I’ve always loved powder foundations because they give me just the right amount of skin-evening coverage, they never feel heavy, and they’re easy to apply. But as I get older, I worry those same powders will settle into lines, exaggerate dryness, or make my skin look flat or chalky, which helps explain why powder foundation can feel polarizing for many women.
Although I’ve known about the bestselling Baked Balance-n-Brighten Powder Foundation, I never actually tried it. Like other powder foundations, this one promised to even out skin tone, soften redness, and create a natural, radiant-looking finish. It was created by professional makeup artist Laura Geller, whose brand focuses on the needs of mature skin. So, when Shop TODAY asked me to give it a try, I was more than happy to test.
What is Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Powder Foundation?
This powder foundation was developed over twenty years ago, after Geller heard from clients time and again that they wanted to bring their complexion back to life without it looking or feeling heavy. According to the brand, the foundation balances skin tone and brightens the overall look of the face, so your skin appears fresher, healthier and more awake.
What makes these nine shades really stand out from other powders is that they’re baked. Made in Italy, the creamy pigments are heated for 24 hours on terracotta tiles and then hand-finished, which the brand says allows the formula to wear more like a lightweight cream foundation than a traditional powder. I love the compact itself; the top is split so you can see the color of the powder on one side, while the other half contains a mirror for easy touchups throughout the day.
How to find the right shade
I was originally turned off by the marbleized colors, assuming they would result in streaking or uneven shading on my skin. But having previously spoken to the brand founder and makeup artist, Geller says that the marbelization is the "secret sauce."
“Real skin isn’t one flat color. We all have natural variations, sallowness, redness, shadows, brightness," she says. "The multiple color-correcting pigmentswork together, self-adjusting as you blend to balance and color-correct those variations, rather than masking them with a single, opaque shade.”
To find my shade, I took the Shade Finder quiz on laurageller.com and discovered Porcelain was the best match for me.
How to apply the Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Foundation
Using the Retractable Angled Kabuki Brush, which the brand says is designed specifically for baked formulas, I focused application where I needed the most, evening around the nose, chin, and cheeks. I love this brush; it has a large, soft head that covers a lot of area, and thanks to its angled shape, lets me swipe powder easily under my eyes and along my chin. Plus, it helps with buildable and natural coverage. I also learned that pulling the retractable sleeve up densifies the bristles, allowing the brush to pick up more product, if needed.
I found topping the Porcelain shade with Fair added a bit of depth. The result: skin that looks even, not flat or chalky. (Tip: If you have dry skin, a quick spritz of setting mist can help with hydration.)
Why I like Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Balance Powder Foundation
Call me crazy, but I decided to test this product right before interviewing a television celebrity. The morning of my interview, I applied a soft coating all over my face, following Laura Geller’s application directions. I found the powder didn’t cling to any dry spots (I tested it in January, when my skin is at its driest), thanks to its skin-hydrating ingredients such as vitamin E, jojoba seed oil, and green tea extract. (Bonus: it’s approved by both the National Rosacea Society and the National Psoriasis Foundation).
What stood out to me was how natural my skin looked once the product was applied. Instead of sitting on top of my face or settling into fine lines, the powder blended with my skin, evening out my skin tone without masking it. While I appreciate the buildable coverage, a light layer was enough to even things out. My skin didn’t look matte or flat, just softly polished ... like my skin on a really good day.
What also surprised me was that, unlike some powder foundations, there was no powder residue on my skin — zip! I also discovered that it layers well; if I’m going to be out for a while, I throw it in my bag for quick, on-the-go touchups.
What to consider
- While I love this powder foundation, it’s not for everyone. If you prefer full coverage or a completely matte finish, it may be too light or soft, since it’s designed to look natural and skin-like rather than opaque.
- Very oily skin might need extra help keeping it in place all day, which is why the brand recommends using a primer (an added cost, but you can find a good primer for less than $20 online).
More tried-and-true foundations to shop
At $38, Baked Balance-n-Brighten Powder Foundation is a good price when it comes to high-end powder foundations. Albeit more expensive, the following two are powder foundations I love and use regularly.
I’ve been using this product for over twenty years, and genuinely love it. It’s adapted beautifully as my skin has aged and has become drier, and it continues to do a great job camouflaging darkness and fine lines, especially under my eyes. The finish is more polished and matte than other powder foundations.
This is another powder I keep in rotation, especially on days when my skin is feeling oilier. It’s a great option if you struggle with shine. The formula feels lightweight but does a solid job of evening out tone and blurring imperfections, and it’s often my go-to when I want to hide blemishes without piling on product.
"What impressed me the most was how I could go powder-free with this one. I’ve never done that before, for fear of my foundation sliding off in hour one of application," says writer Danielle Murphy.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best makeup products out there. We interview expert sources and use our own personal experiences with the makeup brand to make shopping easier for our readers.
Colleen Sullivan is a Shop TODAY contributor covering a range of topics in lifestyle, including beauty and fashion.
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