High-quality foundation and eyeshadows can create a beautiful, glowing complexion—but whether that complexion can last throughout the day often depends on the type of primer and finishing products you use.
Natural finishing powder, makeup setting spray, and natural eye primer are all key components to ensuring that your makeup continues to look flawless from morning to evening. Choosing natural, mineral-based products can also help care for your skin, protecting against dryness, excess oil, and even breakouts.
What are the benefits of using mineral finishing powders, eye primers, and natural makeup setting sprays? In the sections below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about these products, including our favorite picks from Abbey St. Clare.
Mineral primers and finishing powders are supplemental products to enhance the way that makeup is applied, used, and protected throughout the day. They can either be translucent or tinted. Tinted formulas are often used in place of makeup for a lighter, more natural effect. Because natural primers and powders also contain essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, they are also valuable additions to boost your anti-aging skincare routine.
Priming and finishing products come in creams, powders, and sprays—and in some cases, they can be used interchangeably. For example, our Kashmir Pearls formula is a fine, loose powder that can double as a primer or setting powder. Let’s look at each type of product separately to help you understand the specifics on how primers, finishing powders, and finishing sprays can benefit your skin.
Primers are the first step in makeup application, as they provide a protective layer of hydration while smoothing over fine lines and minimizing blemishes. They can be particularly helpful for distressed skin or sensitive skin that is prone to irritation. Primers also have the benefit of providing a smooth surface for foundation, enabling a more even all-over application. An oil control primer prevents excess shine throughout the day.
Not only does primer make it much easier to apply makeup, but it also encourages long-lasting wear for foundation, eyeshadow, and eyeliner. While some will use the same primer on their face and eyelids, this isn’t always advisable. Because the skin on your eyelids is much more delicate, using a natural eye primer is often the best way to ensure that your eyeshadow stays vibrant (and that the sensitive skin around your eyes is fully protected). The most effective eye primer is formulated with skin care actives that are anti-aging. Used alone, they open up the eye area for a more youthful appearance.
A mineral finishing powder is designed to hold or “set” your makeup in place once application is complete. This prevents your base foundation from rubbing off during the day and reduces shine by controlling oil buildup. Finishing powders can come in two forms: pressed or loose. Choosing between a pressed or loose powder is often personal preference—while loose powders are easier to apply and have a much finer consistency, pressed powders tend to be better for on-the-go application and frequent travel.
Two ingredients to look for in natural finishing powders include pearl powder and vitamin C. Pearl powder is a unique ingredient in mineral finishing powders—and for good reason. Pearl powder contains amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and contains antiseptic properties. It helps smooth wrinkles and applies a soft, subtle glow to your complexion. It has been used by Japanese women for centuries for beautiful skin.
Vitamin C is a powerful supplement for your skin: as an antioxidant, it provides protection against oxidative damage. This is particularly helpful for those who spend hours outside in the sunlight: when used in a natural finishing powder, it replenishes vitamin E. Here are some additional benefits:
With so many benefits for young and mature skin alike, vitamin C is a must-have ingredient. While pearl powder is only found in our Kashmir Pearls formula, all primer and finishing powders from Abbey St. Clare contain vitamin C.
Natural makeup setting sprays bring the benefits of keeping makeup in place day to night and creating a soft, nourishing glow. A setting mist is especially helpful as a last step after mineral powders and finishing powders. Mineral powder looks best when it melds into your skin for the most natural looking appearance. Hydrating mist gently settles the powder into the skin and maintains its fresh appearance. The added advantage of a finishing spray is that you can easily use it to deliver much-needed moisture anywhere you have dry, sensitive skin.
The trick with using a finishing spray is to fully extend your arm when applying to ensure that you have an even, light application. Too much moisture from a setting spray can have an adverse effect, causing foundation to wear away.
