FACE: Maybelline Clear Smooth Extra: Shine-Free Powder Foundation

Maybelline Clear Smooth Extra: Shine-Free Powder Foundation

2014.01.21 - First published
2019.11.03 - Re-written from scratch

Maybelline Clear Smooth Extra:
Shine-Free Powder Foundation

Retail: PhP 249.00
SPF: SPF 20 PA+++
Scent: None
Coverage: Full

Available in 5 shades

Made in Malaysia

Benefits

✔ Oil control

✔ All-day matte finish

✔ High coverage

✔ SPF 20

✔ Does not clog the pores

✔ Fragrance-free

✔ Oil-free

✔ Non-irritating formula suitable for sensitive skin

October 2013. My intention was to buy their pressed powder while I was at our neighborhood Mercury Drugstore. Their boxes looked exactly the same and so I grabbed without reading on my way to the counter. Sa bahay ko na lang nalaman na what I actually got was the Maybelline Clear Smooth Extra: Shine-Free Powder Foundation in Honey.

The packaging is a very simple compact with one single compartment. That means the sponge you used sits on top of the cake, thinking about contamination. The powder feels very creamy to the touch and zero powder fallouts like my other Maybelline All-In-One Foundation. It's hard to tell their difference, but I favor the other more than this one.

It gives a thick coverage to conceal pores and imperfections, and also providing superb oil control all day. It contains cornstarch (I rarely see this ingredient, only here), which probably causes the pale chalky mask-like appearance. Although the shade is Honey which looks golden on the pan, it blends into a pale beige on my skin.

Again it does a superb job of controlling oil, but even after much oil and sweat at the end of the day, this foundation still looks like foundation day on my face. That is why I really prefer the other Maybelline powder foundation.

Great: superb oil control and longevity and everything

Against: chalky mask-like finish, the look of foundation day, non-refillable