The latest trends in the beauty space are all about making your makeup work harder for you.
There has been a collective move away from laborious, heavily made-up looks by prioritising no-makeup makeup minimalism, an empowering accentuation of our natural features. The irony is, it’s not forgoing your cosmetics entirely. Dust off your makeup bag and prioritise products that work smarter.
Under eye powder is one such hard-working hero. A finishing touch layered over your concealer, it gives your base real staying power and prevents it from settling into creases to create a second skin that doesn’t give the game away. Make-up artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee, Aimee Connolly, explains “A light dusting of translucent powder can help set your concealer and make sure it stays in place throughout the day. It’s also fantastic for that soft-focus effect as under-eye powder helps blur out any fine lines or creases, giving you that airbrushed finish”.
She cautions, though, “Just remember less is more. Take a fluffy brush, tap off any excess powder, and gently sweep it under your eyes”. While it does provide a smoothing and setting effect, if you apply too much of the formula, it can lead to a caked-on appearance. “Keep it subtle”, says Connolly “and you'll be golden”.
How to apply loose powder under eyes
For effortless application, it is important to begin with a translucent powder that is finely milled and leaves a weightless finish. The right tools are essential, and Connolly advises that a fluffy brush is one you’ll want in your arsenal with soft, gentle bristles to glide over the delicate area. Then it’s as simple as this: “With a light hand, sweep the brush under your eyes, concentrating on the areas where you've applied concealer”. She adds, “Here's a little extra tip for you – if you've got fine lines or dry patches, make sure your skin is well-hydrated before powdering. A touch of moisture goes a long way!”.
How to stop powder creasing under eyes
Much like all things in life, preparation is key. “Always prep that canvas properly”, Connolly stresses. This refers to your skincare routine where nourishing products will encourage a more perfected finish. “Hydrate the under-eye area with a bit of lightweight eye cream. It's like giving your skin a sip of water before the makeup party begins”.
She continues, “Now when you're applying your concealer, go easy on the product. A little goes a long way, and excess product is a surefire way to crease city. Pat it gently with your finger or a sponge for that seamless blend. When it's powder time, choose a finely milled, translucent powder. The key here is moderation. Take a small amount on a fluffy brush, tap off the excess, and lightly set the concealer”.
If you’re still finding creases forming, she concludes, “Here's a quick fix: use a clean, small brush to gently blend them out. It's like a magic wand for imperfections.
"And the grand finale? Setting spray! A spritz or two helps meld everything together, setting your makeup in place and reducing the chances of creasing”.
Now without further ado, shop the best under-eye powders below
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Best natural eye creams that use organic ingredients
Best foundation shade adjusters for flawless skin
Best concealers tried and tested: Deal with dark circles and blemishes
Best colour correcting makeup for dark circles, pigmentation and redness
Best setting powders to keep your makeup looking great whatever your skin type
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder For Under Eyes
The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a holy grail item, beloved by the beauty community - and so it comes as no surprise that its formula which has been redesigned for the delicate eye area is as hard-working. The texture is so fine and lightweight that it sets your concealer without feeling heavy or cakey, providing illumination at the same time. The formula is white in colour with micronized pigments that shouldn't settle or highlight fine lines.
Buy now £28.50, Laura Mercier
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Powder
Leave it to expert makeup artist Pat McGrath Labs to come up with innovative solutions to give our makeup greater longevity. The Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Powder from her eponymous collection comes in four shades to suit all skin tones, colour correct and provide a lightweight veil to soften the appearance of fine lines and lock your base in place.
Buy now £30.00, Pat McGrath Labs
Sculpted By Aimee Velvet Veil Setting Powder
This translucent powder from Aimee Connolly's pro label is brimming with ingredients like Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to nourish the skin, while also seeing to the staying powder of the product below. It is made up of microparticles that, when swept over the complexion, leave a flawless finish in their wake and minimise shine.
Buy now £22.00, Sculpted By Aimee
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
From the mascara to the lipsticks, Hourglass is one of the most highly rated makeup labels on the market and a fan-favourite among beauty editors. The setting powder also deserves your attention for its finely milled texture that acts as an invisible veil (the clue is in the name) to offer a silky and blurring effect in one swipe of a brush.
There is even diamond power included in order to reflect light to ensure a flawless complexion in every snap with a slight shimmer. It also offers advanced staying power and has a mattifying finish that will come particularly welcome for oily skin types.
Buy now £46.00, Cult Beauty
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
This pressed powder was borne out of the extensive expertise of renowned makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury to provide an airbrush finish with all-day appeal. There is a reason why it is one of the most popular pressed powders in the UK (and around the world) and in fact, one of these products is sold every minute - such is the testament to its quality.
The micro powder gets to work immediately offering a smoothing, perfecting finish and comes in four shades; fair, medium, tan and deep - although the latter could be more so.
Buy now £38.00, Charlotte Tilbury
Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare powder
Best for: smoothing pores
When you’ve carefully curated your look to be the perfect balance of matte and shine with highlighters, blush and foundation, the last thing you want is to incorporate a powder that will dull all radiance - that’s where Gucci Westman has got you covered.
The legendary makeup artist has formulated the Vital Pressed Skincare powder to enhance the makeup layered below without counteracting the glow. Smoothing pores, evening out tone and incorporating supercharged ingredients like vitamin C and probiotics into your complexion, this powder will become your go-to when you want your look to last.
Buy now £69.00, Selfridges
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder
IT Cosmetics was created by a former news presenter to give a photo-ready airbrush finish and this is one of the most cult items in the collection with almost 500 five-star reviews.
The powder glides onto the skin and has an immediate blurring effect that minimises the appearance of pores as well as fine lines without settling (the latter thanks to hydrolysed collagen within the formula). The setting product is translucent on application to smooth out skin without changing the hue of the base below.
Buy now £30.00, Cult Beauty
