Neutrogena was the first brand I tried when it came to foundation. In 8th grade I started using Neutrogena’s Skin Clearing Foundation minimally, switched to Almay’s Clear Complexion Blemish Healing Compact Makeup my junior year (which worked for a while, but is horrendously thick on your face), was then given a small compact of M.A.C. Studio Fix Foundation my senior year, and decided when I entered college that I needed a lighter foundation for my combination skin.
I’ve had faith in Neutrogena (and still do) when it comes to facial care and make-up, and I swear that I’m not just pulled in by the celebrities I adore who advertise Neutrogena products on television and in magazines. So, when browsing the make-up aisles at Wal-Mart, I saw Neutrogena Healthy Skin Loose Powder all the way at the bottom of the Neutrogena shelf and decided to take a look. I had never tried loose powder before, and remember hearing something about it being a good form of foundation. I picked up medium, the darkest shade and one of three available and was surprised at the results.
Upon opening, the little “box” of foundation contained a feather-light white puff which I immediately disregarded and let fall into the trash and peeled off the protective tape on the holes of the inside (which prevented the powder from getting all over the place and on the puff while sealed on the shelf). I closed the box again, gave it a shake to let the powder sift through the holes, and pulled out my big powder brush. This is definitely one foundation you can use minimally and get good results — almost like Charmin’s toilet paper motto “less is more. Dipping a big loose powder brush (not the kinds of brushes where the hair is stiff or is grouped almost firmly together but the big soft kind) will pick up more than you need, so just give that brush a little tappin’ back into the container until there’s just a bit of powder on your brush — then apply! If you use a concealer, I tend to apply concealer before powder (though I hear applying concealer after foundation might make you use less concealer than you normally use, which is better) so that my face is matted by the powder (because of the talc) for a nice finish.
Application is quick and easy, and will feel like you didn’t even put any on — that’s good, don’t think you need to keep dipping your brush in powder and brushing on more. That means you can use every last powder bit in the box; when you think there’s no more, put on the lid and shake hard. The soft powder will give you a soft, natural look and will feel soft on your face, too. Just take a quick peep in the mirror to make sure there’s no powder that didn’t blend in, and just brush it off. You won’t even feel like you have foundation on. A lovely idea!
Some of the powder wears off after a while; this loose powder foundation doesn’t provide you with the best coverage, especially if you have a ton of flaring pimpled on your face, but will provide a very natural look. I think this would be a good loose foundation for those with normal red patches on their face. Although my skin gets inevitably oily during the summer (especially when it gets almost unbearably humid), this foundation last well through the 90s. My skin gets oily whatever foundation I use in the summer, but using Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Loose Powder helps keeps the oil to a minimum and is probably the best foundation I’ve used in the hot season. It also works well in the cold season, although single-digit or below-zeo weather with strong wind conditions will inevitably blow your face to blush more than you’d like.
You might think it runs expensive — between $10 to $11 — but in reality, it lasts fairly long. Each little box of Neutrogena Healthy Skin Loose Powder contains 19.8 grams (0.70 ounces) of loose powder, and as long as you remember to tap excess powder off your brush before using, this cute little box will last you a while. Each box usually lasts me 4 to 5 months, and I use this daily (sometimes twice a day, if I have to shower and go somewhere later in the day) — so paying $10 or $11 for a little box is worth it.
This comes in only three shades: fair, light, and medium. I’m lucky to be able to use at least one of these shades (medium), but may cause sadness for others who tan darker or are just naturally darker than the medium shade is.
