Review + Swatches: The Happy Skin #SkipTheFilter Collection

How hot is it going to be today? That's my #1 consideration when I wear makeup lately. The hotter it is, the lighter I need my base to be since it can get uncomfortable later on! I ascribe to the "less is more" philosophy during the summer, unless I really, really have to pile on the product for work. At the same time I need my makeup to keep it together for the day. Sounds impossible, right? Not really. If you find the correct products for your needs, you'll have more control with the way your makeup looks later on.

Happy Skin recently released a duo that should help with keeping our faces shine-free for longer. The brand introduced the Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude (P1,299 for 25 ml), a silicone-based primer that fills in pores and mattifies skin in one later. They also have the new Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent (P1,200 for 8 grams), a white, zero-coverage powder that creates a matte filter-like effect on the skin. 

Here's what I think of each!

A pea-sized amount is enough for the whole face. I like spout dispensers like this since I can control the amount of product that comes out.

The Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude looks and feels like your typical silicone primer. It's dimethicone-based, with added kaolin powder and mica to enhance the ultra smoothing finish. It has no coverage at all even though it has a slight tint off the tube, but as you can see in my before and after photo, one layer of it seems to have made my skin tone and texture more even. 

I like the mild, clean scent of this primer and how easy it is to blend all over the face. Do note that you have to wait for your moisturizer and/or sunscreen to dry completely before applying it. Otherwise, the primer won't sit on your skin well! You'll notice it will crease or roll off in a few hours. Also make sure to apply the rest of your base makeup after Matte About You has dried and set.

As promised on the label, this Happy Skin primer lessens the appearance of pores, flakes, and rough skin. It also helps to keep shine at bay for about three to four hours on my combination skin - I usually shine in two. Not bad at all! It really helps to hold my makeup down (you'll see later). I did notice though that it has a lifespan; it creases slightly on me after six to seven hours so I have to correct the fine creases as they appear.  

Nevertheless, I like the Matte About You Pore & Shine Control Primer In Nude and will continue to use it when it's extra hot outside. I have combination skin so I'm actually ok with just patting my nose with powder on a regular day. Sometimes though, a girl needs a hand! This is just the thing I need to keep my look fresh in this crazy summer. 

I find myself reaching for the Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent regularly because it just makes my skin look so gorgeous. It doesn't look like a blah white on skin; it sorta melts into my color, creating this amazing filter-like finish! This can be used as a setting powder after liquid/cream bases, but it also excels at absorbing oil midday. I love that it's not a flat matte. It has some light-reflecting juju going on so that it looks skin-like and not just totally matte.

It takes a bit of layering to set makeup with this as the powder is quite tightly pressed, but it only takes a layer to remove shine. It comes in a mirrored compact with a puff so you can retouch anytime. Plus points for the cute, mermaid-inspired packaging too! I do hope Happy Skin would sell refills in the future.

Applied the Matte About You primer here, added liquid foundation on top, then set everything with the Matte Of Your Dreams powder. How's that for smooooooth AF?

Seven hours later, here's what my makeup looks like! I did not retouch AT ALL. My base has faded a bit, though I'm way less shiny than I normally would be considering I use a liquid foundation. It still looks serviceable because of the primer + powder combo.

Overall, I highly recommend the Matte Of Your Dreams Oil Control Mattifying Powder In Translucent to just about anyone who wants a smoothing powder for retouching. It's well-milled and not gritty at all, so the results on skin are impressive. It's a bit pricey for 8 grams at that, but well worth it if you want a good retouch powder that won't look cakey or disturb what you already have on.

Let me know what y'all think, as always! Are you digging these new Happy Skin products?