How to choose the right face powder, harm, benefits, application

What harm or benefit the powder will bring to your skin depends primarily on its quality. Nowadays, manufacturers are increasingly thinking about including the most beneficial substances in the powder and replacing those that negatively affected the skin with safer ones. Low-quality powder from dubious manufacturers still contains silicones, nylon - synthetic substances that prevent normal breathing of the skin, dehydrate it and also clog pores. Higher quality powders are made from talc, which is not so harmful to the skin. However, the real revolution in the decorative industry was the appearance of mineral powder. How is it different from its predecessors?

Before buying powder, be sure to study its composition, or even better, read online forums with reviews and study each ingredient.

How to choose the right face powder, harm, benefits, application

Powder is a necessary product in any cosmetic bag. Girls very often use it to hide small imperfections, problems or shine on the skin.

Why is it needed?

You can name at least 3 reasons to use powder:

Powder consistency

There are 2 of them: loose and pressed. It is worth noting the superiority of the first type over the second. Professionals use only loose powder, because it has a number of advantages. Firstly, it is much easier to remove excess particles of such powder from the face by simply brushing it lightly with a brush. Secondly, it is easier to distribute it evenly, which cannot be said about the second type. Pressed powder can only be applied in very small portions, and it is very difficult to do it evenly. The only advantage of this type is its compactness, because a small powder compact can easily be placed in a purse and used on the run, which helps to touch up makeup in almost any conditions.

Application Tips

Before powdering, rid your skin of oily shine by applying a regular napkin to it, which makes it possible to apply makeup evenly and avoid smearing.
Dip the puff into powder;
Shake off excess particles;
Lightly pressing the puff onto your face, spread the cosmetic product over your entire face.
Walk the puff over the chin, nose, and center of the forehead at least twice, because there are a lot of sweat and fat glands in these places. Treat the area near the wings of the nose no less carefully, otherwise there will be a sharp transition from powder to natural complexion, which will make the image sloppy and unkempt.

Is powder harmful to facial skin?

Many people refuse this product because of the well-known prejudice about the dangers of powder. But is it really harmful to the skin?

This opinion has been around for many years; it really did not appear without a reason, because previously the main component of the powder was finely ground rice or grain flour, which stuck together due to sweat that got on it. As a result, such powder actually clogged the pores of the face, causing acne and pimples.

However, it is worth noting that these days this problem is no longer relevant due to the changed composition of this type of cosmetics. Now flour is replaced with talcum powder, which absorbs skin secretions and also helps makeup stay on the face for a long time.

Which powder should you prefer: transparent or tinted?

Transparent powder, that is, without color, is ideal. Its main advantages are its compatibility with any primer color and any skin type. Tinted powder has a number of features that need to be taken into account. First you need to choose a shade that is as close as possible to the color of the primer or the skin itself, if no primer was used. It is important to consider that dark powder does not hide wrinkles, but emphasizes them. It is especially difficult to apply, since it is simply necessary to distribute it as evenly as possible, so noticeable dark spots often remain.

When applying powder with glitter of gold or silver, it is also advisable to follow several rules. It is important to consider that such powder creates a glossy effect, which will not look the best on the T-zone, since the purpose of the powder is to eliminate shine. For this reason, powder with a similar effect can only be applied to the shoulders, collarbones and cheekbones. Still, it’s better to avoid it altogether when creating daytime makeup.

How are powders different?

What harm or benefit the powder will bring to your skin depends primarily on its quality. Nowadays, manufacturers are increasingly thinking about including the most beneficial substances in the powder and replacing those that negatively affected the skin with safer ones. Low-quality powder from dubious manufacturers still contains silicones, nylon - synthetic substances that prevent normal breathing of the skin, dehydrate it and also clog pores. Higher quality powders are made from talc, which is not so harmful to the skin. However, the real revolution in decorative cosmetics was the appearance of mineral powder. How is it different from its predecessors? Before buying powder, be sure to study its composition, or even better, read online forums with reviews and study each ingredient.

Mineral powder - benefits and disguise!

Mineral powder can not only make your makeup perfect and give a matte finish to your face, but also significantly improve the condition of your skin. The mineral powder contains an active component - zinc oxide, which fights rashes and inflammation due to its powerful antiseptic properties. It does not dry out the skin, and powder containing zinc oxide can be used by girls even with sensitive skin. And for those with oily and problematic skin, this is a real gift! What could be better than a combination of decorative and therapeutic effects?

