A Setting Powder For Scrooge McDuck Types
Last summer I let you in on one of my favorite makeup items: e.l.f. Studio High Definition Powder. A translucent setting powder is an essential part of my makeup routine. As an oily-skinned person, anything that helps my makeup stay put and my face remain shine-free is a godsend. One thing I loved about my e.l.f. powder is that I could use it liberally and frequently without fear, because it was so readily available and incredibly cheap. I still love it, but then Sephora had to go and tempt me with a deluxe sample of Tarte's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder.
As far as the application and feel of the formula, Tarte's setting powder isn't remarkably different from e.l.f.'s. It's the wear that makes it clear why one is 5x the price of the other. From the second I dusted Smooth Operator on my skin, I could see a marked difference between the look of this powder and what I was accustomed to. It magically made my complexion more even, my pores smaller, my skin smoother. I looked airbrushed. It was amazing.
As I wore Smooth Operator throughout the day, I was reminded yet again why I love Tarte, and in particular love their Amazonian Clay range. Whether it's the blush or the eyeshadow or this setting powder, the Amazonian Clay products last through just about anything, and look as stunning hours after their initial application. On days when I used this powder, my complexion was significantly less oily than usual, and the airbrush look lasted all day.
But the price! It's not cheap, and it's not like it's even visible. It's a translucent powder, not an eyeliner or a lipstick or something that you can point to and say, "See! Here's something lovely!" But when I wanted to look like my best self, and I had a long day ahead of me, I'd always reach for my little pot of Smooth Operator. So I made the executive decision to shell out the $33 and get a full size of this miracle powder, on the condition that I wouldn't use it as freely as I used my cheap e.l.f. powder. This was to be my "special occasion" setting powder, to be used only on days when I wanted to look particularly airbrushed and gorgeous, or days when I was going to be out and about for hours and hours and didn't want to waste time worrying about my oil slick of a face getting in my way. It's a system that's worked out well, and I have hopes that someday I can afford to let my self-control slip and allow myself to use this powder with wild abandon.
