Loose Powder or Pressed?

Sat, 05/30/2009 by Karen | Posted in: Just For Fun, Makeup Tips/How To, Video

When should you use loose powder, and when should you use pressed (click here to see the video)?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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So far, 35 people have commented on this post. How cool is that?

  1. 1. Jenna said, on May 30th, 2009:

    I always assumed loose was sheer and pressed was heavier! Silly me.

  2. 2. Brandi said, on May 30th, 2009:

    I have to agree with Jenna — really, I thought it was the other way around . . . .? How did I get this wrong all these years?

  3. 3. CC said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Same here, Jenna! I like loose powder better anyway because I think it looks more natural (not completely matte)…plus it’s easier for me to find a shade in loose powder, too.

  4. 4. Shontay said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Thanks, Karen. I thought the difference was “mess or no mess” lmao. I use Makeup Forever HD powder which is loose. I don’t use it everyday though because I have dry skin and the MUFE HD foundation makes me look dewy (partly because of how I apply it) and that’s what I like. The powder doesn’t make me look chalky, it’s awesome, but I don’t always want to look matte.

  5. 5. Christina said, on May 30th, 2009:

    And yay for the glasses! :-)

    Christina´s last blog post..Katy Perry Wears… Sushi?

  6. 6. Hyzenthlay said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Thanks! That’s helpful (I’m giving it a “thumbs up”) . . . does the same information apply for “translucent” powders? I just picked up a loose translucent Clinique powder at the CCO on Friday because the loose and pressed translucent Carmindy for Sally Hansen I have makes me look a little ghostly now that I’ve got the tiniest bit of summer color! I LOVE the Clinique powder, it’s very finely milled, but the “instructions packet” in the box are all in Japanese. At least it’s powder, and I know how to use it :)

  7. 7. Vonvon said, on May 30th, 2009:

    I prefer pressed powder for my daughter’s sake. Because no matter how careful I am, I know there’s bound to be powder particles floating around in the air after using loose powder, and I don’t like the idea of my baby inhaling it.

    Guess that’s just me! :)

    Vonvon´s last blog post..The Body Shop Annual Sale 2009 – Update

  8. 8. dimpy said, on May 30th, 2009:

    hi karen,
    I am trying to look out for good powder brushes ( lil cheap ones)……any suggestions ,plx also the makeup tools link doesnt work in the blog or is it just me………..

  9. 9. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi Dimpy,

    I really like Sonia Kashuk’s. Do you live near a Target?

  10. 10. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi Jenna,

    You can still make loose look more sheer — the tools you use to apply also make a diff.

    But in general for really heavy coverage I think loose is better cause you can really pack it on.

    How’s your weekend been? Are you ready for your test?

  11. 11. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi Brandi,

    I used to think that the only diff was that loose powder was the powder you kept at home and that pressed was the portable one. But yah, there’s a diff. I’ve read it in a few books (Bobbi Brown’s is one of the more recent ones)…

  12. 12. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi CC,

    Do you have a favorite loose powder?

  13. 13. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi Shontay,

    I don’t always want to look matte, either. In the summer I tend to do more dewey looks.

    How do you apply your MUFE HD foundation to make it look dewey? Do you wet your brush before application?

  14. 14. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi Christina,

    LOL! I was too lazy to put in my contacts. :)

  15. 15. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi Hyzenthlay,

    Part of the equation has to do with what tools you use to apply the powder — if you are applying translucent loose powder with a puff you’ll get more powder on your skin and thus a heavier powdered look. Since it’s translucent, though, heavier doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get more coverage. If you want total coverage a colored loose powder would be a better bet.

    I keep both colored translucent loose powders in my stash. I’ll use translucent for more casual looks and colored for heavier looks (ie, photography and video).

  16. 16. Karen said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Hi Vonvon,

    How old is your daughter? How fun — a beauty junkie in training!

  17. 17. CC said, on May 30th, 2009:

    I haven’t used loose powder in a while – I somehow managed to lose mine (Cover Girl translucent medium light) somewhere probably while traveling, but I’m looking for a new one. I’m thinking about Bobbi Brown because her shades don’t make me look too white or pink. :) Any suggestions? Thanks!

  18. 18. smiley said, on May 30th, 2009:

    Like everyone said, I WOULD expect loose to be sheer because it’s “loose” but I do find that pressed is more sheer because the brush only picks the stuff on the top. Could you do a post about recommendations? :D

    smiley´s last blog post..Woodwink is Love

  19. 19. Vonvon said, on May 31st, 2009:

    She’s 2 and a half, and yes, you are absolutely right! A beauty junkie in training, and she just wrecked my newly-purchased Stila lip glaze stick in Berry this morning by drawing it on her lips but she couldn’t replace the cap and crushed the glaze and smeared into the cap!!! Haha!!!

