When it comes to powder foundations, it can feel like you’re walking into a beauty jungle full of confusing terms—compact, pressed, loose—what does it all mean? Which one will make you look like a flawless superstar and not like a cake left out in the rain? And, more importantly, if you’ve got that oily skin, which one is going to keep you matte and fabulous all day? Let’s break it down shall we?
1. Compact Powder Foundation
AKA: The “I’m always in my bag” foundation.Best for: Quick touch-ups, on-the-go situations. This baby is your all-in-one handy-dandy powder + foundation combo, usually housed in a sleek compact with a mirror and applicator puff. It’s like having a tiny beauty armour in your purse, ready to tackle shine and even out skin tone. Compact powder foundation is a lifesaver when you’re out in the wild (aka commuting to work) and need to dab away the mid-day oil slick.
Pros:
- Portability: Slip it in your bag for emergency face-freshening.
- Buildable coverage: Sheer to medium, depending on how many layers you pile on.
- Matte finish: Great for taming that shiny forehead!
Cons:
- Cakey potential: If you go too heavy-handed, you might end up looking like a cake ready to be iced.
- Limited oil control: Might not hold back the floodgates for super oily skin.
Holy Grail:
- MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation – An OG favourite, this has been winning hearts (and faces) since… well, forever. It’s a powder foundation legend that provides coverage and controls shine without looking heavy.
- Award Winner: 2023 Allure Best of Beauty Award for Best Powder Foundation. Bow down.
2. Pressed Powder
AKA: The "I'm here to mattify, not cover."Best for: Setting foundation, touch-ups, light coverage. Pressed powder is like the chill cousin of compact foundation. It’s here for a good time, not a full-coverage time. This type of powder is mostly used to set your foundation, keeping it locked in place and taking the shine down a notch. It’s pressed tightly into a pan and applied with a puff or brush for that just polished, no-fuss look.
Pros:
- Mattifying power: Reduces shine without adding much coverage.
- Portable: Perfect for touch-ups without spilling powder everywhere.
- Finishing touch: Keeps your makeup in place and prevents slipping and sliding.
Cons:
- Light on coverage: Don’t expect this powder to hide last night’s lack of sleep. It’s more of a "smoothing" product.
- Can look powdery: If you go overboard, it might leave you looking like you’ve been dusted in flour.
Holy Grail:
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish – This gem smooths, blurs, and gives you that "I’ve been airbrushed by the gods" finish. It's a favourite of celebrities and beauty gurus alike.
- Award Winner: 2023 InStyle Best Beauty Buys for Best Pressed Powder.
3. Loose Powder
AKA: The “I’m messy but worth it” powder.Best for: Setting your makeup or baking your face like a pro. Loose powder is lightweight, fine, and perfect for setting makeup and absorbing oil. It comes in a jar and requires some skill because, let’s face it, a rogue sneeze and you’re dusting the whole room in powder. But the payoff is a beautifully set, smooth finish with killer oil control. It’s loved by people with oily skin because of its superb mattifying powers.
Pros:
- Oil control: Keeps you looking matte all day long.
- Airy finish: It gives you a soft, natural look without clogging pores.
- Great for baking: If you’re into the baking technique, loose powder is your best friend.
Cons:
- Messy: Beware of spillages. Applying loose powder in a hurry is a disaster waiting to happen.
- Not very travel-friendly: You don’t want this baby spilling in your handbag unless you want a bag full of powdery chaos.
Holy Grail:
- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder – The Queen of all powders. This product has been praised by beauty lovers for years for its flawless finish and oil control.
- Award Winner: 2023 Cosmopolitan Holy Grail Beauty Award for Best Loose Powder. Seriously, this powder is royalty.
Which One is Best for Oily Skin?
Ah, oily skin is the foundation eater, the midday shine creator. If your complexion is more oily than not, loose powder is your ultimate weapon. Its finely milled texture is fantastic for controlling excess oil, and it sets makeup in place like Fort Knox. You can bake with it or lightly dust it over your foundation for long-lasting oil control.Top Pick for Oily Skin:
- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: You can’t go wrong with this award-winning product. It absorbs oil, keeps makeup in place all day, and leaves a velvety finish without ever looking cakey.
- Another Hero: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder – Budget-friendly and just as effective at controlling shine and setting makeup. It’s beloved for its performance and price point.
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Huda Beauty's Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder is specifically designed to keep makeup in place while controlling shine throughout the day. The powder is finely milled, offering a smooth, matte finish without feeling heavy or cakey—perfect for those with oily complexions. Plus, it's ideal for baking under the eyes, which is a bonus if you're looking for extra oil control in that area. Not only is it an excellent choice for oily skin, but it has also earned several prestigious accolades, including:
- 2023 Harper’s Bazaar Best of the Best Beauty Awards for Best Setting Powder.
- 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Award in the Loose Setting Powder category.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve got oily skin, loose powder is your best friend—so long as you can handle the mess. But if you’re constantly on the go and need something quick and portable, compact powder foundations and pressed powders are also great options. Just be aware that compact foundations are best for more coverage, while pressed powders are there for that quick mattifying touch-up. Now go forth and conquer that shine and enjoy your flawless look!Check Out our Personal Recommendation:
A beautifully mattifying loose powder foundation