I tested powders at all price points – the cheapest option has gone straight into my handbag
THE warm weather has been playing havoc with my make-up, the battle to stop it sweating off having already begun.
A glow-boosting setting powder that does not make my skin look matte could be the solution, so I put three to the test.
Budget
E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Powder Filter, £14 for 10g, elfcosmetics.co.uk
Before even trying the powder, I was super-impressed that it comes in 12 shades.
That is by far the most of those I tried, which is rarely the case for an affordable product as brands often skimp on shade range to shave costs.
In the pan I was worried it might be glittery, but on my face it left a great soft-focus glow.
The tinted powder also added some coverage to help blur over a couple of spots I am currently trying to evict from my chin.
It has gone straight into my handbag for on-the-go touch-ups. I just wish there was a mirror in the compact.
Mid-range
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Brightening Flawless Finish Powder, £39 for 9g, selfridges.com
As a major fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s OG Airbrush Setting Powder, which is hands down the best on the market, I had high hopes for this brightening version.
Disappointingly, it comes in just two shades. They are more translucent than the E.l.f. powder, so they do stretch to cover more skin tones.
But this is half the number of the brand’s non-radiant offering.
When I put it on my face, I noticed shimmery particles, which gave the game away and made me look festival ready rather than lit from within.
If your skin is less oily than mine, that might not be as much of an issue, but I will be retiring it for now.
Luxury
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, £52 for 10g, spacenk.com
Hourglass changed the setting-powder game with its light-reflecting, radiance-boosting powders more than a decade ago, so I am well aware of how brilliant this product is.
There are eight shades and you will find that more than one works for every skin tone.
It is very finely milled, so skin does not look at all powdery.
But I find if I use it, I’ve got to carry blotting papers to keep shine under control.
If you have super-oily skin, you can layer it on top of a traditional setting powder. Given the price tag, this feels like a lot of work.
Pick of the week
I AM on a constant quest to keep my hair healthy and shiny. And I am not alone, as it is one of the topics I am most frequently asked about.
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