ELF High Definition Powder [Review]

Dear readers,

I have always favoured loose powder more than the compact versions - in my mind I think that they give a more natural effect, but it might be me.

I had heard loads about the Elf HD [High Definition] Powder, and I read loads of reviews before actually buying it [since I have a love/hate relationship with Elf products, especially their packaging.]

This powder costs £6 and you can get it from the Elf website *here*. It is available in 3 different shades; translucent like mine, a shimmery one and a yellow based tone corrective one.

The powder comes in a largish squarish container with a screw on lid. You get 8grm of product. Inside the container you get a sifter which is standard for loose pigments/powders.

Now I have mixed feeling about this powder, but I'll start with the positive ones first.

Elf claim that

"The high definition loose powder creates a "soft focus" effect to the skin. Masks fine lines and imperfections for a radiant complexion. The incredibly soft and invisible powder is great for on-screen and everyday wear"

I have to agree with this statement, because this powder is/feels really soft because it so so finely milled. Once applied, your face has a velvety feel which I really love. 

I usually apply a tiny amount of this on top of my normal powder to give me the 'soft focus' effect. I use this on my normal powder because I think that this powder makes me really pale (I don't think it is really that translucent). I have to say that this photographs really well, making my face/complexion look nearly flawless.

My one complaint/dislike about this product is the packaging. Now you can see from the below photos that it is not completely black: I forgot to take photos before I started using this - and you can clearly see from the photos how the blackness of the container has faded in some places - now at first I thought that this was just dust etc but it is not - I washed it and dried it and it remained like that [and I've had this powder for about 2 months now but I don't use it on a daily basis]

Another dislike of mine re:packaging is the sifter: this powder comes with a cute puff which, even though I find really cute I wasn't planning on using it, because I tend to prefer using large brushes to apply powder. So, wanting to keep it clean I took it out of the packaging and placed it somewhere else. And.... disaster!!! The puff helps to contain the powder inside the container [because the sifter has such large holes inside!]. When I tried to open the jar, powder flew everywhere, making a right mess. Lesson learnt, now I keep the puff inside even though I still use a brush to apply it.

So, if you like me feel that you prefer using a brush instead of the powder puff, you can either do it my way, or else just punch some holes inside the protective tape that seals the sifter holes when you buy it - that way only a small amount of powder will be sifted on the top part of the container.

As much as I like the soft feeling that this powder gives my face, I doubt that I will repurchase this if Elf do not change the packaging.

Do you favour loose or compact powder? Let me know!

Love,

Lorraine

xoxo