10 Questions You Should to Know about Pressed Powder Container

I've had a couple of questions from you wonderfully inquisitive (fantastic, gorgeous and absolutely fabulous) readers about the method I use to prepare powder for pressing. Here's how I put together a palette with highlighter, foundation and blush tones the other day.

The Necessary Ingredients and Tools

- Base powder mix (container of white powder at the top of the pic)
- Binder (the purse-sized spray bottle)
- Cosmetic pigments (pre-mixed colors in the small containers)
- Small sifter
- Small bowls
- Pans (in which to press your color)
- Measuring and stirring implements
- Wax paper (in generous amounts so you can both cover your work surface and have pieces to work on and discard)

Tip: Don't try to do everything in one session. Preparing base powder and binder can be done in a one session. Mixing color pigments is another session. (When I start mixing colors, I invariably enter a time warp and suddenly discover 3 hours will have somehow mysteriously disappeared in the wink of an eye).

Preparing the Color

Mix base powder with your desired color and sift together several times until the color is even. The proportion of base powder to color is dependent upon the components of the base powder you are using. (see below for a link to other posts on base powder). For this blush color, I used 40% base powder to 60% color.

The color of the sifted mixture is 'softened' due to the titanium dioxide in the base powder mix. This results in an opaque color (with added sunscreen effect). A base powder mix without zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will result in a more transparent color.

Even though the sifted color looks a far cry from the original tone, introducing binder to the mix will make a bit of magic happen and this blush color is going to regain most of its original strength (see bottommost pan in the pic at the bottom of this post for the final result).

Binding it all Together

Some use silicones as binders, but I prefer plant-based products and make a mixture of jojoba and fractionated coconut oil with E-vitamin as an antioxidant. I normally make enough for several pans of color so I have binder 'at the ready' for spontaneous powder-pressing occasions (Springtime is usually full of these). A spray bottle is the ideal vehicle for delivering a light, even layer of oil.

Tip: Make a healthy amount of everything for your very first portion and expect to use a bit of time experimenting with the binder-to-powder ratio to get the texture right. You may very well need to throw some product out along the way. However, if you keep notes, it will be a piece of cake to recreate the perfect proportions. For example: it took me 4 tries (in a previous session) to find that this particular pan size requires one and a half spritz of binder per pan.

Adding Binder

Start with a sheet-size wax paper. The binder is sprayed directly onto the paper first, then the powder is transferred to the paper. If you do it the other way around, you risk spreading your newly mixed color all over your workspace and yourself (can you tell I speak from experience?)

Working in the Binder

Working the oil into the powder is best done with a stiff spatula. Pull and drag it along the paper (kind of like buttering a piece of bread), scrape the color together and keep 'buttering' for 3-4 minutes.

When you see small lumps forming and the color changing back to its original hue, start testing for 'press-readiness'.

Testing For Press-Readiness

Scrape the mixture together on the paper. Press down on it with the spatula. When it readily hangs together in large-ish lumps, it's ready for pressing. If it just as easily breaks up again, you have achieved the perfect binder-to-powder ratio.

Tip: Don't be tempted to press before you can feel and see that the binder is evenly and completely distributed. Your pressed powder will reward you by staying in the pan and behaving ever so nicely &#; even if you accidentally drop it.

After Pressing

Here are the 4 pressed pans I did for my face-sculpting, skin-tone palette. The end result is pictured at the beginning of this post.

You Can Totally Do This Too!

Despite this detailed (and hopefully not too daunting) description, it took a total of an hour to create this palette of 4 colors. 

The Final Question

"But how are they to use, Lise?" I hear you asking.

They go on like a dream, feel like silk, have great staying power, are easily removed, and look like a million &#; they're pure pleasure! Now, go make your own, and have fun with it!

More Make-up Fun

To see how I press eyeshadow, please visit this post.
To read a bit about base powders and mixing a powder foundation, please visit this post.

Do Tell

Do you press your own powder? Which method do you use?

Wondering what the differences are between pressed powder vs loose powder? And what does setting spray do? We&#;ve got you covered with this handy guide as we delve into the different types of setting powders and what setting spray does, all to extend the wear-time of your makeup look. 

Click here to get more.

