Setting Powder is used to help set your foundation and control shine. If you use the tinted kind, it can help smooth out any blemishes and fine lines. When used correctly, setting powder can be very effective. You can even use it to help add volume to your lashes or in place of dry shampoo!

EditSteps

EditApplying Powder with Fluffy Brushes

1. Apply your moisturizer and foundation first. If you want to wear primer and concealer, be sure to apply those as well. Make sure that everything is blended in well. Hold off on your blush, highlighter, bronzer, and eye makeup for now.^[1]
   • Move quickly onto the next step; you want to apply powder while your foundation is still damp.^[2]
2. Dip a soft, fluffy powder brush into the powder. Open up your powder container. If you are using loose powder, shake some of the powder into the lid first. Dip the brush into loose powder, or sweep it across pressed powder.^[3]
3. Tap the excess powder off. Hold the brush above the powder container, then gently tap the handle against the edge of your finger. This will knock off any loose particles of powder.^[4]
4. Apply the powder to your face using large, circular motions. Start from the center of your face. Move towards the outside edges using large, circular motions. Focus on your nose and forehead. The outer edges of your face should get minimal powder.^[5]
5. Blend the powder with a kabuki brush using small, circular motions. Get out a clean brush with dense bristles, such as a kabuki brush. Do not dip the brush into the powder. Instead, buff your face with the brush using small, circular motions. Be sure to go over the areas where you applied the powder.^[6]
6. Finish off with the rest of your makeup. This includes blush, highlighter, bronzer, etc. Retouch your makeup throughout the day as needed with pressed setting powder and a kabuki brush.^[7]

EditUsing a Powder Puff

1. Apply your moisturizer and foundation. If you like to wear primer and concealer, be sure to apply those as well. Make sure that everything is blended in. Don't apply your powder-based makeup just yet, however. This includes blush, bronzer, highlighter, and eyeshadow.^[8]
   • Don't wait for your foundation to dry. You want the foundation to still be damp when you apply the powder.
2. Shake some loose setting powder into the lid. Open up your jar of loose setting powder. Gently shake some of the powder into the lid. If your powder did not come with a lid, use a little dish instead.^[9]
   • Powder puffs work best for loose powder, but you can try using them with pressed powder too.
3. Fold the powder puff in half and press it into the powder. Fold the puff in half so that the applicator part is on the outside. The part that you hold (typically covered in satin) should be on the inside. Gently press the folded edge of the puff into the powder.^[10]
4. Distribute the powder evenly onto the puff then tap the excess off. Flip the puff over and fold it inwards a few times to help spread the powder evenly across it. Gently tap the puff against the edge of its container to knock off any excess powder.^[11]
5. Refold the puff and roll it across your face. Fold the puff in half again with the applicator part on the outside. Press it against your face and roll it upwards. Repeat this pressing and rolling motion on your nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin. Reload the puff with more powder as needed.^[12]
6. Apply the rest of your makeup. Once you are happy with your coverage, you can apply the rest of your makeup. This includes your blush, bronzer, highlighter, etc.^[13]
   • If you need to retouch your powder throughout the day, stick with pressed powder and a kabuki brush. It will be easier to apply on the go.

