Instep Desk

If you are a makeup junkie, you definitely know how much time it takes to apply liquid foundation on your face. Admit it or not but there are days when you just want to save some time and skip your foundation. This is where pressed-powder foundations come in - your skin’s new best friend. The lightweight, buildable and mattifying formula not only brightens up your dull complexion and is easy to blend but simultaneously offers full coverage.

If you’re struggling with oily skin and want to avoid heavy liquid formulas pooling up in the oily areas of your face, simply buff on some powder foundation with a brush or damp beauty-blender and voila, you are good to go. The best part is that the excellent oil-absorbing contents in the powder keep shine at bay and give a natural yet flawless finish.

Instep short lists 5 must-have powder foundations that will certainly revolutionize your makeup routine.

Giorgio Armani Beauty Neo Nude Powder Foundation

The finishing powder with the practicality of a compact and the luminosity of a liquid foundation is definitely a must-have. This ultra-lightweight formula settles over your face like a sheer veil to help ward off shine, creasing and caking all day long. Available in 12 shades, Neo Nude  Powder contains a high-performance color fusion emulsion with advanced pigments that maintain a skin-matching veil, which stays true no matter how many touch-ups you make throughout the day.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

Studio Fix is a cult-classic powder foundation by MAC that provides an instant flawless finish. The plush powder applies quickly and evenly in one swipe, and the coverage is buildable, depending on how heavy you prefer your foundation. It blends well, is transfer-resistant and is available in shades for every skin tone. You can use it over your moisturizer and sunscreen for an even-toned face for up to 8 hours and more. This versatile powder even works well as a setting powder if you want a more dramatic look that doesn’t budge.

 

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Pressed Powder

Dealing with uneven skin tone, breakouts, and excess oil, it is time to say hello to this mattifying powder. The formula relies on clay to absorb oil, Matrixyl 3000 (a wrinkle-fighting peptide) to smooth lines, and mineral pigments to give irritated skin a soothing layer of coverage. This vegan powder has light to medium coverage and helps cover redness, hyperpigmentation, blemishes and more without looking cakey or dry and lasts for up to 12 hours. Moreover, the brand offers 15 shades, from fair to deep mahogany.

 

bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

With velvety consistency, you might want to switch to powder foundations for good as it promises full coverage. This mineral foundation was made to match 30 shades of skin tones, and is derived from a basic formula of no more than five key ingredients. It applies like a powder, but it resembles a cream-like texture for a flawless, illuminated complexion. The buildability allows you to adjust coverage as needed, and its lightweight formulation will let your skin breathe even in the muggiest of climates.

 

Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

Did you know that oily skin is both a bummer (as it results in potential acne) and a blessing (excess oil leads to fewer wrinkles!)? If you are tired of that dreaded shine on your face, say goodbye to grease with this oil-absorbing powder. Available in 20 shades, it’s an ultra-sheer formulation that’s great for touching up shine throughout the day while providing light-to-medium coverage and a matte finish. The ingredients used in the Sheer Pressed Powder have also been dermatologist-tested – safe for acne – so you can brush and blend without fear.