Download the app for exclusive offers & discounts. Get it

Save up to 35% with Roxie Members. See Benefits

6% Cash Rewards every time you shop with Super Payments.

What are the Different Types of Powder?

Types of Powder

The face powders have evolved overtime with the different features and functions. Makeup powder serve a lot of contribution when it comes to the beauty industry. Makeup powders are the most basic if not common when it comes to beauty cosmetic’s characteristics. Most beauty products nowadays are already in liquid and cream, but the general population of the makeup products comes in a form of Powder.

There are typically two types of makeup Powder; The Pressed Powder type and the Loose Powder. Each of the two classification of powder have these kinds of makeup, such as with Foundations, Concealers, Setting Powders, and Finishing Powders. Most of the kinds of makeup are available in a form of a Pressed Powder, but there are some modern makeup category that are only available in a Loose Powder form, like; the Banana Powder and the Mineral Powder.  

1. Dewy Powder

The Dewy Powder is a type of face powder that is the opposite of a Matte Powder, That make the face look radiant and luminous. Before starting the makeup routine, start with a clean and moisturized face. Good results depend on the proper preparation and good products used. Layer that face with moisturizer and focus by powdering the T-Zone area where the oil accumulates. Use a make primer not only to achieve the look but to extend the longevity of your makeup. The Dewy Powder comes in a form of a Pressed Powder that contains an amount of oil that enables to achieve the Dewy look. To achieve the Dewy look, there are makeup Powders that can help. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder illuminates the face with a soft and diffused look to make the skin appear light and refined, the pricing ranges from £20 to £22 GBP. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is an easy to set up make that could last up to 16 hours and The pricing ranges from £18 to £20 GBP. The most important preparation for makeup powder is the Oil Balancing Primer Powder, which helps to control oily skin, the pricing ranges from £15 to £18 GBP.

Dewy Powders

Advantages

Disadvantages

Luminous Look

Not for oily face

Glow effect

2. Translucent Powder 

Translucent Powder is a type of filter powder which is the secret for a long-lasting makeup which comes in Loose or Pressed powder type. Translucent Powder does not include additional colour for the makeup, instead it would prevent the dewy look and maintain an awesome matte complexity to achieve a smooth and velvety skin. The Translucent Powder comes in a form of a loose powder or a pressed type powder. Translucent Powder is applied using a fluffy brush and could cover the entire area. The Translucent Powder of a makeup powder used as a setting makeup which the finish or last makeup to be applied. Available brands such Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder pricing is at £6 to £8 GBP. Where bareMinerals translucent powder pricing at £23 to £25 GBP and the Flower Beauty which is  another option pricing be at £10 to £12 GBP.

Translucent Powders
Advantages
Disadvantages
Good makeup finisher
Unable to neutralize an uneven skin tone
Helps the makeup last long
Not for full coverage
Will achieve the airbrushed look
Not for touch up and go

3. Finishing Powder

The Finishing Powder is a type of powder used as the finishing touch and will not be needing of touch up as it holds the makeup foundation all day. The very good example of this is the Translucent Powder. Finishing Powder will change the characteristic texture of the skin, especially for an oily-skin type. Application can be full coverage as up to where the foundation seats and can be applied using a flat brush or dome shape brush. More importantly, the Finishing Powder is not the same as the Setting Powder, as it won’t be needing to touch up overtime if the foundation fades out. Finishing Powder comes in Pressed and Loose Powder option. Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder pricing is at £6 to £8 GBP. Where Bareminerals translucent powder pricing at £23 to £25 and the Flower Beauty which is another option pricing be at £7 to £9 GBP.

Finishing Powders

Advantages

Disadvantages

Good makeup finisher

Unable to neutralize an uneven skin tone

Helps the makeup last long

Not for full coverage

Will achieve the airbrushed look

Not for touch up and go

4. Pressed Powder

The Pressed Powder is a type of makeup that is set after the foundation. This comes in different variety of colour shade options from light to dark. Pressed Powder is often as compared to the Loose Powder as they share the same purpose and has the same colour shades. Mainly, most preferred the Pressed Powder type due to is suitability for individuals who have a dry sensitive skin. Pressed Powder has a compact case and includes mostly with a mirror as the powder seat stable under the puff pad. It contains oil minerals that hold the powder in place, which is a perfect GOTO makeup powder option as it won’t make any mess while applying. Pressed Powder could to follow makeup; Finishing Powder, Setting Powder and the Banana Powder. This finishing Pressed Powder is priced for £35 to £36 and the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Long wear Powder Foundation cost £30 to £32. Lastly, NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder pricing is at £31 to £33.

