Colourful foundations & pressed powders

Choosing a pressed powder

A pressed powder sets foundation, softens shine and travels well in a compact. Loose powder gives a lighter finish at home, so pressed earns its place on the go. All Earth Mineral Cosmetics makes a mineral finishing powder for everyday wear. Glisten Cosmetics makes pressed finishing powders in ten bright shades, designed to sit over its matching Spectra Base foundations and lock the colour in place. Pressed powder for oily skin should be matte and finely milled. For dry skin, dust it only where you shine.

Colourful foundation for creative looks

A colourful foundation is a full-coverage base in white, black or a bright shade, made for stage, festival and editorial makeup. Glisten Cosmetics makes its Spectra Base range in ten shades, including white, black, orange, silver and dark blue, plus metallic and pastel versions. Each coloured foundation works alone or mixed with the others, and setting it with the matching pressed powder helps it last. Apply bright bases with a dense brush or damp sponge in thin layers, and let each one dry before the next, so the colour builds evenly without streaks.

Mineral foundation and face powder for every day

Mineral foundation is a powder base made from finely milled minerals, which gives light, buildable coverage. All Earth Mineral Cosmetics makes a mineral foundation, a mineral concealer and a mineral contour powder. A face powder over the top keeps shine down through the day. Mineral formulas suit skin that dislikes heavy liquids, and a little goes a long way, so tap off the excess before you apply. Glisten Cosmetics also makes Masterclass structure palettes for contouring in fair and light, medium and tan, and dark and deep shades.

Building your base

Start with moisturiser, let it sink in, then apply foundation and set it with powder. A dense brush or a powder puff gives more coverage, and a fluffy brush gives a softer finish. If your base looks cakey by mid-afternoon, use less powder, not more, and blot shine with a tissue first. Brushes and puffs sit in Tools, prep sits in Face Creams, colour for the cheeks sits in Blush & Bronzer, and Makeup Removal takes it all off.