In the age of glossy, high-shine everything, powder has been all but tossed out on the street – lost to the bottomless black void of makeup bags everywhere. The misconception is that pressed and loose powdered complexion products are thick, cakey, and flat; an exterminator of sprightly, radiant skin. But nowadays, powders aren’t just for your grandmother or Kardashian-style baking. They’re light, airy, and can dial down the shine without losing out on luminosity.

Couple this with a light hand and expert technique, and you’ve got yourself a flawless complexion that will last the distance. No heaviness or feeling as if you may crack should you smile too hard. To help, makeup artist and skin aficionado Filomena Natoli shared a few tips for how to incorporate powder into your beauty routine in a fresh, game-changing way.

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WHERE WOULD YOU TYPICALLY APPLY POWDER?

“I like to point-powder. The hot spots I touch are the sides of the nose, the smile line area on the sides of the mouth, the chin, and the forehead. Excess shine in these areas can look more like perspiration rather than hydration and glow. I don’t powder the cheekbones as you want that area to catch the light.”

AND WHAT ABOUT APPLICATION? IS A BRUSH BEST?

“You can apply with a brush for a soft dusting or a suede puff to concentrate on certain areas and to add more coverage.”

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR, PRODUCT-WISE?

“A light and silky texture is really important when it comes to powder. It needs to refine the skin’s texture, smooth the appearance of fine lines, and minimise the appearance of pores. If it protects skin from UV rays, this is a huge plus. A good powder should also preserve the level of hydration in the skin and provide a natural finish. I like powders that are flexible in texture so they become part of the skin and don’t crack or cake.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITES THAT AREN’T TOO HEAVY OR FLAT?

“One of my favourites is the La Prairie Skin Caviar Loose Powder. Its vapour-like lightness sits beautifully on the skin and doesn’t leave the complexion looking dull like some powders do. With skincare benefits like Caviar extract, it adds hydration to the skin and gives it a youthful glow.”

SHOP THE LOOK HERE

La Prairie Skin Caviar Loose Powder, $295. SHOP NOW

Mecca Cosmetica Soft Focus Finishing Powder, $44. SHOP NOW

Laura Mercier Candle Glow Sheer Perfecting Powder, $58. SHOP NOW

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder, $44. SHOP NOW