Emotional Brilliance Translucent Face Powder

All throughout my childhood, I had no interest in make-up of any kind - something I see frequently less as a teacher and this is such a shame. When I hit my awkward teenage years, I was introduced to the wonders of black eyeliner. Unfortunately, when you're thirteen and looking to stand out, it's all about how much black you can inflict upon the world, and I found I used my eye pencil in the same way a toddler would use a paintbrush.

It's only been in the last couple of years that I've begun to take more of an interest in make up that accentuates my facial features. I'm looking for subtle products that can mask the tiredness I feel when I've stayed up all night marking seventy-five books, but without clogging up my pores or making me look like I'm about to sell myself to the highest bidder.

Emotional Brilliance Translucent Face Powder is a product I've been saving myself for - partly because it's a little on the expensive side, and partly because I've just not had the time to experiment with it and see what it can do. After my relaxing two weeks off at Christmas, I decided to pull out my neglected tub and trial it out. 

Priced at £12 for an 8g tub, it is an expensive investment - especially if you don't know whether or not it will work for your face. However, when you consider the fact that other shop-brought varieties can vary from £4-£40 for a similar product, it doesn't sit too badly amongst these.   

So what is it? According to Lush, Emotional Brilliance is an 'ultra-fine translucent face powder' that works towards creating 'a flawless finish to set make-up or even tone on bare skin.' For those of us who aren't make-up-savvy, it's a powder that can be applied after concealer/foundation or instead of, to smoothen out pores or remove any sheen or shine that those with oily complexions might have. When used over foundation, it also helps to set it in place so you don't lose that smoothened skin tone that you've worked hard to craft. 

It works with all skin tones and is a wonderful mineral-rich powder that has light-reflecting properties - helping to give your complexion a natural glow that stays with you all day. What I found especially helpful is the fact that this powder can also be added after you've used eyeliner and eyeshadow - preventing it from running and smudging throughout the day. I found this aspect of the product particularly helpful as I am notorious for having eyeliner all over my face by lunchtime. If I had a pound for every time a child in my class has asked the questions; 'Miss, why do you have black smudges on your face?', I might have enough money to buy myself another pot of this stuff!

While I would normally shy away from face powders as I'm always very skeptical when it comes to the authenticity of most cosmetics, this one has made a real difference to my face. It feels really light once it's on and the inclusion of jojoba oil means that it won't dry out your face - instead nourishing it whilst it's working to keep you looking beautiful. 

The only downside I found with Emotional Brilliance - something a lot of people seem to suffer with, is that the size of the pot isn't very helpful when you come to apply it to your face. The best way to get a light, even coverage is to use a blusher brush and stroke the brush across your face in an outwards motion from your nose. This prevents a build up of product and leaves you with a wonderful finish. The size of the tub makes this rather difficult to do and I've found that I have to transfer the powder into something with a bigger surface area so I can apply it properly. 

Overall, I am actually really impressed with this powder and it's one I will now continue to use regularly. You don't need to use it more than once a day so an 8g tub will last you a really long time. You wouldn't immediately think of Lush as a great source for make-up, but this and their eyeliner has made me very keen to try other products in the near future.  

Quantitative Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Organic Jojoba Oil, Iron Oxides, CI77947.

Vegan?: Yes.

2015 Price: £12 for 8g.