#AskHauterfly: What’s The Correct Way To Apply Face Powder?

#AskHauterfly: What’s The Correct Way To Apply Face Powder?

Face powder is one of the easiest cosmetics to work with, right? After all, slapping powder some on your face is one of those things you’ve been doing since you were a little girl playing with your mum’s makeup kit. And yet, it has the potential to go terribly wrong. After all, haven’t we seen celebrities with simply too much powder under their eyes or around their lips?

Here’s what you need to know to avoid making mistakes and nail the application:

 

Natio Powder Brush_Hauterfly

Natio Powder Brush (Rs 895)

Pick the right tool

It is absolutely important to understand which tools work best with which products. The BeautyBlender has made makeup application really easy, and yet people don’t really know how to use it. Beauty vloggers often use a BeautyBlender to set their makeup with loose or pressed powder because they need to have full coverage on camera. If what you want is oil control without going heavy, apply powder with a powder puff. It will absorb oil and give your skin a velvety matte finish. But if you want to set your makeup minus the matte, powdery look, apply powder with a powder brush.

 Clean your brushes

Product build up is never a good thing. It will lead to patchy, uneven application. Deep cleanse your brushes every fortnight if you use them every day. Saturate the bristles with water, add a pea-sized drop of shampoo and swirl the bristles clockwise and anti-clockwise on a silicon scrubber. Reshape the bristles and allow them to dry on a paper towel.

 

Lakme Absolute White Intense Wet & Dry Compact_Hauterfly

Lakmé Absolute White Intense Wet & Dry Compact (Rs 675)

 Pick the right shade

Choosing the right shade for your skin goes beyond matching it exactly to your skin tone. It works well for those who have dry or combination skin. But if your skin is on the oilier side, you might want to go a shade lighter because when powder touches oil it oxidises and becomes peachy or brown depending on the shade you’ve picked.

Don’t store powder in the bathroom

The fluctuation in temperature in the bath and the generally humid environment can change the consistency of your makeup products. Loose powder can clump up because of the moisture levels. It is advisable to store all your makeup in a cool, dry place like your bedroom.

 

Avene Thermal Spring Water_Hauterfly

Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray (Rs 550)

How much is too much

Do not apply more than one coat of powder. If you’ve been heavy-handed and your face looks cakey, spritz a light mist of a setting spray or a face mist. It will make your skin look dewy.

Tap off excess

Always tap off excess product after picking powder with your tool and then apply it on your face. Else you’ll end up with a streaky, heavy application. Always take selfies with your phone using flash after powdering your face to check white obvious patches. You can dust off the extra powder with a fluffy brush if you see blotches.

 

Christine Valmy Special Lotion 22 Moisturizer_Hauterfly

Christine Valmy Special Lotion 22 Moisturizer (Rs 700)

Use a moisturiser

Applying makeup to dry, dehydrated skin is a complete no-no, even more so if you’re going to end your makeup routine with a light dusting of finishing powder. The powder will adhere to the dry patches of your skin and look tacky. Always start with a light serum or moisturiser before doing your makeup.

Don’t powder your whole face

Dust powder only on the T-zone of your face, and maybe the cheeks and chin if you have oily skin. Avoid dusting powder on the outer edges of your face, especially near the hairline.

Hauterfly Staff

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