You’ve seen the TikToks. You’ve scrolled past the dewy, glowy selfies of Selena Gomez. But let’s be real for a second: when Rare Beauty launched a powder, people were confused. It felt almost antithetical to the brand's whole "liquid everything" identity. Yet, the Rare Beauty finishing powder—officially known as the Always An Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder—has quietly become a staple for people who actually hate the look of traditional powder.
It isn't a heavy, matte-maker. It’s something else.
If you are looking for that 2016 "baked" look where your under-eyes look like they’ve been sanded down, stop reading. This isn't for you. This powder is for the person who wants their skin to look like skin, just... filtered. It’s about that weird middle ground between being a greaseball and looking like a mummy.
The Texture Science Behind the Glow
Most powders rely heavily on talc. It’s cheap, it’s effective, and it absorbs oil like a sponge. But talc can also look incredibly flat. Rare Beauty took a different route. This formula is 100% talc-free, which is a big deal for anyone worried about the long-term health implications or just the general "chalkiness" of traditional formulas. Instead, they use a mineral-based blend that feels incredibly airy.
When you touch it, it doesn't feel gritty. It feels like silk. Honestly, it’s kind of spooky how fine the milling is. Because it’s so light, it doesn't settle into the fine lines around your eyes the way heavier powders do.
The secret sauce here is the "Soft Radiance" part of the name. It contains very, very fine mica. Not glitter. If it were glitter, we’d have a problem. It’s more of a light-reflecting particle that bounces light away from pores. So, while you are technically "setting" your makeup, you aren't killing the glow of your foundation underneath. You’re just... taming it.
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Why Your Shade Choice Matters More Than You Think
Usually, setting powders come in "translucent" and maybe "deep." That’s it. Selena’s team went a different way, offering five specific shades: Light, Light-Medium, Medium, Medium-Tan, and Deep.
Why does this matter? Because "translucent" is a lie.
On deeper skin tones, most "translucent" powders leave a grayish, ashy cast that looks terrible in flash photography. By tinting the Rare Beauty finishing powder, they’ve ensured that the powder enhances the skin tone rather than masking it. If you’re fair, the Light shade has just enough brightness to wake up your face without looking like you’ve dipped your head in flour.
The Sifter Problem (And How to Fix It)
We have to talk about the packaging. It’s beautiful. It has that signature Rare Beauty "joy" aesthetic with the custom-designed cap. But the sifter can be a nightmare if you aren't careful.
If you peel off the entire plastic seal and then throw this in your makeup bag, you’re going to open it to a cloud of wasted product. It’s messy. Basically, the best way to handle this is to only peel back half the sticker or use a pin to poke a few holes in the film.
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Don't dump it into the lid like you’re making a cake. Just tap a tiny bit out. A little goes a long way. This is a "less is more" product. If you over-apply, you lose that "soft radiance" and start heading back into "dry desert" territory.
Real World Performance: Does It Actually Hold Up?
I’ve seen people complain that this doesn't keep them matte for 12 hours. Well, yeah. It’s not meant to. If you have extremely oily skin and you're working a double shift in a humid kitchen, this isn't your savior. You need something heavy-duty like One/Size or Laura Mercier for that.
This powder is designed for the "clean girl" aesthetic or anyone with dry-to-combination skin. It sets the makeup so it doesn't slide off your face, but it lets your natural oils peek through just enough to look healthy.
- For Dry Skin: This is a holy grail. It doesn't cling to dry patches.
- For Oily Skin: Use it as a finishing touch over a more matte base, or keep it in your bag for light touch-ups.
- For Mature Skin: This is where it shines. It doesn't emphasize texture or wrinkles.
The Ingredients You Actually Care About
We know it's talc-free. But it also includes the "Botanical Blend" that Rare Beauty puts in almost everything: lotus, gardenia, and white water lily. Does this actually change your skin? Probably not in the short term. But it does mean the powder feels more "skincare-adjacent" and less like a chemical dust storm. It’s also non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores, which is a win for the acne-prone crowd.
How to Apply It Like a Pro
Forget the big, fluffy brush for a second. If you want the best results with the Rare Beauty finishing powder, try a puff. Specifically, a small velvet powder puff.
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- Press the puff into a small amount of powder.
- Work the powder into the puff by rubbing it against the back of your hand. This ensures you don't have a giant clump of product in one spot.
- Gently press (don't swipe!) onto the areas where you get shiny—usually the T-zone and right next to the nose.
- Use a clean, fluffy brush to whisk away any excess.
This pressing motion "melts" the powder into the foundation. Swiping just moves your foundation around, which defeats the purpose of setting it in the first place.
The Ethical Angle: More Than Just Makeup
It’s hard to talk about Rare Beauty without mentioning the Rare Impact Fund. A portion of every sale goes toward increasing access to mental health services. In a market saturated with celebrity brands that feel like blatant cash grabs, Selena Gomez has built something that feels like it has a soul. People buy this powder because it works, but they stay loyal because the brand's values align with a more conscious way of consuming beauty.
Is it the cheapest powder at Sephora? No. Is it the most expensive? Not even close. It sits in that mid-range sweet spot where the quality justifies the price tag.
Is It Worth the Hype?
The beauty world is fickle. One week a product is "life-changing," and the next, it’s in the declutter bin. The Rare Beauty finishing powder has stayed relevant because it solves a specific problem: the fear of looking "powdered."
It’s a subtle product. It’s not going to give you a full-coverage finish if your foundation is sheer. It’s not going to turn back the clock 20 years. But it will make you look like you got an extra two hours of sleep and remembered to drink your water.
If you prefer a flat, matte look, you will hate this. Honestly, stay away. But if you want your skin to look blurred and luminous, it’s one of the best options on the market right now.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Routine
- Check your undertone: Before buying, look at your veins. If they're blue/purple, you're cool; green, you're warm. Rare’s shades are fairly neutral, but picking the right depth is key to avoiding that ashy look.
- Prep is everything: This powder works best on well-moisturized skin. If your skin is flaking, no powder in the world—even this one—will look good.
- The "Half-Face" Test: The first time you use it, only apply it to one side of your face. Step into natural light. You’ll notice the "blurring" effect immediately compared to the bare side.
- Keep the sticker: Seriously, don't rip the whole plastic seal off. You’ll thank me later when your makeup bag isn't covered in beige dust.