You either use four powders to finish your makeup or say “I don’t use powder” and both of you are not wrong. Me personally? I looooove powder! I limit myself to two and they are both 100% necessary. One is a loose setting powder and one is a finishing blurring powder. I will explain the difference as we go product by product. I may even offer matte setting spray solutions which often have powder in them…now you know!
Powder is a VERY tricky game. Every single layer prior to powder has to be just right for a powder to be The One. Proceed with an open mind and remember it may take a few frogs before you find your prince. This is going to be short, short, short and sweet. Enjoy !! Let me know how you set your makeup and how it wears this summer.
Context as always: I have pretty normal skin but because of the topicals I use, I can get some dry patches or areas (especially the sides of my nose or near my mouth). My skin doesn’t get overly oily throughout the day but it just EATS makeup so I do tend to re-powder. I like a matte/natural face. This is not a dewy skin household except for cheeks and cheekbones.
Laura Mercier Ultra Blur Talc-Free Transluscent Setting Powder, $52
This is my holy grail. It works with more foundations and concealers than not, you can build on it after a couple of hours of wear with a finishing powder, and it absorbs moisture evenly. What I mean by that is, my skin takes this powder in so evenly that when I go to re-apply with another powder later in the day–I keep a specific powder in my bag which we will get to soon-it isn’t caking in certain areas where there may be powder left over from my first ap I like powder to absorb into my skin so I have the opportunity to re-finish later in the wear but I also really like how products layer over this. I am not 100% shine free with this by EOD but I also…don’t want to be? I have another powder that stays dead matte all day if that is your style and it’s…
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder, $38
This is literally a vacuum. I, personally, would never put this under my eyes but this is how the majority of people use it. I really like this in my t-zone and jaw. I use the shade ‘Cherry Blossom’ and I like that it has a light brightening effect but isn’t pink like some loose pink powders. This one works really well on fair-light medium skin. If you are medium to deep, I recommend the OneSize one much more.
Saie Beauty Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder, $30
I did not feel strongly about this when I first got it and it grew on me in real time. I do think this powder is amazing for beginners who wear a literal swipe of makeup, very light layers, and want to look natural. I really do not like setting under my under eyes but if I wanted to…I would use this! It’s incredibly buildable and lightweight and not cakey. There is a pearl in this–where do you think the radiance comes from!!–that you’d think would emphasize pores but it does not. Truly, deeply oily girls: I think skip this one. Normal to dry: A ton of ways you can wear this one! If you want a little bit more oomph but are also scared of powder, the Haus Labs one is a great introductory level next step!
Hourglass Veil Transluscent Setting Powder, $50
I think this is the perfect Other Option to the Laura Mercier Ultra Blur–not the regular one, just the Ultra Blur! It’s super lightweight and comfortable. For me, it’s easy to build on. I think it leaves your skin a little more natural than Laura Mercier. I like the experience of this packaging too. It says pretty neat and I like that it has a plastic dispenser at the top instead of netting.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder, $60
Transition product! Let’s chat Setting and Finishing. A setting powder is here to lock. it. in. We’re putting our creams in place and saying…shhh, sweetie. Stay there! A Finishing powder is quite literally…The Finisher. It is meant to blur, diffuse, and make all of your makeup look cohesive and not like layers of makeup. Most people I know use this to set. I do too! It’s super, super lightweight and glides over creams really seamlessly. This is the one you see all over GRWM for a reason. It kind of came out of nowhere and became an instant classic. I highly recommend this one especially if you like to do light layers of product all day or wear a lot of makeup from the jump and want it to stick around.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbush Flawless Finish Setting Powder, $48
This is definitely one of the first powders I was obsessed with. It is potent. I do also find this to be a great build-as-you-go product throughout the day. If I am going to sweat, this is the powder I’m reaching for and usually layered over a loose powder. It’s pretty bulletproof.
Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Blurring Setting Powder, $75
I know, I know. BUT…this is my favorite Purse Powder for regular makeup days, especially in cold weather. It builds flawlessly on top of existing makeup and you can layer it on itself nicely as the day goes on. Like all things Westman, this is about a certain type of experience applying makeup. If you want one really gorgeous little jewel in your bag…let it at least be an efficient one! I promise it is worth it.
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Powder, $35
The best is last! Talk about a holy grail. The Baby Pink shade of this powder is my favorite do-it-all powder on this list. The hint of pink in this–think ballet silk, not cotton candy!!!–does the most gorgeous lifting and brightening of the under eye area. I also like this on the sides of my nose and my lower cheeks for a little pop of brightness.
The #1 request about this product is make it bigger because I use it on my whole face. Just read the reviews! This is a top, top favorite in my Forever Makeup Bag. Please try it and let me know what you think! It builds on worn makeup well and can be applied with a brush or puff. I like a puff if I’m using it on fresh makeup and a brush if it’s in my bag.
If you have medium to deep complexions, I recommend using a setting powder first that has a like-complexion color before layering the pink on, depending on how bright you like your under eye! God speed, let me know how you like it!
Friday’s post will be a Summer’s Secret Weapons beauty edit. The vile heat and humidity from this past weekend reminded me I have a laundry list of little tricks to share. See you there! xx
How does the Kosas cloud powder hold up to these? Just hitting pan on my mini of it and wondering if I should repurchase or switch ship!