I think the gel does a great job all on its own.. since I sometimes forget to layer the powder as a finishing touch. However, the two of them together work wonders for keeping oily areas under control on my face. They're definitely good investments!

I have very oily skin, and for me, the de-slick gel works better. The powder is almost like any transluscent face powder. However, the two used together generally do a good job of keeping me from looking like a total grease ball. I still haven't found that miracle product, but the two together are a good start.

The directions say to apply the gel first and then top off with the powder. However, I like to just apply the gel and then use the powder only when I need it over my makeup. I don't feel that the gel would do a good enough job over the makeup.
The powder itself isn't very long lasting, so you would have to keep reapplying.

This is way better!

i personally wasn't a huge fan of the gel because i found it kinda "caked" off when i'd go apply my foundation. I prefer the powder for the case that it works as a setting powder and touch up powder versus the gel i only used as a primer.

The gel is much, much better. It stays matte for much longer and controls the oil fairly well. Good luck!

You can use either a brush or a sponge. I like using a brush at home and a the sponge for touch-ups. The brush will give you a slightly lighter coverage.

I suppose a brush. I use it with a Brush and it works just fine :)

i have used both. Usually will use a brush in the mornings after inital application then the sponge for touch ups throughout the day if needed :)

and I suggest NOT rubbing/swiping the product if you use the sponge because it just rubs your makeup and oils around. I try to tap or pat with the sponge because I find it looks and feels much better

The applicator it comes with works great, Just dab on and it sets makeup perfectly.

I carry it in my purse because I wait to see the shine before I apply. So I always use the sponge that comes with it and it does an awesome job at blending the powder on my face.

I've used both - but I prefer a brush. But the sponge that comes with it works just fine if no brush is handy.

Yeah! It works the same over any brand of foundation, or even no foundation at all

I use this over Bare Escentuals mineral makeup with no problems and it blends in great. Hope this helps!

I use this after applying mineral makeup and it works fine. I think you can use this with any foundation brand that works for you.

This is the only Urban Decay product I use and it works fine with my other makeup. I usually apply it first before my foundation in the morning and then late afternoon again on top of my makeup. works great for me.

Yes. I've used this over Bare Minerals and Almay's foundations, and it works wonderfully! You can also use it under the foundations as a sort of primer and it still works just as well.

I never have to apply this more than once a day,it works that well!

I've been using it for two months now and it does not clog my pores. It's a very light powder and you only need very little. From my experience, it's best to use it once you see some shine, not as a setting powder or else it won't be very translucent. Hope this helps!

I haven't tried the gel, but can only assume that the texture of the minerals maintain their integrity more in a powder form. It just makes sense that the gel must have something added (whether good or bad) to aid in keeping it in a liquid state.

i can't say which is better, but with the powder if i go for a really long time (hours) without a touch-up, the oil that is visible is way less than before i started using this. i will admit that i need to occasionally apply more powder, but i'm no longer horrified by the sight of a seriously greasy nose when i do.

Im not sure about the comparison but I only reapply twice a day. The powder brushes on clear so you can put it under or over your makeup. The compact lasts me a few months. It's well worth it.

I feel like this is definitely worth a shot to try, especially with Sephora's return policy. If you don't love it, return it. You seriously need so little of this product I don't see it clogging your pores being an issue. I was debating buying this for a while, and eventually i caved and bought it- and i LOVE it

I have acne too and try really hard to keep control. I use acne meds (retin A and benzyl perozide) I also use Mufe #120 foundation did not break me out. This powder broke me out really bad - small blackhead like bumps. As always, try before buying!

try it ...its good....

I say go for it. I have oily skin too that is acne prone. I've been using this for about two months and no breakouts! It's worth a try.

I've battled break-outs with other products but this one has not caused any problems yet... I've used them enough that if they make me break out, I would have already... and I have very sensitive skin and that hasn't affected it either.

I prefer this to MUFE HD powder, but since it's never in stock I have had to go back to the MUFE. The De-Slick is much more portable and the cheap powder applicator it comes with actually works very well. I use very finicky pro airbrush makeup and De-Slick is the ONLY thing that has made my foundation look even more flawless. UD "Razor Sharp" on the other hand only looks horribly cakey (no matter what they tell you at the counter). If you can't get your hands on De-Slick, then Definitely try MUFE.

