NYX Cosmetics makes some bold claims about the HD finishing powder. I decided to give this powder a try while browsing in the store, so I didn’t have any idea of what the claims were before testing it out. I think that ended up being a good thing because it allowed me to form an opinion without expecting anything specific.

The brand claims that this powder has a non-cakey, matte finish that helps soften the appearance of lines and pores. The HD finishing powder is available in three different shades. I purchased the banana shade, which is supposed to camouflage dark spots and dark circles. There are also translucent and mint green shades. The mint green shade claims to help with discoloration and redness.

I can’t tell you anything about the translucent or mint green shades, but the banana shade only delivers on a couple of those claims.

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**NYX HD Finishing Powder, $12.00

On first impression, the **NYX HD Finishing Powder looks quite nice. This powder is talc-based, so I knew that it would be mattifying, but you never know how much, especially for my dry skin type. When applied lightly over foundation, it looks better on my skin than when I wear a powder foundation (like the Estee Lauder Double Wear). Although it does look nice, it still looks drier on my skin than I would personally prefer. I imagine that I would get along better with this powder in the summertime when my skin isn’t as dry.

When applied heavily, I can feel it mattifying my skin almost immediately, and it feels tight. After letting it sit and settle in for a while, it’s slightly better, but this powder is definitely too drying for me. The longer I wear this powder, the tighter my skin feels and the drier it looks. But honestly, it never looks terrible or flaky. So I agree with the brand’s non-cakey and matte finish claims.

Speaking of applying this product heavily. I have to be careful with it because it is pretty powdery and it picks up on a brush very easily. You can see in the above image how much powder picks up on the brush and disturbs the pan after just one light dip.

Comparison to NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder in Crystal

I am providing this comparison only because it is the only other powder I own that is comparable in shade. While they both function as translucent powders for me, they are not dupes or even similar in terms of their appearance. I just like to provide you with a point of reference for color and finish whenever possible. If you are interested in the NARS powder, it does work for me, and you can read my full thoughts on that formula by clicking here.

Some other setting powders that work for my dry skin are the bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Powder, Maybelline SuperStay up to 24HR Hybrid Powder Foundation, the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder, and the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder. I also have a whole post on powders that work for my dry skin type, so if you want more details, you can click here.

Despite the white cast this appears to have in the swatch, this functions as a translucent shade for my Estee Lauder 4W4 skin tone. I don’t notice any ashy or grey cast when I use it.

So, although this powder isn’t the best for me, I do think it is nice. I do not feel the banana color does anything to minimize dark spots or dark circles, as the brand claims. In my opinion, it is too sheer to help with discoloration. I also do not think that it softens the appearance of lines and pores. This is a pretty basic setting powder that helps to mattify the skin. If you are looking for color correction or blurring, you’ll have to look at another product. If you have normal to oily skin, odds are good that this may work better for you than it did for me.

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	$ Sale Price $ 12.00 Regular Price
NYX Professional Makeup High Definition Finishing Powder | Banana

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Have you tried the NYX HD Finishing Powder? What’s your skin type, and how did it work out for you?

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