Another remarkable component of mineral powder is titanium dioxide. This component is an excellent protector from sun rays and its effect is equal to that of a cream with SPF factor 15. What could be better for a hot summer day, when you don’t want to overload your face with sticky creams, but you need to add matteness with powder and also protect skin from ultraviolet radiation? Titanium dioxide also provides the powder with an even application and an even, natural shade. Some manufacturers prefer to add additional beneficial substances to mineral powder: for example, amethyst or aquamarine. Unlike regular old-generation powder, mineral powder does not clog pores and is applied to the skin in a very thin layer due to the fact that its particles do not stick to each other. At the same time, mineral powder evens out skin color well and hides minor imperfections without creating the effect of an unnatural mask on the face.

What is powder

The history of powder goes back to ancient Greece, where women used any ingredients to create a fine dust, which they then applied to their faces. Today, the production of powder has changed, and it contains a large number of useful substances: silk, kaolin, talc, moisturizing components, as well as radiant particles to give the skin a healthy and rested look.

What is powder used for? It performs the functions of mattifying the skin, evening out the complexion and giving it a beautiful coverage. Modern technologies make it possible to make this cosmetic product completely invisible on the face. There are a huge number of powders, which are divided according to the presence of certain components in their composition.

The modern cosmetic market offers a huge variety of powders, which both facilitates and complicates the process of choosing the right product. Each product performs specific functions, is suitable for different skin types and contains different ingredients.

The two main types of face powder, which differ in their consistency and are not interchangeable, are as follows:

Modern production of cosmetics provides for the release of several more options that are popular among the fair sex:

Cream powder. It is great for dry skin types and can replace foundation. Why do you need face powder in the form of a cream? It does not contain alcohol or alcohol-containing components, it does not dry out the skin and girls use it as the main face covering. It is easily applied with a sponge and does not require additional matting.
Powder in the form of balls is aimed at creating a shimmering effect on the skin, which gives it a beautiful, rested look. The balls in the package come in different shades and contain reflective particles that look very natural on the skin.
Shimmering powder or highlighter. This is a product that has a ton of glowing ingredients and doesn't need to be applied all over your face. It is enough to apply only light movements on the cheekbones.
Antiseptic. It is used for therapeutic and preventive purposes to care for problematic facial skin. This powder contains components that are aimed at fighting bacteria that cause inflammation and rashes.
Bronzing. What is this powder for? It differs in shade from conventional cosmetic products in this segment. The composition includes pigments that create a light tanning effect on the face and allow you to correct the shape of the face when applied to the cheekbones.
Transparent powder is very popular among girls all over the world. It is used to set makeup, prolongs the durability of foundation and eliminates oily shine without adjusting the shade.

Types of face powder

Everything is clear with the general aspects of powder, but what about the rich variety of this cosmetic product. Have you ever had that feeling – you walk into a cosmetics store, and from all the counters there are a lot of powder options staring at you? And it would be nice if all this diversity was in brands and colors. But no, here we have mattifying ones, shimmering ones, balls, and compact ones... Let's take a closer look at why you need transparent face powder, mattifying, compact, etc.

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So, in its form, face powder is:

Crumbly. The best option for powder. It is she who creates that unique matte effect that falls on the face like an even, light, almost transparent veil. This version of the powder is applied to the face after completing makeup with light brush strokes or an almost weightless touch of a puff. The only negative is that this powder cannot be called a “camping” option. Its habitat is the dressing table.

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Compact. A solution for girls whose skin is prone to dryness. Since the compact powder contains oils, even in small quantities. Also, the compact version helps to smooth out the tone and hide small areas of redness. However, compact powder creates a more intense pigment on the face and is applied with a sponge, and therefore it is easy to overdo it. But it’s convenient to put this powder in your cosmetic bag and touch up your makeup as needed.

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Cream powder. Again, a solution for those with dry skin. But don’t think that it is an analogue of a regular cream. It, like all powder options, requires a base. This powder is more delicate and is applied to the face with light movements of the sponge, turning on the skin into a light, barely noticeable matte veil. With more intensive application, this powder will help hide mild inflammation and thinning of the skin.

Powder in balls. Just like loose powder, this is an exclusively homemade option. In addition to setting makeup, this powder gives the skin an unusual glow. Also, with this powder it is easy and simple to vary the desired complexion tone; just collect the pigment from the balls of the desired shade with a brush.

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Transparent powder. What is it for? This is the ideal solution for creating natural makeup. It intelligently adapts to any skin tone or foundation. Often you can also find its similar names - colorless or white powder. What is it used for – for matting, for masking minor imperfections, for creating universal makeup. This is perhaps the best powder that has been created today, it is not surprising that it can only be found in luxury brand categories. What is white powder used for? The main advantage of this powder over other options is that it does not settle into folds and does not focus attention on wrinkles, but on the contrary, masks them.

