Review: Makeup: T. LeClerc Loose Powder in Banane

I had Ms. Blacklace leave a comment on my post about L’oreal True Match liquid Foundation about T.LeClerc loose powder. It reminded me that I had not yet reviewed the T. leClerc loose powder I own in the shade Banane.

Banane is a yellow based powder. It looks very yellow in real life, which makes you think that it will just make you look bright yellow all over if you use it on your face. Wrong. What it does is counteract redness. So, dusting a layer of Banane over your face will help reduce any redness and even out your color.

T. LeClerc’s loose powder is made from rice starch powder and helps to absorb oil and control the oil production throughout the day. So, using the loose powder will help keep your complexion looking matte and smooth from morning to evening. I find that in our hot tropical weather, Banane loose powder does do what it says. However, if you run around a lot outside in the hot sun, then do expect it to wear off much faster. Otherwise, if you are based in an office it works well.

This oil control properties also means that it might work better for those with normal-oily skin rather than for those with dry skin. People have complained that with dry skin it might enhance lines and flakiness so be warned.

I dust this powder over liquid foundation and lightly over powder foundation to set it. I never have to touch up during the day after that, which is great for me because I never carry my powders with me. Its just too much hassle. I also read that it works great in setting concealer so I dab a little under my eyes after applying my concealer and yes, it does work not only to set the concealer but to brighten the undereye area too.

I have also tried the compact powder in Banane and it doesn’t cut it for me. I don’t like it at all as it feels hard and goes on patchy. The loose powder version reigns supreme by far. Be careful when buying, because there are 2 types – Banane and Banane Doree. The former is matte the latter has gold shimmer which can be quite overwhelming for everyday use.

If you don’t have a problem with red skintones, then try any of the other T. LeClerc loose powders. The texture is very fine and light and there are a ton of colours to suit the various needs of women.

The loose powder comes in a 35g silver tub. It looks quite elegant on the dresser. However, it can get messy. This is because the cardboard sifter that comes with it is buried deep under all the powder so you have to spend some time the first time, digging it out. What I did was to spread a clean sheet of waxed or gloss paper and work on that. After that, collect the powder that has fallen on the paper and pour it back into the tub. The sifter is also a little smaller than the case so you can expect a cloud of dust every time you use this powder. This is one of its down points. I’m not sure if it has been rectified in newer issues.

I keep the plastic inside cover that comes with it to prevent the dust from flying up every time I open the tin. It would be nice if they used a plastic sifter instead of the flimsy cardboard sifter that comes with it. There is also no puff or brush that comes with this so I use a powder brush to apply the powder. Also the packaging is useless for travel unless you want it scattered all over the inside of your makeup bag. There is a travel version but its more expensive as you get less product.

A word of warning: If you are allergic to rice powder, this powder can make you itch so do test on your face before buying. Its too expensive to make a mistake!

You can purchase T. LeClerc Loose Powder – No. 01 Banane on StrawberryNET.com or at any T. leClerc counters in the department stores. It retails in Malaysia for RM159 a tub which is pricey but will last you a long long time.

Pros: Helps tone down redness, helps hide flaws, helps control oil

Cons: Expensive, packaging sucks

[rating:4/5]

Stay beautiful,