Review and Price of Lakme 9 to 5 Flawless Matte Complexion Compact in Melon Matte
By Contributor: Rini
I do not like to experiment with make up products, especially base make up products because I suffer from acne break outs every now and then. I stick to one suitable product for long. Generally, I use Lakme Perfect Radiance Intense Whitening Compact (05 Beige honey). It was by some chance that Flawless Matte Complexion Compact melon matte by Lakme 9 to 5 which I will review and swatch today landed in my drawer. A few weeks ago, when I ran out of my favourite Lakme Perfect Radiance Compact and needed to buy one, I could not find it in our town. I inquired in a dozen stores, all of who gave a negative reply. But every store had the entire 9 to 5 office stylist range. With no options left (because I need to use compact daily), I decided to try a new compact.
Lakme 9 to 5 Compact comes in 3 shades: almond, apricot and melon. The shade melon has yellow under tones and it is meant for fair skin. But somehow, it suits my dusky skin tone.
Lakme Claims: With a unique oil absorbing formula that gives you a matte and flawless look throughout the day. Infused with Vitamin E to condition your skin.
My Review:
The compact comes in a metallic bronze colored packaging with an in-built mirror and a powder puff.
I have very oily and acne prone skin. Hence, I buy every product only after reading the ingredients list and making sure that there isn’t any comedogenic ingredient. But with make up products, it is a bit risky as the products don’t have any ingredients list most of the times. Yet, I went on to buy this compact which paid me well, later.
Lakme 9 to 5 Compact has a very smooth consistency and it blends perfectly into the skin. With or without foundation, skin doesn’t feel heavy. The compact stays on my face for 2-3 hours, after which touch up becomes a must. Even after 4-5 touch ups, the face does not look cakey, or feel heavy. Unlike many other compacts I used earlier, this compact does not dry out my face at certain places (my chin). The compact gives a little coverage to acne marks (I have a few on cheeks) and pigmentation. When used with foundation, it gives medium coverage.
I would have been satisfied with this compact, only if it had not broken me out. I cannot forget the first time I used it. The next morning, I woke up with painful, red acne bumps on my cheeks and forehead. I had to rush to the doctor the same evening and the bumps calmed down after some medications. (I think there IS some pore clogging ingredient which irritated my skin) After that I didn’t have guts to use it again but still, I used it a few days later. But no irritation happened this time and all went well. After using it 2-3 days more, I switched back to my perfect radiance compact (which was available by then)
Pros of Lakme 9 to 5 Flawless Matte Complexion Compact:
Suits Indian skin tone.
Controls oil and shine.
The packaging. It is lovely.
Likely to suit people who do not have acne prone skin.
Blends perfectly.
Does not leave white cast.
Cons of Lakme 9 to 5 Flawless Matte Complexion Compact:
Broke me out disastrously.
Is not much effective for controlling oil on very oily skin.
Needs frequent touch ups.
Does not have SPF.
Does not last from 9 to 5. I never expected it to be true, though.
Price: Rs.350
VNARating: 2.5/5
Conclusion: Lakme Flawless matte complexion compact gave me a disastrous welcome but bade me farewell calmly. Though I am not using it again, people who do not have acne prone skin (not even from a single comedogenic ingredient) may like this compact. It might become the perfect compact for them. They should surely give this a shot.
P.S. :- The compact fell from my hands while clicking pictures and the powder cake broke into pieces. I tried to gather the pieces and clicked a picture.