 |
| Above: Next-level powder, courtesy of Koh Gen Do. |
Earlier this summer, the transcendent Koh Gen Do line released its Maifanshi Silky Moist Compact Powder. This luxurious, finely-milled formula adds coverage, blurs imperfections and banishes oil without a powdery finish, making it my powder staple for the past few months. After numerous mentions on BP (HERE and HERE to start), I am excited to share a comprehensive overview of the powder, with swatches of each of the six shade offerings!
Kindly scroll on for more details, swatches and images of the KGD Silky Moist Compact Powder in action as well as the Bottom Line…
 |
| Above: All six shades work well with fair to medium skintones. |
The second one touches the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Silky Moist Compact Powder, it is abundantly clear that this is unlike most powders on the market. The formula, which comes in six shades, feels buttery smooth and almost creamy in texture, instantly melding with the skin upon contact.
Designed to impart coverage while still somehow being invisible to the naked eye (talk about high-def!), this unscented powder feels soft and comforting on the skin, and, unlike its some of its dry contemporaries, it leaves skin balanced and hydrated over the course of wear.
In my experience, the Maifanshi Silky Moist Compact Powder:
- Offers light to medium coverage…I prefer to wear this over a foundation to refine imperfections, set makeup and keep the center of my face from getting oily.
- Is friendly to sensitive skin…no irritation and no added sunscreen, meaning you can use the SPF protection that works best with your chemistry.
- Has a natural matte finish that somehow, miraculously, also allows the skin to look radiant. This duality is truly the best of both worlds!
- Possesses outstanding lasting powder…one application yeilds 5-6 hours of performance, even on a hot and humid day. That being said, the compact (which has a generous mirror, I might add) has a guaranteed place in my purse for easy and immediate access.
- All in all, this powder is a next-level formula boasting the coveted trifecta of coverage, refinement and lasting power, while simultaneously not looking like “powder” on the skin…bravo!
 |
| Above: Each powder refill is housed in a reusable plastic case, making changing out shades over the course of the year a waste-free enterprise. |
A silky powder foundation that delivers flawless coverage for an everyday ‘no makeup’ look without a powdery white cast.
**Compact Case is sold separately**
• Gloss Film Powder delivers 5 functions of skin perfection properties: High Adhesion for easy application and long wear, Luster, Skin Color Correction, Helps Prevent White Casts and Double Water-Repellent Coating
• Controls sweat and oil
• Conceals appearance of pores and fines lines for a transparent complexion
• Natural Moisturizing properties: Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic
**One makeup sponge included. Compact Case is sold separately**
**Compact Case is sold separately**
• Gloss Film Powder delivers 5 functions of skin perfection properties: High Adhesion for easy application and long wear, Luster, Skin Color Correction, Helps Prevent White Casts and Double Water-Repellent Coating
• Controls sweat and oil
• Conceals appearance of pores and fines lines for a transparent complexion
• Natural Moisturizing properties: Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic
**One makeup sponge included. Compact Case is sold separately**
INGREDIENTS: Talc, Boron Nitride, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Calcium Carbonate, Lauroyl Lysine, Diphenyl Dimethicone/Vinyl Diphenyl Dimethicone/silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Silica, Silk Powder, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Polyquaternium-61, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Tocopherol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Polyphosphate, Trimyristin, Aluminum Dimyristate, Alumina, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), (CI 77492), (CI 77499)
 |
| Above: The streamlined, glossy black Silky Moist Compact Powder Case is sold separately, but can be used time and again as one changes out shades; each powder refill comes with its own sponge! |
Powder Closeups & Swatches:
 |
| Above: 012 is neutral ivory beige for fair skin with neutral to rosy undertones (@N/NW 10-15). |
 |
| Above: 013 is warm ivory beige for fair to light skin with yellow to peach undertones (@N/NC 10-20). |
 |
| Above: 112 is neutral light beige for light skin with neutral to rosy undertones (@N/NW 20-25) |
 |
| Above: 113 is warm light beige for light skin with yellow undertones (@N/NC 20-25) |