Be Aware that BOTH this and MUFE will glow when hit with a camera flash. If you're pale like me then you turn into a ghost with eyes and lips but not many other details. I don't mind since I'm terrible pale anyway. I imagine if you hit this with some bronzer it would help control that problem, just be aware of it and plan accordingly.

Hope this helped, Good luck!

i've been putting this on before blush & it hasn't clogged my pores. if you put it on over makeup it will make the applicator pad dirty, which i found the first day i got it - i put it on over the powder i was already wearing. i was able to clean it but since then have always put it on first. if i need more throughout the day i avoid my cheeks so i will not get blush on it.

I apply this at the very end of everything, after blush and foundation and bronzer and all of that. It's the last thing I do, to set everything

I apply after blush to set, and I haven't had any problems with pore-clogging even with multiple applications throughout the day.

i use moisturizer, sunscreen, a primer, and this product. no foundation at all, and i have not had an issue with clogged pores.
as far as how it compares to the microfinish powder, i do not know. i'm not trying any other product to solve my oily skin problem because this works so well.

the powder is not scented... its very similar to the make up forever HD powder.. no scent, no color.. its great.

I find that I have the same issue, in regards to scent. I can smell almost anything that is applied to my face, but this has a very subtle sent. I believe it's made of rice power, or something along those lines; which is also the base for the mattifying capabilities. It's not a strong scent, like any common powder, and I find that it doesn't bother me at all.

I had to practically put my nose into the powder to detect a scent. I would consider it unscented.

I can't say definitively that this is fragrance-free, but I can't actually smell anything when I hold it under my nose.

It does have a scent to it. It's very faint but it's there.

It doesn't have a cakey after effect! You just have to put a thin layer on.

Yes. This is very fine powder and does not cake on at all. A little goes a long way!

I recommend Tarte's Smooth Operator Finishing powder. Urban Decay's Mattifying Powder still makes the face feel cakey after multiple touchups throughout the day.

personally, i had no problems with repeated use. especially since it worked so well, i didn't have to repeat very often. but i have not tried the mac product

Absolutely, this product does not cake

I use Bare Escentuals and I have noticed some foundation on the application pad that comes with it after I've used it. However, I haven't seen a noticable difference in the layer on my face, so I can only assume the powder coming off is some that I haven't blended in properly. Hope this helps!

Will not disturb previosly applied makep.

I put this on right after after putting on makeup and it does not smudge it. I use a big brush rather than the round sponge applicator it comes with. When I use it for mid-day touchups when my makeup is more melty, I just pat with the sponge so as not to smudge.

It does not smudge makeup at all and it's best to apply it after you see some shine.

Not at all! That was the greatest thing I discovered.

Most powders do not work under foundation, but rather on top of foundation. I would think powder underneath a foundation would make it look very cakey. You should try it on top to keep shine at bay :) and it should not clog your pores or break you out.

Try putting De-Slick Mattifying Powder on top of your foundation.
I did it, and trust me, it clears up all of my oil AND got rid of my acne!
Take it with you, and apply a quick touch-up once or twice a day- it works wonders!

This is the best powered I've ever used, the fact that it keeps me oil-free all day is a bonus considering the flawless look I get from this little compact. Stay away from UD's "Razor Sharp" no matter what they tell you - it looks awful and doesn't do a thing for oil control. If you can't get your hands on De-Slick then you might want to consider MUFE's HD powder, which will keep you flawless looking even if it's not really oil absorbent. Since De-Slick is never in stock, I've had to go back to MUFE HD - but UD is my first pick, even if I wasn't oily - it just looks that good.

I have SUPER DUPER fair skin, and this will lighten you up just a tad, so if you have darker than fair skin you may want to add a tiny bit of bronzing powder to bring your cheeks back out - also, this stuff GLOWS when you hit it with a flash, so plan accordingly if you're going to a party. I find that the fact that it glows only helps hide imperfections, but that's because I'm already pale as a ghost, not so sure it would be great for darker skin tones - but it is well worth a try! Good luck! Hope this helped!

I have very oily skin but this product didn't really help keep it at bay. I wouldn't recommend it for the purpose of absorbing oil. Hope this helps!