Patrick Starrr didn't just launch a brand; he basically started a movement for people who want their skin to look like a literal filtered photo in real life. If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok or Instagram over the last few years, you’ve seen it. That red compact. The One Size Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation. People aren't just using it as a standard foundation. They’re using it to "delete" pores.
It’s weird. Powder foundation used to be the thing your grandma used to touch up her nose at dinner. It was cakey. It was dry. It turned into a weird paste the second you started sweating. But One Size changed the conversation by leaning into the "drag" heritage of heavy-duty coverage while making it wearable for someone just going to the grocery store. Honestly, it’s one of the few products that actually lives up to the aggressive marketing claims, but there’s a massive learning curve most people ignore.
What One Size Powder Foundation Actually Does to Your Face
Most foundations try to be "natural." This one? It tries to be perfect. The One Size powder foundation is formulated with buttery, texturizing silk pigments. This isn't just marketing fluff. When you rub your finger across the pan, it feels creamy, not chalky. That’s the triple-milled process at work. It’s designed to provide a "soft-focus" effect, which is basically a fancy way of saying it scatters light so people can’t see your acne scars or large pores as easily.
There is a specific ingredient called Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Oil. This is crucial. Usually, powder foundations suck the moisture out of your soul. The rice germ oil in this formula helps the powder "melt" into the skin. It prevents that dusty, 18th-century wig look.
But here is the thing.
It is full coverage. Extremely full coverage. If you apply this like a normal powder, you will look like a mannequin. And maybe that's your vibe! But for most, the magic is in the "Versatile" part of the name. You can use it as a finishing powder over liquid foundation to lock everything in for a 12-hour shift, or you can use it alone.
The "Snatched" Technique
Patrick Starrr advocates for using a puff, not a brush. This is where most people go wrong. If you use a big fluffy brush, you get a light dusting. If you use a velvet or microfiber puff and press—don’t swipe—the powder into the skin, the coverage is mind-blowing. It covers redness better than most high-end concealers.
The weight is another factor. Even though it's heavy on coverage, it feels strangely light. This is because the minerals are micronized.
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The Reality of the 12-Hour Wear Claim
We need to be honest about "all-day wear." One Size Beauty claims this stuff lasts for 12 hours. In a controlled environment? Sure. In the middle of a humid July in Florida? It’s going to move a little.
However, compared to competitors like the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Powder or the MAC Studio Fix, the One Size version holds its "blur" longer. The sebum-blurring effect is real. If you have oily skin, this is your holy grail. If you have dry skin... well, we need to talk.
Dry skin and One Size powder foundation are not natural best friends. If you have flaking or dry patches, this powder will find them. It will highlight them. It will tell the world exactly where your skin is dehydrated. To make it work on dry skin, you have to prep like a pro. We’re talking heavy-duty moisturizer and maybe even a face oil that has fully sunk in before you even think about touching that red compact.
Shade Range Nuance
One Size launched with a massive range—about 32 shades—categorized by undertone. They use a very logical Fair, Light, Medium, Medium-Dark, Dark, and Deep system. But the undertones are the real winner here. They have "R" for Rosy, "N" for Neutral, and "G" for Golden.
The "G" shades are particularly good. Many brands make "golden" shades look orange or straight-up yellow. One Size managed to find a true olive/golden balance that looks like actual skin.
Why the Beauty Community Can't Stop Talking About It
There was a moment in 2022 when it felt like every beauty influencer was doing the "half-face" challenge with this powder. You’d see one side of a face with redness, texture, and visible pores, and the other side looking like a blurred PDF. It wasn't camera tricks. The powder contains Rice Silk, which literally absorbs oil while reflecting light.
But there’s a downside nobody mentions in those 60-second clips.
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Flashback.
If you choose a shade that is too light and you go to a wedding with heavy flash photography, you might look like a ghost. Because the powder is so densely pigmented and contains certain minerals, it can reflect camera flash if not blended perfectly.
Comparing One Size to the "Old Guard"
For decades, MAC Studio Fix was the undisputed king of powder foundations. Then Fenty arrived and shook things up with more shades. One Size entered the ring with a different philosophy. While MAC is a bit more "makeup-y" and Fenty is a bit more "matte-matte," One Size is about "blur."
