The best finishing powders for dark skin to help combat excess shine during the heatwave
While we've all been more than happy to bask in the sun in recent weeks, if you're anything like me, you've been struggling to keep your face matte - or, at least, purposefully dewy - during these sunny bouts. Long days in the park, at outdoor weddings and evenings out have really put my makeup to the test, and frankly, I haven't touched a product that hasn't claimed 'all-day' or '12 hour' coverage.
Primer's have long been a staple in my beauty routine and had always solved the issue of my makeup sliding around come 5pm, but even my go-to's (Smashbox Photo Finish and BeneFit Porefessional) have been in need of a helping hand.
I'd previously steered clear of 'setting powders' as the majority I'd tried seemed to leave me looking cakey or left an unsightly white cast against my medium-dark complexion. Alongside this, powders have the annoying knack for highlighting dry patches which my typically dry skin just didn't agree with.
The latest wave of setting powders showed promise however, which is probably down to our growing obsession with the perfect selfie and need to enhance our complexions. More and more brands are finally catering to the darker-skinned market with wider shade ranges, too, so I dabbled once again in a bid to make shine a thing of the past.
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One of the first I'd ever tried was Laura Mercier's translucent loose powder. It came highly recommended and while it definitely kept my makeup in place and shine at bay, no matter how little I used, it was still too slightly too pale. I was thrilled when the brand came out with a darker version - translucent medium deep - which works really well for my skintone.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna included a matte powder in its debut collection which makes light work of absorbing shine without leaving a trace of powder behind so, much like its foundations, is ideal for darker skin tones.
Urban Decay, a brand reknowned for long-lasting makeup (it has a makeup setting spray called 'All Nighter') does a great finely-milled powder that really does leave skin looking airbrushed for hours and comes in an array of shades.
Ben Nye banana powder was another brilliant find that has a silky-fine texture and works on most skin tones. Until quite recently it was difficult to get hold of in the UK which led to extortionate shipping fees, but it's now stocked on professional makeup site, Tilt.
Here are five others that you can actually rely on during the heatwave…
Best for oily skin: Nars light reflecting pressed setting powder
£28, Nars Cosmetics
This also comes as a loose powder, should that be your preference, but I personally find this one easier and less messy to use. Plus, it comes with a mirror. Bonus.
Best for dry skin: Bobbi Brown sheer finish powder
£28, Bobbi Brown
This super-sheer powder doesn't aggravate or highlight any dry areas of my skin, and the yellow-toned shades brighten up dull skin.
Best for all-day: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna invisimatte powder
£24, Harvey Nichols
As it's solid and not a loose powder, it's much easier to carry around day-to-day and so ideal for top ups, though it's super long-lasting.
Best for on a budget: NYX studio finishing powder
£9, Cult Beauty
NYX is a brilliant affordable brand that caters to darker skin tones. Only a thin veil of powder is needed to set makeup and as it's so sheer, it isn't cakey.
Best for an extensive shade range: Smashbox halo perfecting powder
£32, Smashbox
I love using this powder with just primer underneath as the colour is so pigmented that it lightly conceals redness, too.
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