Powder appeared in ancient Egypt, but only recently came to its modern form. Previously, it was popular with women from the upper classes, whose white complexion was a sign of aristocracy and belonging to a noble family. At first, the powder was not created from the best and most useful substances: lead, flour or chalk was used for its production. Even at the beginning of the 21st century, the tool looked a little different. Now the powder familiar to us is produced in a variety of forms and contains not only matting and corrective substances, but also various skin care products that gently moisturize and nourish it. We will talk about how to properly apply powder on the face and what types of it exist in this article.
Powder vs foundation: which is better?
Both products are tonal products and even out the tone of the face, but meanwhile they have completely different properties. In different cases, either foundation or powder can be used, and sometimes both. Can I apply powder oncream? Yes, you certainly may. Sometimes powder perfectly complements makeup, sets foundation and mattifies the skin.
Let's talk a little more about the features of powder and foundation. Here is how these two seemingly similar remedies differ:
- Foundation cream is available in different types, densities and shades and is suitable for girls with both dry and oily skin (with the right choice of foundation). Powder is mostly a dry product and is not suitable for girls with dry skin. It only accentuates imperfections and flaking.
- Unfortunately, powder will not hide your imperfections, acne or inflammation. It is needed in order to mattify the skin or fix makeup. Foundation copes with this problem much better.
- To apply powder on your own, first you need to apply the cream on your face and wait until it is absorbed. In general, the powder can be applied without foundation to even out the complexion or to properly matte the skin.
What types of powder are there?
If you think that there is only the usual compact powder pressed into a cute little package, you are, of course, mistaken. There are many types of tools that are gaining popularity these days. Depending on your skin type, you can choose different products, but more on that later.
Compact Powder
It is the most popular type of powder and is suitable both for independent use and for application over foundation. She isPractical and easy to fit in your purse, it perfectly mattifies and sets all makeup. Compact powder has a relatively dense texture, which can be noticeable on the face. Be careful using it if your skin is dry and flaky! Usually, a sponge is included with the product, with which the product is applied, so it should not be difficult as to how to apply the powder on the face. When using a sponge, a more dense application of the product is possible. However, you can use a fluffy brush: this way the powder will be less noticeable and not so thick.
Loose powder
This type of powder is not as practical as compact, but no less popular. Usually it comes in large jars and is somewhat reminiscent of flour: it will be inconvenient to correct makeup in the middle of the day. In addition, such a powder, when applied, can stain clothes, and in order to remove cosmetic stains from your favorite blouse, you will need to make a lot of effort. Unlike compact powder, loose powder has a lighter texture and is applied to the face in a less thick layer. It perfectly copes with its task: it mattifies the face, removes oily sheen and evens out skin tone. What and how to apply loose powder? This is usually done with a wide brush. It is very difficult to overdo it and apply more product than necessary, but if it does happen, you can easily remove excess product with the same brush.
Cream powder (cream powder)
Cream powder is the perfect solution for those with dry skin andmore like a light foundation. It can be applied on its own, and in some moments it can even surpass foundation. Usually cream powder is applied with a special sponge or fingers to certain areas of the face.
Powder in balls or granules
This look is not very popular, and not so many cosmetic brands are engaged in its production. Such a powder is a jar, inside which there are many colored or plain pressed balls, often containing reflective particles. Due to the fact that this powder enhances the radiance of the skin, it is better not to use for girls with oily skin, as it will only emphasize unnecessary oily sheen.
Highlighter powder: how to use it correctly
Highlighter is a relatively new word in the lexicon of makeup artists. It comes in many varieties and is always a product that seems to illuminate the skin from the inside, adding shine and a he althy glow. There is also a highlighter that comes in the form of a compact powder. Unlike the usual and usual product for us, it does not matte the skin, but competently illuminates it. If, of course, you know where and how to apply highlighter powder!
Remember that this tool will not save you at least visually from acne, inflammation and peeling. Moreover, the highlighter will only emphasize them. It should not be used by girls with problem skin.
No need to try to apply highlighter powder to all areas in a row and transform your faceinto a huge glare. The task of a highlighter is to competently lighten those areas that need special highlighting, as well as give your face a he althy glow, but not a repulsive oily sheen.
There are some points that are always highlighted by a highlighter. This is the upper part of the nose, the highest point of the cheekbones, the area under the eyebrows, the area above the lip and the chin. Professional makeup artists highlight with this tool all those places that need to be highlighted. Sometimes you can apply highlighter on the neck and collarbones, and even on the legs.
You can use a sponge, a brush, or even your fingers to apply highlighter powder on your face. The main thing is not to overdo it with the remedy!
Bronzer Powder
The following remedy is used by girls to get matte or radiant tanned and beautiful skin. Usually it is no different from the usual compact powder, except for its bronze and even slightly brownish tint. Bronzer cleverly hides redness, gives the skin some sunshine, and also touches up the light tone of the foundation. By itself, bronzer powder acts as an excellent product for summer makeup. Unfortunately, this type of powder can accentuate pimples and scars.
