Hello girls! Lately, and not only recently, the topic of choosing powder has often been raised on Cosmetist. “Help me choose the powder...” and the like. This is a rather difficult question, because in the modern beauty market there are so many types, textures... shades, finally. I decided to summarize the information that I know about this wonderful product in order to make it easier for someone to choose. Let me say right away that I do not insist that the information I am trying to teach you is true and indisputable. The classification will be based solely on my impressions and knowledge. After all, as you know, scientific works on this topic have not yet been written. I will omit the origin and history of the powder, otherwise the post will need to be read for several days. So let's get started.

1. Compact powder

Perhaps the most famous example. Surely, each of us has compact powder in our cosmetic bag. Based on its name, we understand that it is designed to quickly touch up makeup during the day, because it is convenient to carry with you in your purse and such powders are usually equipped with a mirror for convenience. But many, including me, use compact powder at home before going out. This powder has a denser texture than loose powder, but at the same time very well eliminates oily shine that appears during the day. After all, as you know, it can ruin any image. It is also more stable. Usually the powder comes with either a sponge, a puff, or a brush. It happens that compact powder is quite difficult to apply evenly. That's why makeup artists prefer to do it with a brush. This makes the coating more even and natural.
Compact powders vary in the effect we want to achieve.
For example, Moisturizing powder. Suitable for dry and normal skin, it should not tighten the skin after application. I'm not very experienced in the range of moisturizing powders, so powder will be an example Vivienne Sabo Joli Moyen moisturizing:
Best suited for oily and combination skin types Matting powder. Due to the absence of oils in its composition, it does not provoke the secretion of sebum. On the contrary, it absorbs it. This is due to the presence of absorbent particles in the composition. Dry skin will feel tight and dry. May highlight flaking. Example - Chanel Mat Lumier:

2. Cream powder

An alternative to foundation. It happens both for dry and normal skin, and for oily skin. But it is more suitable for oily skin because it gives a perfectly matte finish. Combines all the advantages of foundation (dense camouflage) and powder (makeup fixation). Available in the form of liquid cream powder or compact cream powder. Suitable for creating the perfect look, because the powder is highly pigmented. Can be applied wet (for greater coverage) or dry. When it comes into contact with water, the powder can change its texture, becoming more like a foundation, while when dry it often looks like regular powder.

For example, compact cream powder Max Factor Creme Puff:
Matting compact cream powder Givenchy Matissime:
Liquid cream powder Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10:

3. Powder - compact foundation

Best suited for normal to dry skin. The compact foundation provides excellent camouflage of imperfections, including redness and unevenness. However, this type of foundation can look heavy on blemish-free skin.

For example, everyone knows Guerlain Parure Compact Foundation:
Or a more budget option Pupa Smart Skin Compact Foundation:

4. Loose powder

Many people use this version of powder. Solo or as a final step. The crumbles have a very delicate, velvety texture. They look like powder. As a rule, such powders provide a very thin coating. Therefore, they are suitable either for those with perfect skin or as a foundation fixer. Loose powders are usually accompanied by a puff or sponge, and sometimes a brush is also included. You can achieve a good application with a sponge, but it can damage makeup (foundation), since with a sponge we inevitably rub powder into the skin. If we apply loose powder with a brush or puff, we will get a more transparent and even coating, because with this type of “tool” we will thoroughly blend the powder and simply brush off the excess from the face. Mineral loose powders have become very popular lately. They are enriched with vitamins and minerals that provide excellent protection to the skin.

For example, loose four-color powder Givenchy Prisme Libre:
Or Mineral loose powder Estee Lauder Nutritious Vita-Mineral Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15, which is well suited for those with sensitive skin, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free:

5. Baked powder

So, what is the difference between baked powder and all other powders? The innovation of baking technology lies in the preservation of moisture and moisturizing components in the powder. The texture of the baked powder turns out to be jewelry-fine and satin-like, which allows it to be applied with the highest quality and economy. The powder obtained using this technology does not crumble, stays on the skin for a long time, is easy to apply and gives the face a glow.

