Often times people ask me if there is much of a difference between using a loose powder or a pressed. They pretty much do the same thing, right? Well…
I’ll be honest, to me they are different. Keep in mind that I play with various products and textures on people’s faces for a living, so I definitely see a difference on how the product sits on the skin, while to many people, there is no visible difference.
I would say the majority of the people I know use a pressed powder although loose powders are becoming increasingly more popular thanks to companies like Bare Escentuals, which is a cosmetic line best known for their loose mineral powders. The main advantage to a pressed powder is the convenience of traveling and the fact they are less messy than using a loose powder.
My only concern with pressed powders are they tend to look more dry on the skin (once set) and are NOT as jet-milled (meaning the particles are not as refined/smaller. Meaning it does not look as smooth). If you are going to use a pressed powder, I recommend looking into a pressed mineralize powder, which looks super natural on the skin, minus the dry-looking effect. I personally stock my makeup kit with every single shade of MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinishes. They are blendable and again, leave the skin looking very natural with some buildable coverage.
MAC Mineralize Loose Powder - My setting powder of choice
MAC also makes a Mineralize Loose Powder Foundation, which has been the powder I’ve been using for the past few years. Although it could be used by itself as a foundation, I have been using this as my setting powder. I think it sets the skin beautifully and I swear that loose powders will give the skin its most natural finish. Keep in mind that loose powders are more jet-milled than pressed powders, which is why the skin looks extra smooth and soft. Loose powders also provide MORE coverage than pressed powders typically.
Korres Wild Rose Compact Powder
Although I’m exceptionally loyal to my MAC Mineralize Loose Powder, I recently purchased Korres Wild Rose Compact Powder. (I initially was checking out their new Wild Rose Powder (loose) being that I love loose powders, but was TURNED OFF by the fact the powder itself looked a little too shiny by sight and also when tested on my hand. I prefer my overall setting powder to be a slightly more matte than shiny given the choice). So I stumbled upon their pressed version instead and thought this would be nice to purchase before my vacation being that it’s more travel friendly and the texture was buttery soft. I used it everyday while I was away and am very happy with it!
Of course we all know I was also attracted to all the skin benefitting qualities of this powder: contains natural source of vitamin C, brightens the skintone, high quality ingredients (no parabens, sulfates, etc), and the texture of the powder is NOT chalky.
I have to say that the Korres Wild Rose Compact is really nice for a pressed powder! This leaves me VERY TORN between my MAC Mineralize Loose now!
So the verdict on loose vs. pressed? It’s really good to have one of each. I think for traveling, pressed is always a better choice, while loose is great for setting if you want the most natural finish possible.
[Do you have a preference for loose or pressed powders? What powder are you currently using?]
stylebymeli
