Are you using a face powder?
For the longest time, I didn’t. I thought foundation was enough. Why would I waste my money on an unless powder that had the potential to make my face look cakey?
And then I’d wonder why my foundation would disappear from my oily forehead after a few hours of wear…
Turns out, face powders are more useful than you think. Here are 4 reasons why you should use a face powder as the last step in your makeup routine (and what convinced me to use them myself):
What Are Face Powders?
Face powders are finally milled powders (duh!) designed to set makeup and help it last longer. They come in two forms:
- Loose powders: They’re lighter and look more natural on the skin. But are a pain to carry around with you during the day.
- Pressed powders: More pigmented, they provide better overage and are easy to carry around for touch-ups on-the-go. But, they have the tendency to look caked if you overdo it.
So why should use a face powder?
Face Powders Even Out Your Skin Tone
Face powders even out the skin tone, making your skin look smoother. You can use a face powder both alone or with foundation, depending on how good your skin is and what coverage you want. Back in my teen years, when I’d get the odd pimple or two, I could really have used a face powder to up the coverage of my foundation. Now that I have a good skincare routine, I can use them alone for a lighter coverage.
Face Powders Help Makeup Last Longer
Perhaps the most important reason to use face powder is to help your foundation last longer. Here’s how it works: excess oil interacts with the pigments and oils in your foundation and makeup, melting them away. Dusting a light coating of face powder on top slows down the process, helping your makeup last longer.
Face Powders Absorb Excess Shine
This is closely related to the point above. Face powders are, by their very nature, absorbent. They soak up excess oil, so it can’t melt away your makeup. Plus, removing excess oil also mattifies your skin and gets the shine at bay for a few hours. If you have oily skin, they’re your BFF.
Face Powders Can Fix Makeup Mistakes
Have you applied too much blush and now look like a clown? Dust some powder on top to tone it down. Is your foundation too dark for your skin? Use a lighter-coloured powder on top to correct the shade. There’s very little a face powder can’t fix!
What Are The Best Face Powders?
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder ($45.00): available at Cult Beauty, Feel Unique, Net-A-Porter, Selfridges and Sephora
- MAC Next To Nothing Pressed Powder ($27.00): available at Asos and Selfridges
- Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder ($37.00:) available at Cult Beauty, Sephora and Ulta
- Too Faced Born This Way Setting Powder ($33.00): available at Asos, Cult Beauty, Sephora and Ulta
See how useful powders are? So if you’re thinking of skipping this step, think again and dust some powder on your face!
Do you use a face powder every time you wear makeup? Let me know in the comments below.
I do wear powder after applying foundation and before blush. It keeps the shine away and makes my foundation last longer.
Dao, I apply after blush so that everything is set. But I agree, I use it for the same reasons you mentioned too. 🙂
I used to be guilty of that too…ignoring the powder.
Now Powder is a must to set my foundation. And on my lazy no makeup days, powder after sunscreen to even out skintone and give a slight dewy finish.
And I use different kinds of powder, pressed, loose but my favorite is Guerlain Meteorite. I use it for everything! 😀
Vonvon, powders seem so unneccessary but once you try them you just can’t do without them. I remember seeing your FOTDs with the Guerlain Meteorite and it looked really amazing on you!
i have pressed powder too, prefer it as it is easier to handle and not fly everywhere. and can bring it around!
Xin, I prefer pressed too for the same reasons. 🙂
I don’t wear foundation, but I do wear powder every single day. It’s amazing how much of a difference it can make, I usually just sweep it in my t-zone to soak up the oilies. Definitely a must-have product for me.
Makeup Morsels, I love the absorbent properties of powders. If have oily-skin or patches, they’re definitely a must-have, I agree.
I agree! For a product that’s so ‘boring’ to buy,it does such great things. I never skip it when I use foundation – the rare times I don’t. my skin is too dry to wear it alone. I use the Chanel loose powder 🙂
Pinch, I agree. I used to think powders were boring and unncessary, but how wrong I was. They have so many benefits!
I never ever skip powder. My skin is so oily that I’d look like a disco ball with out it! I use it to set my makeup and then throughout the day after using blotting tissues. I’m really that oily. It’s kind of pain, but I think it’s a little better than being dry.
Tammy, I’m sorry that your skin is that oily. Must be so frustrating but I’m glad that powders help. Their absorbent properties are very helpful for those with oily skin.
I looooove powder, I NEVER skip it!!! 😀 I have oily skin, so powder is my friend!! 🙂
Stavroula, lol! Powders are an oily skin girl’s BFF! 🙂
I never used to use powders because i have dry skin and i felt they made me look cakey, but after leaning to apply them correctly (i use loose transluccent powder and press it on) i have seen my face less shiny and yes my makeup does last longer especially with creme blushers.
Roxann, I’m glad you managed to make powders work for you. I love translucent powders too, they help makeup (especially cream products) last longer and absorb excess oil.