Hey there, beauty lovers! Today I’m breaking down one of the most affordable and popular drugstore loose powders on the market – the Maybelline New York Shine Free Oil-Control Loose Powder in Light. I’ve been using this product for over a month now, and I’ve gathered opinions from hundreds of other users to give you the COMPLETE picture of what to expect from this $5 wonder.
First Impressions & Packaging
Let’s start with the packaging. The Maybelline Shine Free powder comes in a simple plastic container with 0.7 ounces of product. It’s not fancy – just a basic screw-on (well, slip-on) lid with a sifter. The container is pretty standard drugstore quality, and several users mentioned having issues with the lid not being secure enough.
One user noted: “The lid does not screw and as you know, this is powder, so without a secured lid, you will find powder all over the place inside your makeup bag.”
This is definitely TRUE! If you’re planning to travel with this powder, be warned – you might want to transfer some to a more secure container or tape the edges to prevent spills. I’ve learned this the hard way! 🙈
Application & Included Puff
The powder comes with a thin, flat puff applicator tucked in the lid. But let me be REAL with you – almost everyone agrees you should throw it away immediately! One user put it bluntly: “First? The powder puff that comes with this? Throw it away. It’s a crap applicator and any decent brush would be loads easier.”
I found the same thing – the included puff applies WAY too much product and doesn’t blend it well. Instead, I recommend using:
- A fluffy powder brush for light application
- A flat kabuki brush if you prefer to press and pat
- A damp beauty blender if you’re using it to set concealer
Color Range & Match
The product comes in several shades, with Light (01) being the palest option. For those with fair skin, this is generally a good match, though some users with very pale complexions found it slightly yellow or dark.
One reviewer mentioned: “I am very pale and I ordered the lightest shade. It unfortunately is a bit orangey on me but I still use it in the mornings.”
However, most fair-skinned users were pleased: “I’m a redhead with very fair skin, so sometimes even the lightest shades with some brands make my skin look orange or are too pigmented. This powder has great coverage, lasts me quite awhile, and allows my skin to feel natural and not caked.”
My experience? I have light-neutral skin and the Light shade works perfectly for me without adding any weird undertones. If you’re extremely fair with cool/pink undertones, you might find it slightly warm.
Performance: Shine Control
This is where the product REALLY shines (or rather, prevents shine!). The 100% oil-free formula actually delivers on its promises for most users. I have combination skin with an oily T-zone, and this powder keeps me matte for 3-4 hours before I need to touch up.
Many reviewers with oily skin were impressed:
- “I have extremely oily skin and makeup makes it worse, so I use this powder instead.”
- “I have combination skin, leaning more toward the oily side. Throughout the day, I typically need to blot my face 5 or 6 times… The first day? I didn’t blot once.”
- “Because of my extremely oily and shiny skin, I had given up hope that any powder would last longer than a few hours… This lasts and leaves my face SHINE-FREE throughout an entire 10 hour work day!”
That said, results varied depending on just HOW oily your skin is and your local climate. People in humid environments needed more frequent touch-ups:
“My job requires me to go outside and stand in the humid South Carolina sun for varying period of time. Prior to using this, I was a shiny mess. This makes my makeup stay put. Typically I reapply midway through my shift but again, this is only necessary because I sweat a bit due to 90 to 100 degree heat.”
For people with VERY oily skin, expect to reapply every 4-5 hours. For those with normal to slightly oily skin, you might go all day with just one application!
Texture & Finish
The texture of this powder is impressively fine and silky, especially for the price point. It goes on smoothly and doesn’t look cakey when applied correctly. Many users specifically mentioned how natural the finish is:
“It doesn’t have an odor like some other brands, it’s reasonably priced and it gives a perfect matte look that holds up all day.”
Another reviewer compared it to high-end options: “I like this product more than any of my higher end powders. It’s very very finely milled and doesn’t look cakey at all.”
The finish is definitely matte but not flat or lifeless. It doesn’t have any shimmer or glow (thank goodness – that would defeat the purpose of an oil-control powder!).
Coverage
This is NOT a foundation powder. It provides very minimal coverage on its own – think of it as a setting powder rather than a powder foundation. Many reviewers noted this:
“I wouldn’t say that this powder provides much coverage at all, so if you are looking for a powder with coverage, this is not the one for you. However, if you are looking for a powder to mattify your foundation or make your skin look less oily, this is a great product for you.”