EditFinding Other Uses for Setting Powder

1. Set your eyeliner with translucent setting powder. While liquid eyeliners can last all day, cream-based pencil eyeliners tend to turn runny as the day goes on. You can help your eyeliner stay put by dusting translucent setting powder over it with a thin brush.^[14]
   • If you like to line your bottom lashes, apply the translucent setting powder first, then the eyeliner, then more powder.
2. Help your lipstick last longer with translucent setting powder. Apply your lip liner and lipstick as you usually would. Blot with a tissue to remove excess product and prevent clumping.Use a soft, fluffy powder brush to dust a thin layer of translucent setting powder over your lipstick to set it. This will help it stay put throughout the day, even when taking a drink out of a glass!^[15]
3. Volumize thin lashes with mascara and translucent powder. Apply a coat of mascara first, then dust your lashes with an eyeshadow brush and translucent setting powder. Follow up with another coat of mascara.^[16]
   • Pressed powder can be easier to work with for this as opposed to loose powder. You can use loose powder, but apply it before applying any mascara.
4. Dust setting powder under your eyes to catch any excess eyeshadow. Before you start doing your eye makeup, dust a generous amount of setting powder under your eyes. Apply your eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. Use a clean brush to dust the setting powder away. Any shadow that may have fallen off during application will have gotten stuck to the setting powder.^[17]
   • It would be best to use translucent setting powder for this, but you can use tinted setting powder too.^[18]
5. Reduce shine on your eyelids with concealer and translucent powder. If you have oily eyelids, you may notice that they are very shiny. Apply some concealer over your eyelids first, then dust them with an eyeshadow brush and translucent setting powder. This will help soak up any excess oil and brighten up your eyes.^[19]
   • If you want, you can apply eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara after this.
6. Reduce sweating or chaffing on hands and feet with translucent powder. You can use setting powder to help absorb excess sweat on your palms and feet.^[20] You can also dust setting powder on your feel before slipping into a pair of heels to prevent chaffing.^[21] Simply dust the powder on wherever it is needed with a powder brush or a powder puff. It would be best to use translucent powder as tinted powder may stain.
7. Substitute dry shampoo with setting powder. Setting powder is great for absorbing excess oil not just from your skin, but also your hair. This is essentially what dry shampoo does. If your hair is feeling a little greasy and you are out of dry shampoo, sprinkle some translucent setting powder onto the roots. Finger comb your hair to help distribute the powder through the roots.^[22]
   • You can also use pressed powder to soften or blend heavy makeup. If you apply too much blush or shadow, apply a little loose powder on top using light, circular motions. This will help soften and blend the excess make up you have on.

EditChoosing Your Setting Powder

1. Decide whether you want to use loose powder or compact powder. Setting powder comes in loose form or compact form. Loose setting powder has finer particles and gives you a lightweight feel. Pressed compact powder is great for a quick touchup throughout the day. It can appear cakey if you apply too much, however. It also contains silicones and waxes, which can irritate more sensitive skin types.^[23]
2. Choose a translucent setting powder or a tinted setting powder. Both come in loose and compact form, and can be used over foundation and on bare skin alike. Translucent powders are great for reducing shine. Tinted powders, on the other hand, will help brighten and correct your skin tone.^[24]
   • Pressed tinted powders can also offer light coverage, but not quite as much as pressed powder foundation.^[25]
3. Find a setting powder formula that suits your skin type. Powder that contains talc will work the best for oily skin thanks to its oil-absorbing properties. If you have dry skin, opt for a powder that contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and moisturize your skin. Silica is great for both dry and normal skin types because it helps the powder glide on more smoothly; it is not recommended for oily skin types because it can lead to build-up.^[26]
4. Pick the right color when buying tinted powder. If you have dry skin or normal skin, you should match the tinted powder to your skin tone. If you have oily skin, however, you should go 1/2 to 1 shade lighter. This is because powder oxidizes when it comes in contact with oil. Going 1/2 to 1 shade lighter means that the powder will darken to a shade that's closer to your skin tone.^[27]

EditTips

• Use less powder for a dewy finish, and more powder for a matte finish (or for oil control).
• Focus your powder application on the areas that get the most oily throughout the day, such as your nose and forehead.^[28]
• Remember to set your foundation with powder first, then apply your blush, highlighter, and bronzer. If you don't do this, your blush, highlighter, and bronzer will look streaky.^[29]
• Use small eyeshadow brushes to set powder under your eyes and around your nose. You can also use it to set concealer onto blemishes and pimples.^[30]
• Make sure that you use a lightweight setting powder and to avoid applying it too heavily; otherwise, the powder will look cakey.^[31]
• Finishing powder is not the same thing as setting powder. Finishing powder is optional and applied after setting powder to smooth lines and fill in pores.^[32]
• Excess powder will show up under flash. Consider taking a selfie with the flash on. Any areas with excess powder will show up as light patches on your face.^[33]
• Store your powder in a cool, dry place. Don't store it in a humid bathroom, as the moisture can cause the particles to clump together.^[34]

EditThings You'll Need

EditApplying Powder with Fluffy Brushes

• Soft, fluffy powder brush
• Kabuki brush (or other brush with dense bristles)
• Loose or pressed setting powder

EditUsing a Powder Puff

• Powder puff
• Loose setting powder (recommended)

EditSources and Citations

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