Swatches + Comparison: Luxury and Mid Range Setting Powders (Dior, La Mer, Charlotte Tilbury, Mac)

Generally, oil-controlling white powders, such as the Nars Light Reflecting (review) and MAC Prep + Prime (review), work best for those with extremely oily skin. Luminous powders, such as the La Mer one, work best for those with dry and mature skin. I personally love using all types of powders because they serve different purposes and some work better than others depending on the type of foundation that I'm wearing underneath. (For reference, I have an oily t-zone and normal skin on the rest of my face.) 

I find that mattifying powders can emphasize dry patches and can cause the skin to look flakey when paired with a mattifying foundation, such as the Dior Forever (review), while powders with a natural finish are not oil controlling enough when paired with semi-matte foundations, such as the MUFE HD and L'oreal True Match (review). Also, semi-matte foundations can make my skin look too dewy when worn alone, while mattifying foundations can be too drying to wear during the winter time. Therefore, I find that powders with a natural finish pair better with mattifying foundations as it prevents the skin from looking too flat, while still keeping oil at bay. On the other hand, mattifying powders pair better with luminous & semi-matte foundations as it provides oil-control, while still giving life to the skin.

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Swatches: MAC Vibe Tribe, Brooke Candy, Simpsons, Style Warriors and Indulge Collection (Limited Edition)

I recently purchased a few goodies from MAC's Vibe Tribe 2016 Summer Collection and plan on picking up the Adobe Brick blush as well, which I will review in a later post.

When I was going through my stash to check for possible dupes, I realized that there were a few limited edition MAC products that I never reviewed on my blog. I decided to include them in this post because maybe you guys have forgotten about them too and this may remind you to use them again? You can also call your nearest CCO (The Cosmetics Company Store) to see if they still have them in stock. (The CCO carries products from Estee Lauder-owned companies, including MAC, Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Origins, Smashbox and Lab Series, and sells them for around 30% off retail price.)

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Swatches + Comparisons: By Terry Rouge Terrybly and Nars Sheer, Satin & Semi Matte Lipsticks

I purchased a few items from Beauty.com during their 20% OFF Friends and Family Event, which is still going on now and ends May 28, 2016. It's one of my favorite online retailers because I get 5% back in the form of beauty.com dollars, which can be spent on a future purchase, on top of however much cashback I get from Ebates, Mr.Rebates or TopCashBack. ^_^

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Review + Comparisons: MAC Prep + Prime, Pro Longwear and Becca Blotting Powder Perfector

Powders work well for setting your makeup and prevent your foundation, concealer & cream blushers/bronzers from fading throughout the day. The ones that layer well not only locks your makeup in place, but they are also suitable for mid-day touchups. The ones that go on sheer work best as a finishing powder and for those who don't want additional coverage as they can make your foundation look separated the more you pack on the product. There are also some powders that mattify the skin, while others provide a more natural finish. Continue reading to find out which one works best for your needs!

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Swatches + Comparisons: Burberry Light Glow Blush in Blossom No.05 (New Formula)

Burberry Light Glow Blush in No.05 Blossom ($42 for 7g/0.24oz)

Packaging: The compact has a magnetic closure and a sizeable mirror. (It's worth noting that the compact does not open all the way.) The product is embossed with the signature check print and although it doesn't go all the way through the pan, the pattern lasts a good amount of uses before fading. (For me, the pattern lasted about a few months with daily use.) 

It also comes with a velvet pouch that protects the case during travel as well as an angled mini brush. The bristles are made of natural hair and feels softer than the original version. In terms of performance, I find that both are too narrow for blush application even after washing, and is more suitable for contouring. (Natural brushes tend to fluff out after the initial wash.) Keep in mind that the brush will suffice and get the job done when you're on the go. I just prefer my full-size brushes in general because they're easier to hold and to work with.  

Scent: As soon as I open the compact and during application, I notice a very strong, but pleasant floral scent. It dissipates after a few seconds. (I've had the original version for more than 5 years and the fragrance is still noticeable.) 

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