Purely Cosmetics Diamond Perfect
$18.50 USD (0.21oz/6g)
Available from: Purely Cosmetics
Purely Cosmetics’ Diamond Perfect Finish loose powder is a transparent finishing powder that’s similar to Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinish Powder or MAC’s Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. While all of three products have different ingredients, they all operate in a similar fashion – With a some very notable exceptions (the most notable being that Purely Cosmetics’ powder does not reflect like the same way that Make Up For Ever’s powder notoriously does, but I’ll get to that in a second).
If you’re new to transparent finishing powders, they are basically loose “setting powders” that appears white in the container but go on transparent so you can use them on a variety of skin tones without much worry. Diamond Perfect Finish has an incredibly smooth and luxurious feeling texture (softer than any other powder I’ve used) and makes a lovely setting powder that also defuses lines and helps to hide pores, giving the skin an “airbrushed” look. Purely Cosmetics says that it’s because of the way the product translucently settles into the lines and pores and then refracts light to reduce the visibility of those imperfections (note: “refracts light” does NOT mean shimmer or glitter, you’ll get no “disco ball face” from this). If you’re going to use this as a setting powder, only the smallest amount is required. I find that a large duo-fiber brush works best because it limits the amount of product you can pick up.
My own personal favorite use for Diamond Perfect Finish is as a primer to help smooth the skin and prep it for foundation. I find that it works amazingly well with loose powder/mineral foundations but you can also use it for liquids and creams, just let it sit on your face for couple of minutes so that it has a chance to “sink” into the skin. For this use I recommend a denser, fluffier brush that you can use to buff the product evenly into the skin.
By now everyone and their cousin knows about the light reflection issues that Make Up For Ever’s powder has – In flash photography it reflects light back and appears as embarrassing white streaks on the skin. This makes it an unsuitable choice for any situation where your photo might be taken. Purely Cosmetics’ powder, on the other hand, does NOT bounce light back. I did a number of test shots with it and in order for Diamond Perfect Finish to show up on camera, I had to have SO MUCH of the product on my face that you could’ve seen it from space.
While I love MAC’s Prep+Prime powder, it’s unfortunately cornstarch based and could block pores enough to cause you issues (especially if you’re prone to break outs). While cornstarch is very absorbent, it can also easily grow bacteria (more so than other products). Though you should always be working with clean brushes AND tapping the powder out onto a surface apart from the container anyway, working with products that are less prone to bacteria growth is one of the first steps in maintaining healthy skin. You can see from the ingredient listing below that Diamond Perfect Finish contains no cornstarch at all.
Ingredients: Benzimidazole diamond amidoethyl urea carbamoyl propyl polymethylsilsesquioxane, diamond powder
BLOG/TWITTER GIVEAWAY CLOSED
CONGRATS TO FRAN from AUSTRALIA for winning the PURELY COSMETICS DIAMOND PERFECT POWDER!
blending it into the skin (you can see it is inviseable on the right).
70 Comments
That’s awesome that it doesn’t have the same light reflecting issues
I thought so too. I tried but I just couldn’t get it to do it without applying so heavy that you saw it anyway :P
Ever since Prep+Prime broke me out, I’ve been looking for a good setting powder that won’t break the bank. Since this is under $20, I must try this! Thanks for the review..so informative! (btw, that artsy shot of the powder all scattered is really..artsy! lol)
Hah! Thanks I wanted a photo of it but… It’s just a white powder so I was like, “Hmm, what should I do?”
You *could* have gone all controversial and cut it into lines for the shot, leaving a razor blade in view. Or not.
LOL! I could have… That’s funny :)
I actually did that with glitter for a post on my site…I thought it was mildly clever- but sparkly things are pretty, so why not?
I would love to try this powder! I’m kind of over MUFE’s HD powder, and considering how some of MAC’s formulas break me out, I will be avoiding Prep & Prime. I knew cornstarch was the main ingredient, but I didn’t realize it could cause breakouts. Thank you for the information!
Hmm have been looking for a good setting powder to help conceal my huge pores and this sounds like a great (and cheap) contender!
I’ve been looking at ingredients listings to products more and more, and I cannot believe that there are a lot of really nice powders out there that are cornstarch/talc based or have ingredients that don’t seem to be that high quality for the price you’re paying. I mean, I get that’s what gives it the phenomenal texture and all, and I’m sure they’re not just dumping grocery store corn starch in their product (or are they…?) but paying 20 – 30 or even more for something that’s based in something that I have in my pantry seems sooo shady to me. It’s even worse when you consider the fact that a good chunk of gals (and guys) out there who wear make up are probably doing so to cover up imperfections in their skin caused by acne, from scars to active spots, and products like that could potentially make it worse. Long blab short, it’s reassuring and sort of ironic that someone out there is paying attention to what they put in their cosmetics and that someone just happens to be small, “indie” cosmetic companies rather than the big names in the industry.
