Powder appeared in ancient Egypt, but it only recently came to its modern look. Previously, it was popular with women from the upper classes, in whom a 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: for its production, lead, flour or chalk was used. Even at the beginning of the XXI century, the tool looked a little different. Now, the usual powder for us is available 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 apply powder on the face and what its types are, in this article.
Powder or 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, you can use either foundation, or powder, and sometimes both. Is it possible to apply powder to a cream? Sure. Sometimes the powder perfectly complements the makeup, fixes the foundation and mattifies the skin.
We will talk a little more about the features of powder and foundation. Here are the differences between these two seemingly similar means:
- The foundation 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 basically a dry product and is not suitable for girls with dry skin. It only emphasizes imperfections and peeling.
- Unfortunately, powder will not hide your imperfections, acne or inflammation. It is needed in order to mattify the skin or fix makeup. Concealer copes with this problem much better.
- For self-applying powder, first you need to apply the cream on the face and wait until it is absorbed. In general, powder can be applied without foundation to even out complexion or properly matte skin.
What types of powder exist?
If you think that there is only a compact powder familiar to many, pressed into a small cute package, you are, of course, mistaken. There are many types of products that are gaining popularity today. 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 applying over foundation. It is practical and fits easily into a purse, perfectly mattes and fixes all makeup. Compact powder has a relatively dense texture, due to which it can be noticeable on the face. Be careful to use it if your skin is dry and prone to peeling! Usually, a sponge is applied along with the product, with the help of which the product is applied, so there should be no difficulties regarding how to apply the powder on the face. When using a sponge, a denser application of the product is possible. However, you can use a fluffy brush: so the powder will be less noticeable and will not lie in such a thick layer.
Loose powder
This type of powder is not as practical as compact, but no less popular. Usually it is produced in large jars and is somewhat reminiscent of flour: it will be inconvenient to adjust makeup in the middle of the day. In addition, such a powder during application can stain clothes, and in order to remove stains from cosmetics from your favorite blouse, you will need to make a lot of effort. Unlike compact powder, friable has a lighter texture and is applied to the face with a not so thick layer. She perfectly copes with her task: she mattifies her face, removes oily sheen and evens out skin tone. How and how to apply friable powder? This is usually done with a wide brush. It is very difficult to overdo it and apply more than necessary, but if it still happened, you can easily remove excess product with the same brush.
Cream Powder (Cream Powder)
Cream powder is an ideal solution for owners of dry skin and looks more like a light foundation. It can be applied on its own, and in some moments it can even surpass the tonal remedy. Usually, cream powder is applied with a special sponge or fingers on certain areas of the face.
Powder in balls or granules
This type is not particularly popular, and not so many cosmetic brands are involved in its production. Such a powder is a jar, inside of which there are many colored or plain pressed balls, often containing reflective particles. Due to the fact that such a powder enhances the radiance of the skin, it is better not to use it for girls with oily skin, as it will only emphasize an unnecessary oily sheen.
Highlighter powder: how to use it correctly
Highlighter is a relatively new word in the vocabulary of makeup artists. It comes in many forms and is always a means of illuminating the skin from the inside, adding shine and a healthy glow. There is also such a highlighter, which is available in the form of compact powder. Unlike the product that is usual and familiar to us, it does not mattify the skin, but correctly illuminates it. If you, of course, 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. Do not use it for girls with problem skin.
No need to try to apply highlighter powder to all areas in a row and turn your face into a huge shiny spot. The highlighter's task is to competently brighten those areas that need special emphasis, as well as give your face a healthy glow, but not a repulsive greasy shine.
There are 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 chin. Professional makeup artists highlight with this tool all those places that need to be highlighted. Sometimes you can apply a highlighter on the neck and collarbone, and even on the legs.
To apply highlighter powder on the face, you can use a sponge, brush or even fingers. The main thing is not to overdo it with the tool!
Powder Bronzer
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 perhaps with its bronze and even slightly brownish tint. The bronzer cleverly hides redness, gives the skin some sunshine, and also corrects the light tone of the foundation. The bronzer powder itself is an excellent product for summer makeup. Unfortunately, this type of powder can accentuate acne and scars.
