How to Choose Sheer Powder to Match Skin

Sheer tinted face powder pulls your look together.

Dusting sheer powder across bare skin can instantly polish your face. Sheer powder subdues shine, sets cosmetics, like foundation and concealer, and evens out skin tone. When choosing a sheer powder to match your skin, consider the other facial cosmetics you wear and let them serve as a guide to selecting the right color. Just as it may require blending multiple foundation colors to find the perfect fit, you may need to blend two or more shades of powder for the best match.

Instructions

1. Match the shade of your foundation or concealer to the shade of your pressed powder. Cosmetic companies produce coordinating shades in a variety of formulations to ensure that your makeup matches and blends evenly. A light dusting of a sheer or translucent powder in the same shade as your other skin cosmetics will eliminate shine and provide light coverage while allowing skin's natural texture and coloring to peek through the makeup. If you do not know your foundation color, hold up compacts of powder to the back of your wrist and choose the shade that most closely matches your skin tone.

2. Read the ingredients list carefully and choose a sheer powder with no cornstarch or rice flour if you have deep olive or brown skin. Matte face powders that contain these ingredients can sit heavily on darker skin tones, giving the face an ashy appearance. Mica gives powder a little glimmer, so look for sheer powders that contain words like "shimmer" or "glow" in the name and description. A powder with a hint of gold shimmer sits naturally on deep olive complexions, while a dose of bronze or copper shimmer blends well and adds depth to darker brown skin tones.

3. Try blotting papers if you cannot find a sheer powder that matches your skin tone. Many cosmetic companies produce small packets of paper squares that absorb oil and shine without disturbing your makeup or clogging your pores. Press the paper lightly against areas that see a high buildup of grease and shine, like the forehead, chin and nose. Avoid blotting papers that are dusted with rice flour or cornstarch, as pressing these products deeply into the skin can cause breakouts, and light applications can still leave a film of chalky dust embedded in your makeup.

Tips & Warnings

• Discard the brush included with your powder purchase. These brushes are typically constructed of cheap, unevenly spaced bristles that are too short and narrow to give an even powder application. A large, fluffy powder brush ensures the lightest application.

References

• Prevention: How to Choose Sheer Powder to Match Skin
• A Practical Guide to Beauty Therapy for Level 2: Janet Simms