Givenchy Poudre Première Mat and Translucent-Finish Loose Powder

Overall Rating

Givenchy Translucent Loose Powder

Givenchy cosmetics is a bit of terra incognita for me. Before this powder, I had only one other product by this company – a lipstick. Purchase of this powder was rather spontaneous – I got a Sephora gift card and decided to spend it on something I normally wouldn’t buy. Givenchy loose powder caught my eye because of its beautiful packaging. For some reason, there are not many reviews on this powder in the Internet, and it seems unfair because the powder is quite good.

First of all, let’s start with the price. The powder costs $53-54, which is a lot but at the same time is sort of expected from a brand like Givenchy. For example, Dior loose powder is $52 – practically the same. However, although I don’t mind paying for quality and brand name, I feel a bit tricked because, in my opinion, there is not sufficient amount of powder in the case for this money. I have La Mer loose powder – it cost me a bit more, $65, but it’s a huge case with an incredible amount of powder. I think there is almost twice as much powder as there is in the Givenchy container.

Second thing I’d like to talk about is packaging. Minimalistic black enamel case with Givenchy logo on the top is stunning. This powder can easily serve as a beautiful décor piece on your vanity table. It looks so much more elegant than any other loose powder I’ve ever seen. I’d like to note though that this is not the powder you can carry in your purse – the case is big but fragile. For the same reasons I also never take it when I travel. This seems to be a problem with majority of loose powders – their cases are huge. I think only Bare Minerals make the powder case small enough but I really don’t like their powder. I do wish Givenchy, La Mer and other high-end brands start making travel-size makeup items.

Thirdly, let’s talk about actual product. This powder is only one color – white; packaging says color is “Universal nude” but it truly is white that adapts to your skin color. So, the powder is suitable for any complexion, very finely milled and super light – unlike La Mer or Bare Minerals it feels like you are not wearing anything at all. However, despite its featherlikeness, it works. It sets makeup, mattifies skin, flatters any type of skin. You can also apply it over bare or primed face – it will work too. I have to say that this is not the powder you could use to cover imperfections – it won’t do it. And it’s not supposed to. This powder serves as a final touch to complete your makeup – make it perfectly even and radiant. I was thinking how I could best describe it and the word that came to my mind was “mist.” You apply the powder and it feels like a delicate cloud of fresh morning mist covers your face. You don’t see the mist but you see its results – skin is more radiant, makeup looks complete. For the best results, I would recommend using kabuki brush. Microfiber puff that comes with the powder doesn’t work – to distribute powder in the most flattering way you need subtleness of kabuki brush bristles. For me, Dior Backtage Kabuki Brush seems to work best. It was designed specifically for applying setting powders (and bronzers), so it has rounded shape and rather dense bristles which allow to achieve best results with the Givenchy powder.

The powder has very nice smell – clean and refreshing, not a Victorian-old-lady smell at all (that’s a problem of lots of powders).

Finally, I am not sure how this powder will work if you have oily/combination skin. It is mattifying but it doesn’t have crazy oil-absorbing qualities like other setting powders.

Overall, I would recommend Givenchy loose powder if you have some spare money and want to treat yourself with a nice, high-quality product. Just using this beautiful powder will make you feel awesome and pampered. However, if you are looking for a loose powder that you will use every day and for every occasion, and which you would want to last awhile, I’d recommend going with something else, like La Mer.