Do you still remember your first ever foundation? I do! I first read about a local brand called Ellana Minerals right here on PV, when Liz first started raving about them 10 years ago. That was the decade when mineral makeup was all the rage abroad, but Filipinos didn’t yet have the wonders of online shopping, and Ellana allowed us to enjoy the trend without having to spend a fortune on shipping fees! I treasured the tiny pot of loose mineral foundation and mini kabuki brush that I got from them, so much so that I still keep both in my vanity; the case is empty but the brush still works.

I’ve tried quite a few foundations since then, and the brand has undergone its own series of revamps but the love has stayed. It really makes me so happy to have seen them grow and develop more amazing products that Filipinos can love and proudly call homegrown. Most recently, there is great news for Ellana foundation fans: the Pressed Mineral Foundation is back!

Because Ellana’s commitment is to deliver high quality makeup, I know that creating a pressed version of their famous foundation was quite a challenge for them. They didn’t want to use too many binders or fillers that could compromise the pigments and increase the risk of irritating skin. As a result, the early version of the Pressed Mineral Foundations was very soft and prone to breakage, which made carrying it around in a palette quite risky. Fortunately, founder and resident mad scientist Theresa Carbonel-Buenaflor was determined to find a way to make it work.

The new and improved Pressed Mineral Foundation delivers the same rich pigment of their original formula, but the pressed product feels more sturdy and resilient. I can push down on the surface without causing any dents or cracking, and it has survived shipping and being tossed around in my purse. I’m also pleased that my pressed foundation shade (French Vanilla) is the same shade as in their loose foundation formula, so I think the Ellana team really made sure that the shades stay consistent with the original line.

I also love that Ellana has also offered packaging options: you can get the powder with a magnetic palette for P998, then simply buy refills for P649 when you hit pan. The plastic refill container even has a little hole in the back that makes it easier to pop out and place into the palette. I appreciate this attention to detail! And did I mention that it has SPF50 for those who appreciate a little extra sun protection? Of course, you still need to wear an actual sunscreen underneath.

Ellana’s foundations are the only powder formulas I trust to work with my dry skin. They never look cakey or feel like a mask, even without primer. The key is to remember that these are highly pigmented, so a small amount of powder really goes a long way and must be gently buffed into the skin. The coverage is stellar as I can actually get away with not applying concealer to my extremely dark undereye circles!

Left to Right, Ellana Pressed Foundation Shades: French Vanilla, Hazelnut Latte, Cafe Mocha

From formulating foundations we love to making them better so that they better suit our busy lifestyles, Ellana Minerals brings their A-game in creating elegant face bases that can be used even by sensitive skin. I’ve seen many testimonials for how their foundations help the acne-prone regain their confidence, since they can really cover their blemishes without worrying that their makeup will cause more skin problems. If you love their loose powder foundation, I highly recommend getting the pressed version for when you travel or want to keep it accessible in a kikay kit. Just refer to the same shade name as what you use for loose foundation.

Are you excited for Ellana’s reformulated powder? What would you want to see from them next?

Photography by Nicole Quindara

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