Surratt Diaphane Loose Powder Compact in Eclatant

In my recent Troy Surrat frenzy, haul, purchase I decided to get his loose powder. I had recently purchased the excellent Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush flawless finish powder reviewed here, which has fast become my favourite powder. It now has stiff competition from Surratt's loose version. I am no stranger to finishing powders, and have a pretty good collection ranging from Hourglass Ambient lighting powders, Chantecaille HD perfecting powder, Suqqu Nuancing pressed powder, By Terry Voile Poudre Eclat and Nars light reflecting pressed powder. While I have been fairly satisfied with the array of effects I got from these powders none hit the mark perfectly. I am now one 'happy camper'. Between my Charlotte Tilbury and Troy Surratt I can now end my quest (yes!) and I will tell you why.

The Surratt Diaphane powder is a compact and refill system. The squoval (ovalish square-like egg) compact has a soft satin touch and the subtle Surrat gradient colouring and logo. A sleek refill pops into the compact. The compact is lightweight and great to throw in my handbag for quick touch ups. A loose powder on the go is quite unheard of. I prefer a pressed powder for its unmessy storage and use. I think Surratt got this pretty much under control. A cute powder puff applicator sits above and away from the loose powder below. A sheer net allows for the powder to be kept in place. I have had a bit of wayward powder, but that is due me tossing my handbag about with abandon. The powder puff works well to press the product into my skin. I use a powder brush at home before leaving for the day.

There is a choice of Eclantant and matte. I was initially going to purchase the matte, but the helpful counter manager* at Barney's Chicago, suggested the Eclatant instead. She said the Eclatant would give a natural finish to the skin, while still having the same oil control properties as the matte. Oil Control was one of the main reasons I had really never settled on a holy grail powder before (I love this one that much). I also had concern, as Eclatant is described as having a luminous finish. My skin, surely does not need any help in that department, as it is oily and has oily breakthrough very quickly.

This powder is supremely fine and soft. It blurs my pores which is a characteristic of oilier skins. It gives my skin a truly airbrushed finish while still be light and undetectable. The Charlotte Tilbury has a few shades, while the Troy Surrat is an universal shade. Do not be alarmed if on application it may look white. A quick sweep of my powder puff and it vanishes and so does my shine. This has the best oil control properties of all the powder I own. If I need to touch up it does not cake and still looks light as air. It does not settle into any fine line or accentuate any dehydration. So for me it does it all - perfects, blurs, mattefies*, and increased the longevity of my foundation. This is definitely worth checking out.

*I would just like to note the service I received from  Elizabeth @ the Surratt counter at Barney's Chicago. I had family visiting Chicago and decided to call in advance to reserve the Surratt items for easy pickup by my courier pigeon. Elizabeth was extremely helpful over the phone, with both the Surratt products and colour picks (more goodies to be reviewed soon) as well as securing me a Barney's spring goody bag and other extra samples! My courier pigeon also expressed how nice she was on picking up my purchase. You may contact her directly on 312 596-1099 for all things Surratt.

*mattefies, mattyfies or mattefyzzzzzz- I have tried spelling this and used it, but it always shows up red and incorrect!

Please leave me your comments and recommendation on which powders you consider (drum roll please) holy grail!?