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Shimmering powder. Designed exclusively for creating evening makeup. This powder will highlight all the advantages of the facial contour due to its good reflectivity. But at the same time it can also emphasize wrinkles, and therefore you should be extremely careful with it and apply it not to the entire face, but only to a carefully applied base.

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On a note

If you unexpectedly run out of powder or don’t have it on hand, you can replace it. What can be used instead of face powder - talc, flour, starch, baby powder. It is enough to mix with it blush or shadows that match the shade of your natural skin tone and the powder is ready. But of course, this solution is only for the most extreme cases. Still, the professional option cannot replace home remedies.

Highlighting powder. What is this? In essence, this is a regular highlighter, but only presented in the consistency of powder. Unlike regular powder, it cannot be applied to the entire face, but only to certain areas - cheekbones, forehead, nose, under the eyebrow, etc. In general, you need to proceed as with a regular highlighter.

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Glitter powder. A more intense version of shimmer powder. More like regular glitter. An exclusively decorative product and suitable only for creating festive images.

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Mineral face powder. What is this? This is a kind of mix of mattifying powder and shimmering powder, only more delicate. Due to the mineral content in it, the skin does not become clogged, a matte effect is created, but with an internal glow effect.

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Green powder (aseptic). Suitable for sensitive, allergy-prone skin. Also suitable for inflamed and irritated skin, helping to relieve all annoying troubles.

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How to use face powder correctly

Each type of powder requires a specific application technique in order for it to fully perform its functions and not create a mask effect. But there are some general rules of use. The first thing worth noting is that it must be applied to a base. This could be a foundation, a makeup base, or a thick moisturizer. This is an important rule, because particles of a cosmetic product can become clogged in the pores and cause breakouts.

Applying powder to areas of skin with an oily sheen should be done after using a special napkin that removes excess fat. This is necessary so as not to cause the appearance of new acne, and the effect will last several times longer.

The exact choice of shade is one of the most important rules for using powder. To choose a suitable tone that will look beautiful and natural on the skin, you need to consider that it should be quite a bit lighter. Before purchasing, you should apply the product to the neck area and determine the appropriate shade.

You should not use the original sponge that is in the package. There are several reasons for this:

most often the sponge is made of low-quality material;
it does not distribute powder well on the skin;
Failure to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards leads to the accumulation of a huge amount of bacteria on the sponge, which are transferred to the powder.

If these rules are followed, the cosmetic product will not only create an even and beautiful coating, but will also not cause inflammation and will perform all its stated functions. Why do you need face powder and what is the difference between all its types?

How to apply foundation correctly?

This type of corrective cosmetics is not recommended for women whose facial pores are too wide. Foundation powder will not hide this flaw; it will make the situation even worse.

Cream powder is distributed over the skin using a sponge. It can be applied with a dry device or wetted with a little water. Before using foundation, wash your face thoroughly with water and foam cleanser. Apply a small amount of makeup cream to clean skin. Wait a couple of minutes until the product is absorbed, remove excess with a dry paper napkin.

Take your foundation brush and start working from your forehead. Gradually tone the skin of the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin. If you plan to use concealer, do not apply foundation powder under the eye area. We remove all excess with a dry cloth, and shade the unevenness. For the best effect, apply a thin layer of loose powder.

Compact

This is one of the most popular types of powder, which can be found in the cosmetic bag of every representative of the fair sex. It is aimed at eliminating oily shine during the day, perfectly hides imperfections and evens out the skin. The compact face powder was created so that it can be conveniently carried in your purse.

Makeup artists do not recommend using it to set foundation, because the coating is quite dense and can create a mask effect. The compact powder is great for use throughout the day on selected areas of the skin.

What else is face powder needed for? It contains a large number of components that are aimed at eliminating oily shine and increased sweating in the forehead and wings of the nose. Powder with SPF perfectly protects the skin from exposure to sunlight. The advantages include convenient packaging, which is equipped with a mirror and allows you to use the product anywhere.

Before applying to areas with an oily sheen, use a matting cloth.
Place a small amount of powder on a brush or sponge and shake off excess particles.
Apply the product to the skin and carefully distribute it over the area.
Check to see if the edges of the powder are visible, and if they are, use a clean brush again.

Compact powder is an indispensable assistant for girls at evening events or on the road. The main thing is to follow the rules of application and choose the appropriate shade of the product. Girls with problem skin are advised to choose powder with an antiseptic effect.

The most popular shimmer powders

Shimmering face powder is not a cheap product

Decorative cosmetics with reflective particles cannot be cheap, as they contain expensive components. Shimmering powder is an order of magnitude higher than usual, but it is also intended for special occasions. Luxury brands also include sun filters.

