The ZAO refillable compact powder is available from the ZAO website here. Alternatively, I purchased it from a natural, organic and eco-friendly beauty shop called Glow Organic here. The refillable pot with your first refill costs £21.50 and the refills after that cost £10.75 (on both websites). Glow Organic can also be found on Instagram here.
ZAO are an organic, vegan company who produce sustainable plastic-free or refillable makeup and skincare products. The compact powder is 100% natural, vegan and palm oil-free, it also contains no talc or nanoparticles. It is packaged in a bamboo case that the refills sit in and comes with a cotton bag to keep it safe in. I purchased the shade 301 Ivory.
In all honesty, I was slightly disappointed with the compact powder. I don't like how it sits on my skin, I feel like it gathers or clumps. Especially under my eyes, around my nose and on my forehead. I think part of the issue is that I personally like to wear quite heavy makeup whereas I believe this product would be much better suited to someone who prefers a more natural coverage. I think this would go really well brushed on top of skin that has only been moisturised rather than with foundation underneath. I think my mum would love this product, as this is the exact sort of coverage she would opt for. Before I completely make up my mind on this product, I am waiting until I finish my Lush stick foundation as I also don't like this product either (review coming soon) and I wonder if the two together don't sit well or if one is making the other worse. I want to give the powder another chance on top of a better foundation and when I do I shall add to this review.
Perhaps I would prefer the loose powder that Zao have. However, the refills for the loose powder aren't currently plastic-free. In the FAQs on the ZAO website, they do say they are working on making the loose powder refills plastic free so I shall try once that happens! Once the loose powder refills are plastic-free, I'll use the bamboo tin that I have from the compact powder and put the loose powder refill to try it. I think a loose powder might work better with how I do my makeup and sit better on my skin.
This being said, I wouldn't want to put anyone off trying this product because there aren't loads of plastic-free makeup options out there. It might work for someone else and could just be a me-problem that is causing it to not sit on my skin great. I have not been put off ZAO despite not loving this product. I am going to try the loose powder as I said. I am also going to try the cream compact refillable foundation, which I have high hopes for. As I said, I've currently been using the Lush foundation and not been enjoying it. I recently purchased three ZAO nail polishes that I thought might be worth mentioning. I have decided not to write a full review about the nail varnishes because they aren't fully plastic-free, only plastic reducing. Unfortunately, although the jar is glass and the lid is bamboo, the brush is still plastic.The ZAO nail polishes have an amazing formula, they dry super quick and I love the colours. They're also free of the 10 toxicants usually found in traditional nail varnish. At £11.50 a bottle, they're not cheap...
Overall, I'd give the ZAO compact powder 3/5 stars. It just doesn't work for me how I'd like it too but take my opinion with a pinch of salt and maybe try it for yourself if you're on the hunt for a sustainable makeup powder. I like ZAO as a brand and will be keeping an eye on what they come out with. You will likely see more ZAO reviews on my blog in future! Please do message me on Instagram if you know of any other vegan, plastic-free makeup brands or nail varnishes that I can try!