Innisfree Mineral UV Whitening Pact Powder Review

After finishing my third refill of my favorite Mac Studio Pressed powder I decided I needed to find a local Korean brand instead of forking out the exorbitant prices for international brands sold here. I have tried a few pressed powders but I just haven't been happy enough with them to post a review until I found this one at Innisfree. 

Innisfree is one of Korea's most popular skin care and makeup brands. Their products are made up of natural ingredients harnessed from Jeju Island and their packaging is all eco-friendly. They have been involved in a number of environmental projects like their Eco- Hankerchief Campaign:

 

"If the habit of using a handkerchief instead of tissues 
can save a tree, wouldn’t that make your skin and the Earth smile?

Your small contributions affect 
everyone and save trees, protect 
green forests, and reduce 
global-warming"

Innisfree Eco Hanky Campaign

What first  drew me to this powder pact was the fact that it contains SPF 50+ which means that even though I use a sunscreen everyday, my skin is getting added protection from my makeup too. Along with the high SPF in this mineral powder, it also contains PA+++ which means greater protection from UVA rays (the ones that penetrate deeper into our skin and cause more long term damage). Although unofficial, the more plus signs a product is labelled with, the more protection it offers. This is however not something that is recognized by the FDA but rather just something you would generally find on Asian products. So it goes something like this: PA+ -> PA+++ with PA+++ being the highest (Thank you to A FINE MESS for the explanation of PA+++)

Don't get scared off by the 'whitening' part of the name of this product. Whitening means brightening here in Korea, and doesn't mean that the product is going to bleach your skin and make you look like Casper's long lost girl friend. Clear, bright and luminous skin is highly sought after here in Korea with many women covering up every part of their body exposed to the sun when outside (I'm talking about gloves, arm socks when driving, visors, peaks and even face masks). It's no wonder that Korean women have some of the most youthful looking complexions in the world. They really know how to take care of their skin, and this is particularly evident in their skincare products. 

It's long-lasting a blends seamlessly into my skin, setting my foundation and concealer beautifully without looking cakey. I definitely have naturally darker skin than the majority of Koreans and yet I found this shade (#23 True Beige) is perfectly suited to my skin and doesn't give me a ghost like appearance like a lot of other powders I have tried. This product comes in 3 shades (#13 Light Beige, #21 Medium Beige & this one pictured, #23 True Beige).

 Here is a full list of the ingredients in English:

Talc, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Nylon-12, Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Oil Soluble Licorice(Glycyrrhiza) Extract, Mineral Salts, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Coconut Oil, Green Tea Extract, Orange Peel Extract, Orchid extract, Camellia Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Magnesium Myristate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Methicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyapatite,Water, Butylene Glycol, Fragrance, Yellow Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Black Iron Oxide (CI 77499) 

I paid W12 000 for this powder while it was on sale at my local Innisfree (the pact is usually W18 000). Another great thing about this power pact is that the powder itself is refillable, so you won't be having to pay the full price for the packaging when you repurchase. You simply buy the power insert which is W10 000 when not on sale.

Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Compact {Review}

I bought this wonderful setting powder at the same time when I purchased the Pink Beam Mineral Highlighter a few months ago. Both this and the Pink Beam highlighter come in the same sweet round compact, but this one is mint green and the other is soft pink. They both form part of Innisfree's Mineral range of products and have less harmful ingredients and additives than most other brands. 

As with the highlighter, this sebum (or oil absorbing) powder comes in two forms, a pressed powder (this is the one I have) and a loose powder. The loose powder is a little too messy for my liking, but would work well when dusted over the face. I still love my (very old) Yardley translucent  loose powder for setting my makeup, so this pressed version is perfect for me.

It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and perfect for slipping into your hand bag. I carry my with me all day for touch ups on the go. 

As the packaging states, this sebum control powder is designed to give you a "soft and powdery finish". I'm not exactly sure what that means really, but doesn't it sound lovely. This powder absorbs all the oil and shine on my face and lasts all day. We haven't hit summer yet, so I can't say for certain that the oil control will last all day when things get really humid here, but if it doesn't it's not a worry as I am happy to touch up throughout the day.

The powder is white, but when rubbed into the skin it becomes translucent and doesn't leave any white residue or noticeable white streaks or lines. As with the Pink Bean highlighter, my only complaint is that the sponge is white, as when applied over my foundation or BB cream, the powder puff undoubtedly gets dirty. But this isn't so much of a worry to me as I am able to buy replacement puffs easily and they are very affordable.

I am loving this new addition to may makeup products, and the packaging is just so sweet. You can find yours at your nearest Innisfree store for W12 000 or online through Gmarket.

For international buyers, I'm afraid I haven't seen it for sale on any of the international sites that sell Korean makeup. When I do I'll be sure to let you know. For now you can find other great Korean products for international purchase at the following online stores: w2 Beauty, Soko Glam and WishTrend.

Innisfree Pink Beam Mineral Pact Highlighter {review}

I stumbled across this lovely little highlighter while on a shopping spree in Seoul. After hearing nothing but raving reviews about Innisfree's 'No Sebum' range of products I decided I needed to try them out myself in the hopes of finding a good blotting/setting powder for my oily skin before the humidity of summer arrives here in Korea. I picked up the Mineral Melting BB Cushion and the No Sebum Mineral Pact (reviews to come soon) at one of the Innisfree stores in Myeongdong, and added this Pink Bean Mineral Pact to my shopping basket. It's a delightful new addition to my makeup routine and I am so happy to have it join my collection. It makes a nice change from my Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Bronzer (which is too dark to wear here in Korea, where pale skin is favoured over the bronzed look) and my ultimate Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Pink Quartz (reviews to come soon!).

As with all of Innisfree's products, the packaging is simple but elegant. This compact fits into the palm of your hand and is the perfect size for slipping into your handbag for mid day touch ups (although I haven't needed to touch up once when using it). It comes in two forms, a pressed powder (pictured here) and a loose powder. I found the powder rather messy, whereas the pressed powder gives more accurate application and you don't need to worry about having a makeup brush handy. The powder puff included in the pressed version does the job perfectly.

The soft pink shimmer lasts all day, and leaves me looked slightly flushed and glowing in a very pretty way. It's gorgeous and I can't quite get enough of it. I use it as my eyeshadow on days when I don't feel like applying anything else.

My only problem with this highlighter is the white sponge applicator. It's so pretty being white, but very impractical, this powder is a highlighter and that means it get's applied over your foundation. The sponge ends up looking dirty as it absorbs the foundation underneath. It's not the end of the world, but still a little annoying. I need to see if I can find replacement puffs for it, then I can just pop a new one in and not worry about it being unhygienic. 

I am loving this new addition to may makeup products, and the packaging is just so sweet. You can find yours at your nearest Innisfree store for W12 000 or online through Gmarket. For international buyers, I'm afraid I haven't seen it for sale on any of the international sites that sell Korean makeup. When I do I'll be sure to let you know. For now you can find other great Korean products for international purchase at the following online stores: w2 Beauty, Soko Glam and WishTrend.