<p>Powder is an integral part of make-up. It is also an item we use daily in body care, especially in hot and humid weather. There are three kinds of powders – loose face powder, pressed powder (also known as powder compact) and of course, talcum powder. <br /><br />Loose powder is typically a translucent powder. It allows the colour of the skin surface to show. Loose face powders are available in a range of colours to suit different skin tones. They provide a smooth, matte (non-shiny) finish to the make-up. Quick tip: Face powder should be one shade lighter than your foundation. <br /><br />Pressed powder or compact powder is thicker than loose powder and more solid. Pressed powders are also available in different shades. <br /><br />Find your colour <br /><br />Beige goes well with most Indian skin tones. Some shades of peach may also look good. For a sallow and more yellowish skin tone, avoid pink shades. For fair skin, pink tints may be suitable. A trial and error process helps one find the right colour tone. <br /><br />Talcum powder is used for the body, to absorb sweat and give it a refreshing feeling. The word talcum comes from “talc,” a mineral, composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. Talc is even used in baby powder, because it is astringent in nature and keeps the diaper area and other parts dry and prevents rashes. Talc is soft and is translucent and has a pearl-like sheen. The several versions of talcum powder come with added ingredients like sandalwood, khus, ashwagandha and flower extracts. <br /><br />Among your make-up tools, you should have some suitable powder applicators. Loose powder is usually applied with a powder puff. A large brush, with an oval-shaped top, helps brush off excess powder. It should not be wide at the top. If you don’t have a large brush, use a wad of cotton wool to dust off the excess powder. Pressed powder usually comes with its own applicator. <br /><br />While applying make-up, remember that powder comes after applying foundation. It helps to “set” the foundation and give it a smooth finish. You can also use powder by itself, without using foundation. In our hot and humid weather, powder can be applied by itself, without foundation, for daytime make-up. In fact, it helps absorb oil and add a smooth sheen to the skin. <br /><br />You can even try a light, colourless, baby powder during summer, to add a translucent sheen to the skin. If you have oily skin, compact powder may help reduce oiliness and also provide a touch up during the day. You may leave out foundation, especially during the day and use only compact powder. Carry wet tissues and a powder compact in a handbag, to re-touch the make-up during summer.<br /><br />After applying foundation, apply loose powder using a powder puff. Press with the puff and use a downward and then outward motion. <br /><br />Quick tip: Never apply powder in an upward stroke. It only emphasise facial hair. <br />So, press and roll downwards, and slightly outwards. Be careful not to apply too much, especially near the eyes, because powder tends to settle in the tiny lines near the eyes.<br /><br />Pay attention to forehead, nose and chin areas, by pressing the powder on, rather than dusting. These areas can be oily. Blend the powder well at the jawline and apply on the neck too. There should not be a line of demarcation between the face and neck at the jawline. This gives the face a mask-like effect. <br /><br />Blending is important <br /><br />For a smooth look, without lines and blotches, brush off excess powder with a large brush, or cotton, brushing downwards. Loose powder can be used to tone down the make-up, if required. For instance, if you have applied too much blusher, take a little powder and pat it over the area. It will immediately tone down the blusher. Similarly, if you have applied too much eyeshadow, dust a little bit of powder over it, to soften and tone down the colour.<br /><br />A powder compact is very useful for touching-up your make-up and is so convenient to carry around in the handbag. Sometimes, just touching up the nose and chin can be enough. <br /><br />In hot weather, a powder compact can be a real boon. Replace the foundation with a light compact. Refresh your make-up in the middle of a hot summer day by gently patting the face with the latter, provided you have not applied foundation. Wipe your face with wet tissues or cleansing pad before retouching make-up. In no time, you will look and feel fresh.</p>
<p>Powder is an integral part of make-up. It is also an item we use daily in body care, especially in hot and humid weather. There are three kinds of powders – loose face powder, pressed powder (also known as powder compact) and of course, talcum powder. <br /><br />Loose powder is typically a translucent powder. It allows the colour of the skin surface to show. Loose face powders are available in a range of colours to suit different skin tones. They provide a smooth, matte (non-shiny) finish to the make-up. Quick tip: Face powder should be one shade lighter than your foundation. <br /><br />Pressed powder or compact powder is thicker than loose powder and more solid. Pressed powders are also available in different shades. <br /><br />Find your colour <br /><br />Beige goes well with most Indian skin tones. Some shades of peach may also look good. For a sallow and more yellowish skin tone, avoid pink shades. For fair skin, pink tints may be suitable. A trial and error process helps one find the right colour tone. <br /><br />Talcum powder is used for the body, to absorb sweat and give it a refreshing feeling. The word talcum comes from “talc,” a mineral, composed of hydrated magnesium silicate. Talc is even used in baby powder, because it is astringent in nature and keeps the diaper area and other parts dry and prevents rashes. Talc is soft and is translucent and has a pearl-like sheen. The several versions of talcum powder come with added ingredients like sandalwood, khus, ashwagandha and flower extracts. <br /><br />Among your make-up tools, you should have some suitable powder applicators. Loose powder is usually applied with a powder puff. A large brush, with an oval-shaped top, helps brush off excess powder. It should not be wide at the top. If you don’t have a large brush, use a wad of cotton wool to dust off the excess powder. Pressed powder usually comes with its own applicator. <br /><br />While applying make-up, remember that powder comes after applying foundation. It helps to “set” the foundation and give it a smooth finish. You can also use powder by itself, without using foundation. In our hot and humid weather, powder can be applied by itself, without foundation, for daytime make-up. In fact, it helps absorb oil and add a smooth sheen to the skin. <br /><br />You can even try a light, colourless, baby powder during summer, to add a translucent sheen to the skin. If you have oily skin, compact powder may help reduce oiliness and also provide a touch up during the day. You may leave out foundation, especially during the day and use only compact powder. Carry wet tissues and a powder compact in a handbag, to re-touch the make-up during summer.<br /><br />After applying foundation, apply loose powder using a powder puff. Press with the puff and use a downward and then outward motion. <br /><br />Quick tip: Never apply powder in an upward stroke. It only emphasise facial hair. <br />So, press and roll downwards, and slightly outwards. Be careful not to apply too much, especially near the eyes, because powder tends to settle in the tiny lines near the eyes.<br /><br />Pay attention to forehead, nose and chin areas, by pressing the powder on, rather than dusting. These areas can be oily. Blend the powder well at the jawline and apply on the neck too. There should not be a line of demarcation between the face and neck at the jawline. This gives the face a mask-like effect. <br /><br />Blending is important <br /><br />For a smooth look, without lines and blotches, brush off excess powder with a large brush, or cotton, brushing downwards. Loose powder can be used to tone down the make-up, if required. For instance, if you have applied too much blusher, take a little powder and pat it over the area. It will immediately tone down the blusher. Similarly, if you have applied too much eyeshadow, dust a little bit of powder over it, to soften and tone down the colour.<br /><br />A powder compact is very useful for touching-up your make-up and is so convenient to carry around in the handbag. Sometimes, just touching up the nose and chin can be enough. <br /><br />In hot weather, a powder compact can be a real boon. Replace the foundation with a light compact. Refresh your make-up in the middle of a hot summer day by gently patting the face with the latter, provided you have not applied foundation. Wipe your face with wet tissues or cleansing pad before retouching make-up. In no time, you will look and feel fresh.</p>