According to reviews of modern fashionistas, the following decorative products with shimmering particles of different price segments are recognized as the highest quality and most popular powders:

Mary Kay Mineral highlighting powder. This delightful all-in-one product from a renowned brand leaves your face looking fresh and radiant. If you choose the right shade, you can be sure that the compact powder will easily cope with dark circles under the eyes and make your complexion perfect. The vitamins A, C, E and minerals contained in the composition have an excellent caring effect.
Guerlain Voyage Meteorites shimmering powder. The radiant, shimmering shades create a luxurious pearlescent finish that imparts a pure glow to the skin. In a chic powder compact, which is almost a work of art, meteorite pearls are finely pressed, forming a bizarre pattern of delicate shades. Shimmering compact powder corrects imperfections and evens out skin tone.
Vivienne Sabo Poudre M'elange. Powder consisting of balls of delicate pastel shades can work wonders and change the complexion depending on the seasons or even the day. The composition contains talc, which has a matting effect.
Avon Powder balls with corrective effect “Ideal shade”. Gives the skin a natural glow. Each ball performs a specific function, for example, purple - hides unhealthy yellowness.
Oriflame Giordani White Gold Shimmer Powder. Compact powder of ultra-light texture gently envelops the skin with weightless pearlescent particles and gives it a delicate glow. Includes 3 shades of pink and peach, perfectly combined with each other.
Dr Pierre Ricaud. Pluie d'Or face and décolleté powder. Light, fine powder with a subtle hint of mother-of-pearl will envelop the face and body in delicate golden pollen. Ideal for a festive evening. Looks luxurious and elegant.
Stila All Over Shimmer Powder. A shimmering compact powder that highlights individual features. Fine mother-of-pearl, which fits tightly onto the skin, provides it with a long-lasting, spectacular glow.
Jane Iredale Quad Bronzer. Compact mineral shimmering powder containing 4 shades. Characteristic features: can be applied not only to the face, but also to the lips as a base for gloss. Gives the skin a magnificent shade of natural light tan.

To make luxurious, radiant makeup look natural, use light colors during the cold winter months, and experiment with bronze shades in the warmer months. Remember the basic rule: in the daytime, give preference to light shades, and in the evening, dark ones, then you can achieve a flawless look.

The best powder - what is it? The video contains a review of 5 products for a beautiful complexion:

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Since ancient times, white skin was considered a sign of aristocracy. Slaves, working for hours in the scorching sun, could not boast of a pale complexion. Therefore, to emphasize their rich origin, young ladies applied a special powder to their skin, which gave their face a snow-white appearance.

In Ancient Egypt, girls prepared powder from dried clay or crocodile droppings. Later they began to use wheat flour and white lead. The latter were very dangerous for the skin, but they did anything for the sake of beauty. In the Middle Ages in Europe, not only the face, but also the hair was powdered. Paleness was generally in fashion. In Russia, powder appeared in the times of Peter the Great. The Tsar brought it specifically so that Russian young ladies would stop smearing their faces with whitewash, which created the effect of a mask and absurdity.

Modern talc-based face powder appeared in the 20s of the last century. It gained popularity thanks to the film industry, because it was Hollywood makeup artists who began to actively use it in working with the images of actresses. Today, powder is an essential attribute in any beauty’s makeup bag.

Friable

This is the very first type of powder, which later became compact by pressing the crushed product. Why do you need loose face powder? Setting makeup is the main function of this cosmetic product. It is light in texture, does not clog pores and lies on the skin in a thin natural layer. The powder perfectly mattifies and prolongs the durability of the foundation.

The product does not highlight age-related changes in the skin, evens out the texture and corrects the complexion. The cosmetic market offers a huge amount of loose face powder of various brands, shades and prices. The advantage of this powder is that it allows oxygen to penetrate the skin cells and does not clog pores. Makeup artists often get the question: “Why do you need face powder?” First of all, it protects the skin from external factors, sun rays and pollution, and also fixes and prolongs the durability of the foundation.

One of the disadvantages of loose powder is that its use requires a special brush to obtain a thin layer on the skin. The packaging does not allow you to carry it with you and use it outside the home, since it is a jar with a screw-on lid.

Transparent

This cosmetic product is a favorite of many girls and women around the world. The powder is suitable for every skin type, even the most sensitive, and is an absolutely hypoallergenic product. It has a huge number of advantages that make it incredibly popular. Why do you need colorless face powder?

First of all, it has the functions of a loose powder and perfectly sets makeup, prolonging its durability. Unlike the previous look, it does not correct skin tone and does not cause difficulties in choosing the appropriate tone for each girl. The powder can be applied to problem areas of the skin and the area under the eyes.

