Review: Pretty Vulgar Translucent Setting Powder

A product review of The Powder Room Translucent Setting Powder from Pretty Vulgar! This is a matte loose powder that sets foundation with a soft-focus (aka blurring) effect. It is pore-minimizing and formulated to absorb excess oils and reduce shine.

Grade: B+ (Note: I am a challenging grader as I expect the grades on my product reviews to form a bell curve in the aggregate. )

Retail Price and Where: $32 at Sephora or on Pretty Vulgar’s website

What I Loved: This is the only powder I’ve ever used where I *don’t* get oily around the t-zone after four hours. This is truly a mattifying powder and it does absorb oils as claimed, even after eight hours. It can look a bit cakey at first if my skin isn’t well-moisturized but melts into the skin once a setting spray is applied. I apply the powder, spritz on a hydrating setting spray, press it into the skin, finish my face and then apply a more matte setting spray. Results in a non-cakey, soft finish to the skin and the powder stays all day.

What I Didn’t Love: In some lights the powder appears to have a yellowish/banana tint. This is great for the under-eyes but may not be to everyone’s taste for the rest of the face. Once I applied bronzer and blush you couldn’t notice there was ever a banana-colored tint.

I would consider this powder to be pretty finely milled. I like that it has just a basic sifter under the screw on lid so I’m not fighting with some flap and spilling powder everywhere. I press the powder into my t-zone with a beauty sponge and then lightly swipe powder with a brush over the rest of the face as needed. Given how mattifying this powder is I would not recommend it for anyone with very dry skin.

Photo just after application of the setting powder.

In the above photo I had just applied the powder, but not melted it to the skin with a setting spray yet. I did not find the powder to have a blurring effect on my pores, but I also have well pronounced pores so I haven’t found *ANY* powder that hides my pores. After the photo I went through my setting spray routine and finished my makeup (photo below). You can tell that any yellow-cast is gone and the powder has matted down tightly onto the skin. Not once that day did I have to get out my blotting tissues or touch up any powder or foundation. Just apply and forget about it!

After setting spray routine and applying rest of the makeup.

Curated Collection – Surgery Bag

Normally I share with you the items I pick to use for the next two weeks but I thought this time I would share with you the items I’m taking with me to the hospital for my surgery on Friday. Since I’m not allowed food or drink (including any water) between midnight Thursday and Friday afternoon I will be super parched, including my skin. To combat this I use hydrating products, especially a facial spray (my favorite is the lavender from Mario Badescu) and lip balm (my new love is the lip glowy balm from Laneige) throughout the day. I don’t wear makeup (they will make you clean it off anyways before surgery) but I do try to maintain a partial skin care routine, primarily using products I don’t have to stand at a sink to use.

Products:

  • Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile and Lavender
  • Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Pear
  • Derma E Dark Circle Reducing Eye Cream
  • Mamonde Lip Sleeping Mask
  • Laneige Water Sleeping Mask in Lavender
  • Simple Micellar Cleansing Wipes
  • First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
  • Clinique ID for Pores (it’s the blue cartridge)

Unboxing – Ipsy x 2 (April 2019)

Ipsy contains five sample sized products that are personalized based on your profile.  Products include beauty products with a heavy focus on makeup.  The subscription is $10 per month and you also have the option to add additional samples (for additional dollars) and shopping on their website gives you cash back. All together, very slick.

I actually get two Ipsy bags. I originally set up this structure to test out their profile algorithm and see if it really worked. The results have historically been mixed and on average I get one duplicate product a month. One bag is intended to be my “makeup” bag and the other is intended to be my “skincare” bag. That said, most months my “skincare” bag is light on real skincare products.

Sign up using this link: https://www.ipsy.com/new?cid=ppage_ref&sid=link&refer=17c1pg

Time to stop yacking and start unbagging!

My “Makeup” Bag

Overall Bag Impressions: This month is pretty spot on, with the exception of the skincare product (the eye cream).  Most of the items are new to me and ones I’m excited to try out – especially the primer and the brush. However, I own this eyeshadow in a full palette already (more on that in a bit). 

My “Skin Care” Bag

Overall Bag Impressions: This is my “skincare” bag, meaning I filled out the profile with a focus on skincare and tools (versus makeup). Really the only “skincare” item was the lip balm, so this month was not great in terms of having skin care items.  I received one tool, one skincare item and three makeup items. 

The Products

A couple of the items from my April Ipsy bags – Tarte Double Duty Beauty face primer and Answer From luminous collagen eye cream. I’m a primer junkie so happy to try this primer (it came in both my bags). Not as such about the eye cream – I need something a bit stronger for dark circles.

A couple of the items from my April Ipsy bags – The Balm Creamy Lip Stain in Salut and Peppermint Eucalyptus lip balm from Moroccan Magic. First off, I can make lip balm at home but I still absolutely love receiving it in bags because I rarely get around to making it at home. Peppermint and eucalyptus are a great combo for when you’re congested. On to the lip stain from The Balm – beautiful color. Goes on a liquid but dries down to something more akin to a cream – really excited to try this for a full day of wear.

