My tricky, tricky skin has a particularly hard time with skin powders, especially of late since it doesn’t have any idea what it’s doing. Being both dry and spot-prone, I need quite a bit of make-up, so for that to work without looking awful I need quite of primer action, which then leaves skin looking and feeling pretty moist (bleurgh, that word) so I have to finish the look with a setting powder, which not only mattifies skin, it also sets everything into place to stop it sliding off within 10 minutes of application.
I have tried some truly crap setting powders in my quest to find the perfect finish that is not too matte, definitely not chalky, and just set with a little bit of light poking through so that skin doesn’t look flat. Here are three brilliant powders that do of the above:
Let’s go straight in with the ludicrously expensive but terribly pretty Rodial Instaglam Compact Deluxe Translucent HD Powder. This is a very finely milled powder that does the most perfect job at setting make-up whilst allowing skin to show through, meaning that skin is left looking naturally matte rather than overly made up. It’s a product I reach for again and again, and I especially love the fact that, due to how finely milled it is, you’d struggle to overdo it, as it binds with skin and buffs in fantastically well. However, it is very expensive at £52, although I will say that I used this at least 2-3 times a week for well over a year, and you could barely see a dent in it, so it’s the very definition of an investment product.
New kid on the block is It Cosmetics and I’ve included their fantastic Bye Bye Pores Poreless Powder as it is another great product at giving that airbrushed finish without any dryness or chalkiness. Unlike the Rodial one above, you can overdo it with this one, so the key is applying a little at at time and building it up until you’re happy with the finish. It comes with a very cute powder puff which we’ve been advised to ignore (I keep it in the pot though as it stops product flying about when the pot gets moved) and there is an It Cosmetics brush that’s designed to do the job. The main reason I don’t reach for this more is that it’s a loose powder, and I don’t really get on with anything loose, but I have my fingers crossed that they’ll release a compact version soon. Do check out the It Cosmetics page on QVC as the range really is something to see. The Bye Bye Pores Poreless Powder comes with the aforementioned brush for £29.
Finally, the Clinique Stay Matte Universal Blotting Powder is my favourite at the moment, purely because it’s very well put together. The powder itself is again, very good at mattifying, setting and finishing make-up without clinging to dryness or hiding skin, plus it comes in a durable, travel-friendly compact with a sponge that isn’t rubbish, making it ideal to take on the go. I use this after makeup with a setting brush, then if I’m out for a while I’ll take it with me and top up as and when I need to. This is the least powder-like of all three as all it does it remove the shine and leave skin looking set, so if you don’t like any kind of powder and can’t be swayed by any of the very fine numbers above, this is the one for you. The Clinique Stay Matte Universal Blotting Powder is £26.
*PR Sample
