Review of Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre

Normally $60.00 is not a price I would spend on a finishing powder. I have used quite a lot of different finishing powders, and my favorite still is Maybelline's Dream Matte Powder. This powder keeps me looking oily, but it requires a touch-up here and there throughout the day in order to keep shiny away.

When I was given a free tub of Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre, Natural Finish Loose Powder, I was excited to see how it would work. I had heard good things about this one, such as how well it works on those with combination oily/dry skin. My skin is like a labyrinth. Sometimes it is dry and parched looking, other days oily and greasy looking. You never really know what you are going to get, and cosmetics act in the same way with skin types like mine. One day it will work wonders, and another day it seems like a whole new product, an awful one.

So I'm always endlessly searching for the correct product for my skin type.

Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre came in the standard tub I would expect a Chanel cosmetic to come in. A small black plastic compact, with a twist off cap. Inside you have a tub with a plastic seal and holes popped into it. You have to shake the tub in order to release the powder. Before doing this though, remove the white applicator pad.

Once you do that, just dip in the included white sponge pad, and apply the loose powder to your face.

I did all that after applying my makeup first. You don't want to put a loose finishing powder on prior to doing your makeup!

After applying my usual coat of foundation, I then dabbed a bit of the Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre onto the areas on my face where I get oily shiny skin by mid-afternoon.

The powder goes on really silky, and does not leave behind a dusty layer. It covered my oily area with a flawless light finish that was natural and blended well with my normal skin tone.

All in all it was like a quick wisp of an airbrush. The results were nice, and I was impressed.

Last:

So just because the immediate results were marvelous, that does not always mean that the product is long lasting.

As far as Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre is concerned, this powder does last for quite some time, but I did notice that by the afternoon I needed to do a quick touch-up on my forehead. The touch-up was, quick, and easily done, but annoying nonetheless' especially considering how pricey this powder is.

All in all though, I liked how it finished my skin. It also did not accentuate fine lines, or give me a dusty zombie coating on my skin like many other finishing powders do.

Overall the powder is really good, and if you have the money I would suggest it. I still prefer my $9.00 compact of Dream Matte Powder, but if I were to run out, I would pick this one up and use it instead.

Maybelline Shine Free Loose Powder

I've been using Maybelline's Shine Free Loose Powder for almost 2 years now. I have had the original, and also recently just purchased the new and improved version.

Honestly the new version is way better than the old one. Shine control now lasts much longer than the original formula had once done, but regardless, I loved it then, and the love has grown.

I have oily skin. Its meant for me. I've used products promising shine control in the past, from -I swear to you tracing paper pieces that swore oil control, only after purchasing it discovered it was nothing more than what tracing paper blots or a napkin blots couldn't do.

I first picked it up unconvinced, like I am with most beauty products. Most promise this, and swear that, and deliver nothing more than lies on a pretty bottle.

The Maybelline shine control is far from a pretty bottle. I fact its wrapped in plastic, so you can't even test it. Some people may not like that, but I personally do. The thought of someone else using my product before I buy it some how makes it not new, but used, and nasty. To put it short, it just irks me.

I was also a bit sad to see that maybelline had improved it. Usually when beauty products improve something, its made worse. Cheaper. Companies figure they've got the consumer, so they cheapen up the product, and people still buy it. I thought maybelline had done the same thing. Gave it a new look and made the product less effective. However they didn't, so I was very pleased.


Lets get into how it works. It comes with a face blotter. I don't know the technical term for it, but that's what I've been calling it for years. Applicator pad, what have you.

I personally am not fond of these in any way, shape, or form. They hold bacteria which will cause acne, a big no- no for anyone with oily skin to begin with.
You also have to clean them weekly, and wait for them to dry. It never drys right making it a hard round face scraper. If you are to buy this, make sure you buy yourself a big blush brush for application of the shine control powder. It comes out more smoothly, and evenly when you apply using a blush brush. Using the round applicator pad only makes your face look cakey.

The reason I purchase Maybelline's shine control time, and time again, is simply because it delivers just what the bottle states. Shine Control. It's not like the usual garbage where you have to re-apply, and re-apply, if its humid out. You put it on, and it stays on. I'd say for about 9 hours. That's usually when I wipe my face off, I'm sure it'd last longer, but I clean my face too often to know if it lasts past 9 hours.
Its weightless, so you don't feel anything on your face, or any stickiness like some products do. Your face will not shine under the hottest of suns.

I recommend applying it in problem areas, such as the nose, forehead and brow line. I also recommend applying your favorite foundation before applying the loose powder. Then applying blush over the shine control powder. It gives your face a natural glow without looking too "put on".
It will not overpower the color of your foundation at all. Even if you happen to buy the light one by accident. They re both relatively transparent.

The only downfall I'd have to say is how a lot of powder ends up on your table or counter when you close the lid, a lot of unused powder not in the chamber flies up into the air. Also I would like to see it in a darker color. I the summer time I tan too well, and applying even the medium tends to give me a dusty ghost-like hue.

