English Rose (L'Oreal True Match Minerals)

Member Name: oioiyou

Product:	L'Oreal True Match Minerals
Date:	08/11/09 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: light, non-greasy, looks nice and lasts

Disadvantages: easy to spill some powder when applying

Or at least I like to call that my complexion colour. Usually I fall into the ivory or nude category. Normally I don't wear any make-up but when we go out I do tend to push the boat out and slap a new face on.

Here is where my problem normally lies. Before now I have always tried the liquid or matt foundations. One example is when we were off to a wedding party and I applied the face of a sexy temptress. Happy with my face I then put the strapless dress on to find that my face was a different colour to my neck and shoulders! OOPS! That will never do. Now normally I don't wear very much make-up when going out but as I have very fair skin the tiniest of amounts shows. The reason I call my complexion English Rose is because I have those cheeks that seem to have a natural blusher that shows up as and when it pleases. When the natural blusher appears this can make any make-up I have on look completely different and not always in a good way.

Years ago I had a compact with multi coloured powders in it which looked lovely on my skin but the company has long since gone out of business and although I found something that looked exactly the same it wasn't doing the trick.

I was waiting at the pharmacy in our local grocery store as I didn't have any other shopping to do (aside from wait for my prescription) I had a little look at the make-up counter that was just there. I'm sure it is purposely positioned there as they know people will be waiting in that area! Cheeky, but it worked on me so fair play! The powder stood out as it was a powder and brush built into one container. I picked up the tester and popped the lid off. I then twisted off the brush. Below the brush is the powder which I guess the best way to describe it is that it is on two levels. The base holds all the powder and you can shake up through a few holes a bit to dip the brush into. I tapped the brush into the powder and shook it so as not to have too much. I then applied it according to the instructions (except on my hand not face) in a circular motion. The powder only left a fine dust across my skin and matched my colouring very well.

OMG! You want how much! Thieves! Ok must calm down ... I've looked at the price. Maybe regular buyers of these sorts of products won't bat an eyelash but £13 is a lot of money to spend. I stood there for a while thinking it over. It matched my skin which is hard to do, Easy application and will fit in my going out handbag trouble-free. My last thought was how long will it last me and honestly it will probably last me ages as I hardly use stuff of this nature so £13 is starting to not look so bad. My name was then called out at the pharmacy counter. It was then or never and my brain said just get it already.

Aside from my massive dilemma of what to wear for another friend's wedding there was the make-up. This was to be this powders big test. 'Evens skin tone like a foundation, light as a powder, long-lasting' ... we'll see L'Oreal! My dress again was a strapless one so as well as putting the powder on my face I put a light dusting across my shoulders. The brush is rather fat which makes coverage very quick. I am now ready to go (other half still ironing his shirt!) and I look down to see what looks like chocolate all over a pair of my trousers that were on the floor. The child was calling in and quizzed but he hadn't been in our room after I had gotten changed ... ? ... I soon realised it was the powder and it just looked a bit darker on my brown trousers. The shade I bought was Creamy Beige which is rather light but I was surprised to see it blending so well on a darker surface. I knew now to be a bit more careful so as not to make a mess with the powder.

About halfway through the wedding party I made my way to the toilets to check my mask. I could feel that the capillaries in my cheeks were also having a little party. I expected the normal rosy cheeked woman to be staring back at me in the mirror. I walked into the loo and was taken back to find my cheeks looked more pinky and the rest of my face was blending in. This may sound odd to some people but if you've ever seen my complexion you'd understand it's a nightmare.

I found that the L'Oreal True Match didn't only match my skin tone but stuck with it even when it started to change a bit. I was really impressed with the coverage and thankful that for once I didn't look like some red cheeked garden gnome in the photos.

According to information I have read on the internet L'Oreal did a lot of research into the skin-tones of women around the world to develop this line of 12 shades. In my opinion they really did their research well. The only thing I have to add here is that the minerals range only has 9 of these shades. Not sure which ones they left out. Looking online at the colour palette I'm wondering why I went for the colour I did as there are a few that are lighter and some with a bit of a pinky tone to them. Looking at them you'd think I was a vanilla Rose shade. They must have been there when I was trying them out but for some reason this beige one looked the best (and still glad I've got that shade). I guess even when you are very pale skinned don't assume you are the lightest foundation colour.

A bit from L'Oreal:

95% from minerals. No perfume. No preservatives. Tested under dermatological control.

True Match provides SPF 15 to help protect your skin against the premature ageing effects of the sun.

- Tested under dermatological control, suitable for all skin types
- No perfume, No preservatives.

The formula is fragrance-free and oil-free. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it won't clog your pores.

(c) oioiyou 2009

Summary: So glad I found something that looks nice on me!