I’m a massive fan of setting sprays and powders. I set my makeup in between concealer, foundation, and even bronzer application. Then, of course, I spray, set, and powder again once my look is complete. (If you’re in the market for an excellent setting spray, we’ve rounded up our favorites in the past.) What I’ve always struggled with, though, is keeping my face from getting oily after setting it so many times. Even with all those layers of spray and powder, I’m still one oily-faced gal. I’m that girl in the bar who whips out a not-so-purse-sized jar of loose setting powder and a large makeup brush to mattify my face.
That being said, I was beyond excited to try the Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder as part of our Best of Beauty testing. I had heard amazing things about it, not just from makeup artists but also from a friend who said that it’s like wearing a real-life Snapchat filter. And, to be honest, that’s what this pressed setting powder is — f*cking #nofilter amazing.
Here’s how I like to make this powder work its shine-free magic: Before I even reach for the powder compact I mist my face with my favorite setting spray — mine is Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray, which is also an Allure Best of Beauty winner in 2018 — and allow the mist to dry completely. Next, I grab the powder and use the enclosed antimicrobial sponge applicator to apply it, lightly patting or “rolling” the powder onto my skin, which really presses it into those pesky creases and lines. I start by applying it down my T-zone, then move to my under-eyes, over my chin, and finish up by pressing it onto my cheeks. I give my forehead a few extra pats because it often looks the oiliest in photos. There is no need to reapply throughout the day because the Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder gives you a long-lasting, velvety finish.
In the pan, the powder is a pale ivory and feels divinely silky when you run your fingers over it. On my skin, it goes on completely translucent, evens out my skin’s texture, and has a natural-looking finish. In my experience, no other translucent powder gives me as true-to-color matte look as this one. The pressed powder doesn’t appear chalky on darker skin tones either (we tested it to make sure and also consulted makeup artists). If you have a darker complexion, we recommend that instead of using the sponge applicator you use a powder brush (this way the product won’t go on as pigmented) to swirl up the powder and lightly sweep it on.
One of the greatest benefits of this pressed powder (besides being like a damn social media filter) is what it does for you in front of the camera. There’s no need to worry about flash photography when you’re wearing this: It keeps your face looking fresh for your photo ops, not like a powdered donut.
Many Sephora reviews and Instagram captions have pressed-powder lovers stating that this product is like a Snapchat filter. I, for one, would have to agree. This Best of Beauty winner makes my skin look totally airbrushed. And like I said before — #nofilter amazing.
You can buy the Laura Mercier Translucent Pressed Setting Powder on Cult Beauty for £30.