The application technology is no different from that for loose powder, but the important thing is that the brush should be large and made of natural bristle. When using a sponge or puff, white spots remain on the face, which spoil the appearance.

Why do you need white face powder? It not only perfectly sets the foundation, but also evens out the skin in photographs and creates a retouching effect. The skin looks beautiful, rested, matte and smooth. This powder is used by makeup artists all over the world to create various looks for events, photo shoots, and just every day.

How to choose the right shimmer powder

Shimmering face powder highlights the beauty of the face

The first step to creating a luxurious look is choosing the right shade. The most common are cream, peach and pink, but blue shades give the skin a sickly appearance and look unnatural.

Those with white porcelain skin should prefer pink transparent powder with a delicate pearl shimmer. Dark-skinned brunettes need to make a choice in favor of transparent peach and golden tones, but the pink range is contraindicated for them, as it can give dark skin an unaesthetic ashy tint

Stylists recommend using a shimmering product in combination with regular powder a tone lighter than your natural skin tone.

When choosing a highlighter, you should consider your skin type. For oily, problematic, combination skin, loose powder with a light texture is more suitable, and for dry and normal skin, it is better to choose liquid and compact products.

Choice of powder and tone

You can purchase powder at any cosmetic store, which provides the buyer with the opportunity to test the product before purchasing. You should not buy it without applying the product to your skin, as the shade may not suit you at all. For a better choice, you can go outside and see how the powder looks in natural light.

The ideal option is when the powder is a tone lighter than the natural skin tone. It is necessary to check even transparent face powder so that there are no difficulties with its distribution and you do not end up with white spots on the face. Before purchasing, you need to look at the composition of the product and expiration date. Powder, which primarily contains talc, is not suitable for problem skin and for daily use. It is worth giving preference to a product based on mineral, rice or bamboo.

In stores, the seller should advise you on why you need face powder of a certain brand. It is better to purchase two types of powder - compact and loose, which will be the same shade. If you need to use powder in a public place, spots of different colors will not form on your face, and the coverage will be perfect. The huge variety can lead to difficulties when choosing a specific product, therefore, based on customer reviews, a rating of the best face powders is presented.

Based on reviews from makeup artists and customers, you can make a list of several of the best representatives of this segment. With such a huge selection on the global cosmetic market, difficulties arise, since the powder must perform all its functions and have a budget price. The list is compiled taking into account the needs of different skin types.

Rating of the best face powders:

1. Hydra Touch Powder Foundation NYX. It has a natural composition and is perfect for girls with dry and oily skin types. The powder is enriched with beneficial microelements, eliminates oily shine and is not felt on the face throughout the day.

2. Long-lasting powder Infaillible 24 hours, L'Oreal Paris. This powder is one of the most popular among budget analogues. What is L'Oreal face powder for? It mattifies the skin for the whole day, and its composition allows it to be used daily. The texture provides a smooth and even coverage, and also evens out the tone and does not settle into creases.

3. Paese Transparent Loose Rice Powder is a best seller in the cosmetic market. It suits absolutely every girl with any skin type, perfectly fixes makeup and protects from sun exposure. Its cost is quite low, and it satisfies all the needs of buyers.

4. Naked Skin Loose Powder, Urban Decay. How to use Naked Skin face powder? It ensures makeup fixation, shade correction and oily sheen removal for the whole day. The powder hides skin unevenness and lays on the face in a thin, natural layer.

5. Powder with the effect of healthy glowing skin Belle De Teint, Lancôme. It contains a small amount of reflective particles to give a fresh, rested look. The product contains caffeine and apricot oil, which are aimed at combating fatigue and intensively nourishing the skin.

A powder brush can both facilitate the application process and ruin a girl’s appearance. It should be wide, made of natural bristles, which apply powder in a thin layer without leaving stains on the face. The brush must be washed constantly to prevent bacteria from multiplying and causing problems on the skin.

The pile should be long and soft for comfortable application of powder on the face. Only cream powder is applied using a special sponge. The larger and denser the bristles of the brush, the denser the coverage on the face, and there is a risk of getting a mask effect.

Bronzing powder: application rules

Bronzing powder is used in the following cases:

To even out complexion with a beautiful, bronze tan;
In case you want to give your skin the appearance of a tan. You just need to use the product extremely carefully. Apply bronzing powder to the skin in good lighting, carefully working every inch of the skin. At the same time, be sure to apply this powder to your neck and décolleté;
Using the product as blush. It shades the overall skin tone well and goes on in an even, thin layer.