L'Oreal Mat Magique Matte Transforming Powder claims to provide up to 12hrs of oil control.
The product is shine resistant, and a matte finish, and it is touted as being good for girls who engage in a lot of outdoor activity or spend time outdoors, since it has both mattifying properties as well as UV protection. This is also a Southeast-Asia only release, geared towards ladies in the region who have to deal with the heat and humidity. And although it's not going to be launched elsewhere yet, I think that it's probably also great for summers worldwide.
L'Oreal Mat Magique Matte Transforming Powder: Great for those who spend time outdoors.
The L'Oreal Mat Magique Matte Transforming Powder is has five different shades that are geared towards Southeast Asian skintones. This means that the shades are quite realistic in terms of Southeast Asian skin colours - for example, there are a good range of medium-tan shades (which aren't always adequately catered for in other Asian brands, like Japanese or Korean brands), and only one shade that is on the paler side, which makes sense given the demographics in the region. Also, while the shades include both cooler and warmer undertones, there aren't any outright pinky-beige "Caucasian" shades that you might find in a typical foundation shade lineup. The only thing is that, if you happen to be one of those really pale girls, you might not be able to find a good match - the lightest shade is probably somewhere between NC15 and NC20. Here are swatches of the shade range:
L'Oreal Mat Magique Matte Transforming Powder Swatches: 5 shades geared to Asian skintones.
R1 is the cooltoned shade in the bunch, and is not actually very pink. When I swatched it, I thought it was more peach than pink, but looking at the photo, I think it is indeed the cooler-toned shade out of the entire shade range.
N1 would probably be the best match for me from this range (slightly lighter than NC20). Unfortunately I didn't get it a part of my sample kit, so I can't confirm, so that's just my judgement from the swatches. This is the only fair shade in the range, so probably most of the fairer girls would wear this. Fortunately, it's quite neutral in undertone, so unless your undertone is very strongly warm or cool, you could probably wear this.
N2 is a darker version of N1. This is also close-ish to my skintone, although it's a bit too dark. I think this would be the next most popular shade.
G1 is a warm shade, so it has the strongest yellow undertones. It's quite dark when swatched on my skin, and I think it would be good for darker girls. For fairer girls, you could use this a contour shade if you so desire.
G2 is also a yellow-based warm shade, and is darker than G1. This would suit the darker-skinned girls, or could also be used as a matte contour.
L'Oreal Mat Magique Matte Transforming Powder Ingredients: The product consists primarily of oil-control absorbents and UV filters.
The ingredients in the L'Oreal Mat Magique Transforming Powder are also mostly geared towards oil control. The first ingredients is Talc, which is quite common in powder foundations (and, contrary to popular belief, there is no issue with talc as used in cosmetics (you can read the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredients Review) panel's review on talc - it takes a look at all the available scientific literature on talc and then evaluates it based on the evidence, and basically it concludes that talc is safe for use in cosmetics, and the science research they cited seems to tally with my brief check into the scientific studies that are in Pubmed, the best place ever to look up published science research). Then there is Perlite. Perlite is a silica-based rock that, when milled and included in skin-care products, it imparts a silky feel and powder-like finish, much like silica. It functions in cosmetics as an absorbent and bulking agent, and here will probably help with the oil control. There is also Zea Mays (Corn) Starch and Kaolin, which also helps in oil control (Corn Starch is also found in another mattifying powder, the Benefit Porefessional Zero Shine Powder). Another main bulk of the product also goes to sun protection, with Titanium Dioxide and Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate. Other than that, there's also emollients and slip agents (Triisostearin , Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer), and other things like thickening agents and texture enhancers (Magnesium Stearate). So the main bulk of the product is centered around oil control, and UV protection. A few of the key ingredients are quite similar to another L'Oreal product, the True Match Mineral Gentle Mineral Powder, so if you've tried and liked the True Match Powder, and you want a pressed version, or if you're looking for something similar, then you might like this too.
L'Oreal Mat Magique Matte Transforming Powder FOTD: I'm wearing shade N2, which is a tad darker than I am but still looks alright.
