After you've applied under-eye concealer, foundation, and your regular face concealer, apply a generous powder coat over it. Swirl your brush into the product, tapping the brush handle a few times to minimize fallout (this is less important if you're using a pressed powder, but really important if you're using loose).
Powder is usually the final “setting” step to seal foundation and concealer, but some on TikTok suggest that using it before foundation can keep your makeup in place for longer and give a better finish.
Apply setting powder near the center of your face and work your way outwards. Buff in small circles lightly with your brush. Avoid stroking your face, pressing too hard or being too rough since this will disrupt your foundation.
"You should press powder onto your skin with a flat-shaped brush or powder puff," he says. "Pressing it on will prevent the foundation from moving around or streaking in the process. It also allows the foundation to set better so it stays on all day.
Setting powder is one of the few beauty products that can't be applied with your fingers. It definitely needs a brush, and the Face Studio Powder Brush gives the best coverage.
Pressed and loose powders are setting powders. This means they're both meant to set the makeup, prolong its longevity and control the shine throughout the day. Some loose powders are defined as finishing powders. This means they should be used after the makeup to blur wrinkles and provide the skin with a soft finish.
The actual "baking" occurs when you let the powder sit for five to 10 minutes after you've put on the rest of your makeup. During this time the heat from your face will allow your makeup to oxidize and it will set your foundation and concealer, while the excess powder absorbs any oil.
Baking your makeup is the act of applying a setting or translucent powder to areas of the face that tend to crease over time. After applying the powder, you let it bake for 5-10 minutes and then dust off the remaining product for a flawless finish that lasts all day.
Put very simply; setting powder is used to extend makeup longevity, while finishing powder is used to enhance your makeup, says Kathy Zikas, lead makeup artist and co-founder of Curled + Contoured. Finishing powder can help “add color, glow, or pore-blurring [effects], sort of like a camera filter,” adds Zikas.
You don't necessarily need to set your primer with powder, but this hack can help to prolong the wear time of your makeup and minimize the look of pores. If you have oily skin, setting your primer with powder can help control shine and oil production.
Setting powder can be a great option if you have good skin that doesn't require a lot of coverage. It can be used alone without foundation to even out the skin tone and give you a smooth finish.
Always give it enough time to set before you jump in with powder, so like four or five minutes, because if your foundation is still wet when you apply your powder, all sorts of terrible, horrible, frightening things happen…
A pink-toned setting powder. Yes, seriously! By simply baking your under eyes with a pink-toned powder, not only will you set your undereye for a crease-free, long-lasting look, but you'll brighten the area and banish dark circles in seconds.
If you're new to using setting powder, it's important to choose the right shade. If your shade is too light, it will give you a ghostly appearance, while a shade that is too dark can make your foundation look streaked. For best results, your setting powder should match your foundation shade.
“Apply a small amount of matte powder to a powder brush and instead of buffing it in, lightly press it into areas that need mattifying,” she says. And there you have it — mattified but cake-free.
You may think you need to apply powder to the entire face, but that isn't necessary. Instead, press the brush into the skin under the eyes and then in a line from your forehead, down the bridge of your nose to the chin—as well as any other areas that are typically oily throughout the day.
Setting powder isn't just for foundation – you can use setting powder on bare, makeup-free skin. Setting powder will help to control shine throughout the day.
Setting powder is designed to be used with your foundation.
Some women use setting powder to absorb excess oil and use it to touch up their makeup throughout the day. Others use setting powder instead of a powder foundation because setting powder is more sheer and looks more natural.
The face powder should be one shade lighter than your foundation. Pressed powder or compact powder is thicker than loose powder and more solid. Pressed powders are also available in different shades.
Not only do setting powders blur the fine lines and wrinkles on your face; they also hide blemishes, absorb unwanted shine, and seal your makeup the whole day.
"In general, powder should be applied at the end of an application; however, it can be used throughout the application if you want to set certain things," says Mellinger.
Choosing the perfect brush
With a pressed powder, you can get away with using most any powder brush. However, with loose powder, it's always best to use a kabuki brush. Kabuki brushes have a large surface area and long but dense bristles that can really buff that powder into your skin.
Setting Products
"You can use a cotton ball if you have one, but I don't think there is an ideal way to set or mattify your makeup without using a tool such as a brush, sponge, or powder puff," she says. "If you find yourself stranded without brushes or tools and you need to set your makeup, use a facial mist.