When I think of face powder, I immediately cringe. I can’t help it – I was traumatized as a child by the aunties of the 80s and the thick plaster and splotchy white powder they applied to their faces in order to achieve the “fair and lovely” look. As a result, I’ve often ventured out without setting my makeup with any powder at all, even risking a shiny nose or two, in the fear that I will end up looking just like the ladies that scared me in my youth. But, as much as I hate the product, sometimes it is in fact a necessary evil, especially for oilier-skinned ladies when the weather turns warmer. The problem is, many of us find it difficult to choose and apply the right kind of product for our skin types and tones. Part of the confusion stems, like with foundation, from which color to use, but the truth is, the most important choice you will make regarding your powder is which form you use, loose or pressed. And, with the proper application, you may just be able to prevent yourself from looking like the lead actress from Memoirs of a Geisha.
Like many of you, I have been the victim of sales assistants at makeup counters that don’t want to take the time out or simply don’t know enough to explain the use of certain products. When I’ve asked the difference between loose and pressed powder, I’ve been told “oh, it’s just the consistency you prefer and what’s easier for you.” Ladies, this is not the case. Yes, ease of transportation and application is a vital point, but cosmetics companies would not waste time and energy finely milling powder into two different consistencies just because they are nice and want to give us a choice. There is more to the loose versus pressed decision.
Loose Powder:
- Used to initially set your makeup/foundation. Because of the fine particles, the loose version is made to melt into the skin rather than sit on top of it and to give your foundation a finished look.
- Consistency is very finely milled and fluffy like baby powder. Is not portable as most containers tend to leak, is better left at home.
- Because it is finally milled, loose powder looks more natural on the skin rather than the matte look from pressed powder.
- Contrary to popular belief, loose powder offers thicker coverage than pressed, as more amount of product can be picked up by your tools. The great thing about loose powder is that it is very buildable. Use a big, fluffy powder brush for sheer/light coverage, and a powder buff for heavier coverage.
Caution:
- Some loose powders contain talc for oil control that may be drying for sensitive skins.
- It is very easy to overdo it with loose powder. Applying more won’t prevent your face from greasing up later in the day if you have oil-prone skin. In this case, pressed powder is a good back up (see below).
LM Recommends:
Department Store: Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder (limited color choice but is translucent rather than colored so goes with many skin tones) $34 and Nars Loose Powder, also $34.
Drugstore: L’Oreal Translucide Naturally Luminous Loose Powder $11.99 and NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder $2.99
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Pressed Powder:
- Used more for touchups and covering up any shine throughout the day rather than for initially setting makeup. Because the powder is compressed, less product is picked up by puff or brush, resulting in lighter coverage than loose powder.
- Not as finely milled as loose powder so results in a matte look. Great for ladies who are active and prone to shine.
- Very portable due to compressed consistency, usually comes with sponge and attached mirror for ease in application on the go
- If you wish to use pressed powder to set your makeup, it’s best to use a fluffy brush to buff into the skin rather than a sponge or puff that will absorb most of the pressed powder.
- When shine appears, first blot excess oil with a tissue and then apply pressed powder touchup, or result will be cakey.
Caution: Although pressed powder is more portable and generally costs less than loose powder, the product is less finely milled to be pressed into a cake and inserted into plastic packaging. This means oils and bonding ingredients like waxes are used to make the powder compact. Pressed powder, therefore, usually results in more clogged pores than loose powder. Also, most users place their dirty sponge right back into the compact after using it, which means more bacteria and breakouts.
LM Recommends:
Department Store: MAC Pressed Blot Powder $21 and Origins Silk Screen $24.50
Drugstore: Maybelline Dream Matte Powder $8.49 and L’Oreal True Match Powder $10.95
Remember: If you use a cream-to-powder or liquid-to-powder foundation you do not need a separate setting powder, only for touchups. Once you’ve chosen a consistency that’s right for you, make sure to find a color that is very close to your original skin tone or half a shade darker. Never go lighter! Powder isn’t just for setting makeup – foundation can make the skin seem lifeless, and powder can work to add a little warmth back into the face. Just make sure not to go too dark or orange – or you’ll end up looking like Paris Hilton, or worse, Lindsay Lohan. Not cute.
http://makeovers.ivillage.com/expert-advice/0,,9n6hhvhj-4,00.html
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=328994&CategoryID=30548
http://beaut.ie/blog/?tag=powder+benefit
http://www.strawberrynet.com/images/products/01936183002.jpg
https://ssl9.chi.us.securedata.net/bonboncosmetics.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?products_id=684
http://www.veer.com/products/detail.aspx?image=CYI0300072
Question…would mineral foundation work the same as loose powder when setting liquid foundation?
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Oh I so agree about laura mercier lose power: it’s amazing. I dnt use a pressed powder for touch ups, but I used to have a divine powder compact from Lauder, a special Pisces one all glitzy and swarovski’d, that a friend had bought me as a birthday present: used to love the old hollywood glamour of whipping it out of my purse to check my lipstick.
Love your blog!
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It’s not very common but I don’t see why not if you feel you need the extra coverage. Some ladies like the mineral makeup but find it slightly drying and want more of a liquid finish. If you want to use the two in conjunction, I would use both products very sparingly as they are both created as bases and you can end up looking cakey. Use about a nickel size or slightly more amount of foundation and spread all over your face kind of like you would do a cream (don’t focus on covering the spots, the mineral foundation will give you more coverage). Then VERY lightly apply the mineral foundation all over. The two thin layers should take care of most of the redness. If you feel you have some problem spots left you can lightly kabuki those areas and you should be good. Hope that helps
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Thank you! I love LM powder because it’s so natural looking (and feeling) and rarely leaves the scary white cast. I think I remember the star sign Lauder compacts, I believe they were limited edition Christmas a few years back. I would gaze longingly at them as I tried on EL perfumes. Maybe they’ll be back this winter and I can finally get one
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Hey Girls, I like Bobbi brown pressed powder a lot. It keeps natural fresh look without making skin extra white.
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[...] Powder Predicament: Loose vs. Pressed « Lipstick Masala [...]
[...] Powder Predicament: Loose vs. Pressed « Lipstick Masala [...]
Hi, I’m not a Desi woman, in fact I’m Brazilian with Chinese (Taiwanese) parents, but I wanted to tell you that I really like your posts. As for this specific one, I’ve always preferred loose powder, and thanks to your explanations now I know why! I never use pressed powder, even when I’m not at home – I always carry in my purse a small amount of loose powder in a jar with a twist-off lid, along with a regularly cleaned sponge in a tin (sponge and powder in different containers to avoid contamination) and some blotting paper sheets.
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Hi Michelle!
I like your ideas of carrying loose powder in a smaller jar and of keeping the sponge in a different container. It’s a great way to keep the bacteria from settling into the whole case of loose powder.
I am so glad you’re liking the posts. It’s great to have you on the site, I’m looking forward to hearing more from you!
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Hi! Thanks for your kind reply!
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[...] Most girls, including myself, hate hate hate powder. But on your wedding day, it is a must to set the foundation or else your makeup will disappear before the event is over. – Use a loose powder. It will look less cakey and give you a more natural look than pressed powder. – You can use a compact to touch up your t-zone later. Just make sure to blot the oil first before reapplying or the powder will cake. – For more information on picking the right powder color for you, click HERE [...]