I switched to organic and healthier makeup a few years back and found the Gabriel Cosmetics line at my local Super Supplements stores (nutrition store). I have been stuck on this not-well-known brand ever since I started using it!

I like to use this powder as a foundation and not as a top coat of sorts over liquid foundation (that kind of heavy makeup is for the stage). I have pale skin that tans in summer and normally dark blonde hair. I use Extra Light Beige, although I thought that would be too light, it seems to be fine (almost translucent, yet it still covers up reddish areas of my face). I could probably also use Light Beige for summer months. The other colors they offer are medium beige, tan beige and deep beige. There aren't many colors because the colors sort of take on your skin color if you come close to your coloring. None of the colors are orange-y as some powder foundations on the market can be. My daughter, who is half Hawaiian can use the tan beige quite well and is a nice color on her darker skin. I love that I can buy her paraben-free, chemical-free makeup and get her started on that rather than what I grew up with in the 80's.

I guess it's called dual because you can use it as a powder over liquid foundation or as a foundation itself. I used to try it that way, but I like a much lighter and easier makeup application so I use it as a powder foundation. I have good skin, so it works for me and causes no breakouts, clogging or greasiness like other makeup can. I find that the compact is very classy. It is sleek and black, and you pop it open to find the foundation and a mirror. In a a second compartment underneath the foundation, the packaging opens up to a round sponge. I never use that and just take it out. I just a powder foundation brush to apply, the kind you would use for loose powder foundation like Bare Escentuals. I have tried other brands like Bare Escentuals and that broke me out. Other brands clogged my pores and caused breakouts or greasiness. I found that loose powder gets all over the place (my shirt, my counter, etc.). I like that this Dual Powder Foundation by Gabriel is pressed. It has never fallen apart or broken up on me and lasts me like a year. My face is not powdery and old looking like other powders can do. Other powders settle into fine lines and show wrinkles I never even knew I had (which I don't). This is dewy, and my face looks young and fresh. My face does not itch from it (as other powders or foundations can cause). There is no discernible fragrance to it.  

I love the ingredients in this- which are; Cetyl Palmitate (Plant derived and functions as a skin conditioner), Octyl Palmitate, Palm oil,  Silica, Mineral Kaolin China clay, Avocado Fruit Extract, Zinc Stearate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Caprylic or Capric Triglyceride Coconut Oil,  Lecithin from Non-GMO soy, Sea Fennel Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate-Derived from Non-GMO Soy, Iron Oxides-Several natural oxides of iron used for color, Titanium Dioxide for sunblock.

As you can see from the ingredients list that there are no parabens or crazy chemicals in your makeup. The website claims you get a matte finish, and you do, but it's not the matte finish of the eighties where you had powdery skin, it's a dewy-like finish, very fresh and natural. Most people probably can't even tell I have any foundation on as it evens out all my skin-tone. The kaolin is there to absorb excess oil (and it does). The silica is great on my skin (a natural earth substance), the jojoba oil keeps you dewy and moisturized even though it's a powder. The word silky comes to mind. 

Gabriel Cosmetics website sells the compact for $26.35 (an odd amount), and it's worth the almost $30 price tag, as it lasts and works very very well. I have tried SO many foundations, from drugstore (which I won't do anymore), department store, natural, organic, small companies, bigger ones, etc. and this one is a really great company. I also love their lipsticks. Of course I wish it were cheaper, but that's the price for natural and organic makeup.      

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