The new £50 setting powder said to be ‘the secret’ to flawless summer make-up – but is it worth the hype?
IF your make-up slides off your face by lunchtime, or your forehead glows in photos, you should consider using powder.
Make-up doesn’t sit well on warm, sweaty skin, which means that nailing your base can be tough during the sunny summer months.
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder, £57
So setting powder is key to locking in your look for a flawless finish that won’t budge all day long.
“Powder also helps to avoid creasing, blur texture and even out your complexion,” says make-up artist Belinda Chatterton.
Just in time for the warm weather, luxury cosmetics label Hourglass has launched a face powder claiming to get rid of runaway make-up for good – though it will set you back £57.
Designed to absorb oil and control shine, Hourglass Airbrush Pressed Powder tackles shiny foreheads and patchy make-up.
As a loyal Hourglass fan – I wear the radiant Hourglass Ambient Light Blush nearly every day – I had high hopes for this powder, especially if it could help combat my oily complexion.
So, does it live up to the price tag, and how does it compare to cheaper alternatives?
Pressed powder is one of the most widely used setting products, but it can end up looking muddy or flat if not applied well.
Consisting of tightly packed, finely milled powder particles, it’s best used for controlling shine and mattifying skin, meaning it’s perfect for those with an oily complexion.
Whilst there are a number of powder formats – loose, mineral, translucent – I tend to opt for a tinted pressed powder, as they’re mess-free and easy to apply.
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Aside from all of the hype, it was the innovative formula that initially drew me to Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Powder.
The sheer powder (which aims to mattify shine without leaving your skin dry or cakey) features micro-spherical powders.
These microscopic particles smooth and fill lines and creases, which helps to blend and blur pores, fine lines and imperfections.
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Powder is designed for topping up your make-up on the go, which is reflected in its handbag-sized case and complimentary antibacterial powder puff – an absolute saviour if you clean your brushes as little as I do!
I used the flat, square-shaped powder puff to tap the product into my forehead, and was surprised by the results.
My enlarged pores were instantly softened and my skin’s texture appeared smoother and softened – much like an Instagram filter.
Thankfully, my skin still looked and felt like my own, as the powder elevates your complexion without leaving it looking dry or flat.
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder, £57
Often, my forehead gets so oily that it feels greasy to the touch, but Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder did an effective job of absorbing and wicking it away.
While the puff was an effective tool for powdering my forehead – it evenly layers powder over your existing make-up – I went in with a powder brush to apply the product to the rest of my face.
“To apply a pressed powder, gather the product on to a soft, fluffy brush then use gentle, circular motions to apply the powder to your face, and dust away any excess,” says Belinda.
“Pressed powders can sometimes look a little heavy, so avoid applying under your eyes, and instead focus on other areas of your face where your skin gets oily or your make-up disappears too quickly,” she adds.
I applied the powder to my nose and chin, but the formula quickly disappeared into my skin without elevating my complexion.
However, my forehead remained mattified for a few hours following application but didn’t feel dry or tight – which is an issue I typically find with other products.
Speaking of alternatives, whilst I was impressed with Hourglass Vanish Airbrush, there are a few other setting powders I love, too.
And the best bit? They’re all under £40.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Oil Control Setting Powder
Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Oil Control Setting Powder, £7.99
Hailed as the ultimate Huda Beauty Loose Powder dupe, Maybelline Fit Me Powder blurs, controls and absorbs oil – at a fraction of the cost of Huda’s cult product.
Formulated with rice starch, it actively absorbs oil and grease, rather than just covering it, providing a smoother, cleaner environment for foundation and concealer.
Ultimately, this stops your base make-up from slipping down your face or becoming patchy – meanng it’s a summer essential.
Ciaté London Extraordinary Setting Powder
Ciaté London Extraordinary Setting Powder in Brightening Pink, £18
Whilst this candyfloss powder looks more like a blusher, it’s the key to a smooth, even complexion.
Pink cancels out areas of darkness, meaning this powder is effective at concealing dark circles and areas of dullness.
Once applied to your face it has a translucent appearance – so there’s no need for blending – and provides skin with a natural, yet radiant, glow.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish, £38
Arguably beauty’s most-talked-about setting powder, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish deserves all the praise it gets.
I resisted the hype for years, but finally succumbed and bought shade Fair last year – and I was impressed.
Much like the Hourglass powder, it delivers a filter-like veil to skin, shrinking pores and smoothing texture.
It’s formulated with light-reflecting particles which reduce unwanted shine, without drying or dulling your complexion.