I’ve always love Benefit’s products because their packaging is so pretty, and the products are more hits than misses. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for Benefit’s The POREfessional Agent Zero Shine.

This is a big let-down for me and the product has since sat in the forgotten corner of ‘unused beauty piles’. Yes, it is probably 95% unused. Not exactly a good investment for me.
It’s good that a product has nice packaging and clever naming. However, the packaging has to be practical too. If you are someone who prefers simplicity in life or efficiency, you will want to skip this product. Let me show you the number of steps required to use The POREfessional Agent Zero Shine.
How to use Benefit’s The POREfessional Agent Zero Shine?
Step 1: Twist Open the Top Lid
The one that has a wider base and with ‘Agent Zero Shine’ printed on it is the top lid.


Step 2: Twist Open the Top Inner Lid

Step 3: Twist Open the Bottom Lid. Pull Out the in-built Brush
Step 4: Slide Down to Reveal the Brush in Full

Step 5: Pour the Powder into the Lid

Step 6: Pick Up Some Powder with the Brush

(Repeat step 5 and 6 again if you need more powder. If on the other hand, you’d poured out too much powder, you’ll have to pour them away. I find that I normally need to repeat these steps two to three times.)
Is this the end of the steps required?
No. So, let’s continue.
Step 7: Pull Up Slider to Conceal Half the Brush

Step 8: Aim and Slide the Brush into the Cylindrical Body

Step 9: Twist to Close the INNER Top Lid

Step 10: Close the Top Lid

It is really cumbersome performing these 10 steps especially when you are outdoor as you’ll need clean table tops to place the lid, brush or body. So public washrooms (the dirty ones) are almost a no no. I carried it for a few months and found myself not being able to use it when I’d wanted to.
Secondly, it can get a tiny bit messy. I have on a couple of occasions missed Step 9, i.e. I forgot to twist the inner lid, and powder got everywhere. On other occasions, I tried to close the outer lid (step 10) when there was still left-over powder on it. You’ve guessed it. I had powder all over my hands and clothes.
So, if you have a lot of time to kill, and enjoy the fun of twisting, sliding and opening, then this is made for you.
How about the Quality of the Powder?
I cannot comment on the quality of the product as I have not used much of it. When I tried it again yesterday (yah..indoor), the colour matches quite well with my skin tone and was able to cover the shine accumulated from a full-day’s outing (but so will other press powder).

So, are you game for the 10-step beauty touch-up just to cover shine that you can easily do so with a normal 2-step press powder? Let me know your thoughts. Rating: 2.5/5
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