Let's talk about how to apply bronzing powder and choose the right product:
- First, choose the right shade: it should be 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Girls with very white skin are not recommended to use bronzer powder,because such a tan will look very cheap and completely unnatural.
- You should go with light foundation in the summer, especially if you're going to use bronzing powder. And it’s better to do with just one cream and wait until it is thoroughly absorbed. If you apply any powder immediately to a moisturizer, it will form ugly spots and even streaks.
- Don't forget your neck and décolleté. Without highlighting them with the same bronzing powder, you can remain with the effect of a mask on your face and look completely unnatural.
What tool and how to apply bronzer powder? The same wide brush or sponge. Remains and excess powder can be easily brushed off with a brush if necessary.
Transparent
Sometimes girls have questions about why professional makeup artists need translucent powder. In fact, this type of powder is universal precisely because it is transparent: it perfectly mattes, fixes makeup and has no color, which means it suits any skin tone. Translucent powder is both compact and loose. It is very easy to use, which is why it should be in every girl's makeup bag.
How to choose a powder based on your skin type?
Everyone's skin is different: for some it is too oily and prone to blackheads and comedones, while for others it is dry and needs constant hydration. All tonal products, including powder, must be selected exactly for your skin type:
- For girls with dry skin, you need to select the powder very carefully: the usual is unlikelywill suit you and only emphasize the various peelings and imperfections that you so want to hide. Choose a product that contains moisturizing and caring ingredients. For girls with dry skin, cream powder is ideal: however, even before applying it, you need to moisturize the skin with cream and wait until it is properly absorbed. Don't opt for a mattifying powder, which will only dry out already dry and flaky skin. To give the face radiance, you can use powder balls with reflective particles or powder with various minerals. Try to avoid areas where the skin is very dry, and apply powder and foundation as lightly as possible: do it with an airy, fluffy brush. So the coating will be almost invisible.
- Girls with problematic skin, inflammation or acne need to carefully approach the choice of all tonal products. Make sure that the composition does not contain any oils or fragrances that can have a negative effect on problem skin. Typically, products for problem skin should be labeled like this: "non-irritating", "sensitive skin", "non-comedogenic".
- Oily skin cannot be emphasized with a highlighter or powder containing light-reflecting particles, choose mattifying compact and loose powders. They will remove all unnecessary shine from the face and get rid of the unwanted manifestation of the same shine throughout the day. Do not forget that even oily skin needs to be properly moisturized. you also canuse a mattifying primer before applying foundation to the skin.
How to apply powder: photos and tips
Sometimes it seems that doing this is not so difficult, even elementary. How to apply powder correctly? There are certain nuances in this, and if you do not pay attention to them, then you can spoil even the most perfect makeup:
- Powder is applied both on its own and as a final make-up. Apply over foundation, concealer and cream blush.
- To mattify the skin, gently work the powder with a fluffy brush in light circular motions, paying special attention to the T-zone. You can also use a sponge. Any excess powder can also be easily brushed off. Do not forget about the edges of the face, apply the powder in a light layer, a dense layer will be too noticeable and create an unpleasant mask effect.
- Applying powder with a creamy texture with a brush or a regular sponge will not work, as the product will simply be absorbed into them and create an uneven layer on the face. Use a special sponge for cream powder or apply the product directly with your fingers. Do not forget about proper shading: it is important to properly shade all products with a creamy texture. This makes them look more natural than dry ones.
- Powder balls can be applied with a fluffy brush in light circular motions.
- Highlighter powder should be applied only to those places that need to be visually lightened and highlighted: the area under the eyebrow, the highestpoints of the cheekbones, chin and, optionally, the area between the eyebrows. You can also visually enlarge the lips and apply a highlighter to the middle of the upper lip. However, remember: if you have oily skin, using this powder can only accentuate the excess oil on your face.
Brushes, sponges and blending accessories
What and how to apply powder on the face? Let's talk about how to apply it better: with a sponge or a brush? For compact, loose or ball powder, it is best to use a fluffy natural bristle brush, and cream powder is applied with a special sponge or fingers. In order to make a denser coating, you can wet the sponge, dry it - apply a lighter and almost invisible layer.
When choosing powder brushes, give preference to the most expensive ones: they will be of high quality and provide a more even coverage. Using a brush, you can evenly cover the face with a layer of powder. A good brush, as a rule, has a rounded shape and a pile up to six centimeters long. A large flat brush is used to apply foundation, while a fluffy brush is used to apply powder. Compact powder often comes with a sponge or, as it is also called, puff: you can also use it and get a uniform matte finish. With a brush, it is most convenient to apply loose powder or powder in balls.
