Face powder is making a comeback as Dior, Gucci and Chanel lead the way

There was a time not so long ago when powders were considered the beauty world’s equivalent of a fax machine: reliable, certainly, but dusty, outdated and overshadowed by sleeker alternatives. Remember when “matte” became the new dirty word, and beauty shelves filled with products promising glass skin, liquid glow and “freshly dipped-in-honey” dewiness? But after years spent basking in glossy, cream-based glory, powders are back – and surprisingly, they’re having a lot more fun this time around.

If the mere thought of powder brings back traumatic memories of cakey foundation or chalky finishes, you’re not alone. Historically, powders had one primary function: mattifying, and they did it a little too well. “Powders were used in the past to mask certain things,” says Emmy-nominated make-up artist Ngozi Olandu Young, widely known as Gozi. “The flashback-prone, chalky, flat powders of the past are out the window. Finely milled formulas that are infused with skincare benefits are where it’s at now.” She explains that powders nowadays are designed to enhance our skin’s health “through ingredients like hyaluronic acid, [or may have] light-adjusting properties that give a blurring effect to the skin”.

Adding to the allure of modern powders is their new-found crossover with skincare – a far cry from the era when powders dehydrated the skin into submission. “Today’s powders feature skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, niacinamide and even ceramides, offering hydration and barrier support while keeping shine in check,” says make-up artist and Veus Cosmetics co-founder Daniela Santander. Gucci’s Poudre de Beauté Mat Naturel, for example, provides subtle hydration along with a luxurious velvet finish, while Dior Forever Cushion Powder touts skin-loving extracts to smooth and perfect without cracking.

But perhaps the most surprising powder evolution is the rise of SPF-infused formulas. Sunscreen reapplication has never exactly screamed glamour, but powder SPF offers a discreet, mess-free and decidedly less greasy alternative, with fan favourites like Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder and Colorescience’s Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-on Shield making SPF touch-ups effortlessly chic, even on the go.

Of course, as fabulous as modern powders are, proper application remains key. Gone are the days of heavy-handed dusting: contemporary methods emphasise strategically placed, feather-light layers. “I never powder the entire face. It’s all about intention and precision. I use a tapered brush, and only powder where needed by pressing it in rather than sweeping it across the face,” Gozi says, pointing out that powder and glow can coexist. “My favourites are all the By Terry Hyaluronic powders,” she adds.

For blush enthusiasts, “blush stacking” is currently trending. The method involves layering a cream blush as a base, then setting it with a complementary powder blush to build intensity, lock in colour and create dimension. “It’s not just about lasting longer, but also about achieving that lit-from-within flush that looks like you’ve just come back from a brisk walk,” Santander says. The cream provides a dewy undertone, while the powder seals the look without dulling the glow. Among fans of the trend, go-to products include the iconic Nars Orgasm, loved for its universally flattering peachy-pink shimmer, and Charlotte Tilbury’s Cheek to Chic in Pillow Talk, a favourite prized for delivering a softly sculpted, luminous finish.