Mineral Powder Foundation

Powder foundation has a reputation it no longer deserves. The dry, dusty, sits-in-everything version most of us remember from the nineties was mostly talc. This is not that.

These are finely milled mineral powders with SPF 20+ built in, buildable from a whisper to full coverage, and made without talc, bismuth oxychloride or fillers. They breathe, they hold up in Australian humidity, and they suit skin that reacts to almost everything else.

Two to choose between, both $62. The loose Mineral Foundation Powder gives the softest matte finish and the most control over coverage, and it takes an eco refill so the jar keeps going. The Pressed Mineral Foundation does the same job in a compact with a mirror, which is the one to keep in your handbag.

If you are new to powder, the Start Up Kit pairs the powder with a kabuki brush, or take $3 samples first and wear them in daylight before you commit.

Read liquid versus powder if you are still deciding, or see the whole face makeup range.

Frequently asked

Loose or pressed, which should I buy first? Loose if this is your main foundation at home, because you get more control over how sheer or full it goes and it works out cheaper per use with refills. Pressed if you want something for touch ups, travel, or a handbag. Plenty of people end up with both.

Does mineral powder foundation look cakey? Not if you build it. Tap a small amount into the lid, swirl the brush, tap off the excess, then buff in circles starting at the centre of the face. Cakiness almost always comes from loading the brush and pressing rather than buffing.

Is the SPF in mineral powder enough sun protection? Treat it as a helpful extra rather than your main protection. It is SPF 20+ from zinc and titanium, which is real, but almost nobody applies powder thickly enough to get the tested rating. Wear your usual sunscreen underneath.

Will powder foundation dry out my skin? These do not contain the drying alcohols or heavy absorbents that cause that. On very dry skin, moisturise and let it settle for a minute first, and consider the liquid foundation instead if you prefer a dewier finish.

How does the refill work? The eco refill is the same powder in a plastic free pouch that tops up your existing jar, so you are not buying the packaging twice.