After spending precious time applying your makeup, you want to make sure that it lasts all day. Setting powder can help ensure that it does, but knowing when to reach for pressed powder vs. loose powder is a must. Though they seem similar, these two types of powders serve different purposes—and swapping one for the other may not yield the same results. As with many things in makeup, the best pick depends on your skin type, preferences, and what end result you’re hoping to achieve. If you want to learn more, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain the main differences between loose powder vs. pressed powder and offer tips on when and how to use each in your makeup routine.
Loose powder and pressed powder differ in a few key ways, including how they’re packaged, what they’re used for, and how they’re applied.
Loose powders are finely milled face powders that typically come housed in a tub or jar. They can be tinted or translucent and are most commonly used to help set liquid makeup, mattify shine, and blur the appearance of skin texture. You can apply loose powder with a powder puff or a brush—in either case, the formula is lightly swept onto the skin to help set makeup without adding much (if any) additional coverage. Loose powders are also used to bake under-eye makeup and help prevent it from smudging, fading, or settling into fine lines.
Pressed powders are face powders that come pressed in a compact (similar to blush or powder bronzer). They often come with an applicator—usually a sponge or a powder puff—and are ideal for on-the-go touch-ups. Because the powder is pressed into the compact, the application process is a bit different than it would be with loose powders. Rather than sweeping the formula onto your skin, you’ll generally use the included applicator to press or swipe the powder onto areas that need coverage. Additionally, pressed powders tend to come in a wider range of shades than loose powders—some are even designed to be used in place of liquid foundation for a full-coverage matte finish.
Generally speaking, loose powder should be applied near the end of your makeup routine—or, at the very least, after applying all of your liquid base products (such as foundation, concealer, and liquid blush or contour). While you can technically apply a loose powder onto bare skin, keep in mind that most only provide light coverage, and many provide no coverage at all. As such, these formulas are best suited for setting makeup—you generally wouldn’t use a loose powder in place of traditional base makeup.
What they are good for is minimizing unwanted shine, blurring imperfections, and giving the skin a smooth, matte finish. As mentioned above, loose powders are also what you’d typically want to reach for when “baking” your makeup.
One thing to keep in mind: Due to the way they’re packaged and applied, loose powders aren’t the best choice for on-the-go touch-ups. They’re far less portable than their pressed counterparts and often require specific tools, such as a brush, to apply. As such, these formulas are best kept at home, in the relative safety of your makeup bag.
There are several instances in which you may want to use a pressed powder. The first is to set your liquid makeup or help mattify shine while you’re out and about. Because they come in a compact (oftentimes with the applicator included), they’re easy to stash in your bag and pat on for shine control throughout the day. You can apply them all over to help mattify your skin and add coverage, or use them selectively to target areas prone to oiliness (such as the nose, forehead, and chin).
Pressed powders can also be a great alternative to traditional liquid or cream foundation, particularly if you have oily skin. In this case, you’d apply your powder to primed skin before applying any other makeup. Keep in mind that if you’re using a powder foundation, you’ll want to stick with powder products for the rest of your routine, too—applying liquid makeup over a powder base could result in patchiness or unevenness. If you’re a diehard liquid blush devotee, loose powder may be a better option for your needs.
Loose powder is easy to apply, but you’ll want to use a light hand to avoid a dry or unnaturally matte finish. Here’s how we recommend using loose powder in your makeup routine.
As we mentioned earlier, loose powder is most commonly used after you’ve finished applying all of your liquid and cream base makeup. As such, you’ll want to start by applying your foundation to help even out your complexion. For a long-lasting finish, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation. The buildable formula provides medium-to-full coverage and feels lightweight on the skin. It’s non-comedogenic, breathable, and transfer-proof—and it wears for up to 32 hours. If you notice any areas that need additional coverage, like beneath your eyes, you can go in with a thin layer of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer.
Next, grab your loose setting powder. With the cap unscrewed but closed, flip the container upside down and pat the bottom of the jar to dispense the powder into the lid. Then, right the jar and carefully remove the cap. Dip a powder brush, beauty sponge, or powder puff into the powder, then lightly dust the formula onto the areas of your face you’d like to set, blur, or mattify. We suggest starting with a very thin, light dusting of powder—you can always add more later if needed. Baking requires a slightly different approach. For a full rundown of the process, we suggest heading over to our article How To Bake Your Makeup for a Long-Lasting Look.
After sweeping on your powder, let it sit for a minute or two before touching your face. When you’re ready to get going, use a clean brush to lightly sweep away any excess powder. You can stop here if you want a completely matte look. Otherwise, finish up your routine by misting your face with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, which boasts a healthy, natural-looking finish.
Pressed powder can be applied more directly all over the face to help minimize shine and even the complexion. Here’s how.
Unlike loose powders, which are almost always sheer or translucent, pressed powders can offer sheer, medium, or full coverage. You’ll want to select a formula that aligns with your needs and desired end result.
If you’re aiming for a more natural, blurred matte look, we suggest opting for a buildable pressed powder, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Powder. The micro-fine formula boasts a lightweight, soft texture and won’t settle into fine lines or get cakey throughout the day. The shades in the collection align with the rest of the products in our True Match line, so you can use it alone, layer it over foundation, or pair it with your concealer and enjoy a flawless match. (If you need help finding your shade, check out our article How To Find Your Perfect L’Oréal True Match Foundation and Concealer Shades).
The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder, meanwhile, is ideal for those seeking a full-coverage finish. The pigmented formula covers like a liquid and mattifies with no cakey look, ensuring natural-looking matte coverage that wears for up to 24 hours (it’s even sweatproof and waterproof).
Open up your compact and grab your preferred tool—a brush will provide lighter, more natural-looking coverage, while a sponge is better suited for full coverage use. Sweep your chosen tool across the surface of the pressed powder, then begin layering the formula on your face, starting at the center of your face and working your way out. Blend well and continue adding more product until you’ve reached your desired level of coverage.
After applying your powder, continue with your makeup routine, sweeping on your powder blush, highlighter, bronzer, and contour as usual. Once you’re done, set everything in place with setting spray to help ensure all-day wear.
If you’re wondering whether to use loose powder vs. pressed powder for oily skin, the truth is, there isn’t one right answer—it depends on your preferences and how you do your makeup. Loose powder is great for setting makeup (that’s why it’s often referred to as setting powder) and can help mattify unwanted shine. But it doesn’t provide coverage and isn’t well-suited for on-the-go application.
Pressed powder, meanwhile, can be applied (or reapplied) from just about anywhere. It also can help mattify unwanted shine, but it typically adds coverage, too—so if you’re already wearing foundation, you’ll want to use a very light hand to avoid making your skin look too “done.” Ultimately, though, it’s up to you—use whichever formula best aligns with your needs, application preferences, and desired end result. At the end of the day, they’re both powders, and they both work well with oily skin.
Next Up: How To Apply Makeup Like a Pro
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
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