Hey, friends! Powders are no longer just for those of the greasy skin variety - no matter what you're skin type, if you want your make up to stay in place all day, you want a good setting powder. There's one out there for everyone - even Dry-Skin-Daisy, who cringes at the idea of adding another mattifying layer to her face.

The world of setting powders is over-saturated at best; with every product boasting different results and claiming to be the best at delivering them, its difficult to sort through and find the one(s) for you. Unless, that is, you know what you're doing - or, you know someone (me) who knows what they're doing and types it up into a handy little scenario-based guide (this blogpost). You're welcome in advance.



The Scenario: You like a matte finish, but your skin gets oilier than that of a fourteen year old working at McDonalds within half an hour of makeup application. You'd also like a little extra coverage.
The Powder: A tinted, mattifying powder.
Recommendations: Rimmel Stay Matte is the bomb. Seriously - I use this almost everyday and thoroughly enjoy (oh boy, you have no idea how much) the way it keeps me shine-free for hours. Because its coloured, it also gives a little extra help hiding blemishes and just generally amping up your face game. If you really want more hiding power, something like MAC Studio Fix is your go-to - it provides an obnoxious amount of coverage, so be careful to colour-match correctly so as to avoid the dreaded 'foundation mask' look. If this is out of your budget (and trust me, I feel you), I've heard the Australis Fresh and Flawless Powder is a great dupe!

The Scenario: You're afraid of mattifying powders because you prefer lighter coverage, but the grease levels on your face can rival a Southern food fair.
The Powder: A translucent powder.
Recommendations: Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Powder. Like any good translucent powder, this will give you a matte finish without adding to your coverage levels - perfect for those more natural days (which sometimes require more products/time than made-up days? What's the deal there, am I right???). This is also great for those guys and gals prone to dry skin, as it's brightening, sans pigment formula wont make you look cakey nor cling to any dehydrated patches of your pretty little faces. Furthermore, if you have trouble finding a powder that matches your colour because you're one of the lucky people with naturally porcelain skin, translucent powders are your best friend. The section of my heart programmed specially to love beauty products beats for this baby, but it's obscenely pricey. First world sigh. Fear not, though, as Elf's Tone Correcting Powder is a pretty great alternative - and one under $10 at that!

The Scenario: You want that I've just finished my daily post-workout green juice, and I get eight hours of sleep a night' glow, despite the fact that you just woke up late because you were online shopping until three am, and you're now chugging a large coffee. (This is definitely an excerpt from my future biography).
The Powder: An illuminating powder.
Recommendations: What you're after is a dewy finish, and the perfect dewy finish comes in the form of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. A moment of silence for the wonder product that is this palette, please. If you've ever swatched these powders, you know what I'm talking about. They can transform even the most tired, sick, dull looking complexion into one so radiant it looks photoshopped. I use this after my Rimmel Stay Matte, so I get the winning combo of coverage, oil-control and a luminous finish. Blurred pores? Check. Locks your make up in place? Check. Angel-like glow? Check. Plus, when concentrated, the middle powder makes an exquisite highlight - hello, multi-use product, need I say more? I'm going to anyway: buy this product.

The Scenario: You want a matte finish, but your pigmented powder makes your undereye area resemble a prizewinner at a cake-fest.*
The Powder: A reflective powder, specifically for the eye area.
Recommendations: Elf High Definition Undereye Setting Powder - I don't know what's in this stuff, but it holds your concealer on all day, blurs any fine lines, and provides a highlight just subtle enough to lift the area, without giving the Kardashians a run for their money. I don't know what else to say about this little pot of wonder, I just really damn enjoy it - and the incredibly non-offensive price tag!

Hopefully this guide has helped you find the powder for your needs/desires! May your make up stay perfect all day, and your skin never look shiny.

Enjoy!
Sophia ♡

*Sorry for all of the food references, I'm writing this before dinner and I'm hungry as hell.

Price List:
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder $12.95
MAC Studio Fix $50
Australis Fresh and Flawless Pressed Powder $11.95
Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Powder $46
Elf Tone Correcting Powder $8
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette $76 (yikes - worth it I promise!)
Elf High Definition Undereye Setting Powder $8