HELP: Setting sprays to help blend powder to look like skin?

May 16, 2016

Chelle W.

Hey guys, newbie here :). I have combo skin that is way more on the dry side than oily. I don't wear liquid foundation anymore because it just feels like too much anymore, but I DO use powder to cut my make-up routine time. Problem is, in my dry areas, which are large areas of my face - it LOOKS like powder. Even though it isn't caked on it looks cakey for days. It sinks into pores and just looks a mess.
Are there any techniques or setting sprays you can recommend to use after using my powder (I contour & highlight too) to keep my skin looking LIKE SKIN or at least less like a powdered donut? Lol thanks guys! Btw I use Iman Oil Blotting Powder in Medium-Deep which ironically enough seems to make my skin produce more oil :/

May 16, 2016

Grace G.

Skindinavia- Primer Spray great way to start your make up & the Skindinavia- Finishing spray to add the colour back that you lost from power or maintain the make up & remove cakey-ness.

I hope this helps

May 16, 2016

Chelle W.

Thank you Grace! it's funny you mentioned that because I was just looking at That online & Model in a Bottle. Skindinavia is kind of pricey so I wanted to 1. Make sure I know exactly what setting spray is for (I do makeup often but I never use setting spray on myself because I thought it was ONLY for long lasting makeup which I don't usually need). and 2. If I'm going to spend $35-$60 on a spray I needed to see some suggestions and reviews before taking the plunge lol.
I'm not a fan of primers though, every single one I've ever used from NYX to UD seem to make my makeup melt off :/.

May 16, 2016

Alexis C.

A setting spray itself isn't going to help with your makeup sinking into your pores, only a primer can do that. I suggest the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. I buy the travel size since it's cheaper but a little goes a long way so it lasts a long time. It fills in pores and should help smooth your dry areas.

I do have a question, are you using a blotting powder as your powder foundation?

May 16, 2016

Grace G.

You're welcome.
I've tried model in the bottle and I didn't like the scent and how it felt on my skin. I prefer Skindinavia based on the results I get of longevity, brings back the colour, no funny scent, feels refreshing.

But agreed if you want to spend your money on something worth it check reviews or YouTube videos.

Good primers I use if you're ever interested:
Estée Lauder- stay matte
Make up forever - smoothing base ( really good)
Smash Box - photo finish ( has vitamin e)
Becca - Matte Poreless Primer ( Poreless & stays on)

I hope you find something that works for you hun.

May 16, 2016

Grace G.

I agree with Alexis, but the Skindinavia one does primer spray instead of having a cream or silicon base.

May 16, 2016

Chelle W.

@Alexis It's a blotting powder but it's supposed to double as a foundation. I generally use 2 colors because Medium deep is the color of the perimeter of my face (more red toned) and Medium is for the lighter areas (more yellow) in the middle of my face. They are both pressed powders and have buildable coverage. I don't have acne anymore but I do have some hyper pigmentation so I go for medium coverage.
I used to always use these over a foundation (Liquid only), and it acts the same way over a liquid as it does alone. I.E - adds coverage, needs to be blotted because it can actually cause more oil itself, slides off/ transfers TOO easily. 

May 16, 2016

Chelle W.

@Grace Thank you sooooooo much; I've been so nervous about spending more money on primers since the UD one didn't work for me and it was everyone's holy grail. I was kind of like well if this won't work I'm sure none of them will :/. I will head to my local sephora Friday and pick up some samples.
I'm really hoping that I will find something that works. My goal is to wear as little as possible and not look like a cake with some coverage and longevity. I appreciate the feedback!

May 16, 2016

Alexis C.

Chelle, just making sure it wasn't just a blotting powder (:

I would suggest staying away from mattifying primers in places where you're extremely dry and/or flaky, that could just make it look worse or more noticeable.

May 16, 2016

Chelle W.

Thanks Alexis because I was just thinking that lol. Even my Laura Mercier powder that I loooove for my oily areas makes my cheeks (those are y dry areas) look awful. So I figured a primer would make matters worse lol. I've heard about that hourglass primer so I'm going to give the sample a go! and thanks for your cover fx reply too lol I'm going to try it w/ the Mac water weight foundation. I'm going to give it a go and see how it works out!

May 16, 2016

Alexis C.

No problem! I hope you can find a primer that works for you and that the drops work as well (:

May 16, 2016

Jamie D.

