Read ALL about my review process including how I take swatches, photos, and more here.
Though I wasn’t completely understanding the hype around Ben Nye powders, I now use the ones I bought out of curiosity VERY regularly. I mean shoot—I bought ’em might as well use ’em. Plus I do like the finish and performance and the fact that I have like 5,000 lbs of powder that only cost me a few bucks…lol.
But what kind of beauty blogger would I be if I found products I loved and then stopped right there? Sleek MakeUP, the British high street makeup brand that seriously needs to find a stockist stateside but until then I’ll continue to stalk and order from their website, recently sent over some of their translucent powders for review consideration.
Official Description
Translucent Loose Powder
Sheer loose finishing powder that is ultra-fine and sets makeup to create a silky, natural finish
* Light-weight formula provides an even complexion with a smooth finish
* Reduces shine and minimizes the look of pores
* Ideal for setting any foundation
* Can be applied over makeup, or bare skin to lightly mattify
Professional Finishing Powder
Sleek MakeUP’s Professional Finishing powder, one, is essential for every make up bag. It’s the must-have product to finish any make-up look, keeping it flawless all day long!
This universal, colourless and ultra-fine finishing powder not only prolongs make up throughout the day, it also removes shine and fades out fine lines and pores, making skin visibly smoother and more radiant. The unique formula provides an immediate cooling sensation as it is comprised of 40% water, is rich in anti-oxidants and contains botanical extracts that provide a matte, flawless finish. One translucent shade available, perfect for all skin tones and types.
I loved the finish on these—gives a natural matte slightly airbrushed finish just like the Ben Nye powders. I apply it with the accompanying powder puff (or a makeup wedge) and I do a press and roll kind of motion as I find this keeps my makeup matte longer—I’ll dust off any excess with a clean fluffy brush but I’m usually very careful not to get too much on so I can skip the dusting. The shade in Dark is great for an all over setting powder for my NW47 skin tone while Light works to set my highlight when I use it. If your skin is deeper than mine, consider Chocolate as an all-over setting powder. (Chocolate isn’t deep enough to contour on me in case you were wondering but check out some that are here).
They also look nice on a bare face to take out shine and for a natural matte look.
When I’m doing highlight and contour looks and I want to “blend” the edges (where the different shades meet), I also like the Sleek MakeUP Professional Finishing Powder.
So I’d say these are pretty comparable to Ben Nye in both function and price but where they will greatly differ is in the amount of shades offered. Ben Nye definitely surpasses with the numerous shades available to set, highlight, and contour on all skin tones.
Bottom line: Great powders. Whether you get them or the Ben Nye powders will depend on access (you can typically pick up Ben Nye at makeup artist supply stores and Sleek MakeUP is available in some stores worldwide but only online in the U.S.) and the shades you need.
Price and where to buy: Professional Finishing Powder $11.49 at sleekmakeup.com; Translucent Loose Powder $8.49 at sleekmakeup.com.
Totally agree with you, I’m hoping they’ll be available in US stores soon!
xx Alyson
Hi,
So which would you suggest getting?
I use Dark Deep in MAC(NW 55 for my foundation), can i get use the dark(in sleek) for my setting powder while Sienna for my highlights?
Author
Hey—I don’t have Sienna so no clue what it looks like. But if you’re NW55 I think you should get Chocolate in Sleek.
Okay, What can you suggest I use for my highlights?
Author
depends on how “bright” you want your highlight to be. If you want something subtle, use a concealer/foundation slightly lighter than your complexion and a powder in the same color family. If you want something more dramatic, use products 2 shades lighter but be careful as it can look super exaggerated in flash photos.
I haven’t seen every single shade of Ben Nye, but you can see what I use here and hopefully that can help you figure it out: https://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2013/05/ben-nye-powders-review-and-swatches/ and check this out, too: https://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2014/02/highlight-and-contour-on-dark-skin/
I’m going to try these. I like that Sleek Makeup was originally created for women of color. We shall see how it goes.
Author
They’re a great drugstore brand! You can check out all Sleek MakeUP my posts here: https://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/category/beauty-health-makeup-hair/makeup-brands/sleek-makeup-makeup-brands/
They look great!! I didn’t even know Sleek released these. Dark and Light look like colours I want to try.
I love your blog. I’m thinking of starting one too. How do you get your photos to look so professional and high quality. The images are amazing
Author
Hey!
Thanks so much!
It’s a combo of my SLR (I have an entry level Canon), “good” lighting, and photoshop plus TONS of practice and tweaking until I get it like I like it. I’m not a photographer by any means but there’s tons of videos on Youtube you can look up to figure out how to do anything :)
good luck!
I know this post was a while ago, but could you help me,
Im a shade 10 (the darker outer parts of my face) in lancome teint miracle
Walnut in laura mercier tinted moisturiser
And use dark in mac MSF, can I use the dark as my all over powder? How did you find the professional finish one? Can I use it all over, will it leave a cast?
Thank you!
Author
Hey!
I think the dark will be fine but maybe get that and the deeper one just to be on the safe side. You can always use the deeper one if you tan if it’s too dark.
The professional finish won’t leave a cast :)
thanks for your reply!