POWDER - loose

GOLD AWARD  PIXI H20 Skinveil

Our congratulations to make-up artist founder Petra and the team at PIXI for doing so darned well across so many different categories in our 2023 Awards – skincare, as well as make-up (which is of course where it all began). This is a ‘water-powder’; we’ve encountered those before and they have a slightly cooling action on the skin, refreshing and hydrating as you fluff onto skin with your brush, and promises a moisturising action that lasts. Unlike many powders, it can be used on bare skin, not just over a foundation/base. Our testers trialled the Translucent version, but there’s also a Sunkissed option.

£24 - click to buy

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘Makes your skin matte and smooth and keeps your make-up in place for the entire day; I liked the matte, velvety finish, especially as we are in the winter season’ • ‘I normally do not use loose powder as I love having a glowing skin, but this is much better than other powders I have tried. It does not make me look too pale, plus it made my make-up stay where it was on a night out’ • ‘I don't apply all over the face, just on the cheeks, chin and forehead; it made my foundation stay where it was, rather than providing coverage. Was still going strong after a full day at ’ • ‘I find that oiliness and shine do normally tend to be a problem after wearing foundation for four or five hours but this definitely did stop that’ • ‘I liked it and will definitely go back to using a loose setting powder to finish off my make-up; it's a quick extra step in my make-up routine which is worth the effort and not too messy. I will repurchase when I run out of this product’ • ‘Who knew that I needed this? Never bothered – don't see the point and I'm not an Instagrammer. But I have enjoyed the feeling of finishing my make-up with it, and although the effect is slight, it is very pleasing, delivering a sort of a blurry finish that evens out lines and my complexion generally.’ 

£24 - click to buy

SILVER AWARD and BEST NATURAL  Tropic Soft Focus Perfecting Powder

We’re not entirely sure this has ever happened, before – in ANY category: Tropic’s make-up setting powder has now been a winner for a wowzer four years in a row. The formula is made up of light-diffusing mineral microspheres, which work to blur fine lines and pores. A plus with this powder is that once you’ve acquired your first compact, with its fine mesh for dispensing the powder onto a brush, you can refill from a fully recyclable pouch. There’s a Light and a Dark shade, both quite forgiving when it comes to a wide range of skin tones. 

£24 - click to buy

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘Really impressed with the coverage and how it made my make up look flawless. I also liked how I could wear it alone and it gave a dewy, natural look on days when I didn't want to wear foundation’ • ‘Once I had worked out the best way to get powder onto the brush, it went on smoothly and I didn't waste any; gave a very light coverage that hides pores and blurs fine lines’ • ‘Coverage was not full on freckles but I don’t mind that; the results were lovely, looked natural and skin tone looked balanced’ • ‘Very easy to apply and was very light in texture; it calmed the red spots on my face and stayed that way, even when I was hot’ • ‘So much lighter and blended much better than my existing brand, which shows up my fine lines too much. Will definitely change to this powder from now on’ • ‘Normally this is not something I would ever bother with, but I noticed a difference in terms of how long my foundation/ BB cream seemed to last, so was very  happy’ • ‘It did not sit in my pores/highlight the little hairs on my face, just helped smooth everything out’ • ‘A beautifully fine, softening powder - the blurring effect is quite startling, and I've noticed I tend to stroke my face when wearing it. I personally don't think that you need to wear any other face make-up than this! (Though I realise that’s controversial!)’

£24 - click to buy