Review + Swatches: Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium + 04 Light Tan

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium and 04 Light Tan)

Pros: 

• affordable (retails $6.99)
• buildable, sheer to light coverage
• matte finish
• looks natural
• feels light on the skin
• doesn't emphasize flakey skin or dry spots
• compact is wrapped in plastic seal
• separate compartment for powder puff and mirror
• lasts at least 8 hours on normal skin (not dry or oily skin)

Cons:

• bulky packaging
• floral design does not go all the way through the pan
• doesn't cover blemishes (that's what concealers are for)
• doesn't layer or cover pores without a silicone-based primer
• lasts 3 hours on oily skin before having to blot
• has a slight baby powder scent to it, but it quickly dissipates within minutes of application (I personally don't mind the scent because it smells good, but I think it would please more people if the powder was fragrance-free.)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan)

Packaging: The compact is wrapped in plastic seal, which is a major plus because it's easy to detect whether anyone has tampered with the product. I also love the beautiful floral imprint, which lasts for at least a few uses before it's completely rubbed off. There is also a compartment beneath the powder where there's a mirror and a place to store the powder puff. However, this makes the compact very bulky and thicker than the average powder compact, such as the MAC Select Sheer pressed powder. 

Ingredients: Talc, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Phenoxyethanol, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Parfum (Fragrance), Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (Lyral), Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Eugenol

+/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium - Natural Lighting)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium - Direct Sunlight)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan - Natural Lighting)

(Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan - Direct Sunlight)

Color Matching: Currently, I'm a MAC NC30/35, L'oreal True Match W4, Dior Forever 021 mixed with 031, and MUFE HD 127. The MAC Making Pretty Mystery Sheer Powder in Medium Plus is a perfect match for my skintone, while the MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC30 is a little bit lighter; however, they both work well for my skin tone when used as a setting powder because they are sheer. The Milani Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium is too light for my skin tone, while 04 Light Tan is a tad bit dark. However, 04 Light Tan has a warm, yellow undertone and works well during the summer months when I'm an NC35/37, L'oreal True Match W6, Dior Forever 031 and MUFE HD 128. (The Milani Multitasker Face Powder comes in 9 shades.)

The Milani Multitasker Face Powder can be used as a setting powder and foundation because it offers buildable, sheer to light coverage. It leaves a matte finish and slightly offers more coverage than a setting powder, but it doesn't offer as much coverage as any of the liquid foundations that I've mentioned above. The coverage is similar to a tinted moisturizer, except it's in powder form. It also doesn't cover blemishes; however, I don't expect it to because that's what concealers are for.

I love the versatility that the Milani powder offers. When applied with a big fluffy brush, it acts as a setting powder and gives me a light dusting of product, which reduces shine and sets my makeup. When applied with a dense brush, it acts as a powder foundation and evens out my skin tone with 2 layers. It doesn't feel heavy on the skin, doesn't leave a cakey finish and doesn't emphasize dry spots or flaky skin as long as you moisturize well. (However, keep in mind, it doesn't layer or build up unless you wear a primer underneath. Also, it doesn't cover pores; therefore, I strongly recommend wearing a silcone-based primer underneath.)  

I have an oily t-zone and normal skin on the rest of my face. The Milani powder lasts at least 3 hours before the natural oils around my nose area starts seeping through. My MAC Select Sheer pressed powder lasts at least 4 hours before I have to start blotting my nose area. However, it's also $24/12g, while the Milani powder retails for $6.99/10.5g. 

MAC Making Pretty Mystery Sheer Powder in Medium Plus

Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 02 Light Medium 

Milani The Multitasker Face Powder in 04 Light Tan

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder in NC30

Bottom Line: I recommend checking out the Milani Multitasker Face Powder if you're in the market for a powder that feels light, looks natural and most importantly, is affordable! 

Note: Each Milani Multitasker Face Powder contains 10.5g/0.37oz and comes with one powder puff. It is available at Target ($5.99) and Drugstore.com ($6.49). As with any drugstore product, I would definitely wait for a sale because there is always a "buy one, get one half off" or even a "buy one, get one for free" sale.

By the way, remember to check out my massive giveaway, which ends January 6, 2012. ^_^

*This post contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.