For example, Pupa Luminys Baked Face Powder:

Or baked mineral powder from MAC:

6. Powder balls

This powder is pressed into balls, so it is extremely difficult to get a dense layer of it. That is, we can confidently call this powder a veil. Often the balls in such powders can be multi-colored. This is very convenient, because we can take out some balls in the summer so that the powder does not whiten the face, or vice versa, take out the dark balls in the winter so that the powder does not darken the tone. The most famous powder in balls is, of course, the well-known meteorites. When applied, the combination of gold, pink, blue and green balls surrounds the face with a transparent, slightly radiant, stunningly “alive and natural” halo. Corrects the oval of the face, masks redness and illuminates the face very well. This is especially noticeable in the photographs. They also write that meteorites can remove oily shine... of course, this does not happen with my oily skin. That's why I use them on the cheekbones or under the eyebrow.
There are also powders with balls of bronze or pink shades. This powder can be used for sculpting or as blush.

Famous Guerlain Meteorites Powder:
And Powder blush in balls from Avon:

7. Transparent powder that absorbs sebum

As a rule, such powders are white. This type of powder is often used over makeup, even over powder. You can also use this powder under foundation; it will be great at containing and absorbing sebum. Such powders are transparent, although they have a white tint. Of course, if you apply such powder in a dense layer, there is a risk of becoming like a geisha. Available in the form of compact powders and loose powders. They are mainly found in professional brands, as they are an integral part of professional make-up. But lately I’ve seen similar powders in the mass market.

Oil-absorbing white loose powder, my favorite for summer Skinfood Peach Sake Silky Finish Powder:
Professional transparent loose powder MAC prep+prime transparent finishing powder:

The same powder is also available in a compact version. MAC prep+prime transparent finishing powder pressed:
Another transparent powder, a budget option Essence Fix & Matte Translucent Powder:

8. Mattifying gel powder

More like a base than a powder. But nevertheless, manufacturers position it precisely as powder. It is a transparent or beige dense gel in a powder compact (naturally, all with silicones), which, when applied to the skin of the face, gives a matte effect without tone. It is preferable to apply to bare skin, but this is only suitable for those with perfect skin. Can also be used over powder or foundation to eliminate shine or simply touch up makeup throughout the day. Perfectly evens out the skin (not tone) due to silicone microspheres. But due to its silicone composition, it can clog pores.

Mattifying gel powder Diorskin Crystal Nude:

9. Antiseptic powder

Designed for problematic skin or skin that needs soothing and maintaining a protective antiseptic barrier during the recovery period after laser or facial cleansing treatments. Suitable for facial skin with open inflammation. This powder should be applied with a cotton pad, which should be thrown away after use. Ordinary reusable sponges, brushes and powder puffs will not work, as bacteria begin to multiply on them even after the first use. Contains antibacterial components. Intact skin can become dry and harmful.

For example, Loose Antiseptic Propolis Powder for oily skin GIGI:

10. Green and lilac powder

Yes, yes, there are such things! Green powder is the most green color. As we all know, green color visually neutralizes redness. Therefore, it will become an indispensable assistant for those with skin prone to rosacea, various redness, etc... Of course, on top of such powder it is worth applying powder of the usual shade, that is, beige. Lilac powder is designed to correct excessive pigmentation and visually neutralizes the yellow tint of the skin. These powders come in compact and loose forms. Contains calming components. Typically found in professional brands.

For example, green powder Pupa Professionals №2:

Or lilac powder Pupa Professional No. 3:

11. Aqua powder

This powder is designed to intensively mattify the skin of the face. She has a very interesting application. It is applied with a damp brush or sponge and after the moisture evaporates, the face acquires a beautiful, matte shade. By the way, on Cosmetist there is a very good review of this miracle powder from Just.

