Thoughts on Powder Foundation (CoverGirl vs. Jane Iredale)

I really don't like liquid foundations. They are either runny and provide too little coverage, or they're very thick and cake-y. In either case, they're time-consuming, difficult to color-match, and I feel a bit like I'm wearing a mask. Obviously, there are a lot of people out there who love liquid foundation, so I feel like my own thoughts are contrary to popular opinion, but I just don't prefer it.

Now, onto powder foundation. I've been using powder foundation ever since I started wearing make-up maybe 8-9 years ago. Its ease-of-use and matte finish appealed to me.

Believe it or not, I'm not only using the same type of foundation, but the same brand. I have stuck with CoverGirl's Fresh Complexion Pocket Powder Foundation in Classic Ivory ever since I started wearing make-up (read the break-down below if you don't want to read my very long ramble!).

I have oily skin, and this is an oil control powder, so it wears well throughout the day. I just swipe it on with a kabuki brush in the morning overtop my Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer and my concealer, and I'm good to go. I do need to touch it up with a make-up sponge around the nose area mid-day, but otherwise, I've been consistently pleased.

However, my curiousity often strikes, and I'll stray from my beloved Pocket Powder. While part of me thinks that if you find something great, you should stick with it, part of me is also thinking what if I miss out on something great just because I'm unwilling to try new things?

So far, I've never found anything I've been pleased enough with to finish the pan. I don't like loose powder formulas like Bare Minerals or Revlon's, and MAC's Studio Fix struck out as well.

Recently, though, I impulsively decided to order Jane Iredale's PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation. You can only get Jane Iredale products online or in salons, but the color matching online is good enough that I felt comfortable ordering it (in the shade Warm Silk). I've heard really great things about the brand, and the promise of minerals in a pressed formula, the gorgeous (refillable!) packaging, and the SPF 20 were appealing.

So, does it match up? I do like the Jane Iredale base a lot. It has a more satin finish than the Pocket Powder, which I don't mind, and some people would probably prefer this over a complete matte. It has good coverage, which is easily buildable with a sponge for problem areas, and it feels silkier than I'm used to. However, it doesn't wear quite as well on my oily skin, and I often find myself sponging my t-zone and reapplying throughout the day. I've started dusting a light layer of translucent powder overtop of the base to help it last a little longer. I will be finishing the pan of this, as I do like the finish and feel of the product (and it's quite pricey not to use up!).

Here's the break-down:

CoverGirl Fresh Complexion Pocket Powder
PROS:
   -  Long-lasting, oil control
   -  Matte finish (if you prefer this)
   -  Builable coverage
   -  Easy to find in drugstores
   -  The price! It tends to cost $10-$12, depending where you go
   -  Comes with a useable sponge with its own compartment
CONS:
   -  Packaging looks a little cheap, and it's not refillable
   -  No SPF
   -  Toward the end of the pan, the product tends to break up

Jane Iredale PurePressed Base
PROS:
   -  Very silky feel
   -  More natural, satin finish (if you prefer this)
   -  SPF 20 (though a make-up with SPF is never enough SPF on its
      own, but its a nice addition)
   -  Gorgeous refillable compact
   -  Mineral formula is more breathable
   -  Jane Iredale does not test on animals
CONS:
   -  Difficult to find, as it has to be purchased online or in a salon
   -  The price--it costs 49.50 the first time and $40 for refills after that
   -  The sponge that comes with it is a throw-away and doesn't have its
      own space in the compact

Will I repurchase the Jane Iredale base? I haven't decided yet. At the very least, I will hold onto the compact, but the fact that it's much more expensive than the CoverGirl Pocket Powder makes me think that I would only repurchase if it's significantly, significantly better. I'm just not sure about that, especially since the wear over time really isn't great.