Pressed Powders

Advantages

Disadvantages

Preferred for dry skins

Not for oil skin

Prevents a cakey look

Not for contouring

Can be used at makeup base

Not for baking


5. Banana Powder

The Banana Powder is a type of highlighting powder that accentuates the yellow hue colour to create highlight under the eyes, nose, and cheeks. Banana powder typical belongs to the family of Loose Powders. In early day, the Banana Powder’s popularity came from the theatre artists and advances until this present age. Usually, the Banana Powder is used to emphasize the high points of the face. The Banana Powder is recommended for skins with deeper tones, as it would visibly show the high points and edges or the face. Thus, also benefit if used as the setting powder because unlike the Translucent Powder, the Banana Powder as setting powder would enable to produce brighter contrast than the Translucent Powder because it only made the makeup up matte and no highlights. There are lots of brands available, but these are the highlighted brands and their price; Ben Nye Banana Powder 1.5 oz (ca. 57 g) priced at £13 to £15 GBP, and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Setting Powder Long Wear Banana Setting Powder £6 to £8 GBP, and Buttercup Setting Powder with the price tag of £12 to £14 GBP.

Banana Powders

Advantages

Disadvantages

Highlights contour

Messy due to loose powder

Suitable for most skin tones

Only for setting

Perfect for oil skins

Not suitable for dry skins

6. Mineral Powder

The Mineral Powder is typical a kind of makeup product that is suitable to almost types of skin. The type of ingredients contains lesser irritants in the Mineral Powder to introduce more friendly approach to lots of individuals that have sensitive skin. The Mineral for short is a hypoallergenic product that is available for Foundations, Concealers, and Finishing Powders.

Mineral Powders

Advantages

Disadvantages

Natural Ingredients

More expensive

Non-Irritant

May clog pores

Loose powder

Some brands contain nano particles


7. Loose Powder

The Loose Powder is a type of makeup powder that comes in many varieties of applications. Loose Powder, maybe a Finish Powder, Foundation, Setting Powder or a Mineral Powder. The Loose Powder options for the different makeup applications depend on the preference of the users. Most preferred Loose Powder over the Pressed Powder due to its compatibility especially for an oily skin type individuals. It can also be used for the baking method for foundation setting and would be suitable for heavy makeup applications. There may brand available for different applications, but these products could be in consideration; Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder pricing is at £5 to £8 GBP, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder price at £30 to £32 GBP, and bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 which is priced at £26 to £28 GBP.

Loose Powders

Advantages

Disadvantages

Best for contour

Could be messy

Suited for oily skin

Not suitable for dry skin

Contains less oil

Mobility

What is the Right Powder for My Skin Type?

Before starting to indulge in the make routine, there are some factors that should be considered in choosing the right makeup, and it's also choosing the right product. There are instances that the so-called expectation is different from the reality. The factor that we should consider is, What skin type do they have? There are different skin types as; Oily skin, Dry skin, Combination skin, Sensitive skin, Normal skin.

  • Oily Skin: The most common skin that cause some of skin imperfection and pimples. The key to reducing the oil effect is to prepare it the right way. Cleaning and applying moisturizers would control the amount of oil, and the use of Loose powder type of makeup would help minimize the oil.
  • Dry Skin: Dryness can cause imperfection to skin and may lead to itching. Application of moisturizer would ease the dryness of the skin and the Pressed Powder would be suited as the makeup powder for the skin.
  • Combination Skin: The application of cleanser will balance the dryness and oiliness of the skin. Right preparation and treatment of the skin will benefit the application of the makeup. Either a Pressed Powder or Loose Powder makeup would be suitable.
  • Sensitive Skin: Skin that is easily gets irritated or allergic reaction to substance that contains chemical irritants. Mineral Powder is the only that would suit best for this type of skin and would benefit also for the vegans.
  • Normal Skin: Although this skin type is very open to accept any skin products, but maintaining them healthy would also benefit once health. Any Pressed powder or Loose Powder can man the makeup fabulous. 

Which Makeup Powder Sets Makeup the Best?

The Mineral Powder is the best suited Makeup Powder for almost everyone. The natural ingredients of the Mineral Powder is not irritant and does not contain harmful substance that could hurt the skin. The Mineral Powder is suitable for an oily type skin and even would be preferable to individual with dry skin as it does not contain chemicals that would make the skin more drier. Mineral Powder is also available in different type such as Foundation, concealer, and Finishing Powder. Thus, would be the primary makeup of choice for the most users.