Jeans Just make up Aqua Powder:

12. Bronze or terracotta powder

Bronze-colored powder, such powders are also called terracotta. This powder can be used as a blush or as a full powder on a tanned face. Gives special freshness to dark skin. Healing mud is sometimes added to terracotta powder, which adds intensity and naturalness to the brown shade. Usually available in a compact version. The powder pattern can be made in the form of a mosaic.

For example, the famous Terracotta Moisturizing Bronzing Powder:

Or another option from Guerlain in the form of a mosaic Guerlain Terracotta Light Powder:
More budget option Loreal Glam Bronze:

13. Shimmer powder

Powder containing reflective, shiny particles. Shimmers are used to sculpt the face. They are usually applied to the cheekbones, forehead, chin, above the lip or on the bridge of the nose. Professional makeup artists recommend applying shimmer to one or two areas. Shimmers are perfect for evening or holiday makeup. In daytime makeup, shimmers can also be successfully used... on the cheekbones, for example. But in this case, it is important not to overdo it.

So, the famous shimmer Shimmer Brick Compact Bobby Brown:
Or incredibly beautiful Shimmering Tweed Highlighter Chanel:

14. Powder highlighter

Powder designed to highlight individual parts of the face by highlighting it. In other words, it is a face oval corrector that gives freshness to the overall appearance. Gives an internal glow effect. It is not recommended to use on problem skin, because such a texture will only emphasize problem areas. You need to apply highlighter on your cheekbones, on the bridge of your nose, above your upper lip, plus the area under the eyebrow, which is called “highlight” among makeup artists. By the way, the above-mentioned meteorites can also be considered highlighters.

The most famous representative Shiseido Luminizing Satin Face Color High Beam White, in common parlance, high beam:
Or NARS Highlighting Blush Powder:

15. Luminizer powder

The properties of luminizer powder are the same as those of highlighter and shimmer. We can say that this is the brother of highlighter. Used to highlight certain parts of the face oval and to sculpt it. Of course, you shouldn’t expect the same effect that shimmer powder gives. Here the radiance will be delicate. Can hide skin imperfections. They differ from highlighters in that they give the skin a warm rather than cold glow.

For example, low beam from Shiseido Shiseido Luminizing Satin Face Color Soft Beam Gold:

16. Powder - glitter

Or simply glitter for the body or face. They also come in the form of powder with occasional splashes of glitter. Of course, it is better to use such a product based on the theme of the event. If this is a stage look - glitter, this is what you need! The same goes for visiting clubs, theme parties or just photo shoots. In general, your image is limited only by your imagination.

For example, body powder with glitter L'occitane Pouder De Beoute:
Or, not quite powder, but the company still has body glitter NYX Glitter Powder:
Girls, I will be glad if you correct me on something or add a type of powder unknown to me in the comments. I repeat once again, perhaps I classified something incorrectly. Based solely on my knowledge. In general, I look forward to your comments, criticism is welcome

Thank you all very much for your attention!
I hope it was useful!
My name is Sofia... and I wish you to finally choose your powder.

Pupa baked powder has been a hit of the brand for more than one year. That year I decided to find out what was so “hit” about it. And... in the end I have two copies - in shade 01 and 04.

Appearance

So, Pupa Luminys Baked Face Powder.

Many girls I know have long praised her (I already mentioned this when I showed my purchases on the advice of bloggers in our article), and at this time I continued to use my favorite thick foundation and was very skeptical: would the powder hide everything I needed? Are you kidding! But still, curiosity prevailed, and I decided to order. Having scoured the Internet for swatches, I found myself in some difficulty: shades 01 and 04 differed from swatch to swatch and from review to review. True, the majority still agreed that number four was lighter. I decided to take the first one.

Having received my order, I saw a red box - the distinctive sign of the Pupa brand - inside of which lay a round powder compact on a transparent backing. The base is transparent and the lid is silver. By the way, this is not the best solution, since the material from which the compact is made gets scratched once or twice, and literally loses its presentable appearance in just a couple of weeks. But the latch mechanism is of high quality, so you don’t have to worry that the powder will open in the bag. There is also a mirror - quite convenient for correcting makeup on the go.

