Doris Michaels HD Airbrushed Finish Pro Setting Powder

Poetry: How does it Feel? by Akua Naru

*Kindly gifted to me by Doris Michaels* - after I contacted them asking if they'd want to use a  review I made and feature my blog post on their social media. They shared my post on their website and offered me some products to try so, I'll take this time to say once again - thanks so much!

I'm not affiliated with the brand and I'm under no pressure to review what they sent me. I've had this rattling in my collection for such a long time now, that you can rest assured that I am at my authentic leisure to post or not post what I choose ... Okay, I hear you - since I didn't pay for it - is it worth it? Would I spend £12.49 of my own money on this setting powder? ...

Packaging

Out of all the loose powders I've purchased, Doris Michaels has the best packaging. The screw lid makes it really secure and the shifter keeps the product unmessy. The only negative is that its a bit hard to twist the shifter without moving the entire inner plastic compartment. Apart from that, the packaging makes it super easy to shift out how much you want without creating a massive powder storm in the process. I was a bit confused when I first got it as no powder came out but, I soon realised that I needed to remove the shifter and then peel off the seal so the powder can come through. I wish more loose powders could have such a neat system!

First Thoughts

This powder is extremely fine and silky smooth though slightly textured. The only other powder I can compare the texture to is 'Cornsilk Orginal Satin Translucent Pressed Powder. Inspecting it in various lighting (natural and artificial) on my skin I've noticed that this powder does have fine but sparse shimmer which gives a natural (believe it or not) soft finish and cannot really be detected unless you're really looking with a flashlight. I have the Neutral Warm shade which works well with my skin tone, with or without a foundation. However, it does have SPF 8, so when it is built up, it does give my skin a paler less warm deep brown look than my natural skin tone. Thus, I'd say this powder is best suited for its purpose which is a "finishing/setting" powder and not a powder that you could use as a "base" because it offers little to no coverage despite how many layers you apply.

Comparison to what I regularly use

Doris Michaels Neutral Warm HD Setting Powder (Loose Powder) and Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark (Pressed Powder)

I admit that I was initially really surprised by how sophisticated this powder was. Admittedly having Talc as the first ingredient is a "meh" for the Talc-phobe in me but, my long-standing "go-to" pressed powder - Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark - also contains Talc as its first ingredient which means I guess can't chat (aka be hypocritical). In fact, this powder is very similar to Mac Skinfinish, although Mac wins in the coverage department. Meaning that you can use the mineralize skinfinish as a finishing powder or build it up to have some heavier coverage that makes a difference. 

This is my second purchase of Mac Mineralize Skins finish in Dark. I think its a great powder as its very multifaceted. I won't get into too much detail but, its so easy to use and it lasts long enough for the scary price tag to work itself out in the long run. Yet, like most things in life, it is not without flaws as sometimes I feel it can make me look a tad ashy (depending on the foundation used) and if I'm overzealous I could look a bit cakey. To rectify such mistakes like any powder using less and or a face spritz (setting spray) will help.

Skin Swatches

Getting back to the comparison -  just like Mac - Doris Michaels Powder has - the similar orange warm tone in the pan, contains superfine golden shimmer, mattifies the skin giving a natural finish and creates a smooth even complexion. However, on the skin, Doris Micheals Warm Neutral powder does convey a more cool tone. I do personally prefer the warm tone of Mac but, that doesn't mean I dislike Neutral Warm (NW). It just means that if I'm not careful, NW can lighten my skin tone if overdone and or improperly blended (like many other powders can - even Mac Skinfinish in Dark). 

Photos in natural window light (L-R: photo 1 +2) and flash (photo 3). Showing the finish on bare skin and with a base/foundation. Wearing Doris Michaels lipstick in Faboo. 

Considering this powder has a dash of sun protection it's not overtly ashy, even in flash photography (see above pic). I've tested it out purposefully and on days when I've misplaced my Mac Mineralize Skin Finish powder and the effect has been virtually the same, in terms of keeping my skin matte and setting the base/foundation. 

Whilst setting and finishing powder are meant to be different I think Doris Michaels HD powder actually fits both functions as it does set makeup (takes away oil) as well as giving the skin a soft focus effect. This powder is so finely milled that it's easy and effortless to matte the skin without wasting much time or effort and I think it works better to keep my skin matte than even Mac's pressed powder(because loose powders don't contain emollients like pressed). I know some people may disagree with comparing a loose powder to a pressed but since I use Mac Skinfinish regularly and Doris Michaels HD powder has so many similarities I thought it would be helpful. 

To conclude

I think NW with light usage will work with many dark skin tones and it does create an airbrushed finish to the skin. I've found that it really works well at smoothing out creases in the skin (smile lines etc) which makes me feel this is more a finishing powder than a setting powder especially since on my trials it does look quite shimmery on the skin under a direct spotlight (i.e. the torchlight on my phone). However, it works well setting the skin to keep shininess at bay plus, it feels and looks so luxurious. Needless to say, I would purchase it myself. 

Ingredients: Talc, Silica, Methacrylate, Magnesium Stearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Capryl Glycol/Ethyhexylglycerin, Vitamine E, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499)

Nt.Wt: 0.27/8g 
Expiration:12 months 

Have you tried any Doris Michaels products?

What do you look for in a powder?

Do you prefer pressed or loose?

Your comments are always welcome!