I tried three leading loose powders – one of them sets makeup almost invisibly

FACE powder is the #1 product for controlling shine and making makeup last longer – but there’s a huge choice.

Today I’m going back to basics as I test three leading loose powders.

BUDGET

5

NATURAL Collection Setting Powder (£4 for 9g, boots.com): For a long time, I struggled to find a decent budget setting powder.

I can count on one hand how many I review, and this one went straight to the top of the list.

It’s super thin, so it doesn’t feel dusty on the skin or settle into fine lines, and the translucent shade is slightly pink instead of white, so you don’t end up looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost.

I only have one complaint: the packaging is quite messy and I always end up covered in dust when I roll the lid back on, so it’s not for traveling.

But for the great price, I can handle it.

MIDDLE RANGE

5

FENTY Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder (£26 for 28g boots. with): I’ve loved every Fenty Beauty base product I’ve tried, so I had high hopes for this setting powder.

Unfortunately, they were not fully met.

Firstly, the tub is so big it doesn’t fit in my makeup bag, but even looking back, I don’t love the formula.

It’s drier than I’m used to, and I found that it made my makeup look quite patchy later in the day – and if I didn’t wait for my foundation to dry before applying powder, this worked fine. looks like cake.

Dodge this one!

LUX

5

LAURA Mercier Translucent Loose Powder (£38.50 for 29g, spacenk.com): Every makeup artist I’ve ever worked with had this setting powder in their kit.

It’s the original and is unanimously considered the best in the industry – so much so that the brand has released dozens of different versions in recent years, but the original surpasses them all.

It sets makeup almost invisibly, doesn’t dry out or cake, and the wash lasts forever—although if you want a cheaper alternative, the Natural Collection comes in a close second.

Pick of the week

5

It may seem early to be thinking about Father’s Day, but M&S ​​has just launched the perfect gift you won’t want to miss.

M&S Beauty The Grooming Edit, £30 (but worth a whopping £100) contains seven beauty essentials.

There are two fragrances, a hand cream, an aftershave balm, a facial scrub and a full-size L’Occitane shower gel and Ren EverHydrate cream, so you’ll quickly become dad’s favorite!