The Battle of the Px Magic Powder KnockOff - Physicians Formula AquaPowder
Written: Jul 02 '02 (Updated Jul 03 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Nice when applied, easy to use, like Prescriptives Magic Powder
Cons: Can dry up over time, made me shiny
The Bottom Line: A decent Px Magic powder knockoff, though too shiny for me!
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| KMINER's Full Review: Physicians Formula Aqua Powder |
All Winter and early Spring I was loving that I only had to use a cream to powder foundation to keep my face looking how I wanted it - with medium coverage and a light powdery finish. Once the 80 to 90 degree weather hit the South, the "powder" part to my cream to powder wasn't doing the job - meaning by mid-day I was looking more shiny than powdery - a look I loathe! Since I was using a Prescriptives (Px - a cosmetic counter) cream to powder, and had in the past used Px's Magic Powder, I was very excited to read on a makeup board that I could find, in the ease of my drugstore, a Px powder knockoff (a knock off is a product that looks and performs very similar or the same as a high-end counter cosmetic) - Physicians Formula AquaPowder Cooling Loose Powder. I had seen the Physicians Formula section countless times, but never purchased any of their items. I had found them to be close in price to L'Oreal powders but since I knew nothing of the company, I has previously hesitated to use anything by them.
What Is It?
I happened to be at my local drugstore and saw Physicians Formula AquaPowder Cooling Loose Powder on sale for $9.00 (retail price here is $12.00). There were 3 color choices: Translucent (a light tan to ivory color), Highlighter (more pink), and Medium (more brown). I chose Translucent as I didn't want any color to my powder (as I get that from my foundation, I just wanted that light powdery look). It comes in a round tub, like many loose powders. The product is on the bottom half, with a set of holes in the top of the tub, to shake lightly up and get some product. It comes with a cute looking "poof" (which I tossed - I hate those things, they feel so unclean - I suggest a larger makeup powder/blush brush) and a top to keep it all enclosed which screws on.
If familiar with Px's Magic Powder (which I know some of you are very well), this product is very similar. The loose powder has a cooling, watery feel to it - while you are applying it is kind of feels like a light, light mist is spraying over your face. Many people find this to be very refreshing and I admit it is addicting to play with. The powder itself is not wet nor will it leave a watery film on your face. The company describes it as:
- Contain[ing] a high concentration of water that enlivens the skin by providing an instant cooling effect upon application.
- Deliver[ing] moisture while helping to absorb excess oil with no drying effects.
- Skin feels cool, soft and ultra-comfortable.
It comes in a .3 ounce tub - which is actually about 1/3 the size of the Px Magic (and also about 1/3 the price, so in reality you are not saving all that much money). There is a caution from things I have read that this powder, and the Px Magic counterpart, can dry up over time and lose that watery feeling - the company suggests making sure the cover is on securely. From posts I have read talking about both products I have seen these powders only lasting about 6 months to a year before starting to dry up. (the Px Magic I bought, off Ebay, when it first came out, dried up quite quickly)
How Did It Perform?
It felt great when I put it on, cooling and feathery on my face. It provided me that light, translucent glow that I adored. The Physicians Formula AquaPowder Cooling Loose Powder was on its way to becoming my new personal favorite.
And then it happened.
I started noticing, right from the first few days use even, that midday my face, especially my T-zone (nose, cheeks, center of forehead) was looking quite shiny - possibly even more shiny than it was before! How could that be? I loved how I looked in the morning and the first few hours of work - what was happening? After ruling out some other ideas, I then only switched which loose powder I was using. The midday shine was gone! *Sigh* - It must be the Physicians Formula AquaPowder Cooling Loose Powder then. Though containing Talc, a known shine controller, something in this combination of ingredients was making me too shiny. Since I could not "control" this product, even with blotting papers and mattifiers, and since it did not last through at least my workday, I had to stop using it. Though it started off great in the mornings, it simply did perform throughout my day like I wanted or needed it to. (I am currently using a loose powder, though not an Aqua powder, by a company called Bare Essentials called Mineral Veil).
Recommendations
I do feel that if Px Magic works for you, you might want to try Physicians Formula AquaPowder Cooling Loose Powder. I would recommend it for cooler months if you need this type of product over a foundation. With having more combination skin myself I'd think this product even worse for those with oily skin - though it might be nice for those with year round drier skin. I would recommend it, with reservations, if you have the opportunity to try it cheaply or sample a friend's. Just make sure it's not too old and still has that cooling effect.
Ingredients:
WATER, TALC, GLYCERIN, SILICA SILYLATE, MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, SILICA, DIMETHICONE, METHICONE, ZINC STEARATE, NYLON-12, ZINC MYRISTATE, ZINC OXIDE, LAUROYL LYSINE, IRON OXIDES, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, METHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN.
Recommended:
Yes
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