Patrick Ta has a thing for skin. If you’ve ever scrolled through his Instagram, you’ve seen it: that hyper-reflective, "glass" finish that looks like it belongs on a billboard but feels like it would melt the second you stepped outside. For the longest time, the big mystery was how he kept that glow from turning into a greasy mess.
Enter the Patrick Ta setting powder, which is technically tucked inside his Major Skin Crème Foundation & Finishing Powder Duo. It isn’t a standalone loose powder—at least not in the way we’re used to seeing from brands like Laura Mercier or Huda Beauty. It’s part of a system.
The "Air-Spun" Difference
Most people assume a powder's job is to kill shine. You want to look matte, right? Well, not according to Patrick. His philosophy is about "dimension," which is just a fancy way of saying he wants your face to look like a face, not a flat piece of paper.
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The powder in this duo is described as an "air-spun" setting powder. Honestly, when you touch it, it feels sort of like nothing. It’s incredibly light. Most powders use heavy talc bases that can settle into fine lines—especially if you're over 30—but this one uses a blend of silica and mica to blur pores without sucking the life out of your skin.
What’s actually inside?
- Silica: This is the heavy lifter for blurring. It’s why your pores seem to disappear.
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A fancy derivative of Vitamin C. It helps with a bit of a glow.
- Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water: Basically chamomile water to keep things from getting irritated.
Why Most People Get the Application Wrong
You’ve probably been taught to swipe your powder on. Stop doing that. Patrick's whole "technique" is based on pressing and dabbing. If you swipe, you’re just moving the cream foundation you just put on.
He recommends using the fluffy end of a dual-ended brush—specifically his Dual-Ended Complexion Brush № 2—to hit the T-zone. You leave the cheekbones alone. Why? Because that’s where you want the "Major Skin" cream to keep shining.
It’s a specific look. If you’re used to "baking" your face until it’s stone-dry, you might hate this. It doesn't give you that heavy, filtered Instagram look. It gives you "I just had a very expensive facial" skin.
The Longevity Reality Check
Let’s be real for a second. If you have very oily skin, a "satin-finish" powder is a risky move. I’ve seen reviews where people with oily T-zones find themselves reaching for blotting papers by 2:00 PM.
This product is 100% designed for people with normal to dry skin, or those with combination skin who don't mind a little bit of natural dew throughout the day. It’s a "finishing" powder more than a "industrial-strength" setting powder. It's meant to refine, not to mummify.
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Is It Worth the $52 Price Tag?
The duo comes with 12g of cream and 9g of powder. For comparison, a standard high-end loose powder is usually around 20-30g. You're paying for the convenience of the compact and the specific chemistry between the two formulas.
They were literally designed to be used together. The cream is emollient and moves with your face; the powder is "breathable" so it doesn't crack when you smile.
A Few Alternatives to Consider
If you’re just looking for the powder effect without buying the whole foundation duo:
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- Givenchy Prisme Libre: If you want that high-end blurring but in a loose format.
- Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder: Similar "skincare-first" approach, though it’s even pricier.
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish: This is the closest match in terms of the "blurring but not drying" vibe.
How to Make It Last All Day
If you've bought the duo and you're struggling with it sliding off, try this. Prep is everything. Patrick Ta products work best on skin that is "super hydrated," as one Sephora reviewer recently pointed out. If your skin is dry, the powder will look like dust. If it’s properly moisturized, the powder melts in.
Also, don't be afraid of setting spray. Since this is a talc-free, softer powder, a quick mist of something like his Major Glow Dewy Milk Mist can help fuse the layers together.
Basically, this isn't the product you use if you want to look matte for 16 hours straight in 90% humidity. It's what you use when you want to look like the best version of yourself for a dinner date or a wedding.
Actionable Next Steps
- Identify your skin type: If you’re very oily, skip this and look for a talc-heavy loose powder.
- Check your tools: Use a small, fluffy brush for the powder, not a giant kabuki. Precision is key here.
- Focus on the T-zone: Only apply the Patrick Ta setting powder where you actually get shiny—leave the rest of the face to glow.
- Prep the canvas: Ensure you use a hydrating primer or a rich moisturizer at least 10 minutes before application to give the cream foundation something to grip onto.