Woman of color should of also been considered before making this available. Everyone suffers from oily skin, not just light and medium tones. So I would love to see a dark shade added to this wonderful line.

Lush: Coalface Soap

I had been waiting to try this facial soap for nearly 2 months now. I didn’t add it in to my last order because the price was a bit high, and I had read not so pleasant reviews about it.

However recently Lush had a promotion going on where if I spent over $10.95 I could have a 3.5oz piece for free.

FREE! Coalface for free!

Of course I jumped right into that deal without even thinking about it, and went into an ordering frenzy. Come to think about it, I should have gotten 3 for free. Dang!

What is Coalface?

It’s a facial cleansing bar meant for people with oily skin and those who are prone to getting acne.

I have oily skin; I get pimples every now and then!!! I need it, yes, me, me, me! Over here, give me mine!

My bar of Coalface came in the usual neatly packed ‘sealed with a kiss’ Lush package. It had a thick layer of clear wrap on it, and underneath that wrap was the clear deli wrap that Lush is known for.
Yeah, I got a double wrap. It was annoying, but I got into it easy enough.

Coalface is cut from the block, so you never know what odd shape you may get. Lately I seem to be getting corner cuts, making the bar a little annoying to cut up into sample sized pieces. I will then end up with sample-sized pieces that look like daggers and crescent moons.

My bar was a black misshaped square, and reminded me of tar. At the end of the soap there were these grayish looking sparkly things. I don’t know if I’d label them glitter or poprocks. It looked like a bad dried out end, and I wanted to cut it off and chuck it.

I of course then began to cut the bar into sample-sized pieces, so I would only use one at a time for the soap dishes in the bathroom.

While I was cutting the soap though, I noticed a very, very slight scent of licorice, but it was licorice with something else that sort of ruined the lovely scent. I smelled sulfur and licorice.
Sulfur smells like farts, not only that I also noticed that same nasty funk smell I had remembered while using Ooh La La. It was pepper.

I was disappointed in the scent. It was pretty horrid, but I was also willing to give it a try. I wouldn’t be showering with it, it was going on my face and that was it. So I didn’t mind the Fart Bar. I have used much worse stinking things on my face before.

The soap was a thick glycerin like soap, and had a thick consistency. It was not overly soft like most of Lush’s soaps are and I knew it would withstand being placed in a soap dish without me having to worry about it melting away.

Wash Up:

It is advised on the Lush site to: Dampen face with warm water, lather up your hands and apply to face using small circular motions, rinse thoroughly and pat dry. For best results follow with LUSH Moisturizer that best suits your skin type.

So that’s what I did. My hands though were turning gray. I got a small lather; it was not luscious or bubbly. I wasn’t expecting it to be either. Most Lush products don’t lather very well at all. It was more like a lotion like lather that reminded me of the Sultana soap.

I then took the gray lather I did get and I began rubbing it all around my face. Soon my whole face was covered with the gray soot colored lather. I could feel some abrasive like grit that was softly exfoliating my skin. It didn’t hurt either, and usually I hate exfoliations.
Just as I began to hold my breath because the stink was getting to me…it got up my nose, and I nearly died. I have never had a facial cleaner burn so bad. I have had soaps get up my nose before, and usually a good blow gets it out without a problem or a teardrop.

Coalface however was a whole new ballgame. The gunk burned, I rinsed my face quickly, and tried my best to blow the soap out of my nose.

Once I felt better though, I could smell the soap farts in my nose for almost an hour after using it.

My skin however felt extremely clean. It did not dry my skin out, or make it tight. It did however make me feel clean. Too clean?

I know that sounds weird, but my face felt so overly cleaned that it sort of felt strange. It didn’t make my skin feel soft; it made it feel like rubber. Where if you run a finger down it, it will make… swwwweeeaaakkk sounds, sort of like rubbing your hand down a wet inner tube.

It wasn’t an uncomfortable feeling; it was just an odd one my face was not used to.

Long Term Use:

I have been using Coalface for almost 5 days now, and already I can see a difference. The pimples I did have when I began using it are now dried up and toast. That’s what I loved most about Coalface; it would dry up the pimples, and not the rest of the skin. Strange I know, but I’m just reporting my results. My skin is usually very oily looking by mid-afternoon or when it is hot out. I was glad to see this old habit has also died. My skin is no longer oily, and I don’t see any new pimples trying to make themselves known.

Where To Buy?

You can obtain one at either a local Lush store, or online at www.Lush.com for $10.95for a 3.5oz bar. Also if you plan on ordering online check www.Naughtycodes.com for any recent Lush promotional codes.

WARNING:

Try to avoid getting this one in your nose, or eyes. It'll burn like hell.

Overall:

Love how it works, but I hate the farty scent, and God forbid you get this gunk up your nose.

Reccomendation:

Yes, Coalface is a keeper in my opinion. I would recommend it to those with oily, or combination oily skin, and those who break out frequently or every now and then.

My review is also seen on epi