The expectations I had from reading the ingredients list gels well with my experience with the product. I wore it for about half a day, and I found it to be quite good at keeping my skin matte and controlling oil. It's not going to keep you totally oil- or shine-free, but it's probably one of the better powder foundations I've tried with that function. It also works well for touchups - if you use a light hand, you can use it to blot oil as well. The shade you see me wearing is N2, which is a tad darker than my actual skin, but isn't that obvious in the photo. On my lips I'm wearing my Etude House Rosy Lip Tint in #4 Sweet Poison, and on my cheeks I'm wearing Chanel's Jouse Contraste blush in Rose Dust (probably my favourite blush of all time, ever). On my eyes I'm wearing a nude shade, Ulta Naked. It was just a simple look since I wanted the look to focus on the base product.
So, would I recommend this product? I'd say yes, if you have oily skin and are looking for a good powder foundation that has oil-control properties and a nice, mattifying feel on skin. While I'm not always a big fan of SPF in my foundation, I do think some SPF is better than nothing - I'd rather wear a foundation with SPF than go without. So, if this sounds like what you are looking for, then check it out!
| Recommended? | Pigmentation | Texture | Application | Colour | Lasting Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes, for oily skin | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| The Bottom Line: The L'Oreal Mat Magique Matte Transforming Powder has good oil control and mattifying properties, has a nice feel on skin. | |||||
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ohhh now i think that i really need somethink like this ahahah although I'm not sure it would suit me, I have too pale skin. T__T thank you, dear, very intresting post~
ReplyDeletemy blog
As soon as I saw the pictures I knew this was an Asia-exclusive. I hate it when brands do that; especially Chanel with their whitening Le Blanc primer/foundation... :( Anyways, it seems like a promising product but even if I could get it I wouldn't be able to find my shade as I am way too pale... xx
ReplyDeleteMan, I'm of Southeast Asian descent but I can't even try out the product. It sounds like a very promising product too. :(
ReplyDeleteWhat do the letters R, N, and G stand for?
@Anonymous: The R, G, and N basically denote the undertones of the shades. R (which I'm guessing means "red"), is for the pinker or cool-toned shades. N (guessing it stands for "neutral") is used to indicate neutral undertones. G (guessing it means "golden") are the yellow-based, warm undertone shades. It can come in useful when choosing shades if you know this. So now you know! :)
DeleteGreat review! This seems like a great one to try out. The formula is quite impressive. I will def gonna check on this...
ReplyDeleteMay I ask how you applied it? I purchased this powder a few days ago but can't seem to use it right. I applied dry, over my foundation...it felt a bit cakey. Then I applied it with a damp sponge (I used the one provided) but it kinda squeaked on my face. The powder felt like it was just sitting on top of my skin. And I didn't reap the mattifying benefits either...maybe my skin is just much oilier than yours :( could u share how u applied yours? Thank you! -Sharon
ReplyDelete@Anonymous (Sharon): When I tested it out, I just applied it with a flat top brush dry, over my usual moisturizer (I can't remember exactly what moisturizer I used, but chances are it was a Hada Labo or Kiehl's one). I was using it as my only foundation, so I didn't have issues with it looking cakey on my skin. If you are using it over foundation, I agree it can be tricky, I would probably try applying a light layer using a fluffy powder brush rather than trying to apply with a sponge or a denser brush. I also think that this powder is probably better used dry rather than wet (but then again I've not tried it wet yet). I hope this helps, and let me know how it goes, I'm keen to know how you're using it!
Delete@Muiscal Houses, I liked your in depth review of this product, having combination to oily skin which goes way oilier on the summer, and after reading your blog realizing I have fair olive skin with cool tones I have had a hard time finding a good mattifier powder and this seems like an affordable option, will have to wait until it comes to Canada...
ReplyDeletei was sucked with the promises that loreal gives! especially after watching clicknetworktv's tried and tested. then i tried searching for google for more reviews and come across yours ;) helpful of course i didnt know the perlite -whatever- thing but i guess this is quite promising! this is only 10 bucks in indonesia and 6.5 bucks for the refill! i thought thats quite cheap for a loreal product (which loreal usually is quite expensive here). i see no reviews from indonesia i hope i'll be the first one when i have this in my hand ;;)
ReplyDeleteCan u send me a link of where I can buy it? Great review btw <3
ReplyDeleteCan i use it over bb cream?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: Yes you probably can! It's not that different from any other powder, so if you are used to applying a pressed powder over your BB cream, you can do that with this too. Hope this helps!
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