Face powders are an important step in your makeup routine i.e. they are necessary in order to set your foundation or concealer.
- The use of face powder is important to:
- a) set your foundation (with a loose powder) to enable it to stay place
- b) prep your skin to stop you looking like an oil painting within hours of
- applying your make-up
- c) minimise the appearance of pores
- d) applied lightly after wiping away old make-up, it's the ultimate touch
- up.
Powers can be loose or pressed, with loose being the lightest and most natural looking. Loose powers are also available in more colours, they can be custom blended and can be used instead of foundation to even out your skin tone; however they can be messy. Pressed powders on the other hand are convenient, but can be heavy on the face.
Since most women, regardless of complexion, have yellow-based skin, we strongly recommend that you wear foundations with a yellow base. This will help you have an unblemished and natural appearance.
Translucent Powders are light in texture and tint and are natural looking. If used over your foundation or concealer, they will set your makeup without adding too much extra colour.
- If you have extra oily skin, it is advisable to wear a matte translucent powder, which is able to absorb significant amounts of oil.
How to Apply Powder
- Powder puffs can cake your face and make it look heavy. It's best applied with a brush to ensure that is goes on lightly and appears sheer. It should then be pressed with a latex sponge around the eyes and nose, to help set your makeup and reduce shine.
- Loosening pressed powder with a brush, blowing off the excess, then dusting it over your face can give a lighter effect than using a compact pad..
- Powder should be applied in harmony with your skin colour. Dust:-
- - white/blond: with a light coloured loose powder.
- - white/redhead: lightly with a pale translucent loose
- powder.
- - white/brunette: with a light translucent banana-toned
- powder.
- - black: with a translucent light-bronze loose powder.
- - dark: with a sheer mocha-toned loose powder.
- - asian: with a medium translucent loose powder with
- yellow undertones.
- Face Powder Tips
- Use loose powder to set makeup and compact powder for easy touch-ups during the day or night, this is particularly important in warmer weather.
- If you 'shine' a lot you should use an oil free/absorbent powder. If you have dry skin apply one with a moisturiser.
- Dust a light layer of pressed powder over the face, thereby avoiding a caked look. . A pressed powder with an SPF 15 that includes the UVA-protecting ingredients avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide is an excellent way to obtain added sun protection.
- Do not try to change the colour of your skin with powder, although you may be able to maximise or minimise certain tones by picking a power with a light tint. Too much colour? Dust on a layer of loose powder or pressed powder to fade the effect.