On the transparent membrane lies a white shaggy sponge, which the manufacturer suggests applying powder with. In principle, a sponge is suitable - but for a more dense application. To make it easier, you will need a brush.

The most interesting thing for us, of course, is the powder itself. The baked cosmetic product is interesting in its manufacturing technology: dry ingredients are mixed with liquid ones, and then “baked” in special ovens, which results in a special texture and often an uneven, marble-like pattern of several shades, which when mixed together are mixed into one. What's interesting is that of my shades, the first one has a more noticeable pattern, while the fourth one seems uniform. The powder contains a lot of shimmer, which subsequently gives the skin a glow without being noticeable.

It has repeatedly occurred to me that my copy in the first shade was “overbaked”: firstly, it is noticeably drier compared to the other, and secondly, initially the entire surface of the powder was dotted with cracks, which subsequently only became more numerous. The fourth shade is more compressed and tactilely silkier.

SWATCHES

So which shade is lighter - No. 01 or No. 04?

Based on my experience, I can say that the batches are different, even in the same batch. Therefore, it is better to choose yourself, paying attention to the predominant color.

When I bought the second powder (in shade 04), I did exactly that. Comparing mine, I can definitely say that shade 04 is lighter than 01.

Properties and features:

• Many people choose powders for matting effect. But not in this case, because even my skin, which is not oily now, begins to shine a little after a few hours. Those with oily skin will notice shine in an hour or two. Why? I believe that matting is not the main goal of this particular powder. However, for some time the skin will still be matte because...
• ...coating finish initially still matte, but vibrant and natural (don’t forget about the shimmer it contains!).
• Durability overall not bad: I notice that it’s time to “refresh” the coating after five hours, not earlier. But, again, on oilier skin, the powder will float much earlier.
• Concerning camouflage- this is why I ranked Luminys Baked Face Powder among my favorites: the powder perfectly “hides” almost everything that needs to be hidden. Covering redness, blackheads, pimples, freckles and age spots - she is quite capable of such tasks. Although, of course, this is not a thick cream, so if the flaws are too noticeable, you should resort to something else.
• Great levels outtone skin, which, in general, logically follows from the previous paragraph.
• Skin texture: This is ambiguous, since the powder slightly smoothes out enlarged pores, but does not show wrinkles at all. Quite the opposite: for me it creates a fine network of wrinkles in the nose area, and also emphasizes vellus hair and flaking.
• Despite the density of the finishing coat, the powder does not cause discomfort and itself is practically not felt on the skin.
• As finishing powder, of course, will not work. This is a base powder, which is due to both its density and the degree of overlap.
• On cleanliness Does not negatively affect the skin, does not clog pores. Easily washed off with your favorite makeup remover or skin cleanser.

And finally, what does the powder look like? in full image. The first photo is shade 01, the second is 04.

Despite some shortcomings, I loved this powder and now it is always on my personal list of beauty favorites. Trying new things is always interesting, especially when you know that in case of failure you can turn to a trusted assistant.

Cosmetics, to which the term “baked” is appropriate, are manufactured using a special technology. The components used to create the powder are baked at a temperature of 60°C. As a result of this treatment, the brightness of the mother-of-pearl and the softness of the pigments are preserved; baking makes it possible to obtain the finest structure.

Baked powder is very convenient to apply and, importantly, economical. The shining particles are evenly distributed over the skin and do not roll off. Powder that has been in a special oven lasts many times longer than a regular cosmetic product. Therefore, using it for makeup is a pleasure!

The unique technology of making baked powder helps maintain its moisturizing properties. Artificial fragrances and fragrances are practically not used in the production of cosmetics.

Secrets of applying baked powder

The incredibly light texture allows you to avoid wasting precious minutes blending baked powder. Like baked shadows, this cosmetic product can be applied with a damp sponge. In this case, the powder will shine more intensely.

