Hype Hound: Is Innsifree No Sebum Powder Better Than Pressed Powder?

Curious about the innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder?

Loose powders are the most basic beauty products there are. They're probably the first cosmetic that we owned as a teen and the only 'makeup' that we're allowed to wear in school. But just because they're basic doesn't mean that we should not be selective with the powders that we use. As you may already know, not all setting powders are equal. Some do a better job at providing coverage, while others are more refined. The best thing to do is try and try until you find a powder that works best for you, and that's why we're giving the popular powder from innisfree a whirl. Could this cult-favourite be better than the pressed powder we're currently using? Read on to find out.

As expressed in my Rimmel Stay Matte Powder review, powders aren’t really my best friend when it comes to the beauty department. I’ve tried countless formulas and brands and nothing fits the bill quite right. So I decided to take them out of my routine completely.

Now, I only reach for powders if I have an event to go to or on certain occasions when heavy commuting calls for my schedule. Otherwise, I discovered that I manage pretty well without it. So when I was asked to try the Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder, I was a bit sceptical. Still, I’d have to admit that the 13th-anniversary collection’s special packaging piqued my interest.

I gave the powder a quick whiff before trying it out and noticed that it had a faint soda-like scent. It’s nothing off-putting and is actually quite pleasant. It also doesn’t linger, which makes it great for people who aren’t fans of scents no matter how subtle. As for the texture, it looks really nice and fine. I had high hopes that it won’t be chunky and cakey, which is the major issue I have with powders in general.

Choosing a day where I would be out and about and would have no time for check-ins or touchups, I gave my face a dusting of this powder and off I went. And it proved to be a rough day. I was in and out of the car from 7AM. The weather started out really hot and then by afternoon, it rained like crazy — and yes, I got rained on (don’t ask). It took several hours and a couple of stopovers before I finally got home. And the only chance I got to actually check how my makeup was doing was by 9:30PM.

And wow, oh wow, I was actually impressed. My T-zone got a tiny bit dewy but not at all oily that there's a need to blot; my under-eye makeup didn’t crease nor had any cracks; and overall, even after all I went through that day, my makeup still looked smooth and fresh. It’s just quite a shame that it's small. But I guess if you’re travelling often and need a handy yet reliable powder to keep your makeup intact throughout the day, I'd say this one’s definitely a keeper.

I've been using the Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder for quite some time now as a blotting powder. Personally, I wouldn't say that it's my holy-grail powder but that doesn't mean that it's not good. There are just some things that — to me — can still be improved. For one, while its compact size is very convenient, the screw-like design is quite a hassle to deal with when you're on the go since you can easily lose the cap. A traditional magnetic case with a mirror and a refill can is a better option. Another concern of mine is its tendency to leave a faint white cast on the skin, it's not very prominent but it's there (could also be because of my light skin tone). And while the powder is very fine, it does have a tendency to clog my pores. 

However, as I said, it's not a bad loose powder. In fact, I would say that it's one of the best translucent powders, along with Coty Airspun and RCMA Original. I also love the scent, which is a refreshing minty-floral — a far cry from the overly floral fragrance of other loose powders. Plus, it does a good job of effectively mattifying my oily skin! Overall, I would say that it's already good but it could be better.

To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of loose powders because my previous ones usually caused a dusty mess when opened. Surprisingly though, despite tumbling around in my bag when I go out for the day, the powder remains where it needs to be.

In terms of effectiveness, Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder also aces the test. My T-zone can get quite shiny, so I’m glad it instantly mattifies my skin even without the use of blotting paper. Not to mention, you only need to apply a small amount of the mildly scented powder to cover your face. It's quite long-lasting as I’ve only ever needed to touch it up once or twice throughout the day. I think I’ve finally found my holy grail oil-control powder tucked in this cute and cheery packaging.

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