San San Pressed Powder

Shade: 04 Porcelain

Price: Php 118.00

Where I Got It: local Mercury Drug

San San Pressed Powder is a budget friendly face powder. It has SPF 15 and is also enriched with vitamins A, C and E.

Packaging

Much like the San San Eyebrow Powder Duo that I have featured a few months ago on this blog, the packaging is also flimsy; there's fat chance that this will shatter when dropped. Careful there!

I appreciate the long mirror inside the compact and the perforated slot for the sponge applicator. I don't like the rubbery smell of the sponge applicator tho. As much as possible, I avoid using it because the smell literally transfers and lingers on the face. The quality of the sponge is great for applying the product, it's just the smell that I can't handle.

I was in dire need of a pressed powder when I purchased this because I had just ran out of my Maybelline White Super Fresh powder. My choices were pretty limited since my local Mercury Drug doesn't carry much cosmetics. I was even in doubt that this shade - 04 Porcelain - would fit me. I would never consider myself porcelain-skinned. LOL. I am light to medium, with warm undertones. I saw on the cardboard container that the color representation had yellow undertones so I picked this one.

Thankfully, it's actually not too light on the pan and in fact looked natural on me when applied.

It yields light coverage and has lessened the appearance of my dark circles. It also minimized the appearance of my pores. Since it only yields light coverage, I prefer using it as a setting powder after applying a liquid foundation or a bb cream. It feels smooth on the face and gives a matte finish. It is also light weight. Try not to pile on too much though, as it can get cakey.

I'm afraid that the biggest negative aspect about this product is its poor oil control. That's bad news for us oily gals. I oil up in less than 2 hrs of wear time. It doesn't have oil control claims though, so it's kind of a give away.

Another thing is the smell of the powder (again). It seems that since it is housed with the sponge applicator, the scent has transferred and now, even the powder smells rubbery. 

To conclude, I may not repurchase this in the future considering that I prefer my powders to have better oil control capacity.

However, if you don't have an oily skin and prefer light coverage, this could work for you.

If you also have a sensitive nose, prepare to chuck the sponge applicator. LOL.

XO,

Carissa

Truth be told, I haven't been in need of brow products lately because I'm still quiet satisfied with my Maybelline Fashion Brow Palette. But... I've been receiving brow products from my friends that I think I will be stocked until next year. Not complaining here, LOL. I received this one two weeks ago and I have been using it a lot. Like I said, I was quiet surprised with the performance of this eyebrow palette.

So let's check it out.
It's small, just over 2 inches across so it won't take much space in your kikay kit if you plan to bring it with you. The packaging is quiet flimsy so it's not wise to drop this. The small mirror in the inner compartment definitely comes in handy for on the go application. It comes with a slanted brush which has a bristles that are a bit stiff but I realized that the bristles actually work well with the product.

Here are my before and after application photos and you can definitely see that it is pigmented and that it is a good match for my dark hair color. It also looks quiet natural on me. I used dry application on this one and the color adheres well to my eyebrows. However, staying power is not so great when applied dry and you might need a brow mascara to set it. And word of caution: if you apply this dry, there will be fall outs so be sure to tap out the excess powder or there will be some mess on your face. 

To avoid the powdery fall outs I decided to apply this damp: by dipping the slanted brush in a bit of water. Through this technique I avoided the powdery fall outs and the color appeared more vivid on my brows. It also stayed intact the whole day.

Overall, this eyebrow palette is definitely a keeper. It's easy to use. I am not an expert in drawing brows and the San San Eyebrow Powder has definitely made the job easier.  I owe it to the softness of the powder and how well the color translates into my brows, making it look natural and not overdrawn.

I could definitely see myself buying this again but it would take a while to consume the pans. :)

XO,

Carissa