Powder foundation has been scarce in the beauty bags of influencers and make-up artists for some time now. Replaced by and lightweight , what was once a reliable way to perfect oily skin types has become a rarity in many an everyday beauty routine. So, in a nostalgic bid to revisit the ghosts of my make-up bag's past, I took a trip down memory lane and tested powder foundations, new and old, to figure out if these old school formulas have a place in 2024.
Fun fact: my first ever make-up product was a powder foundation. Rife teenage blemishes had cornered me into the world 'clean' make-up products and in an endeavour to camouflage (but not provoke) my bumpy, agitated complexion, I used my birthday money to pick up the Bare Minerals starter kit. The nifty set feature a loose powder foundation, a mineral veil, a compact buffing brush and, of course, a DVD tutorial on how to use it (so 2010), which I watched religiously before school.
Forget TikTok tutorials and GRWM videos, this step-by-step disk would be my teenage beauty bible for the next few years. Eventually I discovered Youtube and switched to liquid formulas that offered maximum coverage and an indestructible finish and so powder foundations became a mere jigsaw puzzle piece in the larger picture of my beauty journey. Selling DVDs alongside make-up products have become a thing of the past - probably for the best.
So, onto the magic question; can powder foundation make a comeback? ELLE UK Beauty Editor, Medina Azaldin seems to think so. 'Powder foundations are honestly so easy to use, especially when I had painful, bumpy cystic acne that felt incredibly sore to the touch,' she says. 'I just gently pat it on with a sponge, and I'm left with a smooth finish that remains intact and comfortable from morning to night.
One powder foundation does the job of a concealer, liquid foundation and mattifying powder for much less time and I'm convinced it made my acneic skin look so much more natural as I'm not loading and layering on multiple products. I relied on 's and Make Up For Ever's versions.' And Maria Xavier-Jackson, education manager at Bare Minerals, agrees.
'There is an increased demand for a that has skincare benefits, is lightweight, long lasting and easy to apply,' she says. 'Powder foundation is best for anyone who wants a foundation that promotes healthy, clear skin over time, is lightweight, buildable coverage and has a natural radiant finish,' says Xavier-Jackson. How you apply powder foundation heavily depends on whether you're using a loose formula or a pressed compact.
As previously mentioned, a pressed foundation can be applied strategically using a powder puff or sponge. You also have the option of applying with a brush, which also works best for loose powders. 'Sprinkle a small amount of product into the lid (as much chocolate as you sprinkle on a cappuccino), swirl the product into the brush.
Tap off the excess then buff, in circular motions, onto the face, starting in the cheek area. It is a movement very similar to whisking an egg. To build coverage, simply repeat this process.
' The first thing to note about powder foundation is that it's incredibly easy to use, particularly the pressed variety. If you're an apply-your-make-up-mid-commute type like me, it's the ideal addition to your handbag kit. None of that apply-to-the-back-of-your-hand nonsense; simply tap your brush into the component and swirl the pigment into your skin as you would a setting powder or a .
The second is that powder foundations are ideal for oily complexions. I typically begin to see shine in my cheeks, nose and T-zone within a few hours of wear but with powder, the unwanted glow stays at bay for the majority of the day. Note, I say 'unwanted'.
To my surprise, the powder foundations I tested were by no means exempt from glow (in fact, the formula provides as much gleam as any of my go-to liquid foundations). The difference is in the type of glow. Think lit-fr0m-within, soft sheen, as opposed to glossy dew.
It's luminous, but without the residue of a greasy cream. It's also perfect for blurring the appearance of pores and imperfections, without providing too much coverage and appearing caky. For all the above reasons, I could definitely hold a place for powder foundation in my everyday beauty routine, even 10 years on from my first tub.
The only drawback to note is that it likely won't agree with heavy-handed applications of liquid products like concealer and , so I'll keep it on hand for no make-up make-up days and revert back to traditional formulas when I want a bit more oomph..
