Why "Precision Powdering" Will Change The Way You Set Your Face
Jo is a former Adore Beauty staffer and qualified dermal therapist with over decade of experience in the beauty industry.
She co-hosted our award-winning podcast Beauty IQ Uncensored for 4 years, interviewing names like Caroline Hirons, Katie Jane Hughes and Chris Appleton to name a few.
Precision powdering, Nam Vo’s method of applying setting powder only to hot spots like the centre of the forehead, sides of the nose and chin, controls shine while keeping skin dewy and dimensional. This piece shows how to do it, which tools to use and an affordable option, the Real Techniques Setting Brush priced at $15.19.
Top Insights From This Guide
- Apply powder only to hot spots, centre forehead, sides of the nose and chin.
- Use a small setting brush rather than a large powder brush for precision.
- Reserve powdering to control shine but leave cheeks and high points dewy.
- Try the Real Techniques Setting Brush, priced at $15.19, for precise application.
Mastering precision powdering takes practise, but learning to target tiny hot spots and swap a giant brush for a small setting brush preserves glow, dimension and longer wear. Use the technique on days you want a natural finish and test where your skin actually needs powdering before mattifying the whole face.
Not only is she the queen of glossy skin, but makeup artist Nam Vo has also coined a dictionary of her own beauty terms, including "glowjob" and "dewy dumpling". Another term she uses is "precision powdering"- aka the key to balancing the fine line between looking dewy and looking oily.
“I call it precision powdering because you don’t have to slap it everywhere,” Vo tells Allure. “You just want to slap it in the hot spots.”
What Exactly Does Precision Powdering Mean?
Precision powdering refers to isolating setting powder to specific "hot spots" as Vo calls them. By this, she means areas like the centre of the forehead, sides of the nose and the chin - areas that are prone to excess shine.
The key to this technique is definitely the brush. Instead of the huge powder brush you're used to using, Vo suggests opting for a smaller brush like Real Techniques Setting Brush to allow you to be precise in your application - a technique UK makeup artist Nikki Wolff also uses.
But what will you achieve from using this technique, you ask? Well, by isolating your setting powder, you can still achieve a dewy, radiant, skin-like finish, without merging into the territory of looking oily. And in turn, by not powdering down the entire face, you retain dimension and glow without the complexion looking flat and dull.
What Tools Do I Need For Precision Powdering?
The good news is, you don't need to blow your budget. I've put together two really affordable staples you can easily slide into your routine so you can experiment with precision powdering at home.
First things first, we've gotta get you using the correct brush. This Real Techniques Setting Brush is the one I personally use for powdering. It's made with super-soft Taklon bristles - the cushiony synthetic fibres are perfect for precise application of any kind of product, whether it's a powder, cream or liquid.
