Anyone who’s had a flick through these pages will know that I’m not the biggest fan of powder; it rarely crops up in an ‘OMG, I can’t stop using it, obsessed’ kind of way. But recently, thanks to the discovery of new tools and textures, I’ve found a way to set everything in place without compromising that glow I strive to achieve each morning come application time. Now it’s not something I employ everyday; tardy and ‘I don’t give two hoots‘-ness gets in the way but for occasions where it’s a requirement that I look socially acceptable here’s the trick I whip out.

The technique? Precision powdering. Using a small amount of powder only where you need it. For me that’s around my chin and nose where makeup tends to magically disappear at ‘blink and you miss it’ speeds. Everything else is skipped, but those two areas get a light dusting to set and check my oil levels.

Now onto tools and there are two that I like to use; both small and fluffy in their appearance and feel. Charlotte Tilbury’s Sculpt and Powder Brush feels like it was made for this exact purpose and is the one I bring in to see to larger areas. For smaller tasks like under the eyes or concealed spots I use the Zoeva 228 Crease Brush, which is very much like MAC’s 224 Brush – both are very much the little sister to Tilbury’s brush.

The two textures of powder that I actually like will come as no surprise to you as they are the ones that get dredged up all the time when this topic comes around. Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light is all kinds of fabulous. Slightly glowy and with a yellow-ish hue that counteracts my ruddy complexion, it’s my kind of powder. When I need something more heavy duty, out comes By Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra Powder which layers the skin with a velvety veil, but without a moisture sucking finish.

So there you have it. Precision powdering, a.k.a) the non-powder loving peeps cheat to wearing it.