JML Magic Minerals Mineral Powder

RRP: £29.99

--What does the promo say?--

"The only make up you’ll ever need.
Change the way you apply your make up forever, with Magic Minerals from JML. Created by make up expert Jerome Alexander, the amazing Mineral Powder works as a foundation, corrector and concealer all-in-one. Its unique built-in colour correctors make skin imperfections magically disappear while its ultra-fine formula glides on gently and hides the appearance of age spots, dark circles and even breakouts. Unlike other foundations, Magic Minerals allows you to build up coverage to achieve the look you want, without it ever looking heavy or caked on.

• Foundation, corrector and concealer all-in-one
• Perfect, even coverage
• Hypoallergenic with natural SPF
• Fragrance and talc free
• One shade suits everyone
• Ultra fine; won’t get caught in wrinkles, lines and creases. 

•  Suitable for light to medium skin tones."

--Packaging--

A robust black plastic square which, unlike a lot of high street powders, has a really good size of mirror included in the lid. Mine also came with the brush, which is sometimes included as part of special deals at JML but also retails separately on the site at £7.99. Sadly the brush is terrible and does not live up to the 'professional quality' tag attached to it: the bristles are really coarse and started falling out of the brush from the very first use. Nevertheless, it does pick up and hold the powder well during application without sending it everywhere.

--Application--

Swirl the brush across the powder palette and sweep over face after applying any other base products such as foundation or concealer. Nothing tricky about that.

--Appearance--

I was a little concerned that in spite of the product being pegged as being suitable for light to medium skin tones, it would be too dark on me, as in the palette the powder appeared quite orange. However, I need not have worried, as it did indeed match my skin tone perfectly. The powder is also speckled in the palette with small dots of bronze, white, green, pink, yellow and purple, which are colours used in powders by many companies to help counteract the effects of lines, redness and scars - so while it may look odd if you're not used to this kind of product, be assured that there is a method to the madness.

--Scent--

None - as promised.

--Texture and consistency--

Again, as promised, it is a fine powder which does not cake or weigh heavily on the skin.

--Effects on the skin--

Sadly, the product does not deliver on the miracle effects described in its promotional materials. I applied this over bare skin and saw no difference at all, but held out hope that once I had applied all of my usual concealer and foundation that I would see a difference (as a long-term acne sufferer I do accept that I am quite a special case). However, the difference was only minimal - a long way from being the holy grail of a "foundation, concealer and corrector all-in-one". Plus, the product just did not provide the radiance and coverage that I see from my usual choice (Arbonne's Sheer Pressed Powder). All in all an underwhelming experience.

--Value for money--

The price tag is outrageous and astronomical - which would be fine if it worked. There is far too little effect for the money paid (and for that money you expect real wow-factor stuff) for a product by a designer that nobody has heard of. Products in the same price bracket (£25-£30) include the Arbonne powder mentioned above (£26), as well as powders by such luminaries as Lancôme, Guerlain (their Meteorites refills and travel versions - I suspect the inspiration for this product - retail at £30 and under from Slapiton and ScentStore) and Bobbi Brown, who all produce wow-factor results at the makeup counter. While JML offers a few slightly more lucrative deals on its website (go for the Special TV Deal, for instance, and you'll get the powder with a blusher, mascara, makeup brush and explanatory brochure - all still for £29.99), you would be better off giving this a miss altogether and going for one of the big-name brands mentioned above, or to a minerals specialist, such as PurMinerals (starter kit: £26), or pressed powders from Bellapierre (£29 from House of Fraser) or Youngblood (£30). 

perfect partners:

Magic Minerals Lash Extending Mascara, £9.99

Magic Minerals Eyeshadow and Lip Kit, £19.99

Magic Minerals Mineral Blusher, £9.99