Guide to Natural Finishing Powders

Busy days and harsh weather conditions can lead to your foundation or concealer losing its staying power. Excess oil can make the complexion look shiny, while dry skin can make foundation appear dull or flaky. Like a flattering photo filter for your face, finishing powders can help to perfect and set makeup in place for a flawless finish which lasts all day long. Whether you need help minimising shine, want a luminous glow or just a bit of extra colour correction, a touch of finishing powder can help keep foundation from slipping and sliding all over the place and promote a balanced, healthy looking complexion.

What are finishing powders?

Designed to be the final step in your makeup application, finishing powders, also known as setting powders, are translucent or lightly tinted powders to help perfect the skin and set your makeup, and can come in either loose or pressed powder form. For oily or shiny skin, choose one that mattifies shine and absorbs excess oil to keep foundation in place all day. On acne prone or sensitive skin, finishing powders can be used to correct discolouration or diffuse the appearance of blemishes. For normal skin, they can be used to set foundation and give a radiant, soft focus finish.

Who are finishing powders best for?

Light as air, finishing powders are useful for all skin types and come in a variety of finishes to suit different skin tones and textures. Whether you prefer a full coverage foundation or just a light tinted moisturiser, a finishing powder can complete your makeup by correcting, brightening and illuminating the complexion and leaving skin looking polished. Finishing powders are especially flattering on oily skin as the super fine powder can help makeup last longer and look fresher by absorbing excess oil. Some people prefer to apply powder only to the t-zone area to keep shine at bay. Pressed or dusted onto the skin with a light hand, finishing powder can help achieve a natural, semi-matte finish as well as smooth the complexion to ensure foundation is even and crack-free.

Mattifying finishing powders for oily skin

La Mav Mattifying Powder
The La Mav Mattifying Powder is a lightly tinted, non-comedogenic loose powder which absorbs excess oil, minimises the appearance of pores and leaves the complexion matte and shine-free. This water-resistant formula also contains light reflective pigments SPF 15 as well Rosehip Extract to soothe skin. Light and gentle, this vegan, Australian made powder is suitable for oily and sensitive skin as well as skin conditions such as rosacea, blemishes and mild forms of eczema.

Inika Mattifying Setting Powder
Ideal for oily skin, the Inika Mattifying Setting Powder is a fine, silky loose powder which sets makeup in place, controls shine and minimises the appearance of pores. Made with super-light minerals including Mica and Silica, this Certified Vegan powder may help to reduce redness and fine lines by mattifying the skin's texture for an airbrushed glow. Apply after liquid foundation to set makeup in place and limit oiliness.

Benecos Natural Translucent Powder Mission Invisible
The Benecos Natural Translucent Powder Mission Invisible helps keep your makeup in place and mattify the complexion. Containing natural minerals as well as nourishing Avocado Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Chamomile and Vitamin E, this hydrating pressed powder leaves skin soft and smooth. Gluten Free and Vegan, this German-made formula soothes sensitive skin and helps makeup last all day long.

Perfecting finishing powders for dry or dull skin

100% Pure Bamboo Blur
Pretty much the closest thing you can get to a real life photo filter, the 100% Pure Bamboo Blur Setting Powder blurs fine lines and imperfections for a flawless, airbrushed finish. Silky and translucent, this Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide-free loose powder sets makeup with a radiant glow and may help to minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines. Made with nothing but pure Bamboo Silica, this vegan powder can be buffed and blended into the skin using circular motions for long lasting coverage.

Dr Hauschka Colour Correcting Powder 00 Translucent
Ideal for targeting redness, the Dr Hauschka Colour Correcting Powder 00 Translucent has been formulated to reduce the appearance of redness as well as dark circles to help create a beautifully fresh complexion and even skin tone. Containing luminous mineral pigments including Diatomaceous Earth as well as nourishing botanical ingredients such as soothing Anthyllis and Witch Hazel, this Gluten Free pressed powder can be worn on its own to balance redness or over foundation for a flawless finish.

Balancing finishing powders for sensitive and acne prone skin

Dr. Hauschka Translucent Face Powder Loose
Ideal for sensitive and irritated skin, the Dr Hauschka Translucent Face Powder is a gentle, silky loose powder which reduces shine to leave all skin tones with a smooth, even, matte finish. Breathable and lightweight, the ultra-sheer, Gluten Free formula contains soothing and protective ingredients including Anthyllis, Witch Hazel, Rose and Black Tea to tone skin and give it a fresh, luminous glow. Dust over the face with the powder puff to mattify the complexion, minimise shine and set makeup in place.

Lavera Fine Loose Mineral Powder Transparent
The Lavera Fine Loose Mineral Powder Transparent is a sheer loose powder which helps to soften the appearance of fine lines, pores, blemishes and imperfections. Suitable for sensitive, acne-prone and troubled skin, this fine, vegan and Gluten Free powder has a base of Mica and Rice Powder to even skin tone, while Argan Oil, Coconut Oil, Sea Buckthorn, Shea Butter, Mallow and Vitamin E keep skin hydrated, soothed and nourished for a smooth, velvety finish. With its own powder puff for easy application, this delicate powder can be pressed into the complexion for long-lasting coverage.