Powder may seem like a one-dimensional product, but despite its simple use, it’s definitely not a one size fits all. Your skin type, for one, is a crucial thing to consider if you want your powder to set your makeup without looking dry and chalky. So without further ado, here’s our guide to finding your perfect setting powder:
#1 Dry/Mature skin
For skin that’s prone to dry patches, a finely-milled loose powder with a skin-like finish would be ideal. That’s because, compared to pressed powder, loose powders have smaller particles that can go in between the creases of dry skin. These small particles then prevent the skin from looking more cakey and drier than it is.
#2 Sensitive skin
Finding the right powder unfortunately takes a lot of trial and error if you have highly-reactive skin. You can either go with loose or pressed, depending on how oily your skin becomes throughout the day. However, do look out for ingredients like talc, silicones, fragrance, and parabens as these are the usual culprits for irritation. You can either be allergic to one or all four. Don’t forget to clean your powder brush or sponge often, too!
#3 Normal/Combination skin
When you have both dry and oily areas, try dual-powder products that you can use wet or dry. This gives you the freedom to mattify fully without dehydrating your skin too much. According to Ara, use a damp sponge to set your T-zone; for your dehydrated areas, simply swipe the dry sponge or a brush over.
#4 Oily skin
Most mattifying powders will set oily skin, but choosing the right one for you depends on how much oil control you need at your own convenience. If you need to stay matte all day, Ara recommends using loose powder in layers so your skin can absorb the powder gradually without making it look cakey. If you’re on-the-go, a mattifying powder that you can easily touch up without caking will do the trick. Don’t forget to blot before repowdering!
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