I recently purchased several items from www.eyeslipsface.co.uk (elf) and one of them was this clarifying pressed powder. I usually use a loose powder but I wanted something pressed as it's more convenient and handier to have with you so for £1.50 I thought this was worth a try. I didn't read a review until the item was already due so I had no idea what this would be like and when I read a review saying it looked orange I didn't hold out much hope of it being good.

The pressed powder comes in a dinky little compact that's just plastic. It is on a piece of cardboard initially with no frills packaging and on the back tells us it "absorbs excess oil on contact, helps treat and prevent breakouts and skin looks fresh and healthy." The compact contains 5g of powder and has elf printed on the clear plastic lid. Inside the powder also has elf printed on and a small puff comes with the compact. The puff is behind the compact in the packaging so it's not apparent there is one until you open it.

This compact is just that, very compact! It is slim and not even the diameter of a tennis ball and the plastic outer makes it very light. I chose tone 1 as I'm very pale but there are 4 tones to choose from. So does it look orange? Yes, it does actually and after reading the review about it going on orange I couldn't help but worry.

I use powder very sparingly. I have dry skin so I don't buy it to absorb excess oil as I don't have any! I use it on the eyelids as a base for my make up and a very, very tiny amount on the T zone just to make sure there's no shine there. I don't use any on my cheeks and the small amount I actually use is literally touch the puff to the powder, blow any excess powder off and lightly dab. I think this point is the deciding factor on whether this will suit you. If you use alot of powder don't buy this but if like me you use the barest hint it's worth a try.

So onto using the powder. It is apparently fragranced "sugar orange" but I have to admit I can't really smell much when I sniff it. A very slight sweet smell is the best I can do but not enough to be able to smell it on. The first time I used this I was going to an appointment and wondered if I was being foolhardy trying a new powder when I was short on time. I applied in the bathroom with lots of natural light to make sure the tango effect didn't happen.

First I applied to my eyelids and have to say I put a bit too much on. It's a very soft powder and that makes it very easy to get a bit too much on the puff. I did find this made my skin a bit orange looking but managed to calm it down a bit with some light rubbing. Once I'd established using quite alot had this effect I was ultra careful with my face. The slightest bit of powder on the puff is enough to eliminate the tiny bit of shine I have from my moisturiser and foundation so I just dabbed a tiny amount on the T zone and it looked fine. No orange effect and the shine completely gone. Bear in mind though I have almost no oil on my skin so I don't need alot.

I've used it several times since and as long as I only use the barest hint it's absolutely fine. It gets rid of the bit of shine I have and makes the areas where I apply it matte but not orange. I still use it as a base for eyeshadow and just keep in mind I don't need much when I apply it and that keeps the orange effect at bay. I quite like it but because I have to be so careful with it I don't think it's one to rave about. If you have oily skin and need alot of powder this isn't for you, it will go orange if you apply lots. If like me you only need a tiny amount the tango effect can be avoided with care.

Would I buy it again? I might actually. The small compact is so easy to pop in a handbag and I rather like the very basic puff that comes with it too. My only gripe is the tendency towards orange if you get alot of powder on the puff. I'm not concerned about the plastic case, it's just a case.

I'm giving it 3 stars because it works ok on dry skin if you're careful but as it's intended to soak up excess oil on oily skin and can't do this without looking orange I have to deduct 2 stars. The price is excellent and this is a good standby powder to have in your bag should you need it. But I have to say one more time, please be careful about how much you apply or it can easily go from a fresh glow to Dale Winton's fake tan!