I tend to wear pressed more because my holy grail face powder (MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is THE BEST!) just happens to come in pressed form.
But hey, if it also came in a loose powder version, I’d probably be all over that, too.
I do like wearing both pressed and loose for different reasons, though. I think pressed powder is better in terms of convenience and for on-the-go touch-ups (obvs), and when I apply it with a brush, I swear it looks less obvious/more natural than loose powder does. When I run my brush across a pan of pressed powder, the bristles pick up less product than they do with loose powder, so the end result is less powder, and a more natural look. For everyday looks, I prefer pressed.
Now, when I want more of a finished, formal look, like for pics or special occasions when I’ll be wearing more makeup, I’ll go for loose powder instead. It’s a heavier look, but I think loose powder does a better job of blurring pores and making the skin look much more perfected than pressed powder does.
If you’re looking for ultra-polished, loose is the way to go!
Which one do you prefer? Loose or pressed?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
September 5th, 2019 at 8:23 amDefinitely pressed for all the reasons you said above!
Karen says
September 5th, 2019 at 10:19 amGotta love the convenience of the pressed powder. Plus I need the extra room in my makeup bag for the 1,235 pink and coral lipsticks. LOL!
I was just about to wish you a happy Wednesday but then I realized, WHOOPS. It’s Thursday. So happy Thursday!
Rachel says
September 5th, 2019 at 10:20 amThank goodness it’s not Wednesday! Even though I had Monday off it is feeling like a long week!
Karen says
September 5th, 2019 at 10:26 amOMG YESSSSS. Me too. Do you have plans for the weekend? I’m going to a grand opening of a beauty store in my town. There may also be a kitty playdate happening too!
Rachel says
September 5th, 2019 at 4:19 pmThat sounds like the best weekend ever! I have a wedding to go to and it’s my boyfriend’s birthday!
Kim says
September 5th, 2019 at 10:58 amI feel like I have a hate-hate relationship with powder. 🙂 I haven’t tried loose in ages so that’s probably not fair. I just find that any powder, even pressed applied lightly with a brush, makes my skin look “off”. It’s like it instantly clogs my pores instead of blurring. And I’ve never found it very good for controlling oil in my t-zone. I guess the short version is that powders don’t seem to work for me.
Jane says
September 5th, 2019 at 11:02 amI rarely use powder because my skin is sooo dry. When I do use powder, I wear the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder because it is sheer and hydrating on me. I actually wear the shade 40 as a bronzer.
Be well!
Lelde says
September 5th, 2019 at 11:29 amThis is actually interesting, because my experience with pressed/loose powders is a bit opposite. I realized, that my face looks more cakey with pressed than with loose powder. I can dab off loose powder more easily and it spreads through the bristles of the brush more evenly than the pressed powder. For this reason it also applies more evenly and less “loads up” in patches. Yes, if we’re speaking about convenience, then denifinitely pressed powder wins!
P.S. I am Laura Mercier candleglow pressed powder & translucient loose setting powder fan this year.
Lily says
September 5th, 2019 at 11:36 amI agree with you, that Mac powder is the best. My brush picks up just the right amount. I don’t even think about trying another powder anymore. It’s because of you that I tried it. Thank you!
Eileen says
September 5th, 2019 at 11:56 amI think both have their place in a makeup collection and I have both loose and pressed finishing powders. But first, let me say that I have dry skin and use moisturizing foundations. I have absolutely no need to use a mattifying or oil absorbing type of setting powder and have no need to carry a powder compact around with me for touch ups. Once my makeup dries down, that’s it. It’s set for the day. I do, however, feel my makeup is incomplete without a whisper of a light-diffusing finishing power like Guerlain’s fabled Météorites or Clé de Peau’s Refining Pressed Powder. Properly applied, I think they create a more flawless look and pull everything together. I use the Météorites for day to day and I use the Clé de Peau when I want a soft-focus glow that makes my skin look like porcelain. I apply either one of them with the La Mer powder brush.
I think the problem some people have with loose or pressed powder looking cakey or chalky stems from a few reasons. First, make sure you’re getting an ultra finely milled powder that is suitable for your skin type. Second, never apply powder while your foundation is still wet. Give your foundation a couple minutes to settle otherwise the powder can stick to damp patches. That’s true of any powder product you apply to your face be it powder, bronzer, highlighter, or blush. Third, always tap excess powder off of your brush before applying it. Whether you like to swirl it on, sweep it on, or press it on, it’s all good. Whatever works for you. Last, but not least, remember that powder is not meant to do the heavy lifting. That’s what your foundation is for. Powder is supposed to be the finishing touch.
BTW, that hoary old chestnut about older women not being able to use powder?Poppycock! Balderdash! That might have been true decades ago when powders tended to be quite heavy, but today’s light-as-a-feather powders can be worn by women of any age. Make sure your skin is well prepped, you’ve selected the right powder for the job, and apply it with a light hand. It will take your skin from good to gorgeous.
Marcia says
September 5th, 2019 at 1:48 pmI love both pressed and loose powders! My skin is really oily, so I also use powder foundation. To keep my makeup from looking too powdery, I use a setting spray.
Jenny says
September 5th, 2019 at 3:17 pmHello Karen, I too, adore MAC products, but I’m a loose powder girl. Right now I’m loving the Hourglass one applied with a damp beauty blender, just around my nose and to set my under eye concealer.
Aloha ☺️
Michele DiCola says
September 5th, 2019 at 3:42 pmKaren I finish off my makeup base w Hourglass Ambient Glow powder but carry Mac blot powder in my purse . Or there is one in every room of my house !
Lol 😂
Suzanne C says
September 5th, 2019 at 4:53 pmI only use Laura Mercier Translucent Loose, when I use powder. I’ve got the hang of it, so why mess with a good thing? (Yes, Miss ’90’s matte is slowly stepping away from the powder, lol. But don’t think I’m going full-on dewy.) 😉
Erica says
September 5th, 2019 at 5:06 pmI wear both. I prefer powder bc it’s convenient and less of a hassle. I wear loose daily though. I wish I liked MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. It broke down everything on my face like crazy. It pained me bc I really hate disliking anything MAC but so it goes…
Rachel Runyan says
September 6th, 2019 at 2:44 amI prefer loose powder at home, unless I”m doing a pin-up look with a really matte face. Then I like a matte pressed powder. I also like pressed powders better for touch ups. Loose powders are too much of a PITA to carry in my bag.
I find loose powders are faster and easier to apply, and come in larger amounts than pressed powder.
Miki says
September 6th, 2019 at 2:07 pmHmmm, I find it to be the opposite. I find pressed powders to be way more obvious and ‘powdery’ looking. Much heavier. Whereas, I like loose powder literally for the opposite effect. I find them to be much less obvious and powdery or cakey. I like them for just a bit of blurring and slight mattifying. I only use brushes for both and I ‘pat’ them on with a fluffy brush. It may be that I like loose powders for a finishing touch, and I like pressed powder for actual coverage.