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Makeup Blog

Powder vs. Liquid Foundation: Which Should You Choose?

  • 4 min read

BY CARLI SCOLFORO

liquid and powder foundation

Finding the right foundation is a bit like dating: sometimes it feels impossible to find the right one, but once you do, you’re inseparable. Choosing between powder and liquid formulas doesn’t have to be like a bad date and we’re here to offer options for your skin’s individual needs in both formats.

Our liquid and powder foundations will help you achieve the finish you want—whether it’s dewy and light or a matte, full coverage look—and do so while nurturing your skin. We’ll introduce you to each foundation, but we also have our handy Foundation Finder Quiz to further help you find your perfect match!

Meet The Powders

PurePressed® Base Mineral Foundation

Oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin? Purepressed Base is our best powder foundation for oily skin and sensitivities. This pressed powder is weightless and easy to build for a sheer to full coverage matte finish. You can, quite literally, count on this foundation rain or shine—it’s water resistant for up to 40 minutes, and provides broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sun protection with either SPF 15 or 20 depending on your shade of choice.

Amazing Base® Loose Mineral Powder

If your skin is on the drier side, Amazing Base is the powder for you. This jane iredale staple is an airy loose powder that provides a silky, luminous glow to the skin. Amazing Base is also a great option for aging or sensitive skin, as it has minimal ingredients, conceals redness and diffuses the appearance of fine lines and pores. It’s now available in a handy refillable brush to take on the go with you too!

Powder-Me SPF® 30 Dry Sunscreen

Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen is your key to sun protection anywhere, anytime. The translucent shade is perfect under or over your other face makeup to touch up on sunscreen throughout the day. But if you love a “no-makeup” makeup look, the tinted shades can be used on their own or mixed with the 24-Karat Gold Dust Shimmer Powder for a subtle, glowy look. If you’re already dealing with a sunburn, ingredients like montmorillonite help to calm the skin and soothe redness while preventing further damage.

The Best Part of Picking Powder Foundation?

While every jane iredale foundation is vegan and cruelty-free, the powders have the added option of buying refillable brushes and compacts. Not only does this make them a breeze to bring and use on-the-go, but you’re creating less waste with each repurchase! To top it off, these powder foundations with SPF are recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Meet the Liquids

Beyond Matte™ Liquid Foundation

This three-in-one product is a winner for those with oily and acne-prone skin. Beyond Matte contains Celery Seed and Linseed Extract to prime your skin by minimizing the appearance of pores for a smooth base. This matte foundation is buildable from medium to full coverage, and can be layered up in problem areas to become a perfectly matching concealer. Even when built up to full coverage, this foundation is lightweight and long-wearing to keep you matte all day! Keep in mind that Beyond Matte does not include SPF, so we recommend pairing it with your favorite sunscreen or one of our SPF powder foundations.

Glow Time® Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream

Just a few dots is all it takes for this no-fuss BB cream to take your skin up a notch. Glow Time contains Apple and Grapefruit extracts that rejuvenate the skin and promote luminosity, all while offering a velvety, full-coverage finish. This is a great option if you’re looking for SPF protection and water-resistant wear.

Liquid Minerals®

Is your main skin worry dry or aging skin? Liquid Minerals® A Foundation plumps and hydrates with ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and CoEnzyme Q10. Our "serum with pigment” gives a sheer-to-medium coverage and reflects light to give the skin a glowing dewy look. There’s nothing else like it! This foundation does not have SPF; for sun protection, make sure to apply sunscreen or an SPF powder foundation.

Dream Tint® Tinted Moisturizer

Dream Tint is the answer to a “no-makeup” makeup look. It can be used on its own for lightweight, sheer coverage, and to minimize the look of pores and fine lines for a soft-focus effect. It offers SPF 15 protection, water resistance up to 40 minutes, and hydration thanks to Jojoba Oil.

The Best Part of Picking Liquid Foundation?

While each foundation has a different level of coverage, you control the level depending on how you apply. Allow your foundation to set before layering for more coverage or mix on the back of your hand with a Smooth Affair Facial Primer to make your full-coverage products more sheer!

Still now sure how to decide between powder vs liquid foundation? No matter what type of foundation you choose, there are no rules in makeup! Experiment until you find your perfect finish or combination. Try pairing Beyond Matte with the Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen to bring in some UV protection, or make aging skin glow by setting your Liquid Minerals with Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder.

Once you’ve selected your formula, learn how to match your foundation to your skin tone for the perfect makeup base!

Carli Scolforo

Carli Scolforo

Carli is a freelance writer whose love of makeup began when she got her first eyeliner pencil at 13. She is especially passionate about clean and environmentally conscious beauty practices.