It is best to use a wide brush to apply baked powder. The makeup artist's hand movements should be circular; you can choose cosmetics for the décolleté area. If you use foundation, match the shade of baked powder under the cream or mousse to make your makeup look as natural as possible. You can take products from the same brand and collection, so you definitely won’t go wrong with your choice.

There is no need to press hard on the brush; the optimal solution is to distribute the powder onto the cheekbones and cheeks and blend a little. Dark shades of baked powder are suitable for use as blush and for correcting the oval of the face. With this new powder you can give your skin a light tan effect or a delicate, radiant blush.

Benefits of Baked Powder

Baked powder combines the benefits of loose and compact powder. Therefore, it can be applied either with a wide brush or with a sponge. It is attractive with its velvety feel and unusual color nuances. It is noteworthy that such powder can and should be used without first applying foundation.

Baked powder not only gives the skin the desired shade, eliminating imperfections visually, but also cares for the skin due to the content of vitamins E, A, and natural oils.

With the help of baked powder it will be possible to hide small skin defects, long-lasting cosmetics will disguise enlarged pores, acne, and wrinkles. This powder not only mattifies the skin, but also slightly polishes it, resulting in a perfectly smooth surface.

Recently, a variety of so-called baked cosmetics have appeared on the cosmetics market. And powder is no exception. Whether it is worth changing your usual powder and experimenting, find out what are the advantages of a baked cosmetic product from our article.

Manufacturing technology

Innovative technologies are used to produce baked powder. All components necessary to create the powder are specially processed in an oven at a temperature of +60 degrees. At this temperature, powder components such as purified water, exclusive vegetable oils, pigment, natural moisturizers are baked into one whole, while retaining all their beneficial qualities and natural value. Moreover, manufacturers guarantee the presence of various artificial fragrances and flavors in the powder, which allows women prone to allergies to use baked powder.

How to use baked powder

Baked powder is very convenient for daily use. In order for your makeup to look perfect, it is better to follow the following tips from experienced cosmetologists:

1. The technique for applying a baked cosmetic product is slightly different due to its dense structure. It is important to choose hard brushes for applying powder. Brushes should be large enough and made from natural materials.
2. Baked powder should be applied to the foundation so that the powder does not dry out the skin. If your skin is oily, it is better to first use a foundation with a mattifying effect. Moreover, it is better if the powder and cream are the same shade.
3. Baked powder can be applied both dry and wet. To create a transparent effect, apply the powder in a thin layer. And for rich evening makeup, it is recommended to use a damp sponge disc. There is no need to apply powder on your eyelids.
4. Baked powder is available with both a matte and glossy base. Depending on the color and manufacturer of the powder, the composition may contain either inconspicuous grains of sand or large glitter. The main purpose of using baked powder is to illuminate the skin and give it a healthy, radiant look. It is simply not possible to achieve the same effect with regular powder.
5. If you decide to purchase baked powder for the first time, it is better to ask for advice from an experienced consultant in the cosmetic department who will help you choose a tone.
6. Like any other cosmetics, baked powder should be removed with special means from the skin at night. The products will help avoid clogging of pores.

Advantages of baked powder

Due to its denser structure, baked powder is economical and easy to use. Thanks to the smallest particles, it is distributed evenly and easily shaded without pilling. Thermally treated powder stays on the skin longer, giving it the desired shade and eliminating visual imperfections. The vegetable oils contained in the powder provide gentle care and protection for the skin. Special moisturizers protect the skin from excessive drying and keep the skin firm and elastic. Vitamins A and E slow down skin aging. Baked powder does not crumble. Cosmetics manufacturers produce various types of baked powder, so the fair sex can easily choose the right shade for themselves.

Effect

Depending on the brand, the powder can give a matte appearance to the skin, masking fine wrinkles, blood vessels, pores, light freckles, and uneven relief after acne. Some brands of sealed powder give the skin a pearlescent sheen. The skin of the face becomes velvety and well-groomed.

When purchasing baked powder, be sure to pay attention to the expiration date.