Setting Powder vs. Finishing Powder: What’s The Difference?

When it comes to makeup, achieving a flawless and long-lasting finish is often a top priority. This is where setting powder and finishing powder come into play. While these two products may seem similar, they serve different purposes and can greatly enhance your makeup routine. In this blog post, we explore the difference between these powders, how to use setting powder and finishing powder, and recommend the top three powders in each category. Let’s dive in! 

Setting Powder:
Setting powder is primarily used to set your foundation and concealer in place, preventing them from smudging, melting, or creasing throughout the day. It helps to lock in your base makeup, providing a matte or semi-matte finish. Setting powder is typically lightweight and finely milled, making it ideal for all skin types, including oily and combination skin. 

To use setting powder effectively, follow these steps:
1. After applying your foundation and concealer, lightly dust a small amount of setting powder onto your face using a fluffy brush or a powder puff.
2. Gently press the powder onto areas prone to creasing, such as under the eyes, around the nose, and on the forehead.
3. Allow the powder to sit for a few minutes to absorb excess oil and set your makeup.
4. Finally, using a clean brush, sweep away any excess powder for a seamless finish. 

Now, let’s explore three top-setting powders that deliver excellent results: 
1. Dermablend Setting Powder: This highly regarded product has an exceptional ability to provide long-lasting makeup with a matte finish.  
2. Yardley Translucent Loose Powder: This is a reliable option if you are looking for a loose setting  powder that provides a natural finish while your makeup stays in place throughout the day. 
3. Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder: This setting powder is perfect for those who prefer a more radiant finish. With its finely milled texture, it effortlessly blurs imperfections, sets makeup, and imparts a subtle glow to the skin. The perfect powder for special events and photoshoots and there is no need to use a finishing powder with this product as it sets makeup and perfects your complexion all in one – making it one of the most popular powders at the moment.  

Finishing Powder:
While setting powder focuses on mattifying and extending the wear of your foundation, finishing powder serves as the final touch to perfect your overall look. Finishing powders are typically sheer and lightweight, designed to soften the appearance of your skin, blur imperfections, and give you a radiant, airbrushed finish. They can also help to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.
A question often asked is can you use finishing powder as setting powder and the simple answer is no.
Finishing powder will not set your makeup and can often leave a white cast, rather use this powder to perfect the skins appearance.  

To use finishing powder effectively, follow these steps:
1. After setting your makeup with setting powder, lightly dust a small amount of finishing powder over your entire face using a fluffy brush or a powder puff.
2. Focus on areas where you want to achieve a soft-focus effect, such as the center of the face or areas prone to oiliness.
3. Blend the powder gently to ensure an even application.
4. Finally, check for any excess powder and remove it with a clean brush or a powder puff.
5. You can also use a finishing powder for an effortless touch up of your makeup should you need it. 

Now, let’s explore three of the best finishing powders that can give your skin a flawless finish: 
1. Rimmel Lasting Finish Long Wear Pressed Powder: This gives the skin a velvety, smooth appearance with blurring properties.  
2. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural: This versatile finishing powder adds a natural-looking radiance to your skin while setting your makeup. It offers buildable coverage and helps to minimize the appearance of pores and imperfections for a smooth, glowing complexion. 
3. Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder: An affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality. It helps to minimize the appearance of pores and leaves your skin looking flawless throughout the day. 

Both setting powder and finishing powder play vital roles in your makeup routine. Setting powder locks your foundation in place, while finishing powder adds the final touch to perfect your overall look. By understanding the difference between these two powders and using them accordingly, you can achieve a long-lasting, flawless finish that will make your makeup last all day. Experiment with different products to find the ones that work best for your skin type and desired outcome. 

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By Sheena Deepnarain