REVIEW | Gabriel Cosmetics Dual Powder Foundation

Goal: To find a safer pressed powder foundation and  a pressed powder bronzer that performs as well as my beloved M.A.C.
Brand I Tried: Gabriel Cosmetics Inc.
Product: Dual Powder Foundation (in Light Beige for the foundation, and in Deep Beige for the Bronzer).
Product Description: This velvety plant-based formula performs both as a foundation and powder for a smooth matte finish. When applied with a dry sponge, it creates an ultra matte finish or use a moist sponge for a sheer, fresh appearance.  Formulated to help minimize shine and absorb excess oil without clogging pores or drying skin.  Enhanced with vegetable derived Squalane for luxurious texture and ease of application.  Contains proven antioxidants for superior protection against environmental damage.  A non-chemical PABA-free sunscreen has been added to shield skin from harmful sun exposure.
Ingredients: Mica; Cetyl Palmitate; Octyl Palmitate; Silica; Kaolin; Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract* Organic; Zinc Stearate; Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil* Organic; Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride; Lecithin (Non-GMO); Crithmum Maritimum (Sea Fennel) Extract* Organic; Tocopheryl Acetate; Iron Oxides; Titanium Dioxide

• Price: $26.35
• Size: .32oz/9g
• Uses: Pressed Powder Foundation / Compact.
• Amount Of Product Used For It To Be Effective: Since it covers really well, I find that I actually use much less than I did with other Pressed Powder Foundations or Bronzers in the past!
• First Impression: Wow… Hello Coverage! Where have you been all my life? LOL.
• Visual Attractiveness: Not bad, packaging could be updated a little. 
• Texture: Silky, smooth matte finish, but not chalky!
• Scent: Ummm… don’t sniff this! It’s bad for you to inhale!
• How Long I’ve Used It: A little over 2 months.
• Easy To Find And Where? Whole Foods Market, GabrielCosmeticsInc.com, or Amazon.com.
• Acquired: I purchased.
• Sample, Trial, Travel Sizes?: Not of this product (that I’m aware of), but Whole Foods will give you samples of the liquid foundation to match your skin color etc. which is awesome BTW- because you can take them home to try in different lighting and see how they actually wear before purchasing! Gabriel, if you’re listening- you should let us purchase samples if purchased online.
• EWG’s Skin Deep – Cosmetic Safety Database Rating: 4. (I think this should be a 3, but maybe I’m wrong).
• Verdict: I absolutely LOVE this powder! This is like the natural (for the most part) M.A.C. Studio Fix! It’s about as much as I would have paid for M.A.C. (less than some of the others I’ve bought in the past (huh-hummm… $49.99, Jane Iredale) and it’s awesome! I also happened to be looking for a natural Bronzer at the same time I bought this (Gabriel didn’t have one) and most of the other natural brands only had glittery ones (I’m not really such a fan of sparkly Bronzers… imagine that, me NOT like something sparkly? LOL). So, I bought two of the same product- in different shades… a deeper shade (Deep Beige) for the Bronzer. I used my handy-dandy label maker to differentiate the two compacts to save me time from opening them to see which is which. Both wear amazingly well, don’t bother my sensitive eyes, don’t dry out my skin and no more oily T-zone (Hallelujah) It’s a miracle! For the most part, I use the one for foundation (over a liquid foundation only in areas that need to be concealed) with the round sponge it comes with as opposed to my M.A.C. 187 brush because it contains Silica. I do however wish it didn’t contain Silica (which is not good if it’s inhaled), but it has got to be better (safer) than my M.A.C. Studio Fix! As for the one I use for Bronzer… I do use a brush, tapping off the excess prior to applying- being very careful not to breathe it in! The only other little peeve I have, is that the little button you press to open the compact (on both compacts) sometimes gets stuck which drives me nuts! It’s definitely something I can deal with though for the time being. They come sealed in plastic shrink wrap, without any extra packaging- so no waste (yay!) and I love that all of the ingredients are right on the bottom of the compact! I also love that it’s something that I can walk into the store and see before I buy- especially when it comes to matching foundation colors. It seems as if the only major difference between Gabriel and their sister company (ZuZu Luxe) is that some of ZuZu’s products are oil-free, but most have the same exact ingredients with very slight differences in the packaging (a little more modern) costing a few dollars more. I would definitely buy both of these again and look forward to trying many more of their products!