder. I think a drugstore product that retails for 12.99 usd has got to deliver better than this. I'd rather stick with a cheaper (and more reliable) Maybelline powder.

So I just happen to come across this powder at a local Walgreens, in their "new items" section, and of course I had to try it! I've been looking for a compact mineral foundation and was very happy to find one from Neutrogena, which is known for being gentle and non-comedogenic. I am Asian and have some yellow in my skin, so it can be hard to find a good color match. I tried the Nude 40 color, and it's a very good match for my skin tone. I have tried it for about a week now and am pretty happy with it. I have oily skin and am prone to break outs. I haven't noticed any break outs this week and my skin actually feels smoother (maybe my imagination?) I usually use BE in medium beige, and it gives good coverage, but tends to oxidize slightly with my oily skin and will sometimes fade around the corners around my nose. But with the Mineral Sheers, the powder color stayed true and I noticed less shine throughout the day! I use a baby kabuki brush in the a.m. and it gives me a light coverage but hides my dark spots pretty well. I use BPO in the a.m. so i was worried a pressed powder foundation would look too cakey or dry on my face. But this powder doesn't look too matte or heavy. The sponge application is a bit heavy for me, especially for touch ups during the afternoon. I will have to start carrying a small portable brush. But overall, a very good product, especially for the price. I paid $12.99 last week, but Walgreens is having a sale this week for 40% so I will stop by and pick up a couple extra, maybe in a darker tone for the summer as well! I give it 4 out of 5 only because I wasn't happy with the packaging, having to flip the compact up to access the mirror. They should use the MAC packaging which is perfect. But I suppose since it's drugstore brand, they need to display the color with the clear lid.

I LIKE THIS PRODUCT, ITS SHEER BUT ENOUGH COVERAGE FOR ME. IT ALSO DOESNT BREAK MY SKIN OUT. THE PACKAGING WAS A GREAT IDEA GONE BAD BUT NOT HORRIBLE. I LIKE NOT HAVING IT ALL IN ONE SHOP BECAUSE ITS CONVEINT. THE CAP DOES BREAK EASILY AND THE BRUSH DOES GET A LIL ROUGH AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PICK "HAIRS" OFF WHEN IM DONE APPLYING BUT FOR THE PRODUCT AND PRICE ITS A GOOD DEAL IF YOU CAN TOLERATE THE PACKAGING. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL UPGRADE THAT PROBLEM. USUALLY I PURCHASE THESE WHEN THEY ARE BUY 1 GET 1 FREE...OR BUY 1 GET 1 50% OFF

well so far this is my hg foundation. i love powder foundations. my skin gets very oily and this is great because its one of the only foundations that doesnt break me out like liquids or creams. what i love most about this product is the glow it gives me. im medium skinned and i used to use the medium to tan color but it was too dark. now i use the neutral to medium and its perfect. u should use this if your looking for not such heavy coverage but a sheer glowing kinda thing. its not good for covering dark circles or brown spots or things like that by itself. u still need a concealer for that. what i also love is the portable packaging which is great! the only problems i have is cleaning the brush is not easy. i ruined the last one i had by washing with soap and water and it seeped through the brush ruining the powder. but now i just take an alcohol soaked cotton ball and rub it over the top of the bristles. i also noticed when im applying it the powder fans out and can get in my eyes if im not careful. but i can definitely put up with those things so ill keep getting compliments on my skin. yup ill repurchase.

After years of searching I'd have to say this is my HG foundation. The packaging is GENIUS and portable of it all is just awesome. I have medium skin with yellow undertones and a whole mess of acne scars. I had piling on concealer and liquid foundation when all it does is make me look fake and cause more acne :(
The best part about the mineral powder foundation is the amount of coverage is very reflexable. I dip a little concealer brush into the big attached brush and use it to cover undereye circles and pimples. I would have given this a 4 because I was having trouble getting powder onto the brush, but I realized that if you pump the plastic cover while holding the brush upside down, you can dispense as much product as you want to control coverage. I recommend this product to everyone with normal to oily skin ESPECIALLY girls with acne. Just to let you know how long it lasts, I bought it 7 months ago and I use about medium coverage everyday, and I have about 1/4 of it left. I LOVE THIS POWDER!