Setting powder that provides a fresh/shiny finish (rather than a matte finish)??

[bethany1021]

Is there a setting (or finishing) powder that provides a fresh shiny finish rather than a matte finish that does not congest pores? I want my face to remain fresh and shiny (the clean look) but not have that matte/caked look - almost like the no make-up look while wearing make-up. Think the Meghan Markle glow. I could forego the powder altogether but then I end up looking shiny (the oily type of shiny, mind you) than fresh mid-day instead. I’ve tried the coveted Laura Mercier setting powder but it’s a VERY matte look on me which I’m desperately trying to avoid (and it dries my already parched skin out). Suggestions?!? 

[Anonymous]

Try the Hourglass Ambient lighting powders! They leave the most beautiful lit-from-within glow! 

[bethany1021]

@Anonymous You’re the third person to mention these powders so they must be something special! I use the hourglass blushes (the ambient lighting ones) but not the powder. I’ve added the powder to my list to start procuring! Thank you!!

[PenelopeBT]

Hi @bethany1021,

If you're looking for a fresh, dewy finish to your makeup, I highly recommend Becca's Hydra-Mist Set and Refresh Powder. It's very different from your average powder. It's not mattifying, in fact, it's moisturizing and has a cooling effect on your skin. It is formulated with 50 percent water, which gives your skin that nice glowy finish. I've been using it for a month now and it's easily become my favorite setting powder.

Stay Gorgeous,

Penelope

[bethany1021]

@PenelopeBT this is definitely intriguing. I’m going to be looking into this. Anything that will help set AND hydrate is a winner in my book! Thank you for bringing this powder to my attention!!

[starsandbucks]

@bethany1021 As mentioned, the Hourglass powders are great. I personally get an even “shinier” (that’s not the word I want but I can’t think of a better one but you know what I mean!) using the Laura Mercier Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder. The trick with that powder is finding the right brush for application. I’ve found that using a natural bristle brush will pick up the best amount of product and give a nice dewy complexion. Synthetic brushes with this powder give a kind of unimpressive result but a natural brush is gorgeous. 

[bethany1021]

Thank you for that tip!! I haven’t tried the candlelight powder - I’ve added that to my list! What natural brush are you using that you find to be best for this type of application??

[starsandbucks]

@bethany1021 I use the old MAC 138 but all the MAC brushes have been replaced by synthetic versions now. If you can find an old natural hair version, it’s the *perfect* brush for this powder. Probably a NARS Yachiyo brush would be great (or a cheap Amazon dupe! The NARS brush is $55 - I always look for dupes on Amazon.)

[fieldsofclover]

@bethany1021 I would second @starsandbucks' idea here. I brought an old natural-bristle Aveda powder brush out of retirement to use with my Hourglass, and get a much better result with it than I did with my Sephora #55 brush. It's a little bigger than the Yachiyo but that's probably the most similar one sold here.

[sparkles0913]

For a dewy finish I use MAC's strobe cream as my primer then set with a setting spray as opposed to powder. The strobe cream leaves a shimmery dewy finish even after you put on your foundation, it is so good!

[bethany1021]

I haven’t heard of that product. I’ll check it out! Thank you!! 

[fieldsofclover]

@bethany1021 I prefer the same kind of look and I've had better luck with using both a setting and a finishing powder than just trying to set with a powder that leaves a more luminous finish on its own.

Right now I set with the Laura Mercier powder, then apply blush, etc., then use an Hourglass Ambient Lighting powder on top all over to finish. This way I can control the finish a little more, and with a setting spray on top I can usually get through a full day without any touchups. 

I'm thinking about giving the Givenchy Prisme Libre a try to see whether setting with that will let me combine both steps, but... not holding my breath yet!

[bethany1021]

Ooooo! Hourglass ambient lighting powder - which one do you use!? PLEASE let me know the verdict with Givenchy! I am open to ALL suggestions! 

[fieldsofclover]

Update: I'm *really* happy with the Prisme Libre as a setting powder; I appreciate the extra bit of color correction (I bought the pastel) and it seems a little more finely milled than the LM, if you're into the super-HD finish. I don't know whether it will show flashback, though. It's not a dewy finish at all, but definitely has more dimension than a mattifying powder. @bethany1021

[fieldsofclover]

@bethany1021 I'm really fair (1Y03) so I use Diffused Light (the pale yellowish one)... Dim Light was too dark on me and Ethereal Light (the white one) has more sparkles in it than I would prefer.

I'm really happy with it as a finishing powder. I think I'll only switch away if they change the formula, or if I find something with a more pearlescent/opalescent finish (like the older, slightly less sparkly version). I am going to give the Givenchy a whirl as a LM replacement, though.

[Chris38]

After setting with Laura Mercier, finish with Peach Blur finishing powder from Too Faced.  It'll give you that subtle radiance you're looking for.

[bethany1021]

Wow! I hadn’t thought of that! I always thought that the peach blur powder was a mattifying one. I’ll have to check it out! Thank you for the suggestion! 

[Chris38]

Watch their video that explains the difference.  The Peach Perfect loose powder does mattify, but the Peach Blur is a finishing powder that blurs, and color corrects, and gives it this luminous quality which keeps the matte look from looking flat or one dimensional.