Here’s Your Guide To Makeup Powders
Powder-form makeup has undergone many changes, and now even products that were once only available in liquid or cream form have been dried and milled into a powder.
It can be difficult to choose what type of powder you need for your specific goal, but our team is here to help. We’ll go over the various types of powders available, how best to use them, and provide some insider tips on how to apply face powder like a professional.
Choosing the Right Powder for Your Makeup Style
Although you may be familiar with powdered blush and shadow, face powder is a slightly different product. In this article, we will go over seven types of face powders to aid you in picking the right one for your needs.
1. Translucent
You can wear translucent powder alone (without makeup underneath) to absorb oil and provide ultra-light coverage. Think of it as the clear mascara of facial powders.
Translucent powder is available in transparent or extremely low-intensity colors, and helps absorb shine from oilier areas while providing sheer coverage in areas where you only need a little covering up.
Translucent powder is perfect if you don’t want a lot of coverage or if you just want to focus on specific areas. It’s also great for adding coverage without making your makeup look too heavy, especially around your eyes and nostrils.
2. Setting Powder
Are you familiar with the urge to dust a little powder on your face after you apply liquid foundation? Setting powder is the solution to scratching that itch.
Setting powder is made to soak up oil, so if you want to retain a dewy finish, that’s not what this does best. Also, because of the ingredients used in most setting powders, they can have a drying effect on your skin. The majority of setting powders contain talc, which has been linked to carcinogenic properties.
After you’re finished with your makeup, lightly dust setting powder across your face. This will help keep your makeup in place and absorb excess oil from your skin.
- Translucent Powder is an amazing product that seriously does what it says. It’s formulated with light-reflecting pigments and created to absorb oil without leaving behind a trace of residue, which I was previously unable to do with any other powder.
3. Finishing Powder
Finishing powder and setting powder might sound interchangeable, but they actually serve different functions. Finishing powder is like the finishing touches on a painting—it makes everything look smooth and refined. Setting powder usually extends the wear time of your makeup, but finishing powder gives you an instantly perfected look, almost like a real-life filter.
Finishing powder is milled into a very fine texture so that only a small amount is needed to create an airbrushed finish. It also doesn’t contain the oil-absorbing ingredients that setting powder does. Instead, many finishing powders include hydrating and skin-nourishing ingredients to help you maintain a glowing appearance.
Finishing powder can create a believable, yet not entirely matte finish. You can target specific areas of your skin that you would like to cover, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.
4. Powder Foundation
Powder foundation is usually significantly more pigmented than other setting powders, and it has a heavier consistency that doesn’t blend as easily.
If you desire a powder foundation that will last throughout the day and doesn’t need an additional setting powder, then go for it! Just be cautious of the ingredients. Too many harsh chemicals can actually make oily skin worse by drying out your face. Choose wisely with plant-based ingredients to avoid this issue.
A powder foundation is perfect when you need a quick and easy application that will look great every time. Be sure to use the right brush and press the powder into your skin instead of sweeping it across.
5. Mineral
Many people believe that any powder can be a mineral powder. However, this is not the case. A mineral powder is specifically formulated with natural minerals from the earth. For example, silicas, iron oxides, and zinc oxides are often used in place of ingredients like talc.
While it may seem like all you need for your power is minerals from the earth, there are other things to be mindful of when choosing a mineral powder. Just because an ingredient comes from the earth does not mean it cannot contain other harmful chemicals. Bismuth oxychloride is one such culprit, created from lead, copper, and chloride and often causing itchiness and rashes.
Always buy your mineral powder from a trustworthy brand. This way, you can be positive that the products are safe and high-quality. If you want to, you can use mineral powder in place of any other kind of powder that you currently use. Plus, one great perk of mineral powder is its light-reflecting properties, which give your skin a luminous appearance.
6. Pressed powder
When you purchase powder that comes in a compact, know that it has likely undergone milling and pressing processes, which usually happen through the exertion of high heat and pressure. There are other methods of pressing powder, like using binding powders or oil-based solutions.
Pressed powder compacts typically come with an applicator sponge or “puff,” but brushes provide better and more even coverage. You can use the puff for touch-ups later on in the day.
- Luminizing powder gives your skin a dewy, healthy glow that’s also light-reflective. It adds shimmer without glitter and is never baked, so it won’t dry out your skin.
Pressed powder is a great way to touch up your makeup on the go, whether you keep it in your desk drawer or handbag.
7. Loose Powder
Loose powder comes in a tub with a perforated top that allows only a small portion of the powder to pass through for use. Loose powder is easy to apply, stays fresh, and creates an airbrushed finish.
You can find both translucent and finishing powders in loose form, as well as powdered foundation. Keep in mind that it may be possible to get slightly messy when using loose powder, although this largely depends on your application technique.
Additionally, investing in the right brush makes all the difference. Look for a wide brush with dense bristles for the best results.
You can use loose powder in various ways, such as as a finishing powder or setting powder. Additionally, loose luminizers are excellent for accentuating shimmery areas of your face like your cheekbones and collarbones.
Beauty Hacks
By following these simple tips, you can avoid a powdery or ghost-like finish.
Avoid Baking
The baking makeup trend is no longer popular because it involves putting a ton of powder over your existing makeup (usually under your eyes), waiting a few minutes, and then removing the excess. Oftentimes, people do this in an attempt to get better coverage; however, the outcome is usually cakey and not aesthetically pleasing.
Clean Your Pressed Powder
Bacteria can easily infiltrate a compact of pressed powder, especially if you often use the included face puff. If your makeup hasn’t been used in a while and shiny spots have developed, this means bacteria have contaminated it and it needs to be thrown out.
Storing the face puff separately from the rest of the makeup will help avoid this issue altogether. Additionally, never touch the powderpuff to your skin then back intocompact as this will introduce more bacteria.. Cleaning the puff routinely will also ensure that your product lasts longer.
Focus On the Ingredients
The ingredients in your makeup are just as crucial as the ones you use for skincare. By only utilizing high-quality, plant-based products, your skin will be healthier and your makeup will last longer. That means that each ingredient has a purpose and is chosen deliberately.
Give Your Powder Room a Makeover
Still using the same old powder year after year? There are many new options with helpful benefits on the market now, so try something different to change up your look!
