This is the compact powder which I have love and hate relationship with.

I got this Clarins Powder Compact #30 Sandy Beige not from the counter but from Clarins 2011 Beauty Fair as it’s already discontinued for just RM40. And I bought two.

The compact comes in a beautiful striking red magnetic velvet pouch. Too precious to use as I didn’t want the powder to get all over the pouch so I kept it aside hehehe.

The case comes in a mirror top with Clarins’ inital embossed on top. What I don’t like about mirror case is the finger print could get all over it and it’ll look dirty. The bottom of the case is made from a clear red hard plastic.

Once open up, I find a oval sponge included. The compact powder is protected with a layer of plastic which is in between the sponge and the powder. Of all sponge I ever seen and used, this is so far the best of all. However applying the powder with the sponge included could get a bit cakey especially with swiping motion. So I only use the sponge for the nose area and touch up. The rest of my face is applied using EcoTools Blush Brush.

Isn’t the powder beautiful! It’s the smallest compact I ever own. But as pretty as it seen, the shade is too dark for me :(. I knew it as soon as I opened up the compact for the first time at home.

The texture of the powder is so smooth that it just glides on the face smoothly. Please note this close up picture is not the real color of the powder. The color in real is actually the top one.

You can use the sponge included which I normally does with other compact or 2-way but the sponge is so fine that it lift up more than enough amount of powder. So I will just use my EcoTools Blush Brush and swipe the powder on my face.

The first day I use this with the sponge included I looked 2-tone darker. Coincidently at that time I was sun burn but just a shade darker so I said to myself it’s the sun burn. Then I thought the shade will set in to be my shade just like what ZA does but apparently it doesn’t. I remembered I texted Fennie and told her my frustration as the powder is so flawless and excellent oil-control but way too dark for me. She advised me to use the sponge to dab on instead of using swiping motion. Dab on still doesn’t work for me the next day so the third day I tried using my brush and it’s not as bad as the first and second day. That is IF I stayed in the office and avoid the sun. If I go out the whole day with recent hot weather, the powder just oxidized on me and I was 3-tone darker.

Here is a close up look after applying Clarins Powder Compact #30 Sandy Beige.

Here’s a overall look with Clarins Powder Compact #30 Sandy Beige. My face looked darker. It will turn more darker if I were to be under the sun.

1) Discontinued. Sorry girls! You can get the new Clarins White Plus HP Whitening Powder Foundation!
2) Applies smoothly creating a flawless look.
3) Doesn’t cover pores at all. In fact my pores looked more visible!
4) Superb oil-control.
5) Will oxidize and makes you darker than after applying.
6) Face looked dull. The powder fail to make my face brighten up unlike other normal powder.

It’s discontinued item so I repurchase Clarins White Plus HP Whitening Powder Foundation instead. And I sold off my 2nd unused one to a lovely Malay lady which I think will suits her skin tone than mine 🙁

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. I bought the product on my own