Review: ELF High Definition Powder

I've got to admit, this was the product I was most interested in trying when ELF released the latest batch of new products. I really want to try the MUFE HD Powder which really is just Silica (I do intend on buying some from TKB to try), so I knew I needed to find something more available and affordable.


ELF Studio High Definition Powder is available from eyeslipsface.co.uk and costs £6.00. It only contains two ingredients: Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer and Silica.

It comes in a very solid black tub with a screw lid. You do need to be careful with the lid as powder will go flying everywhere if you don't have the puff sat over the sifter! The puff is a decent size and doesn't feel like it's going to fall apart in 5 minutes.


So, how do I apply? If you just use the puff to apply it over your foundation you will end up with far, far too much obviously white powder all over your face. Not a good look for anyone! I use the Studio Complexion brush to pick some of the powder off the puff and sweep it onto my face. The HD powder is then invisible on my skin. I have noticed that this powder takes a couple of minutes to "settle". Not the nasty kind where every line is caked full of powder, but it just needs a couple of minutes to do its magic. Fine lines are reduced, pores are less obvious and I look 5 years younger!


The powder is extremely light and finely milled. You have no idea how nervous I was when I took the sifter out! If I sneezed or even breathed the wrong direction, I was going to get powder *everywhere*. Fortunately, I managed to prevent disaster! You only need to apply a tiny amount so this pot is going to last a very long time.

If you check out a few of my previous FOTD posts, you'll see that I've used this powder in a few of them. Also, I have been using this powder as part of my face routine when recording videos recently and I have had a lot of questions asking what I'm doing as my skin looks amazing. The answer is this little pot!

It doesn't do a thing for me for controlling oil, it really is just a setting "soft-focus" powder. I need to use my primer under foundation to control oil, or a translucent powder. This can add something of a white cast in photos with flash, especially if you use too much. But I'm so pale that I haven't noticed any difference. Jasmine is also a fan of this, so it works for a range of skin tones.

I was given this for free from ELF, but it's awesome anyway and I'll write what I want. No one tells me to say this is fantastic.