Should I Use a Translucent or Coloured Powder?

22 Feb 2019

I've worked in the Marketing Team at Adore Beauty for almost a year now and love love love skincare! I'm all about vegan products and 5 plus step skincare routines. Recently I've been growing out my coloured hair and focusing on strength/length with hair masks and treatments.

Translucent Powder

Translucent powder is a solid tool for any makeup-wearer to have in her makeup bag. But when and why should you use it?

Translucent powder is best used to set makeup or finish a look. A colourless powder isn't going to provide coverage or even your skin tone. A translucent powder is better for smoothing out uneven texture, such as scarring, visible pores, bumpiness, or roughness.

In short, this type of powder is used at the conclusion of makeup application, before setting spray, or as a means of setting makeup on its own—but not as a means of coverage.

Some great options for translucent powders include:

RCMA No Colour Powder

RCMA No Colour Powder 3oz

$24.00

4.6 of 321 reviews

Beloved by makeup artists and beauty editors alike, RCMA No Colour Powder is a cult-classic staple for everyone's makeup kit. Suitable for all skin types, skintones and occasions, RCMA No Colour Powder has no filler or pigment, so that it will not alter the colour of your foundation base. For a setting powder with a subtle skin-tone, try RCMA Translucent Powder.

Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder

$45.00

4.5 of 39 reviews

Banish unwanted shine in an instant and keep your skin looking fresh and radiant throughout the day. Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder refines the complexion and reduces shine with its lightweight, smooth texture. This silky, translucent setting powder leaves the skin soft, balanced, and radiant with Iris, Sage, Rosemary, Daisy, Witch Hazel, and Arnica. Rose Silk Finishing Powder is also infused with Cornstarch and Rice Starch, natural talc substitutes. Silica imparts a smooth texture on skin.

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder

MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder - 4g

$36.00

4.3 of 28 reviews

The powder that everyone is talking about. Get ready to meet one of the most versatile products to ever exist in your makeup kit. MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder was created with high definition cameras in mind, but with advanced micro-filtering technology this powder is perfect to set your makeup in place, and keep your skin looking naturally matte throughout the day.

Coloured Powders

Powders with pigment mask not only textural imperfections such as scarring and large pores but also discolourations. A powder with a hint of colour provides coverage of dark spots, redness, and generally uneven skin tone.

If you’re looking for more of a multipurpose product, don’t use any other form of foundation, or want an extra boost of coverage, a coloured powder is what you’re looking for. Tinted powder is a great way to reduce oiliness throughout the day. Drier skins benefit from the ability to touch up any smudging foundation and tone down redness.

Some great examples of coloured powders that are great for everyone include:

Glo Skin Beauty Pressed Base

$70.00

4.8 of 16 reviews

Nourish, protect and correct your skin texture with this award-winning mineral foundation. Glo Minerals Pressed Base Foundation is formulated to deliver superior coverage as it nourishes your skin. This versatile pressed powder can be applied lightly for sheer coverage or layered for full, flawless coverage with a semi-matte finish. Talc-free, non-comedogenic and fortified with our exclusive antioxidant blend, this high-performance foundation is available in many different shades to match any skin tone.

Inika Loose Mineral Foundation

$59.00

4.7 of 140 reviews

Even out your complexion and enhance your own natural beauty with this feather-light, 100% natural face makeup. Inika Loose Mineral Foundation is an award-winner, offering sun protection and flawless coverage without clogging pores or triggering skin sensitivities. Available in 12 stunning shades to complement nearly every skin tone, this vegan loose powder foundation delivers the coverage and performance you’re looking for without irritation.

Youngblood Loose Mineral Foundation

$76.45 $77.50

4.6 of 109 reviews

Flawless, full coverage that is nearly undetectable? Yes, please! Achieve that coveted naturally flawless look with Youngblood Loose MIneral Foundation. Invented by a medical esthetician to help camouflage post-surgical scarring, this mineral foundation is a staple among Hollywood’s celebrity makeup artists. It also comes in 14 shades!

Now that you know which powder is best for you, you’re all set to wear whatever look you choose! Check out our full powder selection for more options. If you’re in the translucent powder camp, check out some of our foundations as well. We’ve got you covered for all your makeup needs.