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When ELLE's beauty director told me recently that 2010 was set to be all about the flawless base and finding your perfect powder I was filled with dread. I haven’t carried powder in my make-up bag since I was 16-years-old and am more than apprehensive about the idea. But she reassures me the new generation of powders have really moved on - so I’m happy to give Clinique’s new Superbalanced Powder Make-Up with a mineral rich formula and SPF 15 a try.

I don’t have even, balanced skin and -even in my 30s - am still prone to blemishes and break-outs, so I’ve become a slave to thick cream foundation. However I’m also told that this one powder will do the job just fine and give me the coverage I need as well as an all important even look.

The first thing I notice is the packaging.  This is a mineral powder foundation but it’s compressed into its pot and as you turn the lid clockwise a clever ‘shaver’ mills off just enough product for one application, converting it into a fine powder. There’s no wastage and it’s remarkably easy to use. The second plus is that although this is a mineral foundation there’s no expert blending and buffing needed to get a flawless application – I simply apply with the anti bacterial brush that comes with the product and feel instantly made-up.

I keep a close eye on my skin all day and true to its word, the coverage really does last. I’m not tempted to touch up at lunch, or even after work. I was most worried about feeling my skin looked dry – but it looks hydrated and soft all day. Apparently the powder contains soothing camomile, Murumuru butter and Vitamin E to hydrate, but the minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium and zinc that  are infused in this (and most other mineral make-ups), mean that where I tend to get oily – the forehead – there’s no shine: even when I get home that evening.

Clinique’s Superbalanced Powder Make-Up comes in six shades, so I think I’m also going to invest in a darker shade for holidays as I’m really impressed with the ease of use, how soft it makes my skin feel and the fact that it looks even and banishes my oily patches all day. It’s a great product for the city and for holidays too and is now a permanent fixture in my make-up bag.

Mineral foundations are usual too heavy for my skin and I’ve even experienced hideous breakouts when trying them. But Laura Mercier’s powder is different. It’s triple milled -which doesn’t mean much until you brush it on and feel (or rather don’t feel) how light and comfortable the powder is. The effect is flawless and like a second skin plus, there’s no need to touch up during the day. Finally a mineral powder I love.

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