**SPECIAL: I have written a way you can get this cushion for less down in the "Where to purchase" section.
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Hello all! Today I have something special for you: a review of the newest Murad MattEffect Blotting Perfector! It just arrived at Sephora a few days ago and is also available on Murad's own website for $39: https://www.murad.com/product/matteffect-blotting-perfector-mattifier
I believe was released back in December, but it hasn't had much attention from the online beauty community yet.
It basically is a cushion that is perfect for mid-day touch-ups or even setting your makeup. The claimed are that this cushion can "absorb oil, minimize pores and perfect skin". Luckily for the purposes of testing this product, the crazy weather where I live rose up to 60-80 degrees today.
The few reviews for this product advertise that you will "never really have to touch up after applying this cushion". That would be absolutely divine for us oily and combination skinned people, so let's see if this cushion lives up to its claims, shall we?
Packaging: There's nothing to complain about, but it's not the most beautiful cushion I've ever seen (that would have to be Shiseido Maquillage's Snow Beauty cushion).
The case has a silver, frosty finish with the brand name "Murad" written on the top in baby pink. Inside, it is just like any other cushion and has a mirror along with a plastic separator for the puff and sponge.
Application: The applicator is a thin puff, which you press into the sponge inside with product and then pat onto your face. Note, this must be done in a patting motion. I read some reviews that when people tried to just rub it or spread it, their foundation would either come off or look really cakey.
Upon initial application, I would say this cushion really does absorb the oil. But what no review nor the product description has so far mentioned is that it is moisturizing to the touch. It feels almost like an exchange of oil for moisture. There is also a nice, cooling effect when you apply this cushion.
Heck, there is so much moisture that you can always see some liquid product creeping up on the sides of the plastic encasing the sponge and on the back of the plastic divider.
Here's a zoomed-in picture to show you the "moisture" and liquid I mentioned:
As mentioned in application, this cushion actually is moisturizing to some degree. Although this is chiefly for oily skinned peoples, I think it is not drying at all and is a moisturizing alternative to oil-blotting papers. There isn't really a powdery consistency, so I feel like dry skinned peoples may like it as a setting cushion.
Oily/combo skin peoples probably still need their setting powders and/or sprays. I tried not using any setting powder and just using this product alone. The result was an oily face within 2-4 hours. Add my powder, then I can add another 2 hours for a total of 6 hours. (*Note: the number hours it lasts may change depending on humidity, temperature, and how much you're moving around) When I use it to touch up, my face stays oil-free for about 2-4 more hours (2 on extra oily, humid, or hot days).
I barely saw any pore minimization (maybe just a little bit), and I would not say it completely "perfects your skin". Any pore minimization observed is most likely because the facial oil that emphasized them and made them look super angry was absorbed away.
I should also mention, there is no color to this product. It may look baby pink in the case, but there is no actual color.
Fragrance/Scent: YES, there is a mild fragrance to this product. I don't mind fragrances in general, and the floral-fruity scent of this product makes me pretty happy rather than annoyed. But people that want a fragrance-free product, this is NOT for you.
Where to purchase: You can purchase most easily at Sephora and Murad's own website. **Tip: I got this cushion for just $31.20 (shipping included) through Murad with their welcome code and the code "Freeship". If you sign up/subscribe to their emails, you get 20% off your first purchase. Hope this helps!
-----------------------------------------Express Review **** 4 stars-----------------------------------
Pros:
*This cushion does what it should: it help blot away the oils without overly mattifying or drying the face.
*It's colorless with a mild fragrance, and has a soothing cooling-effect upon application.
*There are no powders, so it won't clog your pores.
Cons:
*I think the claims for 8-hour oil-free skin and perfect skin with pore minimization are a stretch. Well, maybe if the weather was not oil-inducing or if you were never that oily to begin with, you may be able to achieve 8 hours.
*For the regular price of $39 it's quite pricey.
Final Thoughts:
However, am I going to say this product sucks, give it 3 stars, and return it because it doesn't live up to the 8 hour claim? No--I didn't expect that in the beginning anyways. I don't really think I'll ever find a product that makes me completely oil-free throughout the day, and to some degree I am glad it's not that mattifying because that usually means the product will dry out your skin drastically.
I also had hoped I would see some pore minimization but I didn't think it would be able to minimize pore appearance that much anyways.
I think I will still use this cushion and keep it by my side--it's a lot more compact and convenient than keeping numerous blotting papers in my bag. Of course, that's my own opinion.
