HOW TO APPLY PRESSED POWDER?

Here are a few tips of how to apply pressed powder to set makeup. For a flawless, matte skin with a natural glow it is all about we consider the base, the tools use and the placement. Face powders have many benefits such as line blurring and skin illuminating properties. You should think about the finished look you want to achieve, before applying powder at the end of your makeup.

Always think about applying powder as the finishing step. This is why it is often called Finishing or setting powder. Once you have completed this step, it is very difficult to change anything underneath it without fully removing all of the makeup.

TIPS TO APPLY YOUR POWDER

The application technique that you chose will depend on your skin type and the finished makeup look you are looking for. The base you create with foundation and concealer, determines how you will apply the pressed or loose powder. Let's look at different foundation finishes and the potential application method to perfect your skin.

The most important thing to check before you apply any powder is to make sure there are no brush marks or congealed areas for the powder to hook onto. Look at all areas of the face in the mirror. You can use a hydrating setting spray to spritz the base, let it dry and then take a clean foundation brush and buff any lines or marks away. A warm finger helps to smooth concealer under the eye and can gently take away any excess product before powder. Only use powder under the eye if you have spent time color correcting dark circles or pigmentation. Due to the drying attribute of powder, it can make fine lines around the eyes, appear worse than they are. Concealer is designed to hold steady under the eyes with a much higher pigment load than foundation.

TIPS FOR SHEER COVERAGE FOUNDATION

For sheer coverage foundation, we can consider two aspects. Do we want to maintain the sheer coverage look or is this purely a base for a powder foundation with coverage to adhere to? If the choice is to maintain the sheer coverage, we should use a lightweight, compact powder with a soft, fluffy brush. If the sheer coverage is matte for a normal skin, the powder can be lightly dusted all over. If it's a combination skin, you can lightly dust the T-zone and avoid any dehydrated areas. For oily skin, you can dust the product all over. Then use a sponge, dabbing more product in the hottest oily spots on the face. This same technique with a sponge can be applied for anyone who experiences a shiny t-zone.

TIPS FOR HIGH COVERAGE FOUNDATION

If you have chosen to use a high coverage powder with a sheer coverage foundation. It appears you would be using the sheer foundation like a skin tone-colored primer. The foundation evens the skin tone with minimum texture. As the powder foundation, has a much higher pigment load, be careful not to apply too much too soon. Use a similar technique as mentioned before. Take a big face brush, with soft flexible bristles. Lightly dust the formula all over the face, this process will evenly distribute the powder and give you the best control. With one sheer layer you can feel whether your skin needs further powder. If you require more mattifying in certain areas like the t-zone, go ahead dust a little more on that area only. Alternatively, you can press on more coverage using a sponge. Taking your time to think about the layering and placement of the powder, will give you the most natural look.

TIPS FOR MEDIUM COVERAGE FOUNDATION

For a medium and full coverage foundation, maintaining the same finish means using a lightweight powder with minimal colour pigments. All of the same techniques apply. Unless you are looking for ultimate coverage, powder foundations over this level of liquid foundation coverage is not recommended. If you are looking for the highest coverage, apply the powder foundation over the liquid base using a flat ended, dense fibre brush. Press the powder into the foundation, starting in the t-zone and working across the cheekbones, forehead and chin. Using a pressing motion means you will not move or lift the product underneath. Translucent powders used in the same ways as above, work on all skin types and with all foundation finishes.

TIPS FOR FOUNDATION WITH A RADIANCE

If you are using a foundation with a radiance, only powder in the t-zone should be used. This means that the healthy glow generated from the foundation formula is able to shine through on the cheeks. This applies for all skin types. It's important to understand that a more radiant foundation, will be more dewy to the touch. You may notice that your powder goes darker on this type of foundation. If this is the case, you need a pressed powder in a shade lighter or a translucent formulation. A mineral based powder would make a good combination for illuminating liquid base. The mineral powder would work well with the liquid by mimicking it's natural movement on the skin.

USE THE PERFECT POWDER BRUSH

Powder brushes come in various shapes for different areas of the face. A large, dome shaped brush will cover a larger surface area. This is a great brush for lightly dusting the powder all over the face, most often referred to as a bronzing brush. A medium sized, dome like brush is good for both lightly, dusting all over as well as targeted areas like the T zone. This type of brush is most commonly referred to as a blusher brush. Combination, dry and dehydrated skins benefit more from soft, small domed like brushes. These types of small brushes mainly used for highlighting mean that powder can be placed exactly where it is needed. Using a small brush helps to avoid drying out areas of the face prone to a lack of moisture. Synthetic brushes that feel hair like to the touch are best for powder products. If the bristles feel plastic, or too stiff, you will not get the results that you are looking for. Anything brushing on the face should feel light and soft to the touch.

WHAT ABOUT POWDERS TO SET BLUSH, EYE SHADOWS ETC.?

Powder can be used to set cream color face products such as cream blush or cream eyeshadow. Use the same techniques as above, a light dust of powder from a large brush to set cream cheek colours or a small domed brush to set cream shadows. Use gentle, pressing motions to avoid lifting the product underneath.

DO NOT FORGET TO CLEAN YOUR BRUSH & SPONGE!

With a pressed powder be sure that the brush or sponge you are using is dry. If too much moisture is gathered on a tool, it can add moisture to your pressed powder. When your pressed powder has gathered oils or other moisturizing elements, it will appear hard in patches. Your sponge needs to be cleaned weekly and replaced regularly. A brush should be cleaned each week. Practicing these kinds of hygiene steps will help prevent breakouts and make your products last if possible. When the pressed powder has a hole the size of a euro, it is time to replace it. Take care with your powder and avoid dropping your compact on the floor, they break easy and would need to be replaced.

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