ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

Pressed Powders / Loose Powders / Setting Powders or Powder Foundations are one of the most important and useful make up products. If I have to pick up only 3 makeup items then I would choose a Pressed Powder, a Kohl pencil and a Lipstick. Pressed Powders are also called setting powders because these are used to set your cream based makeup base like foundation and concealer, in place and keep your skin looking matte, fresh and oil-free for a long time. These also increase the wear-time of your face makeup.
I use loose powders as well as pressed powders both but I prefer pressed powders over loose powders during traveling. It is because of the reason that pressed powders generally come in smaller and light weight packaging and are less messy.
In the past, I have used Pressed Powders from the brands like Lakme, Avon, Oriflame, Rimmel, Maybelline, Covergirl, Face of Australia and Mac and this time I wanted to try something new. So, I picked up this 'ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder' from Kmart, Australia and the shade I got is 'Apricot Beige'.

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

Product Description: ELF claims "Create a flawless finish with the silky powder that blends evenly into skin, treats and prevents skin imperfections with key active ingredients formulated for problematic skin. Proven skin clarifiers absorb oil on contact to create a beautiful matte finish."

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Kaolin, Paraffinium Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Titanium Dioxide, Cyclomethicone, Zinc Stearate, Petrolatum, Methylparaben, Fragrance (Aroma).
Price: AUD $3 buy here

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

My thoughts about ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder:
Packaging: Housed in a disc shaped plastic container ELF clarifying pressed powder has a clear plastic lid and white opaque base. It doesn't have a mirror and comes with a Puff-applicator. The size of the packaging is compact and ideal to be fitted in even the smallest of the clutches. The overall packaging is simple and light weight but not sturdy at all. The lid keeps coming off and looks like it can break easily.
ELF Clarifying powder has a mild pleasant fragrance and comes in a total of 7 shades and the names of those shades are; Apricoat Beige, Honey, Ivory, Light Beige, Rosy Beige, Spice and Toffee and I got myself the 'Apricot Beige'. This is not the perfect match for me and a shade lighter than my actual skin-tone. However, it is ideal to set the concealer on the areas of my face where I usually highlight. I feel that the shade 'Spice' would have been a closer match.

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

I have been using this ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder for nearly 2 months now and the best thing that I absolutely love about this product is it's coverage. Believe me or not but it is comparable to that of Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation. I have used it on top of my BB Creams and even on my moisturizer alone and it has always amazed me with the way it covers my flaws. The coverage is medium in one application and can be built and made full by layering on the product.
The texture of this powder will be the second best thing because it feels so smooth and silky. The powder is finely milled and does not feel chalky at all. It gives an even finish when applied carefully with a light hand.
As claimed by the brand ELF and expected from a pressed powder, this one controls oil for 5-6 hours and keeps the skin looking matte and fresh. I have combination skin and my t-zone starts to get oily after 4-5 hours which is normal. I then re-apply the powder on the areas which get oilier and I am good to go.
Generally, I do experience breakouts once in a while but I did not see any acne while using this pressed powder so the claim made by the company about it's efficacy to treat and prevent skin imperfections is pretty genuine. Here, I would like to mention that I am a hygiene freak and I keep replacing the puff applicator regularly because it gets dirty over time and can lead you to breakouts if you continue using this. ELF sells similar puffs in the set of 4 which are very affordable and easily available so you can always buy those.
There are a few things which I did not really like in this product and the first one of those is that this powder can make you look so cake-y and dead if not used carefully. It gives better results if you apply it with a powder brush which I do when I am at home but during travel I don't carry heavy makeup brushes so I use the puff applicator. The puff applicator if loaded with the powder does give a cake-y finish. So, it's important to use it in the minimal amount first and re-apply only where you really feel the need.
I would also like to mention that for some unknown reason the powder started to look like this within just 2 months. It looks like as if some hard granules are embedded inside the powder. What do you reckon that might be the reason for this ? Let me know in the comments below.

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder Review

Lastly, ELF also needs to incorporate more shades because the current shades are not enough to cater the needs of majority of people.
Overall, I conclude that ELF Clarifying Pressed Powder is a highly pigmented and long wearing powder which controls shine and oil and also helps to prevent acne. You must get it if you can find a shade for yourself.
Given below are some quick hits and misses about this product:
Hits:

1. Cheap and Easily available
2. Light weight and compact packaging
3. Brilliant Coverage
4. Smooth and fine texture
5. Long wearing
6. Controls acne

Misses:

1. Clumsy packaging with no mirror
2. Not enough shades
3. Can look cake-y at times

'Go for it' or 'No for it':Yes go for it if you have oily or combination skin and can get a shade that matches your skin-tone. 
BFE Rating: 3.5/5