I have super oily skin so powders are my friend, however if I am using something that is not finely milled, it will sit atop my skin and be quite obvious. Tres non chic. But with all of the powders that I use, they are all easily layered to help me create a flawless face. Some are suitable for setting my makeup to wear all day, and some are great at creating dimension, giving a glow or finishing my makeup. Knowing the difference and how to use them is often the key. For a more in depth explanation between finishing and setting powders and how best to use, read this blog post by one of my favorite bloggers, The Makeup Blogette. Now let’s talk about the ones I use regularly and why I simple adore them:
1. Guerlain Meteorites – Every time I post this on my morning makeup Instagram pics, I get so many comments asking me “what are those little round balls?” And for years, I didn’t understand them either. Once I visited the counter, they explained their use (a highlighter) and how I can use over my cheekbones to give a subtle glow. Truth be told, I enjoy using them more than I actually see a huge difference in my skin. I am quite fair so they show up when the light hits my skin, and may work better on slightly darker skin. Typically I use them at the end of my makeup dusted on the tops of my cheeks for a slight shimmer. But the pleasure of swirling them and the floral scent sucks me every time and I turn into a giddy schoolgirl when I use it. At least I own it, right?
2. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light – Insert hands praying emoji and the smiley face with the hearts for eyes – because I LOVE this powder. The shade is stunning on my skin and imparts a natural glow to my cheeks that is radiant, for lack of a better term. I use this after my setting powder but before my blush. I dust it on my cheeks and along my hair line and the color warms up immediately and adds another dimension to my makeup that I find completes my look. I have not yet tried any other Hourglass powders, but if they are even slightly as amazing as this one, I will need to collect them all. I apologize to my credit card in advance.
3. Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder – PSA: this powder will change your life. I repeat, this powder will change your life. I had heard the hype surrounding Laura Mercier’s loose powder for years – “It works on ANY skin tone” “It makes my pores disappear” “It keeps me matte all day”. Welp, it’s all true. After I have applied my liquid or cream foundation, I take the powder puff shown above and with a press-and-roll technique, I apply it to my t-zone. Pressing the powder puff into my skin and rolling it makes the powder disappear literally into the skin, and what’s left is beautifully matte (but not too matte) skin that can stand up to almost anything – heat, humidity, etc.
4. Cover FX Blotting Powder in Light (c/o) – Even with the solid lock that my loose powders put onto my skin, a colorless blot powder is always necessary for quick touch ups. I keep this in my purse at ALL times and with a travel brush I lightly dust this on as needed. It immediately takes away any shine and leaves no trace of added powder to my skin. So I can touch up as often as needed (and on those long days, multiple touch up sessions are inevitable), without ever feeling as if I am adding any additional product to my face. I may wear layers of products, but the secret is to look as if there is nothing there. Isn’t that the true magic of makeup.
5. La Mer Loose Powder in Translucent – This swoon-worthy gem is new to my arsenal, but every review was correct. It is magical. Truth be told, when I first looked at the powder and swatched it, I thought “how the heck is THIS translucent?” Compared to my Laura Mercier which is stark white and goes on as if nothing is there, this powder almost looks golden and has a slight shimmer to it. I put my initial doubt aside and gave it a go – and I can say with confidence, I am never looking back. It is glorious. The color/shimmer is negligble when applied, and the finished look is soft, velvety skin with an airbrushed finish. I apply after my liquid/cream foundation to set the makeup, using the (magic – I’m convinced it is) puff to press and roll the powder into the skin. The first day I used it, I just kept staring at myself in the mirror amazed at how creamy and flawless my complexion looked. It is truly a splurge, but from my experience, worth every penny.
Have you entered my Perricone Blue Plasma Giveaway????!!!! Enter here.
Shop the post:
Comments