I’ve been toying with a new category for a while now – a “Challenge” category where I pit one brand against another. The idea behind this is to see how a favourite or not so favourite product fares against similar products from different brands, and whether there are dupes or similarities to be found between them. The idea is not to find the “best product” but more to see how X performs against Y. They may be both of high end brands or both of low end brands or in the cases of dupes, one high and one low end.
I can only base my “challenges” on products which I already own and use so if I’m not comparing it with a product you want me to, or expect, the simple answer may be that I don’t have it! Challenges will be evaluated on 3 criteria – Packaging, Price and Performance.
I’ll start my Challenge series with Loose Powder:-
T.leClerc Banane vs Make Up For Ever Super Matte
PACKAGING
T.leClerc Banane
Banane comes in a silver tub with pretty embossed cover. It looks very pretty sitting on your dresser and does not come with a puff.There is a cardboard mesh separator sifter but it does get messy and doesn’t travel very well as chances of spillage is high.
Make Up For Ever Super Matte
Super Matte comes in a plastic tub with a clear base. This is nice because you know just how much is left in the tub (usually a LOT!) and there is a plastic sifter included. The cover is a screw top which makes it easier to travel with as the chances of it opening up by itself isn’t as high. Super Matte doesn’t come with a puff too.In terms of looks, Super Matte looks utilitarian and minimal.
PB’s Verdict: MUFE trumps TLC in terms of packaging simply because its more travel friendly even if its less pretty.
PRICE
T.leClerc Banane
One 35g tub retails for RM159. 1g=RM4.54
Make Up For Ever Super Matte
One 28g tub retails for RM110. 1g=RM3.93
PB’s Verdict: In terms of value, MUFE wins by a head!
PERFORMANCE
You can read my full review of T. LeClerc Banane and Make Up For Ever Super Matte in my previous reviews. They are both pretty good products by themselves. However, one does perform better than the other for me.
Oil Control – Both loose powders have oil control properties. T.leClerc uses rice powder as its main ingredient in Banane. Make Up For Ever uses Silica. In terms of oil control, I find that Make Up For Ever is better. My skin feels and looks more matte throughout the day.
Colour Correcting – Banane is a bright yellow and corrects redness, leaving skin looking fresher. If you have naturally ruddy tones in your skin, then Banane would be a good choice. My MUFE powder was in Translucent, which means no colour correcting. Make Up For Ever Super Matte powder does come in tinted shades but I have not tried them.
Comparison – I took a chance and dusted half my face with Banane and the other half with MUFE Translucent. I found that Banane left a yellowish tint on my skin. Its fine if I have reddish tones or if my foundation is too pink, but not if everything else is status quo. Translucent lived up to its name of being transparent. Throughout a normal working day, I found that the half dusted with Banane had taken on a shine by the afternoon, while the half with MUFE was still satiny smooth.
PB’s Verdict: I prefer the wearability and oil control properties of MUFE Super Matte.
OVERALL VERDICT
I find that Make Up For Ever beats T.leClerc hands down in terms of wearability and performance in the loose powder challenge.
Challenge winner: Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder!
prettybeautiful says
July 25, 2008 at 9:45 amwow this is a cool way of presenting review! my loose powder often last me forever, and im still stuck with my aery jo loose powder after one year…
Tine says
July 25, 2008 at 12:29 pmHey great review! Oooh I can’t wait to get my mitts on the MUFE loose powder :p
Nikki says
July 25, 2008 at 12:49 pmthat is a wonderful review!!!! I would love to try MUFE loose powder because of you!
Jooj says
July 25, 2008 at 4:20 pmI used to use MUFE’s loose powder in no 18, which I believe the name of the shade is, wait for it… BANANA! It’s the yellowest shade in the range, and I found it to be great for correcting foundations that were too pink for me (which all foundations invariably were). It was brilliant, beautiful light texture and tons of non-cakey oil control goodness. Unfortunately I’ve had to switch to something cheaper now (L’Oreal Translucide, discontinued, boooo!!) but if I had to spend $$ on high end loose powder it would definitely be the MUFE or Laura Mercier Ivory.
ParisB says
July 25, 2008 at 5:54 pmPrettybeautiful: Thanks. Loose powders do last a long time, especially if you use them sparingly.
Tine: I hope you like it!
Nikki: Uhoh I might have created a monster hehe…
Jooj: Thanks for the info on MUFE’s correcting powder. Since it lasts so long, I think good loose powder is a good long term investment even if it can be a little expensive initially.
Monstro says
July 26, 2008 at 12:26 amVery nice post! Have been quite curious about this MUFE powder. But can’t justify buying another since I still have a lot left of my Shu powder. I should really go test it out at the counter though…tempting!
Ms. Blacklace says
July 26, 2008 at 1:11 amWow! Great review!
I tested the TC powder the other time, and I had a little rash. Haha. Guess I’m allergic?
Really wanted to try the MUFE powder when I went to the outlet. But didn’t have the time.
Nikki says
July 26, 2008 at 1:47 pmPB, you definitely did! 🙁 now I’m hovering MUFE stores! 🙁
jojoba says
July 26, 2008 at 8:10 pmexcellent way of reviewing products. MUFE Super Mat was my HG fo rthe longest time. it is still a top fav. of mine. i don’t like TLC much. but its loose powder is more famous than MUFE’s in “laymen’s” (laywomen’s?) world.:P
It’ all because of advertising IMO.
rinnah says
July 28, 2008 at 5:24 pmNice head to head comparison, PB! I’m currently using a Maybelline loose powder I picked up on a whim, but don’t really like it as it tends to “show” on my face even though I dust it lightly. Any tips?
Jooj says
July 28, 2008 at 9:38 pmrinnah: spritz with moisturizing mist. i use the body shop’s vit e face mist.
rinnah says
July 30, 2008 at 12:20 am@jooj : Thanks for the tip! Will be sure to try it out. 😉
ParisB says
July 30, 2008 at 9:26 amMonstro: I have a couple of loose powders too. They just never finish do they?
Ms. Blacklace: You won’t be the only one getting an allergic reaction to TLC powder. I was told its the rice powder. Not everyone can handle it.
jojoba: I don’t think its the advertising per se. Just different target markets. MUFE is targetted more towards make up artists while TLC is more of a department store brand.
rinnah: I remember using the Maybelline loose powder. Is it the Pure one? I quite liked it. Try to use a brush (less obvious).
purplerose says
August 6, 2008 at 11:23 pmParis, any chance to compare between MUFE and Laura Mercier loose powder?
All girls want the best choice, especially something we are putting on the face! 🙂
ParisB says
August 7, 2008 at 2:26 pmpurplerose: I will try if I can get a sample of the Laura Mercier loose powder to compare because I don’t own the LM loose powder. Too many to keep track of! Thanks for dropping by!
Shree says
February 27, 2010 at 11:50 amWas wondering where one could find MUFE products in KL?
ParisB says
February 27, 2010 at 11:55 amThere is a standalone counter at KLCC (near the food court) and there is one in U Parkson 1 Utama.
Shree says
February 28, 2010 at 9:26 pmOoh thanks! 🙂