At the risk of totally dating myself, one of the old-school makeup tricks we used back in the day was to dust a little loose powder on my lips after applying lipstick. I’d dust it right on top with a finger (or, if I was feeling extra fancy, a brush!) to transform any lipstick finish into a matte.
It’s a similar idea to how the new Urban Decay The Velvetizer works.
Velvetizer is a loose, translucent powder ($34 for a good-sized 0.28-oz. jar, a Sephora-only product). You mix a little with your favorite tinted moisturizer or foundation, and it instantly transforms the finish into a velvety satin without futzing with the color.
The trick is getting the ratio right of powder to liquid, and it can take some practice. I’ve found that if I add too much powder, the mixture will pill up, almost like it’s peeling.
This isn’t a big surprise, considering the fact that the second ingredient is dimethicone, and products with a lot of dimethicone in them do tend to pill up when I use too much on my skin.
It’s not a perfect science. I just kinda eyeball it, but Urban Decay suggests using a dime-sized amount per full pump of foundation or tinted moisturizer, but I rarely use a full pump of my base makeup anymore. So I use more like a half a dime-sized amount.
I shake it into my palm, add a bit of Naked Skin One and Done, mix them together with a finger, then apply that with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush.
If you do see any pilling, just pat it down with your fingers until it blends into your skin (and use a little less next time).
Because the powder thickens liquids you mix it with, you get fuller coverage, too. When I use Velvetizer with One and Done (which is about medium coverage), the final effect is closer to full-coverage foundation.
I think it’s cool, albeit a bit gimmicky. It gets the job done, but I mean, if you want a full-coverage matte foundation, just use a full-coverage foundation, ya know?
It’s a Sephora-only product, so you’ll have to trek to Sephora if you want to play.
And easy TJ’s lunch
The sampling section at the Trader Joe’s in my ‘hood is THE BEST. Mind you, it’s no Costco, where you can get a full-on meal just walking around for 15 minutes, but I learn all kinds of neat food hacks for TJ’s fare.
Like this one here, which is my new top easy lunch: TJ’s Carrot Spirals with a Veggie Marsala Burger Patty. Combine equal parts Mango Ginger Chutney with plain yogurt, and add it on the side as a sauce.
SO GOOD!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hi Karen; that food looks & sounds delish! I need to stop at TJs but the closest one is about 15 minutes away so I have to plan ahead. Can the UD powder be used alone? I very rarely use any liquid makeup but I like the idea of a velvety finish.
Hi Holly,
TJ’s used to be a trek for me, too, and one of the reasons why I ended up moving to my town was because I knew there was a TJ’s less than 10 minutes away. LOL! Anywho, the powder. Yes, you can wear it alone. It feels very similar to UD’s Loose Naked Skin Powder, which is currently on sale on their website (hmm, I wonder if they’re discontinuing it?) — super silky and very fine.
I’m curious to see a side by side photo of the effect of this on one and done or another foundation. I’ve been wearing one and done again, after months of it not working right for me. I may have to buy a second tube.
I like the thought of this product, mainly because I want most foundations to be just a tad less dewy than they are. The change in coverage is not really what I look for though, I totally agree with you on that. If I want full coverage, I´ll use full coverage.
I’m finding that powder is not my friend – my pores always seem more clogged/gunked up no matter what brand I’m using.
Btw, you’re very motivational for eating more healthy. My fave lunch this week was sliced steak and cambozola on baguette. So, not healthy in any way. HAHA! When I was telling my gluten challenged friend about it yesterday, she said it was grounds for a throw-down next to the tennis courts (that we were walking by). I would have such a hard time if I had to be Gluten-Free. She’s struggling, for sure.