Okay, So I Gave Up on “Glass Skin”
Listen, I tried. I really did. But my T-zone has a mind of its own, and by 11 AM it’s basically decided to become its own reflective surface. I was scrolling through my phone the other night, half-watching a baking show and half-doomscrolling, when I saw an ad for the USHAS FC650 loose powder. “Waterproof and sweat-proof,” it said. I snorted. My humid summer commute laughs at your claims, random powder. But the reviews were weirdly convincing, so I figured, why not? It’s not crazy expensive. Let’s see if it can survive me.
First Impressions & The Packaging Drama
It showed up in this cute little box. The powder itself comes in a sturdy, frosted plastic jar with a sifter and a… puff. Ah, the puff. Here’s my first gripe. The puff it comes with is fine, I guess, but it’s not my favorite. It’s a bit thin. I ended up ditching it for my big, fluffy powder brush after a couple of tries. The powder, though? It feels incredibly fine. Like, silky-fine. I dipped my brush in, tapped it off, and did a little test on the back of my hand. It just blurred everything. No chalkiness. A good start.
The Real Test: A Humid Tuesday
I have to walk about 15 minutes from the subway to my office. In July. It’s a… glowy experience, let’s say. I put the USHAS powder over my usual tinted moisturizer and concealer. Honestly, the immediate effect is lovely. It gives a true matte finish, but not flat. There’s a slight brightness to it, like it’s filtering out the oil but not the dimension in your face. I didn’t look like a powdered donut, which is always the goal.
Fast forward to my 3 PM coffee run. This is usually when I’m digging for blotting papers. I checked my reflection in the scary fluorescent bathroom light (the ultimate test), and I was genuinely surprised. My forehead was still matte. My nose had a tiny bit of shine coming through, but it looked more like a healthy glow than an oil slick. I blotted it lightly and it was perfect again. This is where I went from skeptical to impressed.
How It Stacks Up Against My Old Stuff
I made a quick comparison chart for you lazy folks (no judgment, I am one of you). My old go-to was a popular drugstore translucent powder.
| Feature | USHAS FC650 Powder | My Old Drugstore Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Around $29 | Around $12 |
| Finish | Soft, bright matte | Flat matte |
| Oil Control (on me) | 5-6 hours | 2-3 hours |
| Texture | Super fine, no cake | Can look powdery if over-applied |
You get what you pay for, I guess. The USHAS lasts twice as long for me, which means I’m not constantly touching up.
The Not-So-Perfect Part
I gotta be real with you. It’s not 100% magic. The “waterproof” claim? I haven’t cried in the rain while testing it (mood though), but it did hold up to a sweaty gym session pretty well. My main issue is the shade range. I use the translucent one, and it works for my light-medium skin, but I don’t see a ton of options for deeper skin tones on their site. That’s a big miss. Also, the sifter holes are a bit small. Sometimes you have to really tap the jar to get enough powder out for a full-face application with a big brush.
Final Verdict? Worth a Shot.
Here’s the thing. If you have seriously oily skin and you’re tired of repowdering three times a day, this stuff is a solid upgrade from your average drugstore find. It keeps me matte through most of my workday, and the finish is really nice—not drying or heavy. Is it the only powder you’ll ever need? Maybe not if you have a very dry skin type. But for my combo/oily girls (and guys!), it’s a legit workhorse. Just bring your own brush.
I’ve been using it for about a month now, and it’s earned a permanent spot on my vanity. My blotting papers are feeling neglected, and honestly? I’m okay with that.