    Vonvon´s last blog post..An Afternoon With PLATINUM…..La Prairie, Skincare For The Privileged Few

  20. 20. shontay said, on May 31st, 2009:

    Hi, Karen. I spray my face with Sephora flash radiance spray. I loooove that stuff. I’m too afraid to use mac fix+ because so many of their face products break me out. Flash radiance is like taking a dip in a pool in the middle of august. Just awesome and I really think it helps with foundation application.

  21. 21. Nicole15 said, on May 31st, 2009:

    I love when you do videos. I learn a lot & your delivery is always easy to remember. Please do more!!! Plus your skin looks fab. So jealous of the tan. I find it hard to believe you have acne prone skin at times. You always look flawless :)

  22. 22. Row said, on May 31st, 2009:

    Hi Karen

    Both both! Loose in the morning and pressed to take out with me :)

  23. 23. Jenna said, on May 31st, 2009:

    My weekend has been good, haven’t done too much, which is always nice. I will do well on my test as long as I manage not to freak out… which would be an impressive feat.

  24. 24. Chris said, on May 31st, 2009:

    Hey Karen welcome back. I just want to say that you are looking very Bronze Goddess after your trip – beautiful as always!
    I still love my MUFE HD loose (and have seriously loved NARS, LM and Aucoin powders in the past so guess I’m a loose woman lol).

    Throughout the day, blot papers keep the oil toned down and I will add more loose powder for evening if we are going out.

  25. 25. Jian said, on May 31st, 2009:

    Hi Karen!

    I must say, you look great in your glasses!
    I never thought about the real difference between loose and compact powder but I guess it makes sense. I’m really tempted to just use compact powder instead of loose because I hate the messiness of loose powder – it gets EVERYWHERE, especially when the tub has been knocked about.

    Jian´s last blog post..Chanel UV Essentiel Protective UV Care Anti-Pollution SPF 50/Pa++

  26. 26. Dao said, on May 31st, 2009:

    I used to apply loose powder with a fluffy brush and boy, it was sheer! Now I use a velour pouf and it’s a lot better. Also, pressed powder is easier to travel or toss in a bag. I would not risk my bag with a jar of loose powder, unless it’s inside a tighly zipped zip-lock bag.

    Dao´s last blog post..Beauty Literotica: Reading under the Influence of Cold Medicine

  27. 27. evelyn said, on May 31st, 2009:

    lol, i really always thought loose powder was sheer, and pressed more opaque, even though ive never really used a loose powder, well well well i guess i’m gonna have to go try some out now. thank u!!

  28. 28. L said, on May 31st, 2009:

    Okay, first of all, your glasses are adorable! You look fantastic in them.

    Also, like everyone else, I thought the difference was that pressed was less of a pain in the ass, haha.

    Would you like to weigh in on the translucent vs. colored powder battle? I use translucent, but that’s simply because I’m too lazy to switch powders with the season! I suppose I could be convinced to if there were a good reason to do so…

  29. 29. Karen said, on June 1st, 2009:

    Hi L,

    I think translucent is fine for every day wear if you like it, but if you plan on taking pics then go for a colored powder. Sometimes translucent powders can create a white cast when the flash goes off.

  30. 30. Stephie said, on June 1st, 2009:

    Ah! I agree with the others. I thought it was totally the opposite way. Thanks Karen for setting me straight. Love you tan btw! You look very glowy.

  31. 31. Lina said, on June 1st, 2009:

    I don’t have comments about pressed vs loose, but very cute video!!!! I love it! It’s just perfect.

    Lina´s last blog post..All About Armani: Sheer & Shine Lipstick Collection 2009

  32. 32. Okami said, on June 1st, 2009:

    Very informative! I love your skin in this video, and your glasses are hot! They make me think hip, stylish reporter. :)

  33. 33. Karen said, on June 1st, 2009:

    Hi Okami,

    Aww! I usually feel NOT HOT in my glasses so thanks for that. :)

    Hope your week is off to a great start!

  34. 34. Fay. H. said, on June 11th, 2009:

    Is there a difference with foundation or is it just a preference? Like what’s the difference with creme, liquid, and powder?

  35. 35. dawn said, on June 22nd, 2009:

    thank you..i love ur skin color :) very beautiful and natural

    i need ur help in this : ok what about if u have acne-prone skin .. what will u go for ?? i mean for daily use ..i don’t want to end up with more problems with my skin :( i want something to cover my flaws and spots and at the same time to have natural look especially when i’m out (day light)

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