La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder ($80.00 for 2.20 oz.) is available in two shades, Translucent 1 and Translucent 2, both of which are loose powders designed to set makeup and mattify the skin. It is also supposed to add radiance to the skin. Worth noting is for the price, you get a large, full-size (2.0 oz.) along with a travel-sized version (0.20 oz.), both of which are refillable (though, I did not spy any refills available online, so it may be an in-store purchase only).
I should probably be using Translucent 2, which is designed for warmer skin tones (and also for those on the darker side of the spectrum), but the product I received and tested was Translucent 1. I don’t have extremely strong yellow undertones, so that’s probably why I was able to get away with Translucent 1, which is generally more suitable for cooler skin tones and those on the lighter end of the spectrum. Loose Powders are a product that really needs to be tested on the face with an appropriate applicator, because merely swatching it on your arm or the back of your hand will rarely yield the same result. For reference, I’ve done an arm swatch only just blended so the product is still visible against my skin as well as before-and-after photos of the loose powder applied with a fluffy powder brush (MAC 134).
This powder has shimmer in it, and initially, when I first swatched it against the skin, I was like, “Ooh, boy, that is SO not going to work!” Lo and behold, it mattified without giving the skin an unnaturally dry appearance. The subtle reflecting particles help deliver that soft focused look that gives the skin the appearance of a softer, more even appearance. There are numerous loose powders on the market with similar properties, so it’s not unique to La Prairie’s by any means, but these types of powders work exceptionally well on camera. They’re picked up and read back beautifully.
La Prairie’s loose powder is extremely finely milled–so soft it feels like silk and almost comes together like a cream. It applies easily without looking caky and disappears against the skin when a flick of the brush. It sets my makeup in place and keeps it there for eight to ten hours without needing to re-powder or blot. While testing this, my skin was fairly normal, and like many of you, I do get a little oilier around my t-zone. Without a powder, my t-zone looks oily after six hours and foundations can feel slick on the skin, but I felt like everything remained solid until that eight hour mark.
The price point–as far as La Prairie goes–is not nearly as high as I’d expect, given the amount of powder you receive. For reference, popular setting powder Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder retails for $34 and contains 1 oz. of product, which works out to be $34/oz., while La Prairie is $36.36/oz. It’s a higher initial price tag, but for something like setting powder, once you find the one that works for you, it’s a staple product you use everyday and will eventually use up. (Unless, of course, you have trouble committing to a product for long–like me!) I do like that you get a travel-sized version with you, though; it’s just convenient for keeping in your makeup bag or when you’re traveling. And if you don’t intend to travel, you can use the small size and refill it using the larger jar; this means keeping the large jar totally clean for the years it’ll take to finish it.
I have a good number of go-to setting powders, and La Prairie does everything it’s supposed to do. It doesn’t compel me to switch, as I have found that many loose powders perform equally well on my skin type, it’s not just puffery. It is definitely one I would reach for on a special occasion for its exceptional ability to give skin a softer, smoother appearance.
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
Chanel Pro Lumiere / La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder on top
La Prairie Translucent Cellular Treatment Loose Powder
Hi Christine,
I was just wondering how this product compares to Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder? After reading your review on the LM powder I had to purchase it ASAP! And have been using it ever since! 😀 Though I was wondering if you found the La Prairie powder to be more mattifying? And of course does it hold makeup as long as the LM one? My t-zone tends to get oily super quick so I’m always on the hunt for products which will control it!
Thanks 🙂
Hi Esperanza!
As I mentioned in the review, it doesn’t perform much differently from other setting powders I like, such as the LM one. This one does have shimmer in it, so it’s different in that way, but they’re equally as mattifying and last equally long on me. I don’t have really oily skin, so they both hit 8-10 hours for me – but if you have oily skin, you might see more of a difference if you tested them out.
Great, thanks for the advice! 😀
looks pretty on you 😀 cute lipstick shade n eye look 😀
Thanks, Artemis!
Hey Christine,nice product! 😀 if ingredients are healthy for my skin,i’ll buy it too!:)
Which lipstick are you wearing? 😀
Tarina Tarantino Showroom!
Wow, that really does look beautiful and natural on the face!
It’s amazing how setting powders look swatched vs. applied, haha!
the finish is beautiful! do you know the ingredients?
I don’t – I didn’t receive the box for it!