Hi Chelle! If I were you, I would look into switching up my base products before I worry about a setting spray. If you love the Iman Powder, then it's definitely not my place to persuade you otherwise!! But using a powder as your only base product is automatically going to emphasize dry areas no matter what, and I'm sure that problem is exacerbated by the fact that it is an oil control product, which likely exaggerates flakiness eve more.

I can definitely relate to the fact that liquid makeup feels like a lot of work! Something you could try is only using a sparse amount of concealer under the eyes and on areas you want to cover, which will make it feel lighter and go faster. You could also try out a more dry-skin friendly powder! I unfortunately don't have any recommendations off the top of my head, but I'd check out brands like Bare Minerals, and I think It Cosmetics has an illuminating powder foundation you could check out.

Really, having a good skin base and using products that are targeted for your skin can make all the difference. I'd definitely look into a hydrating primer (MUFE makes a good one, and so does L'Oreal at the drugstore) and since you seem more concerned with getting rid of a powder finish than actually increasing the longevity of your makeup, something like MAC Fix+ spray or Urban Decay Chill setting spray might work for you. :)

Lastly, (I know this is long lol) have you considered changing your skin routine? Adding in a gentle exfoliant to relieve flaking and a good hydrating moisturizer can really make all the difference! I love the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser daily with their Facial Moisturizers for normal to dry skin (there's an AM and PM one). I use my Clarisonic to exfoliate, but there's a lot of great scrubs out there that are easily accessible. If you're interested in skincare, I know our Moderator Kitty K is super knowledgeable! She even has some stuff posted on a blog, and if I'm not mistaken there's a DIY scrub on there? (Don't hold me to that). But...yeah! Ok I think I've covered everything. Hope this helps!!

May 16, 2016

Chelle W.

@Jamie Lol no problem the more informative the better!
I use LA girl pro concealer under my powder in hyperpigmented areas, then I go straight to the powder, then contour, highlight, blush, and set with Laura M. I highlight and contour will all powder products too though Lol 😩😩😩.
I'm pretty big on skin care though, I use a DIY brown sugar/essential oil scrub and in the AM I use clearisil's morning burst scrub. I cleanse with cetaphil gentle cleanser, and I moisturize with simple face lotion. I think my big problem though is that that lotion doesn't moisturize but it's the only one I've tried that doesn't break out my sensitive skin so I layer it. I will try Cerave! I also do lactic acid chemical peels like once every 3 weeks.
I never thought about the "base part". You guys have made realize how important that is and how it could be affecting my outcome :/. I will definitely Check out all of your recommendations and give Kitty's blog a look :), thank you so much!

May 17, 2016

Jamie D.

Awesome! I'm not sure how the Simple compares to the CeraVe, but sometimes I think even that isn't as moisturizing as I'd like. I know that straight organic shea butter is supposed to be very hydrating and also noncomedogenic so it's good for acne prone skin.

I know that Kitty also really likes oils to hydrate, particularly rose-hip and squalene oils, but I've never tried them before so I don't have any personal experience.

Definitely experiment with some new products/routines, and be sure to post a detailed update! :)

May 17, 2016

Aurora S.

I wouldn't use the Iman Blotting powder as a foundation, I mean if you're going for a very natural look then sure but those types of powders are usually quite sheer and are meant to just tone done oil. I personally only use them with a very big fluffy brush and use very minimal product cause they tend to mattify quite well and if you're using it as a foundation then you may be using more than you're eant to.

They're quite sheer so that they don't cake up when you need to touch up throughout the day when you get oily.
Also, keep in mind it's meant for oily skin so that actually can make your skin more dry, if your skin becomes dehydrated then the oily areas may produce more oil.

I would look into getting a powder that's actually made to be used as a foundation because they tend to have some silicone (the blotting powder lacks it) which makes it glide on better/not look so powdery plus they have more coverage so you could use less and once you spray it with something like fix+ or rosewater it'll look like skin.

May 17, 2016

Aurora S.

Maybe you could try the Iman second to none luminous foundation or the second to none cream to powder which works pretty good and would be just as fast to apply

May 17, 2016

Chelle W.

@Aurora thank you :). I'm going to look into getting another powder to use as foundation. Although the Iman blotting powder was for oil it gave me the coverage I wanted, but the negatives are overweighting the positives lol. I do think you're right about the producing more oil, because when I actually had oily skin this powder worked wonders (2012 like my last year of HS). Since then my skin had changed and this is just not doing it for me anymore. I will invest in a travel size of some setting sprays you guys recommended and primers so I can feel them out :).
Do recommend applying spray then going in with a beauty blender or do you just spray and leave it? Also should a translucent powder be used before or after the spray or even at all?