Maybelline ClearSmooth All In One Shine Free Cake Powder

So today I went out with my parents again since there was nothing fun to do at home (The perks of being the only child living with my parents while all my siblings are residing at the far corner of the world lol). My mom went to the supermarket to buy some apples and veggies so I took the advantage and bought myself a new compact powder (which I am so desperate to have a new one since my one and only Pixy compact powder is running low). It's the Maybelline ClearSmooth ALL IN ONE Shine Free Cake Powder, with improved formulation and with SPF 32 PA+++, a little higher compared to the previous ClearSmooth formulation.

I got mine in shade 05 sand beige, the darkest one with pink undertone. I wish they have darker shade with yellow undertone (again, the perks of being an asian, yellow undertone is a must pfftt). I know Sephora has a lot of face powder with darker shades in yellow undertone, but I'm a cheapskate and I don't wear makeup on a daily basis. I ain't gonna spend that huge amount of money on one single product that I rarely use, well maybe someday, I don't know. I just wish drugstore makeups can fulfil this wish. A cheap compact powder with darker shades in yellow undertone. 

It costs MYR 10.50 including tax for a refill pack and the full pack with its casing costs around MYR 21+ if I'm not mistaken. I was going to pick the full pack at first but as I wasted my time around the cosmetics area, I thought to myself why not just pick the refill pack and give it a try first? Just scared that the shade won't look good with my skin tone. 

I know you might be thinking; why didn't you swatch first on your face before buying it? 

Ever heard of skin sensitivity? Yeah too bad I have that. Last time I tested Revlon's foundation and compact powder on my face and my skin freaked out in the next hour. And then the next day, I had rashes on the area where I tested the foundation and now I have an ugly scar on my face because I have the 'I like to pick my acne and rashes' problem. 

P/S: *Cough* Please ignore the lighting effects on my photos *Cough*

This product claims to be:-

1. Longer lasting shine control: Blend of water and sebum repellent powders keep skin shine free throughout the wear all day.

2.  Higher UV protection: SPF 32 PA+++ protects against UV rays responsible for skin darkening.

3. Longer wear: Breathable and lightweight, makeup stays true and even throughout the wear.

4. Instant brightening: Visibly makes skin brighter and more natural.

5. Conceals: Ultra fine powders and coated pigments effortlessly conceal spots and other imperfections.

6. Smoothes: Glides on skin with a silky soft texture that evens out skin surface for a visibly smooth complexion.

7. Evens: Developed for South East Asian skin tone, each shade blends evenly for a natural non cakey and tone perfecting finish.

I gotta admit I like the new look of the box compared to the previous ClearSmooth. The previous one looked boring. I also like its small casing and I like it that they include the sponge inside the casing, unlike the Pixy compact powder, you can't put the sponge inside the casing. Yeah yeah I know, I know that it is called a refill pack and you are required to refill the powder inside the bigger compact. I don't freaking have the compact or the casing or whatever it is called because it's not worth the price. You can get the same exact product for a cheaper price if you buy the refill pack. Just gotta minus the mirror. I have a huge mirror in my room so I don't think I need it. 

I just hope this new formulation won't break so easily because last few years I bought the previous ClearSmooth formulation and it broke! Without any reason, it just broke and I literally threw it away because I just don't like broken cosmetics. And plus, I didn't know how to fix broken makeups back then so the last resort is to throw it away lol I was so dumb, what a waste of money. I should have given it away to my friends.

So I tested this powder yesterday and I gotta say I'm pretty disappointed with the results. I was hoping that this powder won't get so patchy but it did at the end of the day. Even you apply it on top of a good foundation, it still became a little patchy here and there.

It should have been great if I have the before and after picture but I did not have any because I am still battling myself whether to expose myself or not (lol). It's a big deal to me, apologise for that ladies. Back to the main topic, I wore this powder along with my nanowhite infinity CC cream (MYR 49.90). I was expecting a good result but man, was I so frustrated. Firstly, my face was not shine free at all. Secondly, a lot of powder patches, over the sides of my nose, a little bit on my chin, and also on my temples. I was so frustrated I just had to blot the oil all over my face and pat it a little bit to get rid of the powder patches. I guess my face is just too oily for this product. What a waste. 

 S T R I K E S : 

1. No yellow undertone for darker shades. That is like the biggest strike, ever. It's so hard to find a nice darker shade with yellow undertone that matches my skin tone!

2. It's not really long lasting and shine-control. It gets oily at the end of the day and it becomes patchy.

 W I N S : 

1. It's cheap and affordable.

2. I like the fact that the sponge can be stored in the container for just a refill pack. It's more hygienic that way, in my opinion though.

3. The sponge is so fluffy and you know it's a good sponge the moment you pinch it.

4. The amount of product you're getting for that price is just nice.
5. The powder is indeed very smooth.

Overall, I'd give this product at 3.5 stars out of 5. I'd give 4 stars if it doesn't get patchy because if it gets oily, it's understandable. But since it gets so patchy, that's not cool. You need a good face primer and a good foundation if you want this powder to look good on your face.

I guess that's it for this post. Just let me know in the comment section of what product do you want me to review next! 

xo