Well put. I think it’s most often the indie companies that are paying attention to things like that. If you’re going to compete in the industry you need to have something other than just a pretty color to bring to the table. Good customer service and paying attention to the needs of your clients has always been the indie company’s strength over the major labels.
this looks like an amazing product.
so glad it doesn’t have the same light reflecting problems as MUFE HD powder.
Have you tried Tarte’s finishing powder, and if so, how you think it compares to the other ones you’ve mentioned?
I haven’t tried it.
this looks awesome I hope I win:)
Thanks for the great giveaways! I’d love to try out this powder.
I’ve never tried a product like this yet…mostly because they break me out lol I’ve only tried prep+prime and I’m still suffering the consequences D:
Hey there! Quick question: My friend has very beautiful dark mocha skin. Will this have a grey/white haze on her skin? Lovin the new blog :)
If you apply it right (you only need a small amount) then you should be just fine :)
ooooh! I really need one of these!! :) I hope I can try it!
ARE THERE REAL DIAMONDS IN THIS? I DEMAND REAL DIAMONDS IN THIS.
There are!
Those MUFe’s HD powder photos are sooooo embarassing !!! I have MAC’s Prep + Prime and never any problem with it, but then, I don’t use it daily.
That’s what I was saying in the post – Prep+Prime doesn’t do the same thing as the MUFE powder does, it’s just cornstarch based and some people have trouble with that.
I’ve been wanting to try this since I saw Enkore’s review of it. I love that it’s made with real diamonds.
I have actually never owned a transparent powder. I know that probably sounds absolutely horrible. That’s great it doesn’t have any reflection issues like some others may have.
Are setting powders supposed to help your foundation wear longer? I live in very hot and humid Texas and I have a problem with foundation coming off as soon as I start to sweat. I’m sorry, I know that sounds kind of gross.
Not gross at all… Just the truth. Humid is hard on makeup. Setting powders ARE supposed to help your makeup stay on longer BUT keep in mind (and I say this ALL THE TIME): Everyone is different! Personally in humid I like a long-wearing, extra light liquid foundation with no powder. Some people ONLY use powders (like mineral makeup). All depends on the skin type, level of humidity and how you react to it. MAC’s Face & Body IS the makeup you wear to the gym as far as I’m concerned, you can sweat through that for hours and it’s still there. When I did my MAC foundation review monster, the best one to work through sweat on Jay (who works out every day and sweats like a pig) was MAC’s Pro Longwear – Face & Body didn’t last AS long on him as it does on me.
This powder is actually amazing. I tried it and now
Don’t want to use anything else. I just wish I was in US and could stock up on this and other PCosm products without having to pay heavy custom charges to ship it to UK.
I have a transparent setting powder, which is predominantly silica, made by an Australian company called Australis. I suppose it would have the same issues as the MUFE HD, thanks to the ingredients, but I’m lucky enough not to have camera flashes going off in my face all the time. The price was great (AU$12.95) and the product is just fine, but DIAMONDS on my FACE? Want!
I’ve been using Laura Mercier’s setting powder, which photographs fine in flash photog for me (although apparently it has the same ingredients as the dreaded MUFE one) but I may have to give this one a try when (slash if, as it’s so large and I only use a small amount) the LM one.
I like those. But does this one oxidize on skin? Because some powders turn me oompa loompa orange, and I am not that fair!
Do you have oily, oily skin? Usually products will oxidize on oily skin. Have any transparent powders done it with you before? I haven’t experienced that with any of these personally – On myself or anyone else (but I often use THIS as a primer so color goes over it, covering it up).
I have an oil slick. If i wanted to, I could be an oil producing factory, haha gross i know :) I remember getting a sample of some powder like this, looked nice for about 20 min, then started turning orange! Even with a primer and foundation on :(
diamond powder? no shit!
thats awesome,,
so unique….
Yes! Setting powders are the best for when you’re out and about without your compact and messing up your makeup. De-shine is big problem with my face because I am oily. I currently use Covergirls, but the lid doesn’t stay on so I can’t take it anywhere. I just use a little bit before I record a tutorial. I’ve never heard of this brand before.
Powder and a brush I am in. I have not got the hang of using at setting powder, think I look cakey and dull after. Any treaks?
No tricks, just practice :)
a. That’s one long ingredient name.
b. I love it that your blog isn’t as MAC-centric as the YT channel. [Unfortunately, the new companies aren't available here either, but at least I get to know some new things :) .]