A couple of the items from my April Ipsy bags – single eyeshadows from Laura Sanchez. Now if you saw my prior post on the Glam Bag Plus these eyeshadows might look familiar. That is because the singles I received in my regular Ipsy bags are from the full size palette I received in Glam Bag Plus. So, a bit of a duplicate and I already but the singles away for a friend. Usually Ipsy is very very good about not sending duplicates between the regular bag and the Plus (because they’re on the same account) so I’m surprised this slipped through.

A couple of the items from my April Ipsy bags – a fan brush from Billion Dollar Brushes (offshoot of Billion Dollar Brows) and an eyeshadow brush from Vasanti. Both are quite soft and I plan to try using the fan brush for highlighter.

My April Ipsy add-ons are finally here! Those that I ordered with my Glam Bag Plus didn’t ship with it so I just received them today. Oops Ipsy. Add-ons cost $3 for trial sizes and $12 for full sizes. My full size item is the Rodeo Drive highlighter from OFRA. I also purchased trial size items of The Balm lip stain (in a different color than came in my bags), two lip gels from Seraphine Botanicals and under eye concealer from IT Cosmetics.

Haul – Ulta (April 2019)

I love the sheet masks from Tony Moly and usually grab several up when they go on sale at Ulta. Ulta was also offering extra points on all Mario Badescu products.

  • TonyMoly I’m Lavender Mask Sheet – hydrating sheet mask which is very calming. Saving this one for after my upcoming surgery!
  • TonyMoly I’m Real Mask Sheet – skin soothing
  • Mario Badescu Facial Spray – 80% of the time I buy the lavender spray because it is so calming. I don’t use this to set my makeup as I don’t think it holds long enough but it’s great for a mid-day refresh and wonderful at night. As I mentioned, I’m having surgery later this week and due to the anesthesia, I can’t have any food or liquids after midnight. That means I will be without fluids from 12am to about 2pm and based on my last surgery, I will be feeling so dry and parched. While I can’t drink any fluids, I can spray my face to add some moisture back in. So, this little guy will be going in my hospital bag.

Unboxing – Scent Box (April 2019)

We have a new unboxing this month and that is Scent Box! This service has impressed me since I signed up – very professional and they do what they say they will.

With Scent Box , you get a 30-day supply (the actual product is 0.27 oz or 8ml) of a fragrance you choose. If you receive a fragrance you dislike you can exchange it for a difference scent (once per month). The atomizer comes in a nice box and they included a mini sample of a different fragrance. The cost is $9.72 for the first month, and $14.95 thereafter.

Sign up using this link: http://www.scentbox.com/ref/86537/a

The scent I chose this month is Euphora from Calvin Klein. I would call this a sensual or sexy scent with fruity floral notes. It sounds like a lot going on in the scent but it is not overwhelming at all.

  • Fragrance Notes:
    • Base: Liquid Amber, Black Violet, Cream Accord, Mahogany Wood
    • Middle: Lotus Blossom, Champaca Flower, Black Orchid
    • Top: Pomegranate, Persimmon

Haul – Ulta (Middle April 2019)

I’m considering switching to posting hauls as I buy items, rather than grouping everything at the end of the month. I feel like its just overwhelming by the end of the month and will be more fun to share. Let me know what you think!

Three items I bought online at Ulta with my 20% off coupon. I also got a replacement cleanser from Boscia but the jar is leaking so I’m waiting to see what Ulta does.

  • BH Cosmetics Blushing in Bali Palette – I bought this when it was on sale for $9.60, and then got 20% off of that. I love the blush shades so much. I like the two lighter highlighters but the third one is too dark for me,
  • Nooni Applebutter Lip Mask and Applemint Lip Oil – this is a K-Beauty brand that is carried by Ulta, sometimes in store. When I bought this they had an offer where if you bought $20 or more worth of Nooni products who got to choose one of four headbands for free. I got the unicorn style. So cute.
  • Ulta Full Coverage Liquid Concealer – one of my friends recommended this concealer for covering dark under eye circles without horrible creasing. At $9 I was ok with giving it a shot. I also appreciate they had a decent shade range, at least in terms of a variety of warm, cool and neutral tones.

Haul – Sephora (Middle April 2019)

I’m considering switching to posting hauls as I buy items, rather than grouping everything at the end of the month. I feel like its just overwhelming by the end of the month and will be more fun to share. Let me know what you think!

Three items I bought in-store at my local Sephora inside JCP. I also got a few foundation samples to try out ahead of the VIB sale later this month.

  • Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Lip Gloss in Backtalk – I like this formula and needed more work appropriate lip glosses that wouldn’t stick to my hair or teeth. Backtalk is a mauve nude pink and this awesome formula includes vitamin E (nourishing to your lips) and peppermint oil.
  • Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray – I wanted to try this as an alternative to the more expensive leave-in mask from Briogeo. I’ve used it a couple times and think I will need to alternate between the two products. The Rosarco does decrease freeze but the leave-in mask is much more nourishing and kept my hair from tangling as much.
  • Milk Kush Mascara – this product has been hyped so much on YouTube so I was happy to find a deluxe size. Honestly, I don’t get the hype. This is an extremely wet formula and it clumped with just one coat. So wet and clumpy that it immediately transferred to my eyelid. This is generally not a problem I have and I will likely be returning the product.

