Face Powder | Makeup Part 4 | Back to Basics

Next up on the Back to Basics Makeup series, I want to talk to you guys about face powders. Like any other makeup product there are many kinds of face powders on the market. I will be going over the different kinds of powders and their uses.

First on the list is Pressed Powders, these are powders that are pressed into a pan and come in a compact. These pressed powders can be anything from powder foundation to pressed setting powder, to a translucent powder.

A powder foundation is just a face powder with a medium amount of tint to it.
When using a powder foundation you want to apply it to the face using a large kabuki style brush. The bristles are packed together super tightly making the application of the foundation even and flawless.
If you are using a powder foundation to set a liquid foundation, using a regular large powder brush will give you a light dusting of powder that will set the liquid foundation in place while adding an extra layer of coverage.

A pressed setting powder, is usually a little lighter in texture and not as full coverage as the powder foundation. This sort of powder can be applied all over the face even after applying a bronzer and blush. It acts as an extra layer of protection to make sure that the makeup is not going to move the rest of the day.

There is also a translucent setting powder. This kind of powder doesn't have any color to it, and it can be used to set a liquid foundation or to set the makeup when everything has been completed. This powder also works great for touch-ups during the day, because it doesn't have any color which will prevent your face from looking cakey.

Loose Powder is the other kind of powder that is available. For loose powder there are also powder foundations, setting powder and translucent powders. They do the same exact thing as the pressed powder would do, the only difference is that they are in a loose powder form.

For loose powder I think it is better to use a makeup sponge or a powder puff to apply it when you are trying to add more coverage, or if you want to prevent creasing. If you are just lightly setting a liquid foundation, using a large powder brush will do the trick.

One extra use for the loose powders is that you can use them to bake the foundation. Baking the foundation is when you apply a heavy layer of powder using a makeup sponge or powder puff to the area that you want to set, and let it sit on your face for a few minutes. Once the powder has "baked" on your face, you can use a large powder or duo fiber brush to dust away the extra powder. This technique is used to really make highlighted areas stand out, and this also prevents the foundation or concealer you use underneath from creasing.

I personally always set my liquid foundation with a powder. I have been using a foundation powder to set the foundation on my face, and under my eyes I use a brightening loose powder to set my concealer. Then once I have my bronzer/contour and blush done, I use the same brush I used with my powder to blend everything together. This gives my face a sort of airbrushed finish.


Check the previous posts for the Makeup Back to Basics series:

Primer | Makeup Part 1 | Back To Basics

Foundation | Makeup Part 2 | Back to Basics

Concealer | Makeup Part 3 | Back to Basics

All photos in this post are from Google.com