- Texture: One Size is softer and more finely milled than MAC.
- Coverage: One Size hits full coverage faster than Fenty.
- Packaging: The One Size compact is notoriously bulky. It’s a big, bright red square. It’s hard to fit into a tiny clutch, which is a legitimate gripe for people who want to touch up on the go.
Common Misconceptions and Mistakes
People think "powder foundation" means "lazy makeup."
Wrong.
Using One Size powder foundation correctly actually takes more precision than liquid. If you slap it on, it looks heavy. You have to work in layers. Start with a thin layer. See where you need more. Spot-conceal with the powder by using a smaller, denser brush on your chin or around your nose.
Another misconception is that you don't need a setting spray. Patrick Starrr would probably faint if he heard that. The brand’s "On 'Til Dawn" setting spray is basically hairspray for your face (in a safe way). When you combine the powder with a high-quality setting spray, the powder "melts" and loses that powdery finish, looking more like a second skin.
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Is it actually "Clean" beauty?
"Clean" is a marketing term with no legal definition. However, if you care about ingredients, you should know this formula is vegan and cruelty-free. It does contain talc. This is a point of contention for some. While the brand uses high-grade, asbestos-free talc, some consumers prefer talc-free formulas. If you are in the "no talc" camp, this isn't the product for you. But it's the talc that gives it that signature "slip" and blurring power.
The Cost vs. Value Proposition
At around $38, it’s firmly in the mid-range luxury category. You’re paying for the pigment density. A single compact will likely last you four to six months of daily use because you need so little product to get a result.
Compare that to a liquid foundation that you might go through in two months. The value is actually pretty high. Plus, you’re saving money on a separate "setting" powder because this does both jobs.
How to Choose Your Shade Without Seeing it in Person
Buying foundation online is a nightmare. We’ve all been there. You think you’re a "Medium Neutral" and you end up looking like you’ve got a bad spray tan.
One Size’s website and Sephora’s shade finder are decent, but here’s a pro tip: look at the veins in your wrist. If they’re blue, go Rosy (R). If they’re green, go Golden (G). If you can’t tell, go Neutral (N). If you are between two shades, go for the lighter one. You can always warm up your face with bronzer, but you can't easily fix a foundation that's too dark without looking muddy.
Practical Steps for a Flawless Application
If you want the best results from your One Size powder foundation, follow this specific order.
- Hydrate like your life depends on it. Use a water-based moisturizer. Wait three minutes.
- Prime for your skin type. If you have huge pores, use a silicone-based primer only in those areas.
- The Puff Method. Take a velvet puff, dip it into the powder, and tap the excess off on the back of your hand. This is the secret. Don't go straight from the pan to your face.
- Press and Roll. Press the puff into your skin and do a slight rolling motion. This "sets" the pigments into the skin texture rather than just sitting on top of it.
- Mist. Use a hydrating mist or a setting spray to take away the "dusty" look.
This product isn't for everyone. If you want the "no-makeup makeup" look, stay away. This is for the person who wants to look "done." It’s for the person who has a long day and doesn't want to worry about their foundation sliding off their chin by 3 PM. It’s for the person who wants their skin to look as smooth as a filtered photo.
One Size Beauty has managed to make powder relevant again by focusing on the one thing everyone wants: the elimination of texture. It’s a tool. Like any tool, if you use it wrong, you’ll make a mess. But if you use it right? It’s arguably the most powerful complexion product in the beauty aisle right now.
Your Next Moves
- Audit your current skin texture: If you have active, flaky acne, wait for it to heal or use a heavy localized moisturizer before applying this powder.
- Invest in a puff: Stop using the tiny sponge that comes with most powders; buy a dedicated velvet makeup puff for the "blurred" effect.
- Check your undertones: Look at photos of yourself in natural sunlight to determine if you actually need a Golden, Rosy, or Neutral shade before purchasing.
- Test the "On 'Til Dawn" combo: If longevity is your main goal, pairing this powder with its sister setting spray is the industry-standard way to ensure 12+ hours of wear.