Unboxing – Sephora Play (April 2019)

Sephora Play (actually named Play! by Sephora) contains five sample sized products, per their website.  Products include makeup, haircare, perfumes, skincare and other beauty products.  The subscription is $10 per month.

Time to stop yacking and start unboxing!

Overall Box Impressions: This is my fourth month receiving this box. General consensus is brands are higher end (i.e. the Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant) but the sample sizes are small. You do receive an extra sample that is frequently a foil pouch or perfume. In general this month’s box was better than last month although I did get a mascara for the second month in a row. I much prefer when the sixth “extra” item is perfume.

One of the items received is the Step 1 Skin Equalizing Mattifying Primer from Make Up For Ever. This is the second month in a row I’ve received something from Make Up For Ever. Interestingly, for it being a mattifying primer it says it is hydrating as well. I also received a teeny tiny sample of Glamglow Good in Bed Passionfruit Softening Night Cream. This smells amazing! It says it hydrates the skin and reduces dullness, uneven texture and dryness.

Two Clinique items in my box this month. One is the “bonus” item – a tiny bit of the Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm makeup remover. I have a lot of this product in small jar size samples and find that it takes waterproof mascara off great. I also received the High Impact Mascara. It feels like we’ve been getting several mascaras lately so I hope they start having some more variety.

Two more items from my Sephora Play this month. One is the Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment from Fresh, which is supposed to provide volume and moisture to the lips. I don’t love the smell of this one – it smells different than the other Fresh lip treatments I have. I also received the Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream from Youth to the People. This contains certain herbs and mushrooms and is hydrating.

#top3 foundations (April 2019)

My top 3 foundations at the moment (and wishlist items):

  • Left is the Peach Perfect Comfort Matte Foundation from Too Faced in Snow. This is a lighter weight matte foundation so it doesn’t look cakey and feels nice on the skin.
  • Center is the Sheer Glow Foundation from NARS in Mont Blanc. This looks much more natural on my skin than either of the other foundations as long as my skin is properly hydrated. This is the best foundation for minimizing my pores, even though it’s only a medium coverage. This is the foundation I go through the quickest.
  • Right is the Amazonian Clay Foundation from Tarte in Fair-Light Beige. This is my go-to when I know I have a long day coming up at work and need something that will stay on all day.
  • On my wishlist: I’m looking for a full coverage foundation with more of a radiant or natural finish, something like the Nude Illusion from Wander Beauty or the NARS Radiant Longwear. Only issue with the Wander Beauty is I can’t find a shade for cool undertones. Anyone with cool tones find a shade that works for them?

Curated Collection – April 15, 2019

At the beginning and in the middle of each month I pick three of each “type” of makeup product to focus on using during the following couple weeks. I don’t restrict myself to ONLY the included products but do make a concerted effort to use those products. I try to include at least one new product or a product I haven’t tried much in each type, even if that’s just a sample size. So, here is my curated collection for April 15, 2019.

  • Primers: Milk Hydrogrip (sample size),Benefit Porefessional (trial size), Tatcha Silk Canvas (trial size) and First Aid Beauty hyaluronic hydrating primer.
  • Foundations: Too Faced Born This Way, Tarte Amazonian Clay and Maybelline BB Fresh
  • Concealers: Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion, Too Faced Born This Way and Urban Decay Color Corrector
  • Powders: Too Faced Peach Perfect Setting Powder, Fenty Pro-Filtr (sample size), Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder and IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Powder
  • Face Palette: Becca Khloe & Malika Palette (in the darker set of colors)
  • Bronzers: Marc Jacobs O!mega bronzer and Houglass Ambient Lighting bronzer
  • Blushes: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, Lovecraft Beauty Blush Palette and Pretty Vulgar blush
  • Highlighters: Pretty Vulgar Shimmering Swan highlighter and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector
  • Eyelid and Lip Primers: ColourPop Lippie Stix (clear) and Urban Decay Primer Potion
  • Eyeshadow Palettes: Violet Voss Pro HG, Huda Mauve Obsessions and Urban Decay Naked Reloaded
  • Mascaras: Monsieur Big Waterproof, iT Superhero and Milk Kush
  • Eyeliners: Milani Supreme Kohl Kajal, Smashbox Always Sharp (brown) and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On in Perversion
  • Brow Products: Anastasia Brow Wiz, Benefit Gimme Brow and Goof Proof
  • Liquid Lipsticks: OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick, Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick and Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick
  • Bullet Lipsticks: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution, Becca Ultimate Lipstick Love and Urban Decay Vice (and a small sample size from Laura Mercier)
  • Lip Glosses: Tarte Rainforest of the Sea, Ciate London Lip Lustre and Buxom Plumping Lip Gloss
  • Setting Sprays: Morphe Continuous Spray, NYX Dewy Finish and Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist