foundation

Ever since I found out that Urban Decay cosmetics stopped producing their Surreal Skin pressed foundation, I've been nervous. I absolutely love the stuff, I've been using it for at least a couple of years, and I'm dangerously close to running out (I'm at that point where all that's left is a thin ring of product on the perimeter of the pan and I don't really know for sure if my sponge is even picking anything up anymore). I've been dreading the thought of having to find something new. As much as I love shopping, shopping around for a new foundation powder doesn't quite rank high on my list. There's just nothing *fun* about it, unlike, say, shopping for lip gloss or another pair of flip flops or a new handbag (new post about my latest acquisitions to come).

Anyway, Urban Decay replaced the pressed powder with a loose mineral powder version...mineral powder foundation is *popular* these days I guess? But I'm not a fan of loose powder. I have a trial version of Amazing Cosmetics' loose mineral powder foundation, even bought a somewhat expensive foundation brush for it, and I just don't like the messiness of it all. Too much powder flying around.

But I was a little relieved to find out that even though the Surreal Skin was now a loose powder, it is packaged such that it has a foam applicator puff attached to it on top, and the powder goes through it. So, no need to use a brush. Still not the ideal situation for me though, but Urban Decay kept the same colors, so I knew I'd have a good match, and Jesca uses it and says it's good and mess-free, so I was willing to give it a try.
So, armed with my $5 off coupon, I went to Ulta, with the intention to buy this product. There was even an Urban Decay makeup artist on site that day! She applied it to my face (she used a brush, not the foam applicator), and I was somewhat satisfied. But as she was applying the powder, my eyes roamed over to the station next to us and I saw that Pur Minerals had a pressed powder mineral foundation. Not only that, but theirs is some "4-in-1" special concoction: foundation, powder, concealer, and SFP 15, all in one! Ooooh, I'm a sucker for all-in-one's! The compact itself is really nice too, b/c there is a separate compartment on the bottom for the foam sponge applicator!

So I shamelessly asked the Urban Decay gal to apply the Pur Minerals on my face. She was bored, she didn't mind. I really couldn't see the difference between the 2, and she said that I couldn't go wrong with either. So the decision was easy, I'd go with the pressed powder, my preference all along. But wait! The choice was made even easier by the fact that with the 4-in-1 purchase, Ulta was throwing in the special brush that Pur suggests using, you know, "for best results". Even though I'm not a brush fan, I took it. Who am I to turn down a brush that retails for $22?

Surprisingly, I've found that I actually like using the brush with the pressed powder! Coverage is very nice, the makeup doesn't look heavy, and there's not any of that mess that you get with the loose powder with all that tapping off of excess powder from the brush and screwing on and off a lid that has powder in it. No, this is no fuss, no mess. Perfect.

p.s. The 4-in-1 product is $24.50, and when I presented my $5 off coupon, the cashier accidentally gave me $10 off instead! So I got it for $14.50!!! So even if I realize in a few weeks that I don't *love* this product, I can be happy knowing that I didn't spend too much!