Best Translucent Powder 2021: Shopping Guide &amp; Review

$6.49

Nyx powders have become viral in recent times and it is easy to understand why. On the one hand, they come in an inexpensive presentation. On the other hand, in its formula, we only find first quality elements. Leaves a natural, very subtle finish that lasts for several hours, even in conditions of high humidity or heat in summer.

They are suitable even for people with dry skin, as they do not dehydrate the skin. In addition, they blur pores and small-expression lines. They do not produce the dreaded “Casper effect” (you know, when a make-up face goes white in the photos with flash) and prevent the appearance of skin glitters for several hours.

L’Oreal Paris Hydra Perfecte Perfecting Loose Face Powder, Minimizes Pores & Perfects Skin, Sets Makeup, Long-lasting, with Moisturizers to Nourish & Protect Skin, Translucent, 0.5 Fl. Oz.

The Best Translucent Powder With Added Moisturizer

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$8.97

This option by L’Oreal is ideal for people sensitive to the environment since they are organic, vegan and fully certified. In addition, its formula does not contain silicones, paraffin or mineral oils. They don’t contain talcum powder either. They provide a matt finish thanks to their biological and mineral extracts that provide luminosity.

They are suitable for all skin types and their skin compatibility has been dermatologically proven. They cover make-up or bare skin without clogging pores and being translucent they adapt to all skin tones, from the lightest to the darkest. Lavera cosmetics are developed, manufactured and produced in Germany.

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder Makeup, Translucent, 0.29 Ounce, Pack of 1

The Best Compact Translucent Powder

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder Makeup, Translucent, 0.29 Ounce, Pack of 1

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$5.28

This Fit Me product by Maybelline is a consumer favorite. The manufacturer estimates that they are enough for between 50 and 125 applications, but we believe that there may be many more – although it depends on the amount you use each time, of course. These powders also mattify and fix makeup for several hours.

This brand became famous after it was known to be used by make-up artist Mario Dedivanovic to contour Kim Kardashian’s face. The neutral color, which is the one mentioned here, does not leave the face whitish and adapts to all skin tones. They are not perfumed, but they do contain both talc and parabens in their formula.

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder, Translucent, Pack of 1

The Best Vegan Translucent Powder

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder, Translucent, Pack of 1

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$5.97

This Coty Airspun offers us a vegan option that is not tested on animals. These translucent powders serve to fix the makeup so that it is perfect even hours after it has been applied. According to the manufacturer, they bring the final touch of luminosity to makeup and also provide a neutral finish on all skin types.

It is suitable for oily skin, as it absorbs excess shine over a long period of time, but also for drier skin, as it does not stale the face. Although this package is smaller than the previous ones, it is very common, since very little quantity will suffice to mattify the whole face.

Shopping Guide: Everything You Should Know About Translucent Powders

We are aware that even those who use translucent powders on a daily basis have serious doubts about their function or their mode of use. The truth is that, as we have already told you, they are a very versatile product and it is a pity that you do not take full advantage of them for simple ignorance. Next, we will try to resolve some issues.

Translucent powders finish your look.
(Source: Drobot: 49340133/ 123rf.com)

What are translucent powders and what are they used for?

Although for the general public they are still an unknown or expendable product, translucent powders cannot be missing from the toiletries of any makeup artist or makeup lover. Not only do they prevent the appearance of glitters, but they also seal and set makeup, prolong its life and give a polished appearance to the face.

It is of little use to spend half an hour or more in make-up so that after our “work of art” disappears in a short time, don’t you think? You can use it both in day and night make-up looks, since, if you don’t overdo it, they don’t have to stiffen the skin or become unnatural. As if that weren’t enough, they can also be used for:

To make the eye profiler practically permanent if we apply on these small touches of translucent powders with an eye brush.
To lighten the skin tone or lower the color of a blush that is too intense.
To make a lipstick fixed or matte a glossy finish bar by applying a small amount with a small brush.

What types of translucent powders are there?

We can differentiate between the translucent powders available on the market according to their finish or the appearance they leave on the face after application. Although all of them have the primary function of mattifying skin, not all do so to the same extent and there are options that are even able to subtly illuminate. Let’s look at the differences:

Type	Characteristics
Mate	Leave a matte finish on the leather. They are perfect for people with oily skin, as they prevent the appearance of glitters for longer. They can further mark facial imperfections, such as pimples or expression lines
Satin	They leave a satin finish on the leather. More suitable for people with dry skin, since they maintain better hydration. A good choice for more mature skin, as it conceals imperfections and wrinkles.