&#;Pressed and loose powders can be used as setting powders, meaning they help mattify skin for shine control throughout the day, plus they help extend the wear-time of your makeup look, keeping it in place for longer,&#; explains Janeena Rumsey, Glo&#;s Artistry Lead. &#;You can also finish your look with a setting spray for longevity and boosted skin nourishment.&#;

What Is the Difference Between Pressed and Loose Powder?

The main difference between pressed powder and loose powder is their formulas. &#;Pressed powder is a great option for on-the-go complexion perfection. As it is more densely packed than a loose powder, it tends to provide a bit more coverage, allowing for easy, mess-free touch-ups. Use a translucent, talc-free mineral pressed setting powder like our Perfecting Powder to set and mattify your cream or liquid foundation, to absorb any excess oil, and to blur any remaining imperfections,&#; says Janeena. &#;It extends the length of time your makeup will last without smudging or budging.&#; 

Loose setting powder is finely milled, super lightweight, translucent, and oftentimes tends to be more sheer than pressed powder. &#;Our Luminous Setting Powder features diamond powder, which helps to blur texture and provide a luminous glowing finish,&#; adds Janeena. &#;Loose powder can be used to set any makeup look in place&#;and can be used as part of the &#;baking&#; method in setting your foundation and concealer for all-day wear.&#; 

Loose setting powder is another great option for shine control and naturally mattifies the skin to create a soft-focus, flawless finish. &#;If you are generally looking for a lighter or sheer effect, loose powder will be your go-to,&#; shares Janeena.

Is Pressed Powder the Same As Setting Powder?

Setting powder is an invisible step in your makeup ritual that sets the makeup in place with a translucent powder that keeps everything looking shine-free, flawless, and to enhance the staying power of your makeup look. You apply your setting powder over your mineral makeup as a final step to lock it all in.    

With many types of face powder products available, it can get confusing as to what each powder does. &#;Pressed powder as a term can be used to refer to pressed setting powder or a pressed powder foundation,&#; explains Janeena. &#;A pressed powder foundation like our bestselling Pressed Base can be worn as a base with longwearing buildable coverage, and it can also be layered over any of our other foundations or concealers for a longwearing, flawless complexion.&#;

&#;Perfecting Powder on the other hand is a pressed setting powder. It is translucent, mattifying, and specifically designed to perfect the complexion, for a flawless, longwearing finish,&#; she adds.

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Is Pressed or Loose Powder Better For Mature Skin?

&#;Whether pressed or loose powder is better for mature or aging skin is really all down to the look you want to achieve and your skin type,&#; explains Janeena. &#;That said, as skin ages, it tends to be drier, so needs a little radiance boost. This is where loose setting powders with blurring benefits can help. This type of setting powder imparts a lightweight, luminous glow for all day radiance as well as supporting the longevity of your makeup look. 

How To Apply Finishing Powder

&#;When you&#;re applying a finishing powder or setting powder, my top tip is to keep it lightweight and natural looking,&#; says Janeena. &#;Start off with a minimal amount and build from there. You don&#;t want to place too much on to begin with as it can look overdone.&#;

&#;As the finishing powder is quite literally meant to set your look in place, the trick to applying it, is to be gentle. Lightly sweep on your powder without dragging your skin as this can affect the placement of your foundation, concealer, blush or bronzer.

&#;Using your preferred powder brush&#;mine is the Tapered Setting Powder Brush, lightly dip into your powder, tap off any excess, then gently press and sweep across your face, paying particular attention to your T-zone if you&#;re prone to an oily shine in this area. As a little will go far, be minimal with your setting powder for the most natural look. 

&#;If you want to &#;bake&#; your foundation or concealer, after applying your setting powder, let it sit for a few minutes, then using a large fluffy brush, gently sweep away any excess, to avoid it settling into fine lines.&#;

What Is Setting Spray and What Does It Do?

&#;If you really want to ensure your makeup lasts all day, and your skin feels comfortable and nourished, a setting spray is the way to go,&#; explains Janeena. &#;A setting spray is essentially a liquid mist infused with nourishing hydrating ingredients that lock your makeup look in place. Our HA-Revive Hyaluronic Mist is powered by hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and botanical extracts to replenish moisture levels of both skin and minerals, and help your makeup stay put without smudging or settling into fine lines.&#;

And you can spritz your setting spray throughout the day to replenish your complexion and keep any touch-ups in place.

For more Pressed Powder Containerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.