According to Australian celebrity makeup artist Max May, a skin illuminating powder is a must-have in your autumn makeup routine. Editor Trudi Brewer shares why and the new collection he rates.
The range of new Nude by Nature Translucent Loose Finishing Powder in Natural Pearl, Banana and Soft Rose, yeah $50, with the Nude by Nature Powder Brushes, from $35. Images BeautyEQ
I used to cringe at the thought of dusting powder onto my skin, in fear of accentuating fine lines and make my skin appear dry and caked-looking. Since chatting with makeup artist Max May and trialling the latest loose finishing powders from Nude by Nature, I am a convert. Read on to find out why.
What makes the new Nude by Nature Translucent Loose Finishing Powders unique?
They are good-for-your-skin setting powders. Not only can they be used to set your makeup, but they can brighten, contour and colour-correct the skin. They’re also 100 per cent natural, vegan, and cruelty-free.
Nude by Nature Translucent Loose Finishing Powder in Pearl, $50.
The blend of kaolin clay and pearl mica powder gives the skin instant radiance without the annoying shine.
Are the colours universally flattering on every skin tone?
The natural shade is. It’s a translucent powder that will set your foundation and or concealer without altering the colour in any way. The banana shade can be applied all over the face to set the foundation on warm and dark skin tones. This powder can also reverse contour or brighten the skin for a more flawless retouched look. Simultaneously, the rose shade is better suited to a fairer skin tone and can also be dusted lightly over the entire face to set and enhance makeup longevity and brighten under the eyes. Finally, the pearl is a light-as-air clear setting powder that can be used to lighten under the eye area, and brighten the high points on the face- think no-shine, it’s almost a mattifying, highlighter for the skin.
“This powder can also reverse contour or brighten the skin for a more flawless retouched look. ”
Makeup artist Max May
Nude by Nature Translucent Finishing Powder in Banana, $50.
Tinted a soft shade of lemon, this mineral powder helps control shine and blur redness, leaving a satin-matte finish on the skin.
What about skin type? Do they flatter older, dry skin and/or oily complexions?
What sets these powders apart is that they were specifically designed for all skin types. Dry, oily combination, young, mature, the finish you get comes down to how you use them.
Do you have to wear a foundation under these powders?
Absolutely not. You could apply them directly onto clean skin or just over the top of your concealers if you want to cover specific areas such as spots, and or set your makeup in place for the day and night. However, if you want a little extra coverage, you can apply these directly over any foundation, and they work particularly well on top of the Nude by Nature Natural Mineral Cover Foundation.
Nude by Nature Finishing brush, $35.
The perfect domed shape to follow the curves of your face, this brush gives a sheer and even airbrush finish in seconds. Made from ultra-soft high-quality synthetic fibres, this brush is proudly cruelty-free.
What brush do you use to apply each shade?
You can use the Nude by Nature Finishing Brush, which is a large powder brush perfect for covering large areas or for that girl who is always in a hurry. I like to use a Nude by Nature Mineral Brush, which is a smaller, more detailed powder brush - great for getting around and under the eye and nose area or for baking (traditionally, baking on makeup can be done with a damp sponge or stippling powder brush, to allow you to press loose powder into the skin, for a crease-free, flawless-looking finish) to apply powder under your eyes for five-to-10 minutes, to blend your foundation and concealer. Or for contouring colour onto the skin.
“These powders are so versatile. They can be applied directly onto clean skin or over the top of your concealers if you want to cover specific areas such as spots, and or set your makeup in place for the day and night.”
Makeup artist Max May
How do you avoid that over-applied powder look on the skin?
Use the Nude by Nature Translucent Loose Finishing Powders. It’s lightweight and designed not to settle onto the skin, but to leave the skin looking luminous and feeling silky smooth.
Can you contour and highlight with these powders? If so, how?
You can definitely highlight with our pearl powder. Reverse contouring or baking as it’s also called is a brightening and colour correcting technique done with our banana and or the rose powder. I apply them generously with the Nude by Nature Setting Brush in the areas I want to brighten. This is generally the under-eye area, across the top of the jawline, under your blush or contouring. Once applied leave them to set for five-15 minutes, depending on how intense you want the results. Then, simply brush away the excess powder for a flawless finish. I would recommend using this technique over concealer and foundation too.
Nude by Nature Translucent Finishing Powder in Soft Rose, $50.
For adding colour to dull skin this rosy shade is ideal for highlighting on the tops of the cheekbones, the chin and forehead.