Those who use primers and finishing powders swear by them as a critical piece of their makeup routine. Not everyone will need primer or finishing powder—but adding these products to your toolkit can make a significant difference in the way your makeup looks and lasts. If you’re on the fence as to whether these products are right for you, here are some of the most common challenges that can be solved by primers and finishing powders/sprays:
If you live in an area with high humidity, primers and finishing products can be particularly helpful, as these temperatures often coincide with patchy, smudgy, or inconsistent makeup coverage.
At Abbey St. Clare, we create a variety of natural-based primer and finishing products. Many of our setting powders can also double as primers, creating a multi-purpose formula for skin health and long-lasting makeup coverage. Here are some of our favorites:
Our BB Cream can be used as either a primer or a light foundation, creating multi-dimensional coverage and use. This tinted primer balances skin tone, protects against irritation, and helps camouflage blemishes, decreasing the amount of foundation needed to create a seamless complexion. It also provides SPF30 sun protection, shielding your skin from harmful UV rays and protecting from premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, and sagging.
The Abbey Finishing Powders are translucent and colorless to lightly tinted for a soft, smooth finish. Light enough to be used alone when you prefer just a light dusting or correction to even out your complexion. Oil Control Primer and Matte Shine Control Primer contain oil absorbing minerals to hold down shine. All these are light enough to reapply during the day if touch ups are needed.
Our most popular primer and finishing powder, Kashmir Pearls Elegant Skin Care Primer & Finishing Powder, contains three percent pearl powder for a luxurious, smooth finish. This light as a feather translucent powder also contains vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals to replenish skin throughout the day, supporting healthier skin with each use. It can be used as a primer, as a finishing powder, or even as standalone coverage for brighter, smoother skin. It is the perfect finish over cream foundations. Pearl powders continue to be a beauty skin care staple in Japanese skin care.
Our Prime Time Eye Primer is a cream-based product that is specially formulated to protect and nourish the delicate skin on your eyelids. As a daily anti-aging product, it provides deep conditioning through alpha-hydroxy acids, keeping skin supple and diminishing fine lines. This product should be a daily use staple for its inherent benefits. Use alone for natural illumination, brightening, moisturizing, and to even out skin tone and open up the eye area for a more youthful appearance. Ray of Light and Spotlight are illuminating shades that are beautiful on their own and provide subtle eye enhancement. As a primer layer under eyeshadow, Prime Time keeps shades vibrant throughout the day.
Aside from its skin care and beauty benefits, Prime Time is safely free of parabens, glutens, and nanoparticles, supporting better overall skin health. Parabens can be absorbed and cause dry eyes to worsen by inhibiting oil glands along the eyelid. Glutens can cause adverse reactions (i.e., an itching, blistering rash) in those who have a form of celiac disease called dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Finally, nanoparticles, tiny particles created through nanotechnology, can easily penetrate skin with adverse effects. Studies have suggested that this technology could be harmful, raising a red flag on cosmetics and personal care items that use nanoparticles. Without parabens, glutens, and nanoparticles, our Prime Time Eye Primer offers a wholly safe, natural-based way to revitalize and strengthen the delicate skin around your eyes.
A long-time customer favorite, our Hibiscus-Rose Hydration Mist is ideal as a setting spray and an all-over moisturizing mist. This formula contains a blend of natural hydrosols, extracts, herbs, and curated skin care ingredients to deliver rich moisture and support smooth, vibrant complexions. Hyaluronic acid, MSM, and DMAE skin actives lock in moisture and smooth fine wrinkles, making it an excellent addition to any anti-aging skin care regimen. Use after makeup application to keep foundation in place day into night and create a natural-looking glow.
At Abbey St. Clare, we are dedicated to providing natural-based products that not only create long-lasting, beautiful results, but also create beautiful, healthier skin. Want to learn more about mineral primers and finishing powders from Abbey St. Clare? See our full collection of mineral finishing powders and primers here. Our primers, powders, and sprays are expertly crafted to support health and beauty at any age.
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