Oil Control Week: Benefit POREfessional Agent Zero Shine

We've already talked about products that can somehow lessen the oil that makes it to the surface of your face, right, but they aren't going to stop your skin from producing oil. That's just a fact of life. No matter how effective your skincare is it'll only be a matter of hours before your face shines up. Accept it and move on...to makeup!

It's SOP to have blotting paper, powder, and a brush in your bag wherever you go. This trio is the best way to remove shine without ruining the stuff you have on underneath. However, what if there's a way to streamline and simplify the shine-busting? Do away with the blotting paper, and combine the brush and powder in one product?

And thus the Benefit POREfessional Agent Zero Shine (P1,600) powder was born. This is a talc-based powder that promises to blur pores and smoothen your complexion while mattifying your skin. It is super silky and finely-milled, containing mineral ingredients that are highly oil absorbent.

Single shade, simplified. There is only one shade available - a peachy one that provides translucent coverage. It should match all skin tones without leaving a white cast. This will melt on your skin quickly enough, giving it a flawless matte finish.

Staying power? It's a troubleshooter. Agent Zero Shine isn't really a long-wearing product per se; it's more of a troubleshooter. It's nice to use as a setting powder because it gives such a smooth, poreless finish, but it didn't extend the wear-time of my makeup. This powder really excels as a shine-remover!

I forgot to take a before pic, but here's my face after retouching with the Agent Zero Shine powder. This pic was just taken yesterday - I was out of the house from 10am to 4pm. I only retouched when I got home lol. It was an oily mess but AZS took care of it.

PS - the foundation I was wearing is kinda light for my skintone. The white face isn't caused by the Benefit powder.

The Blotting Paper Conundrum. I normally blot the oil off first before blending some powder on my t-zone with a brush. But with Agent Zero Shine, there is no need for such nonsense. Lol. If you're really lazy and/or pressed for time (hottie alert! Five seconds to retouch!) you can brush the powder on, oil be damned! AZS will absorb it in two sweeps.

I'd still recommend using blotting paper beforehand though, if you have time. It's yuck to have lots of oil sitting on the brush especially if you don't wash it as often as you should.

Built-in brush. I love the brush, mostly because it's conveniently attached to the tube, not because it's super special or anything. It's an okay brush that's soft enough and has no scratchy bits.

I hate using sponges to retouch my makeup if I were to be completely honest with you. Brushes are better because they deliver a sheer layer of powder for a more natural, un-caked finish. They offer more control too.

The brush here is just the right size for retouching your t-zone. It's too small for the rest of your face but, well, it's not meant to be used that way. I love that there's a guard you can flip up or down so that the bristles don't get squished when you re-attach it to the mother tube.

Note though, the brush has a weird mushroom top because of the plastic guard (instead of the kabuki shape). No worries though, it won't affect the performance.

Packaging. I adore the packaging because a lot of thought obviously went into making it. The sifter twists off and locks up when you're done, to ensure there are no nasty spills. The cap is deep and fits the brush; no need to tap off the powder anywhere else. The brush has a guard and does not get caught up in storage.

Great stuff. I don't mind that the whole plastic tube looks like a toy. It's cute and it works.

Verdict. Overall, I highly recommend the Benefit POREfessional Agent Zero Shine if you're looking for a powder that can smoothen your complexion and blur your pores whilst removing any unfortunate midday shine. Plus, it comes in such convenient packaging for on-the-go retouching! You also get 7 grams of powder which is A LOT. I have a six-gram mineral foundation and it usually takes me months (say 4,5) to finish.

So there you have it. :) Sound off in the comments - how do you normally retouch your makeup?