Powder: History, Types, and Usage

Like many other makeup items, the first evidence of powder was found in Ancient Egypt. As a matter of fact, face powder was one of the most popular makeup items of all time. It was widely used in Ancient Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. In the Middle Ages and at the beginning of the Renaissance, the poisonous and undoubtedly dangerous lead-based powder was a must-have for every fashionista, and perhaps the most famous person who used this unsafe beauty product was Queen Elizabeth I. During the Baroque Period, powder was used by both men and women since pale and even skin was a big trend at that time.

Face powder was widely used even in the Victorian Era when noticeable makeup was a big no-no. The powder we know today was invented in the 20th century. Obviously, it doesn’t contain lead or any other dangerous ingredients and today it is one of the most popular beauty products that is used by both women and men. So let’s talk about face powder’s types and usage in more detail.

Types of Face Powder

• Nowadays, we have six main types of powder, which are:
• Pressed Powder
• Loose Powder
• Finishing Powder
• Mineral Powder
• HD Powder
• Translucent Powder
• So let’s talk about each one a little bit more.

Pressed Powder

Pressed powder has a heavier coverage, which is why it is simply perfect for covering redness and little pimples. Apart from that, this type of powder usually comes in a variety of shades, which makes it possible to find a perfect shade for your skin tone. Finally, it comes in a useful container, so you can easily powder your nose no matter where you are.

Loose Powder

This type of powder is one of the most popular types of powder. It can be both translucent or colored and it has a light coverage, which is simply perfect for everyday makeup. In addition to that, loose powders are also used for setting foundation and concealer, so it is a must-have for every person who wears makeup.

Finishing Powder

This powder is predominantly used for covering pores and finishing your look. It comes in pressed and loose forms and it’s quite convenient to use.

Mineral Powder

Mineral powder is a type of loose powder that contains vitamins and minerals for your skin. It has a light coverage, which is why it is the best option for everyday use. This powder is simply perfect for those people who struggle with blackheads since it doesn’t block pores.

HD Powder

High Definition or simply HD powder is mainly used by professional makeup artists who do makeup for people who feature in high definition videos, in particular on TV or in movies. This type of face powder prevents camera flashback as well as mattifies and smoothes the skin.

Translucent Powder

Translucent powder is mainly used for mattifying the skin and covering shine and oiliness. It comes in both pressed and loose forms, so you can pick the one you like using the best.

Face Powder Ingredients

Luckily, modern face powders do not contain lead or any other toxic ingredients anymore. However, if you are allergic, you need to know the basic ingredients of face powder in order to avoid an allergic reaction. Therefore, most powders contain the following ingredients:

• Starch
• Silica
• Magnesium Carbohydrate
• Talc
• Kaolin
• Dimethicone
• Titanium Dioxide
• Zirconium Silicate
• Zinc Oxide

Note that different types of products and brands may have alternative ingredient lists, which is why you have to check the ingredient list of the particular product you would like to use before purchasing it, especially if you had allergic reactions to beauty products before.

How to Apply Face Powder

Applying facial powder is actually not a big deal and pretty much anyone can cope with that. You can apply it using a powder puff or a powder brush. In addition to that, pressed powders come with little sponges that also work great for some people. So pick the way of application you like the best and enjoy using your favorite product.

Final Thoughts

Face powder is an essential item for both everyday makeup as well as professional stage ones. So if you are wearing makeup on a daily basis, face powder is a must-have for you. So go ahead and grab it if you still don’t have one.