One of my first ever beauty purchases was a powder. I think it was from L’Oreal and I used to pile it on courtesy of the sponge that came in the compact and wipe it over my face to act as a foundation. Thankfully this was pre-blog, so no photos exist of this extremely dry complexioned time in my life and after hitting pan and using the product up this wasn’t a method that I attempted again. Back in my Uni days though I did used to go through a MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural on an almost monthly basis, but that wasn’t for the finish but for the coverage as I was convinced that clubbing required skin that resembled that of a doll and detested my red cheeks that would come and say hello while I boogied away on the dance floor pretending I was in a music video. Now I realise that there’s a bit of a middle ground when it comes to powder. The improved formulas can set without looking cakey and act to supervise your base without adding a dull look to the face. It’s a step I now do most days, so here are four of my favourites…
I still have a compact of the previously mentioned MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Medium hanging around and it’s probably still my favourite one. It just doesn’t get too matte and still lets a bit of glow from the skin shine through, but there’s no artificial shimmer or anything like that in the formula – how does it work? I’ve concluded that it’s magic and let me tell you if you’re ever in a situation where you’re going to be on camera then this is the powder to use because it just looks so darn natural, but takes the edge off planes of the face where grease isn’t welcomed. Goodbye oily smile lines (my sweet spot when it comes to unwanted shine if you haven’t already noticed from my videos where I’ve forgotten to powder). Another one that’s easy on radiance is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light. Now there is a hint of shimmer laced through this when you swatch it on the back of your hand, but it’s harder to detect when it’s on your face. I like this shade in particular because there’s a yellow tone to it that helps to sort out those dance move-induced red cheeks. If only this had been around in my Uni days, eh?
A sheerer option that basically looks invisible on the skin and just does this thing where it sets everything, but in the most natural way is the CHANEL Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder (I use the shade B20). This is subtly at its finest and you’ll find yourself looking in the mirror and not being able to pinpoint exactly what it’s done, but that it just looks a little bit ‘better‘ for lack of a fancier word. A more budget friendly version is the Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder (I use this in the shade Vanille), which is very, very similar to the CHANEL. Also big love for the portability of this one as the compact is so darn slim and there’s a mirror in inside too – score.
Setting without the cake face? Sorted.
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