Credit: Courtesy of brands
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A new generation of powders is here to remove shine without cakeyness – these are the formulas to know
2 years ago
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3 min read
From hyaluronic acid to niacinamide, skincare ingredients are making their way into cosmetic powders. Here are the results…
When it comes to beauty semantics, we think powders could do with a name rethink. Because in the age of dewiness and glow, looking *powdery* isn’t at the top of our list. The good news is that, thanks to a new generation of formulas that skew velvety rather than dusty, products are catching up.
While powders of yore were a straightforward blend of talc (now often left out of formulas) and mattifying zinc or titanium dioxides, there’s now a wave of brands making modern pressed and loose powder containing much more. From hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and squalane to amino acids and kaolin clay that help to smooth, skincare-style additions make these powders different.
More like dusting an IRL soft-focused filter onto the skin than covering it in a thick layer, they help remove shine without making skin feel dry. PSA: when applying, to ensure you can maintain glow where you want it, use a smaller brush than usual (think blush- or contour-sized) to apply the powder to areas such as your forehead, nose and chin, and leave the rest of your face to glow as it pleases.
Ready to embrace the new generation of non-powdery powders? Here are nine of the best formulas to add to your make-up routine…
Nars Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder
This new launch mattifies without looking overly powdery, thanks to a formula that targets excess sebum and blurs anything you’d like to soft-focus. Plus, it contains niacinamide to smooth skin over time.
Shop Nars Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder at Nars, £30
By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder
The hyaluronic acid in this plumping powder helps it to instantly remove shine without looking dry – and moisturise the skin while it mattifies.
Shop By Terry Hyaluronic Pressed Hydra-Powder at By Terry, £18
RMS Beauty “Un” Powder
This loose powder makes the perfect finishing touch for any low-key look – the subtle finish makes the skin appear shine-free, but the lightweight formula is almost undetectable.
Vieve Modern Powder Perfector
This fine powder blots away shine and helps to blend the make-up underneath with no cakeyness – plus, hyaluronic acid helps to impart a dose of hydration.
Glossier Wowder
From the experts in subtle make-up, this loose finishing powder replaces unwanted shine with light-reflecting particles to help maintain glow without greasiness.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
One of the original new-gen powders, this blurring formula will work just as well over a full face of make-up as it will on bare 9am skin. Never cakey, it’s ultra-fine and mattifies with the most judicious of dustings.
Shop Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish at Cult Beauty, £38
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder
With hydrating squalane, this loose powder will set make-up without any chalkiness or caking – plus, the sifter helps to reduce mess when applying.
Shop Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder at Space NK, £24
Refy Skin Finish
Choose between a warm or cool undertone and let this loose powder do the rest – it’s water-based, so will keep skin looking healthy and hydrating while helping to blot away excess shine.
Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder
If you like powder but still want glow, this soft-focusing formula is for you. Helping to even out the skin tone and impart a blurring wash of sheer colour, it’ll take away grease in unwanted areas while allowing the rest of your face to look dewy.
Shop Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder at Space NK, £34
Images: courtesy of brands
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