In addition, we can distinguish translucent powders by their format: loose or compact powders. We’re not going to tell you which of the two options is better since it depends a lot on the use and your personal needs. In case you’re afraid to overdo it, you might want to start by trying some compact ones. These are the differences:

Type	Characteristics
Loose powders	The type of powder is finer than in the compact. To apply them you need a large brush with very loose hair. They can spill, so we do not recommend that you carry them in your bag for touch-ups.
Compact powders	They keep the glitters at bay longer than the loose ones. Their format is clean and convenient, and you can easily transport them if you need to apply them during the day. They have greater coverage than loose powders.

Why should you use translucent powders?

By now you may have figured out why translucent powders are such an important step in makeup ritual. If your skin is dry, you may have never thought about it, but if you have oily skin you will have noticed that, with the humidity and heat, it produces more shine that makes the makeup last less and is not so polished.

This type of makeup will even help you achieve natural tones.
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The glows are natural and normal, but there are certain moments when we would all prefer to avoid them. Do you know how presenters or artists who appear on television get their faces spotless? Exactly. They use translucent powders. Even if you don’t wear makeup, you can also use them to improve the appearance of your skin. Check it out!

As mentioned before, eliminating excess oil is important.
Avoid unwanted glitters that give an imperfect look to your makeup look.
Homogenize both the tone and texture of the skin, with or without make-up.
They keep makeup intact all day long.
If they have a sun protection factor, they can protect you from radiation.

How are translucent powders applied?

This type of powder, due to its function, is generally applied to the oiliest area of the face: the so-called T zone, where more sebum tends to accumulate throughout the day, with the consequent appearance of brightness. It is not advisable to use them all over your face, especially if your skin is dry, as they could cause dehydration.

They can also be used in other areas such as the eyelid or eyelids to seal the corrector or eye shadows respectively. If you want to mattify lipstick you can also use them on your lips, once you have applied the color, of course. With just a few touches of the product, you can see a huge difference.

Although the powders are white, they do not alter the color of your skin.
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When is translucent powder applied?

Translucent powders are usually the last step of makeup. Since we apply them with the intention that they prolong the life of the rest of the products, they go after the others. To set, or “bake” the makeup, the only difference is that we will apply more powder and, after a few minutes, we will remove the excess with a large brush. Let’s see the steps:

First neutralize the dark color of the dark circles with a suitable corrector.
Then apply the makeup base or the colored moisturizer to the rest of the face.
Lastly, seal and mattify the make-up with translucent powders.
Once this is done, we can proceed to use blush and bronzer. This step can also be done earlier, but we run the risk that translucent powders slightly lower the intensity of the tone of these.
An extra coat of translucent powder can be applied to the T-zone from time to time to avoid the appearance of glitter. Carrying a small powder box in your bag is a good trick.

What make-up tools can be used to apply translucent powder?

To obtain a polished and perfect finish, the quality of the translucent powders we use is very important, but the tools we use to apply them are also crucial. Using a clean, quality brush is not the same as using an unsuitable, dirty brush. The best options for applying translucent powders are as follows:

Sponge: A Beauty Blender sponge works better with compact powders than with loose powders. The sponge melts the product perfectly. However, it is important to wash them frequently.
Brush: This is the most common option. You’re gonna need a big brush with a lot of loose hair. They work well for both compact and loose powders. Don’t forget to dispose of the excess product by tapping the brush before placing it on the skin!
Pad: These are usually included in the powers themselves. They are not so precise and do not offer such a perfect finish, but they are very practical for out-of-home touch-ups. Remember to wash them often.

Can translucent powders be used on any skin type?

Translucent powders work particularly well on oily skin as they absorb excess sebum. Normally, drier skins either don’t need them or are better off without them, since they can generate more dryness. Today, however, products specially designed for dry skin that keeps the skin moisturized can be purchased.

Our advice, in any case, is to always apply a moisturizer as a preliminary step to the entire makeup process, especially if you have mature skin. Remember that, being translucent powders, they also adapt to all skin tones without whitening them, from the lightest to the darkest skin.

Not only the quality and perfection of the finish is important, but also the durability of the finish. (Source: Seprimoris: 11714192/ 123rf.com)

Is it true that translucent powders bleach the skin?

No, that’s not true. The belief that translucent powders whiten the face or are only suitable for very light skin tones makes many people not even interested in them. We propose a very simple challenge: put a small amount of powder in your hand, spread it and see what happens. We’ll tell you the result: absolutely nothing will happen.

Although at first glance they look whitish, they are also translucent, so they do not alter your skin tone at all. You can relax because they’re not gonna make you look like a geisha. In any case, keep in mind that, if you apply too much, they could bleach slightly by a mere accumulation of product. Go little by little.