So, why powders? There’re a confusing number of them on the market, and, aren’t they, you know, POWDERY looking and turn your makeup into a obvious and cakey mess? No, my internet friend, they don’t. And I’ll show you some that’ll do awesome things to your face.
The best face powders for different skin types
To recap, powders fall in one of the two categories – finishing and setting. Setting powders set your foundation and concealer, take away that emollient texture of the product and lock it down. I love those type of powders, because I can’t stand that slightly tacky feeling foundations leave, and because I’ve a slightly oily T-Zone that benefits greatly from a powder. (For oilier skintypes, setting powders prevent foundation ‘melting’ off your face, as they do for me on hot days.) Finishing powders, then, give skin a certain finish – for example a luminous one (Hourglass’s face powders come to mind, and Guerlain’s Meteorites). You can, in theory, use both on top of another.
Application? Tap setting powders into place. Brushes like the awesome Hakuhodo Otsubu Large Teardrop Pointed Powder Brush are great for that, some people use a damp beautyblender, or a powder puff. Finishing powders are rather dusted on with a fluffy brush.
The one that makes concealer look flawless
Kat von D Lock-It Setting Powder
Claims
“This silky, non-drying powder features Micro-Blurring Technology to softly diffuse pores for a refined, selfie-ready finish. Formulated to be undetectable on all skin tones, Lock-It Setting Powder has a complexion-boosting blend of mattifying particles to smooth imperfections and lock-in your look for a velvety matte finish.”
This is a setting powder that stays true to its name. So much that I find it a tad too matte when I use it all over my face, but it should work excellent on oilier types. It’s very lightweight and smooth, and please don’t fall for the ‘innovative formula’ advertising – this has actually a very normal formula, made from mica, silica, magnesium carbonate and corn starch (really). I don’t find that it is truly translucent, and I guess dark skintones will experience the ‘white cast’ phenomenon. I use it for setting my undereye concealer, in which it excels.
Sephora, 19g/0.67oz.,or 5,4g/0.19oz., $30/15
The one that’s a bit of everything (and that’s excellent)
Nars Light-Reflecting Loose Setting Powder (also comes in a pressed version)
Claims
“(…) skin looks perfect on camera—and in person. NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™ optimizes light reflection on the skin. It creates a soft-focus effect by optically fading fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It helps regulate shine throughout the day, making it ideal for mid-day touch ups.”
Weightless and invisible finish? Check. Setting AND perfecting foundation? Check! And here, ladies and gents, we have the jack-of-all-trades of face powders – one that does it all. If you’re afraid that a regular setting powder will be too matte on you, this one’s for you. I love the soft shimmer it has, and yes, it really adds a special something to your skin. It’s also super-silky AND has some (small) skincare benefits – added Glycerin and Vitamin E that helps in not making your skin feel dry. How it manages that all, I’ve no idea. It’s my holy grail, and will always be.
For dry skin that needs a little extra
By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Powder
Claims
“Its ‘blurring’ makeup-setting power, ‘soft touch’ texture and lumi-smoothing finish ensure a clear and matte skin. (…)Its hydra-comforting formula combines (…) micronized hyaluronic acid spheres and (…) silica micro-beads to slip into the slightest creases to resurface wrinkles, fine lines and enlarged pores.”
Aaaaaaand here we have a setting powder that’s somewhat similar in NARS’ one above, but while it doesn’t have the soft-focus shimmer, it makes up with Hyaluronic Acid in its formula. Hyaluronic Acid can replenish your skin’s moisture levels by binding water in your skin. That’s the reason why By Terry says you can also use the powder over your night-time skincare routine, because it’ll lock in moisture. (You can do that also with a nice sleeping mask that doesn’t cost as much.) But, of course, you can’t use a sleeping mask/pack over foundation, and that’s why this powder is very, very good for those of you with drier, more mature skin that nevertheless don’t want a shiny/glowy look. For me, applied over makeup the finish is very similar to NARS’ powder, and that is a good thing. Soft-focus, matte(ish) finish, silky, lightweight – this is truly, truly great. Oh yeah, it also sets your foundation wonderfully.
Do you have a favourite powder product? Let me know!
