Review: Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder

I'd heard good things about Essence's All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder, so when I spotted it in my local Wilkinson's, I picked one up, thinking it would be a good product to try in my constant quest to keep my oily skin under control! As affordable as the rest of Essence's line, All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder is presented in a clear plastic compact with a flip-up lid, which clicks closed securely when you're not using it. The powder is bright white in the compact, and embossed with a pretty pattern of lines, with the packaging claiming, "Extremely smooth fixing compact powder for a matt and natural finish all day long. Helps to blend blush and foundation colours together. Fixes make-up when applied as finishing powder. For all skin tones."
To apply, I've been using my Real Techniques Powder Brush to buff the powder into my skin after applying my foundation and concealer; true to its promise, it suits my skin tone just fine, mattifying any oily patches without leaving me looking like I've dipped my face in flour. The "all day" claims have sadly not been borne out, with around four hours being the average duration of the matte effect. Then again, no powder I've tried to date has kept my face matte all day, so that doesn't really come as a surprise; I don't mind topping up my powder during the day... Which is where the biggest problem came in! I'd only used this a handful of times - maybe 8 or 10 - when it shattered in my bag, creating an unholy mess. I hadn't dropped it or anything like that so I don't know what happened really but I was a bit put out - when I hit pan in a powder, I expect it to shatter, but not before that unless I drop it from a height! I don't know if it's had a knock I don't know about, if I just had a slightly dodgy one, or if it's a common problem, but it has put me off repurchasing - despite it being a pretty decent powder at a budget-friendly price, it's not much good to me if I can't carry it in my bag for touch-ups! I will be attempting a rescue operation using a splash of surgical spirits to see if I can re-form the powder at all...
Available from Wilkinson's priced at £3 for 8g of product, Essence All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder is an affordable choice and would be fine if you don't want to travel with it, but if you intend to pop it in your bag for touch-ups on the go, I'd be careful; I'm not saying don't buy it, as it could just be that I had a dodgy compact, but do mind how you go. Have you tried All About Matt! Fixing Compact Powder? I'd love to hear your thoughts! What's your favourite fixing powder? Are there any other Essence products you'd recommend I try?

xo