Setting powders are the Marmite of the makeup world—you either love them or you hate them. Yet despite having oily skin since my teenage years (and Rimmel’s iconic Stay Matte Pressed Powder being one of the first makeup products that I ever purchased) setting powder has fallen by the wayside for me in recent years, with glowier makeup looks dominating the beauty scene.
However, incorporating a setting powder into your routine doesn’t mean compromising on radiance. “Ensure you use a hydrating skincare base beforehand to keep your make up looking fresh, but without that cakey look,” advises celebrity makeup artist Brooke Simons. “Then use the powder sparingly and just on the areas that need setting. For example, avoid the cheekbone area as you’ll want this to look glowy, but use in the t-zone where you may become oilier throughout the day.”
And after recently having the Milk Makeup’s new Pore Eclipse Powder applied to my skin at the launch a few weeks back, I was reminded of just how hardworking a decent setting powder is. My shiny skin was instantly transformed into a smooth, even and shine-free complexion with just a light dusting. Did I look dull? Not in the slightest. There was still radiance, but in a controlled way. And when I emerged from a humid tube journey later that afternoon, my makeup was still well and truly in check. Suffice to say, I have used a setting powder on my face every day since—and there are some seriously good ones on the market right now.