 |
| Above: 123 is warm light-medium beige for light-medium skin with neutral to warm undertones (@N/NC 25-30) |
 |
| Above: 213 is light warm beige for light skin with yellow undertones (@N/NC 20-25); this shade is also great for neutralizing redness due to its subtle yellow tone. |
 |
| Above: Swatches in direct sunlight. |
 |
| Above: Swatches in sunlight with a flash. |
 |
| Above: Swatches in outdoor shade. |
 |
| Above: Clean + simple beauty look. |
For the look below, I used the following products:
- Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge (reviewed HERE)
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(Marc)Able Foundation in Beige Golden (reviewed HERE)
- *Hourglass Ambient Bronzer in Luminous Bronze (reviewed HERE)
- *Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Silky Moist Compact Powder in #123 (also discussed HERE)
- *Clé de Peau Beauté Eye Color Quad #308 Cosmic Aura (also available at CdPB and reviewed HERE)
- *Guerlain Maxilash So Volume (reviewed HERE)
- Surratt Beauty Relevee Eyelash Curler (finally back in stock at Sephora and reviewed HERE)
- *Lipstick Queen Silver Screen Lipstick in Come Up (reviewed HERE)
- By Terry Terrybly Gloss in Be Nude (reviewed HERE)
- Byredo Black Saffron (reviewed HERE)
 |
| Above: Base and cheek products. |
 |
| Above: Purples and pinks. |
 |
| Above: The purple allure of CdPB Cosmic Aura. |
 |
| Above: Sunlit close up. |
 |
| Above: Swatches of all products in direct sunlight. |
The following images reflect all products in action in various lighting situations…
 |
| Above: Last look. |
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: The Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Silky Moist Compact Powder is the creme de la creme of powder options. It provides significant coverage without looking the slightest bit cakey or conspicuous, thereby smoothing and perfecting the skin while valiantly challenging preconceptions about powder. Due to its excellence, I hope that Koh Gen Do decides to release additional shades so darker skin tones can partake in its impressive performance, too. In sum, I am confident that powder lovers will be positively smitten with this formula and I implore those who may have had an aversion to powder in the past to consider giving this exceptional release a try; I daresay, minds just might be changed!
What are some of YOUR favorite powder formulas as of late?
Good things ahead, including a host of new product procurements and summertime favorites…comments and email responses also in the works!
Have a lovely rest of the weekend…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
** PR samples provided for review denoted by an asterisk (the rest purchased by me), however, as always, all of my opinions are expressly and unequivocally my own.
© 2012-15 Beautyprofessor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.
Comments (8)
Love this! Do you think you can make a video on your current skin care and makeup application? I think your skin is at its best this summer.
xxxx
Thank you so much, my friend! I love your video request and am planning on working on a "get ready with me" that moves from skincare to makeup routine…hopefully this week, time and lighting permitting
; ) So appreciate the kind words about my skin, too.
XO,
–The Beauty Professor
I know that Koh Gen Do is a Japanese brand and not well known for making shades for those of us with deeper skintones, but I was so surprised by how extremely limited the range is. Sigh, I really wish they would broaden their selection to be more inclusive. For now my pennies remain safe. Thanks always for sharing.
I, too, hope they expand the shade range!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Beautiful!!!!
Thanks so much, Judi!!
XO,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP! i've been an observer and fan of your site for some time now, and was hoping you could help me pick a shade of this powder to best suit my current KGD base.. i use the KGD Aqua 123 + 143 mixed (even pumps) however, I dont like my face to look too dark or tanned even if my body is naturally kind of tanned… I prefer to look a little lighter if anything! Which shade of the SM would you recommend to go on top? as a touch up? 😀 Thank you for your help! Keep up the fantastic work!
Hello Lorryn!
Thanks for the kind and encouraging comment. With regards to your question, I would recommend the #123 as it is still quite light but has the undertones that align with the foundation you are currently wearing! I use it as a setting (at my T zone) and touch up powder and it's brilliant!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor