I've been looking for a new powder/powder foundation for a while now and after a lot of browsing and reading reviews on Boots website I decided to buy Max Factor Creme Puff. It is only available in one shade called 'translucent' and it costs £5.99.

It comes in a round compact made of black plastic. The design has been updated since the photo above and it looks much nicer now, much more classy. The compact is not very practical though as it has a pull-off lid which comes off really easily so I find I have to put an elastic band around it or it comesopen in my makeup bag. Inside there is a piece of plastic to keep the included sponge from being in constant contact with the powder, and I keep this in all the time because having the sponge always touching the powder is less hygienic.

The first thing I noticed when I started to apply the powder for the first time was the ridiculously strong scent. It's a face powder, what is the need for it to be so highly perfumed? This will simply make it unsuitable for a lot of people with sensitive skin and I actually find it very unpleasant to use just because the scent is so strong and reminds me of old ladies. I personally find I can't use it too on the area around my eyes because the perfume stings my eyes and makes them water.

The powder goes on really smoothly with the provided sponge which feels lovely and soft on my skin. It is really easy to apply and doesn't really take any blending, you can just smooth it on where it's needed or all over and it leaves the skin looking much more even and smooth. It feels almost weightless on my skin and unless I build it up too much I don't notice I'm wearing it apart from the smell. It offers a light coverage which won't fully conceal everything but certainly makes imperfections less noticeable to give you a lore perfected look. The only real problem I have with the look is that it makes my pale skin look too pink and is really not a flattering shade for me at all.

The powder gives a soft matt finish, it's not overly matt and doesn't leave my skin looking dull like a lot of powders, but it keeps my oily t-zone shine-free all day. It lasts really well and I don't need to keep reapplying it throughout the day.

Overall I do think this is a good powder which serves it's purpose well, it's just a shame it has such a strong and old-fashioned scent and the shade doesn't suit all skintones.