Let's talk about how to apply bronzing powder and choose the right remedy:
- First, choose the right shade: it should be 1-2 tones darker than your natural skin color. Girls with very white skin are not recommended to use a powder bronzer, because such a tan will look very cheap and completely unnatural.
- In summer, you need to do with light foundation creams, especially if you are going to use bronzing powder. And it’s better to do just cream and wait until it is thoroughly absorbed. If you apply any powder immediately to a moisturizer, it will lie on ugly spots and even stains.
- Do not forget about the neck and décolleté. Without highlighting them with the same bronzing powder, you can stay with the effect of a mask on your face and look completely unnatural.
By what means and how to apply bronzer powder? The same wide brush or sponge. Residues and excess powder can be easily brushed off with a brush if necessary.
Transparent
Sometimes girls have questions as to why professional makeup artists need clear powder. In fact, this type of powder is universal in that it is transparent: it perfectly matts, fixes makeup and has no color, which means it fits any skin tone. Transparent powder is both compact and crumbly. It is very easy to use, which is why it should be in the makeup bag of every girl.
How to choose powder based on your skin type?
The skin of all is different: for some it is too oily and prone to the appearance of black spots and comedones, while for others it is dry and needs constant hydration. All tonal products, including powder, must be selected specifically for your skin type:
- For girls with dry skin, you need to select the powder very carefully: the usual one is unlikely to suit you and will only emphasize the various peeling and flaws that you really want to hide. Choose a product that contains moisturizing and caring ingredients. Cream powder is ideal for girls with dry skin: however, even before applying it, you need to moisturize your skin with cream and wait until it is absorbed properly. Do not choose matting powder that only dries the already dry and peeling skin. To give the face shine, you can use powder in balls with reflective particles or powder with various minerals. Try to avoid areas where the skin is very dry, and also apply powder and foundation in the least dense layer possible: do this with an airy, fluffy brush. So the coating will turn out almost invisible.
- Girls with problem skin, inflammation or acne need to carefully approach the choice of all tonal products. Make sure that there are no oils or fragrances in the composition that can have a negative effect on problem skin. Typically, products for problematic skin should contain similar inscriptions: "does not cause inflammation", "for sensitive skin", "does not cause comedones."
- Oily skin should not be emphasized with a highlighter or powder containing reflective particles, choose matting compact and crumbly powders. They will remove all unnecessary shine from the face and relieve unwanted manifestations of the same shine throughout the day. Do not forget that even oily skin needs to be properly moisturized. You can also use a matting primer before applying a foundation on the skin.
How to apply powder: photos and tips
Sometimes it seems that to do 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 coolly spoil even the most perfect makeup:
- The powder is applied both independently and as a make-up finish. Apply on top of foundation, concealer and cream blush.
- In order to mattify the skin, gently drive the powder with a fluffy brush with light circular movements, paying special attention to the T-zone. You can also use a sponge. Any excess powder can also be easily brushed away. Do not forget about the edges of the face, apply the powder with a light layer, the dense layer will be too noticeable and will create an unpleasant mask effect.
- It will not work to apply powder with a creamy texture with a brush or an ordinary sponge, as the product will simply absorb in 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 the right shading: all products with a creamy texture is important to properly shade. So they look more natural than dry.
- The powder in the balls can be applied with a fluffy brush in light circular movements.
- Highlighter powder should be applied only to those places that need to visually lighten and highlight: the area under the eyebrow, the highest points of the cheekbones, chin and, if desired, the area between the eyebrows. You can also visually enlarge the lips and apply a highlighter on the middle of the upper lip. However, remember: if you have oily skin, the use of such a powder can only emphasize the excess oily shine on your face.
Feathering brushes, sponges and accessories
How and how to apply powder on the face? Let's talk about how to apply it better: with a sponge or a brush? For a compact, friable or powder in balls, it is best to use a fluffy brush made of natural pile, and cream powder is applied with a special sponge or fingers. In order to make a denser coating, you can wet the sponge, while dry - 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 coating. Using a brush, you can evenly cover your face with a layer of powder. A good brush, as a rule, has a rounded shape and a pile up to six centimeters long. Apply a tonal tool with a large flat brush, while fluffy - powder. A compact powder often comes with a sponge or, as it is also called, puff: it can also be used and get a uniform matte finish. It is most convenient to apply with a brush precisely friable powder or powder in balls.