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E! Illustration/ Nordstrom, Amazon, Sephora
The phrase “mousse makeup” might send shivers down your millennial spine, but as much as it may trigger you, the controversial formula is making its way back into the beauty lexicon.
According to makeup artist James Vincent, interest in mousse makeup has been reignited for its long wear and “camera-ready” airbrushed effect.
- Mousse makeup is ideal for those who want blurred, long-lasting makeup that helps control oil without pwoder.
- The key to applying mousse products without it looking patchy is to allow the product to completely settle before going over it with powder and limiting the amount of products you layer atop.
- Prada, Westman Atelier, and Fenty Beauty have all recently created mousse products in line with TikTok trends.
"It offers a nearly weightless feel on the skin while delivering medium-to-full coverage and a smooth, soft-focus matte finish that is easy to apply and perfect for all day wear," explains Vincent.
Brands have come a long way since the days of Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse or the Rimmel Stay Matte Mousse Foundation, though, from Prada's latest blush to Fenty's new bronzer drop.
While Vincent says mousse foundations, blushes, and more are pretty user-friendly, specific application techniques are crucial if you want avoiding it looking patchy.
The ultimate mousse makeup application tip to avoid patchiness? "The key is to not overpowder or layer too many products over one another."
- Viral Mousse Blush: Prada Touch Cream-To-Powder Soft Blur Longwear Blush
- Newest Mousse Drop: Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Soufflé Blurring
- Affordable Mousse Lippie: NYX Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream
"For the most natural, airbrushed like finish, start with well-moisturized skin and apply a small amount of mousse foundation to the center of the face, blending outward.," suggests Vincent.
He uses a makeup sponge or beauty blender (dampened with a toner or finishing spray) for a seamless look. He also mentions fingertips work beautifully too, as the warmth helps the formula melt into the skin.
"Build coverage in thin layers where needed rather than applying too much at once, and if you’re prone to shine, lightly set the T-zone with translucent powder to keep the finish fresh all day." Avoid usiong heavy setting powders as it will counteract the thin, airy feel mousse products provide.
Laura Geller Weightless Whip Mousse Foundation
Blur the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores with this lightweight, airy foundation. Providing sheer-to-buildable coverage, squalane and hyaluronic acid keep it from looking cakey.
Another mousse application tip? "Fingertips work beautifully, too, as the warmth helps the formula melt into the skin."
If you want add an extra layer of color, "A cream blush will also work better than powder for applying more blush at the end of the makeup if you need it," Vincent advises.
Prada Touch Cream-To-Powder Soft Blur Longwear Blush
This blush (specifically the red shade) has taken over the internet. The adorable triangular compact contains a highly-pigmented blush with soft matte finish and blendable long wear cream-to-powder formula.
Maybelline Cloudtopia Blush
Super pigmented and light as a cloud, Maybelline's new release has a gorgeous shade range with 10 unique colors. Use it on your cheeks or lips for long-lasting wear.
Catrice Velvet Pudding Blurring Blush
Another cream-to-powder formula, this velvety smooth mousse blush is buildable, going from sheer to bold with just a few swipes. A cushion-like texture makes application seamless and lightweight.
Instead of layering product over product, Vincent recommends you, "Allow the mousse a second to settle itself and then set with powder or finishing spray."
He continues, "I love mousses for a makeup wearer who wants a quick application and perhaps wants some oil control without powder."
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Soufflé Blurring
Fenty's new fade-resistant bronzer features a mousse-cream formula that seamlessly blurs and adds warmth to the skin.
Westman Atelier Sun Tone Bronzing Crème
This bronzing duo makes for effortless layering to create custom dimension and a matte finish that won't dry you out.
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Mousse Soft Blur Lip Cream
Weightless and whipped, these new lip mousses smooth lips for a soft-blurred effect. Wear it with or without a liner.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet Soft Matte Whipped Lip Mousse
An upgrade from 2016's liquid lip craze, this highly-pigmented alternative with a velvety-mousse texture dries down matte but won't leave lips crusty or flakey.
NYX Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream
If you love NYX's OG Soft Matte Lip Cream, you'll adore this whipped version of it, which delivers a vibrant matte finish that won't leave lips crusty.
The summer's most viral lip shades are on sale at Nordstrom.
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