I personally use it to set my foundation or tinted moisturizer, and occasionally on bare skin just to reduce shine. If you’re looking for coverage, you’ll need to pair this with a foundation or concealer.
Longevity & Value
At around $5 for 0.7 ounces, this powder is an INCREDIBLE value. Almost every reviewer mentioned being impressed by the price-to-quality ratio:
“When faced with the difficulty of finding not only loose powder but also colors suitable for my age and complexion, I just turn to my computer. It is easier and less expensive in the long run than driving all over the county shopping for a single item.”
Another user who switched from high-end products shared: “I used L’Oreal Infallible pressed powder for years. It was my go-to but was expensive (only around $7.00 or so on Amazon but usually $11.99-$14.99 in stores) and wouldn’t last very long at all, so I wanted to try something cheaper and gave this a go. I LOVE it.”
The product also lasts a long time – many reviewers mentioned having their container for 6-12 months with regular use:
“There is so much product in the container, it has lasted me a good year of using often.”
I’m about a month in using it 4-5 times a week, and I’ve barely made a dent in the container.
Skin Sensitivity & Breakouts
Good news for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin! Most reviewers, including those who identified as having sensitive skin, reported no issues with breakouts:
“I have sensitive, pale, combination skin and the lightest color is a great fit and it does not irritate me at all.”
Another reviewer with acne-prone skin shared: “This is a great product for the price. It can be a little messy to apply if you are not careful to use it over the sink and to wipe the applicator off on the side of the container before applying. However, the coverage is wonderful, and the price is also amazing. I was looking for something that wouldn’t be comedogenic, as I am prone to getting acne and am sensitive to bismuth. This does not seem to cause me any acne.”
I haven’t experienced any skin irritation or breakouts from this product either, which is a big win!
Best Uses
Based on my experience and review analysis, here are the best ways to use this powder:
- Setting foundation/concealer – The most common use, prevents makeup from sliding around due to oil
- Touch-ups throughout the day – Many carry a compact powder for this but use this at home
- Reducing shine on bare skin – For minimal makeup days
- Baking under-eye concealer – Several users mentioned using it successfully for this technique
- Setting lipstick – One reviewer mentioned repurposing it for this when it didn’t work for their face
Comparisons to Other Products
Many reviewers compared this powder to higher-end alternatives:
- “I have tried loose powders before and wasn’t expecting much from this product… I liked how it gave my skin an even more matte looking finished, blended out very nice.”
- “My Laura Mercier powder kept the oil at bay but was breaking the bank. So a friend of mine recommend this. This is magic! It keeps the oil subdued and doesn’t cake up. And it’s much cheaper!”
- “Love this powder. It never looks cakey or overly powdery on me. It’s not too drying on my cheeks (I have combo skin – oily in the t zone only). I’ve used a lot of expensive powders – Laura Mercier, Chanel, Nars, Hourglass… this is my favorite, especially for the ludicrously low price.”
The consensus seems to be that while it may not completely match the performance of $30-40 high-end powders, it comes surprisingly close for a fraction of the price.
Who Should Buy This Product?
This powder is PERFECT for:
- People with oily or combination skin
- Those on a budget looking for quality makeup
- Anyone who prefers a matte finish
- People who don’t need coverage from their powder
It might NOT be the best choice for:
- Very dry skin types (some users found it accentuated dry patches)
- Those who want coverage from their powder
- People who need extremely long-lasting oil control (8+ hours without touch-ups)
- Those who want a radiant or dewy finish
The Bottom Line
The Maybelline New York Shine Free Oil-Control Loose Powder is a fantastic budget-friendly option that performs well above its price point. It effectively controls shine, sets makeup, and provides a natural matte finish without looking cakey or feeling heavy.
While it has some minor drawbacks (flimsy packaging, useless puff applicator, minimal coverage), the pros far outweigh the cons, especially considering the $5 price tag.
If you’re struggling with oily skin or makeup that slides off your face, this powder is definitely worth trying before splurging on more expensive alternatives. It’s been a staple in many makeup bags for years for good reason!
Quick Stats:
- Price: $5 (average)
- Amount: 0.7 ounces
- Rating: 4.3/5 stars based on user reviews
- Repurchase rate: Very high – many reviewers mentioned buying it multiple times
Final Verdict:
For the price, you absolutely CANNOT beat this powder for oil control and setting makeup. There’s a reason it’s been around for years and maintains its popularity despite countless new product launches. Give it a try – your oily T-zone AND your wallet will thank you! 😊
Buy on Amazon: Here
