Face Powder

Better late than never, eh?  I know I should have written about powders during my ‘make-up routine weekly blogs’ but I have a love/hate relationship with powder and don’t really use it consistently on myself hence the omission.

I know one should: it sets your make-up, provides long lasting results, gives a flawless finish, reduces shine, provides a bit of protection against the elements, helps to cover imperfections and conceal pores.  What’s not to love in order to achieve a flawless complexion?

For me, sometimes it just looks too much on my skin.  The foundations I use have enough powder in them and sometimes additional powder sits in my pores, emphasises the fine lines around my eyes and eliminates the dewy, healthy finish that I like. 

I do own one though; Catrice Colour Correcting Mattifying Power (pressed) and I do use it occasionally, after foundation and concealer, depending on which base I’ve used.  This corrects and evens out the colour of my skin (which is sallow with redness).  The powder contains pink, purple, green and beige shades (to refresh, counteract dullness and neutralise the red).  It’s very light and natural so I don’t notice it too much.  I also have a KIKO Translucent Loose Powder in my pro-kit which I use on my clients.

Loose powder is good for oily skin types as it’s finer than a pressed powder and contains less oil.  Downside is that it can settle into fine lines more than a pressed powder.  Tap off the excess and apply with a big brush to your face or with a smaller eyeshadow brush for pin pointing specific areas.  You can also press it into the skin with a cotton wool pad or one of those circular beauty puffs in order to set the make-up more efficiently (which can be good when doing a bridal makeover – we want that make-up to last the day/night).

Pressed powder is great as you can use it on the go for touch-ups (less messy than a loose one in a handbag) and good for covering up a specific area.  Again, a big brush, puff or pad to apply it.

Mineral powders come in loose and pressed form and are good for sensitive skins and don’t clog the pores.

As for colours, you can get translucent for all skin tones or you can buy specific shades, which is great for women of colour (Sleek Cosmetics are very good).

Hmm, I think I’ve talked myself into using my face powder more regularly….!