There have been quite a few new arrivals in the cream-to-powder category of foundation over the last year or so (1998), and I always look forward to seeing what's next. Prescriptives has finally jumped on the bandwagon with their new Photochrome Light Adjusting Compact Makeup ($35), and I am pleased to say it is one worth trying.

Many cream-to-powder brands go from one extreme to the other - too dry or too creamy, too powdery or too greasy, too oil-control or too moisturizing - but Photochrome is really the happy medium. It's lightweight, oil-free (no plant, animal, or mineral oil), has medium to full coverage that still looks natural, SPF 15 (titanium dioxide), and it's transfer resistant to look great all day. The Prescriptives' salesperson I spoke to recommends Photochrome for people with normal or normal-to-dry skin, but with winter just around the corner, I imagine those of you with combination skin or a very slight oily tendency might like it, too.

Personally, I love that it covers "flaws" well while still looking fresh and skin-like, and it doesn't accentuate dry areas. I also found it also doesn't aggravate acne or cause new breakouts like many creamy foundations can. My one and only gripe with this product is that it is not refillable, meaning you have to spend $35 every time you run out. Like many cream-to-powder formulas like Vincent Longo Water Canvas and Shiseido Liquid Compact, Photochrome comes in a locking compact to keep the product moist and fresh. It would be nice if you could refill the same compact. Overall, I've been really happy with it and would definitely buy my "warm vellum" shade again.