Rare Beauty Setting Powder

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Powder Review

Rare Beauty recently launched their Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Powder, a multi-use setting and finishing powder designed to blur pores and set makeup. With its lightweight, velvety texture and skin care benefits, this powder aims to prime, set, blur and mattify without looking cakey.

This powder review will assess the formula, shades, application, wear test results and overall quality of Rare Beauty’s new setting powder range.

Formula Overview

The Always An Optimist Powder has an ultra-fine, velvety texture that feels lightweight on the skin. The powder particles are smooth, finely milled and seamlessly blurring. The formula includes lotus flower extract to soothe skin and vitamin E for antioxidant protection.

It is also formulated with amber powders that work optically to color-correct redness and refine the appearance of pores. The powder gives a soft focus effect while controlling shine. It is talc-free and suitable for all skin types.

Shades Available

The setting powder comes in 8 versatile shades ranging from translucent to deep. There are options to match fair, light, medium and deep skin tones so you can seamlessly set without adding white cast.

From Translucent to Banana, Honey and Medium Deep, the shade range accommodates most complexions. The tinted powders also naturally mattify and perfect skin tone while setting makeup.

Application and Wear

The powder has a silky, lightweight feel that doesn’t feel or look heavy. It applies smoothly with a brush, sponge or puff. The velvety texture blends out effortlessly, blurring pores and imperfections instantly.

It effectively sets liquid makeup without appearing cakey or powdery. The powder prolongs wear, controlling shine and oils for a lasting matte finish. During an 8 hour wear test, makeup stayed locked in place with minimal fading or transferring.

A light dusting also instantly smooths skin as a finishing powder over bare skin or on top of other complexion products. The powder lives up to its versatile 4-in-1 claim.

Pros and Cons

Some pros are the lightweight blurring texture, skin care benefits like lotus extract, wide shade range and versatile setting/finishing abilities. It performs well for all skin types.

Some potential cons to note are the strong fragrance which could irritate sensitive skin. The compact packaging also contains a mesh sieve that can collect powder and be messy to clean.

Overall though, the effective blurring, lightweight finish and versatility make this an easy setting powder to recommend trying. The pros far outweigh any minimal drawbacks for most users.

Final Verdict

Rare Beauty’s Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Powder delivers on its multi-use claims. It blurs pores beautifully, sets makeup without caking, and perfects as a finishing powder. The skin care benefits also treat skin while wearing. For a versatile powder that smoothes and mattifies, Rare Beauty impresses.