I like that this powder blends into the skin nicely and doesnt look powdery or cakey
and Benzimidazole diamond amidoethyl urea carbamoyl propyl polymethylsilsesquioxane is a very long long long long long long name
Ooohh!! This looks promising :] I have never used the MUFE HD because the price here is so expensive and I did hear about the “white powder” effect it gives off when used in flash photography.
Also, let me just say, I envy those who live in the States because they do have a lot of access to some great products and at great prices. I mean, the drugstore brands like Revlon and L’Oreal are priced like M.A.C. products. It’s insane and it ultimately causes me to be discouraged in buying high- end brands :(
Looks really nice. I’ve been going back and forth between loose powder (MUFE) and pressed powder (MAC MSFN) and have finally decided that loose works better for me. I’m pretty oily in my T-zone especially and pressed powder doesn’t seem to mattify as well as loose!
Thanks for posting about the potential for cornstarch to promote bacterial growth! I have oily skin, so I heartily welcome anything that won’t promote acnegenic bacteria.
I’m so curious about this diamond powder! It’s supposed to contain some kind of fluorescent pigment that gives a nice luminous skin finish. It reminds me of when I was using fluorescent proteins in the lab to look at neurons. (Tangentially, have you seen the Brainbow yet? It’s not my research, but I think it goes well with your colorscheme: http://www.google.com/search?q=brainbow&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=Kfd&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=_unPTaLcK8Gutwf39dTsDA&ved=0CCIQsAQ&biw=1332&bih=611)
How does the diamond powder look under a black light?
I’ve never used translucent setting powders before but this looks like a really cool product!
I use HD powder all the time. I try not to have my picture taken so it hasn’t been an issue, but, really the Costal Scents powder is the same and much much cheaper.
bebop bebop
I have extremely oily skin that breaks out easily so this seems like something worth trying. And I love that it has real diamonds in it. That’s even better than my nail polish with 24k gold.
I was beyond bummed seeing the issues with the makeupforever powder. Good thing I’m pure white anyway so it doesnt look horrible along with a flash and such in my photos, lol….yes im that white! anyways! I would still like to find a product that wouldnt react like that since i do try and do makeup for friends events and weddings for them. This looks like a great product worth trying for sure.
I’ve actually been looking for a good setting powder, so this would be perfect!
Have you tried the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder? How does this one compare? The swatch looks really nice.
Heard about it – Know a lot of people who like it. Haven’t used it though. MAC also makes a transparent powder that’s totally different from their Prep+Prime powder (but functions about the same). I don’t know if the LM is similar to THAT one or similar to Prep+Prime and MUFE’s HD or not.
wow I never tried a powder like that i always just use a cheap pressed powder from rimmel. I would love to try this!
Let me just say that the little chickies as a rating system are the CUTEST things I’ve ever seen. I LOVE IT!!!!
But I’ve been using UD De-Slick as a setting powder because skin is CRAZY oily during the summer. It goes from one extreme to another as the seasons change. In the winter it’s dry as hell and in the summer I look like I went bobbing for apples in a bucket of chicken grease….le sigh.
the new blog is becoming very impressive, you havent quite hit temptalia’s level but its swiftly becoming one of my favourites to read :)
Aw thanks! I have no desire at all to compete with Temptalia but that’s still nice to hear (in a lot of ways it’s probably the site I was most inspired by since I visit it multiple times a day! :) I’m hoping that this blog will work well with the YouTube videos :)
That’s weird that the MUFE powder does that…I’ve got a trial size jar of it from when it first came out, and have used it on a relatively regular basis and have NEVER had any kind of light-reflecting issues. And you know me, I take pictures of my face all the time ;)
Have you thought about posting the comparison pictures of the two? (how they do/don’t reflect the flash)
PS – Tweeted, too! :)
I love that there are actually real diamonds in this! How cool :)
The weather is horrible today in California :P
Cool, thanks! Never heard of this before!
so I can say anything to enter? That seems like a challenge…hmmm….
I almost asked if you’d read Ender’s Game- but then I remembered you saying on YT that you’re not a reader.
Oh well, I tried.
I would to try this one, and a better way than to hopefully win it :)
It seems to be a good product…what about INC?
What do you mean?
I don’t really know what to say here. I want to thank you for your reply on the blush thing, though. I really appreciate it. Btw, I’ve just added you on facebook. :)
ive actually given up on my mufe hd powder because of the white streaks … this product might be worth checking out!
Would love to try this!
I really like hearing about some of the lesser known brands like this. Thanks :)
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Thanks for sharing, I like this blog!
i’m adding your blog rss feed so that i can see your new posts. Continue the good work!