Hmm…I thought La Prairie’s prices for their skin care was high. But at 36 dollars per oz, it’s like buying two 1oz loose powders at another counter. If I am near Columbus or Indy, I’ll swing by Saks and test it out. (BTW, La Prairie’s perfumes are very nice, I suggest checking them out.)
Yep – their skincare is VERY VERY pricey (and their cosmetics line is definitely at a luxury price point), but surprisingly, this is really not bad at all–if it’s your HG, at least!
I was like “omg expensive!” at first but considering the amount it is not terrible after all.I love loose powders,but it is VERY hard to judge them by pics:)good thing that I already have my HG,Givenchy Le prisme libre that is.this looks fine though.
I do love that it comes with a travel-size – it is surprisingly convenient. At first, it seemed like one of those, “Eh, whatever!” things but love it!
I love the light shimmer in the powder, it definitely adds a subtle, natural glow to the skin.
Agreed! It’s not too much – just the right amount of shimmer.
When shopping luxury brands, it Is really worth the time to inquire about refills. They are much cheaper and, if you don’t need the palette case or fancy jar, you’ll find they are every bit as functional. The simple plastic case they come in is usually quiute serviceable. La Prairie, Clé de Peau, Chantecaille, etc. make some of their products available as refills. Bonus: buying refills is much more ecological 🙂
SO true! If you’re someone who uses larger palettes like Z-palettes or whatever, too, they even make more sense 🙂
I love this on you! You look like your face is GLOWING!
Thanks, Sheila! xo
That looks absolutely stunning on you, Christine! $80 is a lot, but it looks like it is totally worth it. Do you think you could please do a review of the Pro Lumiere foundation sometime too?
I definitely will!
this looks fantastic. can you tell us what you’re wearing on cheeks, eyes, lips as well? thanks!
Eyes – theBalm Nude ‘tude palette – Selfish, Sultry, Sophisticated
Cheeks – Nothing
Lips – Tarina Tarantino Showroom
thank you! love the look! can’t get enough of brown eyeshadows
i think you should factor price into these reviews cause 80 bucks for this is a complete rip off!
Hi Jagoda,
I actually spoke on the price for an entire paragraph in the review, and if you take a couple of minutes to read the review, then this is actually the opposite of a rip off. 🙂 I don’t let price affect a product’s score – I would much rather focus on the quality of a product and let the reader decide what is or isn’t in their budget and what is or isn’t worth it. It’s not about the quantity of products you buy but the quality, and I like that you can look at the rating for Chanel and compare it to the rating for Wet ‘n’ Wild, because an A means the same thing no matter the brand name or price point. I do my best to point out if I feel like a product is a really good value or if I feel like they’re overcharging or aren’t giving enough in quantity.
Do you think this would work well for extremely oily skin, or not make much of a difference? I know you have relatively dry skin, but maybe you’d have some idea how this would work for people like me. i’ve been debating about trying Laura Mericier’s and MUFE’s, but is this one more heavy duty when it comes to controlling shine?
Thanks!
Hey Sam!
I’m more normal than dry – sometimes I get drier on my cheeks but since we’re not yet in the dead of winter, I’m fairly normal and do get oily on my t-zone (forehead + nose), and it works well for me. It works about the same as Laura Mercier and MUFE, though – like I don’t think it’s necessarily better/worse. All three are good choices and performers. I would say that if you have extremely oily skin, you might prefer one that doesn’t have any shimmer, like LM or MUFE, since this one does have some.
Okay, thank you so much! I really appreciate your input!
Hello!
I am a self professed makeup whore and I am a new reader and I absolutely love your blog! After reading your review about this powder, I am itching (no pun intended!) to go out and purchase it. I bought a couple jars of the MAC Truth & Light loose powder when it came out and I was wondering what your thoughts were as to how it compared with this La Prairie powder?
Cheers! Anita
I don’t like those MAC powders, because I find them difficult to apply since they are wet first, then powdery. They don’t blend out very well!
just got one and had a little trouble getting the powder out of the container.
when the powder does come out..it’s messy. and can you tell me would you use a brush or the puff that come with?? thanks!!
It’s up to $90 now! Even though they also increased it to 2.2oz…Boo! 🙁 Alas, $40/oz still isn’t too outrageous. I’ve been dying for a powder that doesn’t make me look unnaturally matte but still tames oil and holds my foundation in place! I will be trying this!
Hi, Christine!
How do you think what number will suit better for NC25 skin?