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Ah, the dreaded make-up flashback! Celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Miley Cyrus aren’t immune to it, even with their hordes of make-up artists:
Here’s the science behind make-up flashback, and how to avoid it.
1What causes make-up flashback?
2What can you do?
The harsh white markings are caused by silica, an ingredient in many translucent powders, particularly those labelled as “HD”. (Note: silica is not the same as silicon and silicone!) The silica used in makeup is fumed silica, a type of amorphous silica which has been processed to give it a large surface area. This means that it’s great as a microscopic sponge for soaking up oil (kind of like activated charcoal but colourless).
It’s also fantastic for diffusing light – all the tiny surfaces scatter light at different angles, giving a blurry, matte texture, making your skin look flawless on HD video (hence the HD label).
But not when direct flash comes out!
The harsh, front-on, white light of a flash is already pretty notorious for causing white patches on any mildly reflective surfaces (e.g. oily patches) directly facing the flash, without any flashback-causing ingredients.
Because silica has so many surfaces (a bit like a mirrored disco ball), if you have enough on your face, there will always be a whole bunch of surfaces ready to pick up that flash and throw it back at the camera – hence the white flashback.
Some other ingredients that are white or reflective can also pick up light and cause lightened areas, but usually to a lesser extent. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two physical sunscreen ingredients, can cause a whitish glow (which makes sense, since their ability to scatter light is partially responsible for their sunscreen ability!) – but not always. Shiny mica, shimmer and glitter will also get shinier with a flash.
1. Avoid direct flash photography
It’s pretty unflattering to begin with – but sometimes you can’t control the lighting.
2. Use silica powder, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mica, shimmer and glitter sparingly
The obvious thing to do is to avoid these ingredients altogether, but it turns out you don’t have to! Which is a relief, because these ingredients look pretty awesome in normal light.
Here are some photos of some translucent powders I own without and with flash. Left to right:
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Airbrush Silk Pressed Anti-Aging Finishing Powder
Ingredients: Mica, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Esters, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Silk, Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Collagen Amino Acids, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Water, Glycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Algae Extract, Soluble Collagen, Retinyl Palmitate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Butylene Glycol, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Cholesteryl Chloride, BHT, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Carbomer, Polysorbate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Hyaluronate. May Contain: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro-Powder
Ingredients: Silica, Soluble Collagen, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytonadione, Collagen Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Silk. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77492).
Williamspro Zero Powder
Ingredients: Certified Organic Arrowroot Flour, Kaolin, Mica (77079), Iron Oxides (177491)
Ingredients: Silica, Corn Starch Modified, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Methicone, Mineral Salts, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fragrance
I also tried out the following powders and didn’t get any noticeable flashback (I didn’t bother posting a photo since it literally just looks like my bare arm):
Essence Fix & Matte (All About Matt) Translucent Loose Powder
Ingredients: Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polyethylene, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.
Crop Mineral Loose Powder
Ingredients: Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch, Zinc Stearate, Undecylenoyl Glycin, Capryloyl Glycinesodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain [+/-]: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).
Lipsi Aphrodite Powder
Ingredients: Talc, Zinc Stearate, Kaolin, Zinc Oxide, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Trisodium EDTA, [+/- (May Contain): Mica (77019), Titanium Dioxide (77891), Carmine (75470), Ferric Ferrocyanide (77510), Iron Oxides (77491, 77492, 77499), Ultramarines (77007), Chromium Oxide Greens (77288), Chromium Hydroxide Green (77289), Manganese Violet (77742), Yellow 5 Lake (19140:1), Blue 1 Lake (42090:2)]
Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder
Ingredients: Mica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Magnesium Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Silica, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA
Essence Shimmer Pearls
Ingredients: Mica, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Boron Nitride, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, May Contain: CI 73360 (Red 30), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 77491, CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)
Surprisingly, the only product with severe flashback is It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro-Powder. The pressed version gave almost no flashback (there’s a little at the edges where there’s some fall out floating around).
Interestingly, the pressed version doesn’t have “HD” in the name, and has mica as the first ingredient rather than silica. Innisfree No Sebum Powder also unexpectedly didn’t give obvious flashback, even though, like the HD powder, silica is the first ingredient. What gives?
It’s mostly to do with the amount of silica you put on. The first ingredient in the ingredients list is in the greatest quantity in the product, but that could be 95% or 30%, depending on the product. The HD powder, like most HD powders, is primarily silica (>90%).
The Innisfree powder, on the other hand, has corn starch as the second ingredient – corn starch is sometimes the first ingredient in a powder, so it’s quite likely that there’s a fair bit of it in the product, and hence a fair bit less silica.
The take-home message here: use less silica.Silica powder isn’t really meant to be used as a setting powder – it’s intended to be used to add an extra blurring effect after the make-up’s been set. Use it sparingly, with a fluffy brush.
The same applies to the other flashback inducers – since the flash is proportional to the amount on your skin, use less, or combine it with another product that isn’t so high in flashback ingredients.
3. Use silica powder under make-up
If you’re mostly after the oil-soaking effects of silica, you can try using it under a liquid make-up instead of on top – this will kill the white reflection.
4. Test your make-up
This is THE most foolproof method for ensuring that your makeup doesn’t flash back – check it with a flash photo before the event! It sounds obvious now, right? Do a test run before your big day (whether it’s a wedding, graduation, formal, birthday), get the camera with the biggest flash, and get snapping.
* Using water or makeup sprays after silica powder
Silica gel goes transparent when wet, so theoretically, wetting it will make it disappear. I loaded up my arm with HD powder, then sprayed the left side with Skindinavia Make-up Setting Spray and the right side with Avene Thermal Water, with a chunk of dry powder in the middle. Check out what happened immediately after spraying, then after waiting around for 2 minutes: The flashback doesn’t change with make-up setting spray, but while the water promisingly makes the flashback disappear for a couple of minutes, it comes right back after the water evaporates. Boo!
* Avoiding SPF
Some people recommend avoiding SPF together – but you don’t have to! Most SPF products actually don’t give flashback, as this article demonstrates. I used a flash to photograph a couple of cream products containing sunscreen:
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream (SPF 50: 9% titanium dioxide + 6.3% zinc oxide)
Jurlique Sun Specialist (SPF 40 PA+++: 7.5%Octyl Methoxycinnamate, 3% Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, 2.75% Octocrylene)
I have a stripe of It Cosmetics HD Powder on the right as a comparison. I dusted the two cream products with a flashback-free translucent powder before taking the flash photo to kill the shine. Not much flashback, even the high zinc oxide/titanium dioxide CC cream (though it could potentially be worse once it’s all over your entire face and it no longer matches your neck).
Verdict
To eliminate the possibility of embarrassing white-dusted photos, use flashback-causing ingredients sparingly, and do a test run of your make-up under direct flash conditions. Better still, only let people take photos of you under carefully selected light conditions, and only from your good side!
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FAQs
How do you prevent flashbacks with makeup? ›
Dust a light layer over your complexion with a large powder brush or puff. RCMA No Colour Powder contains only two ingredients: talc and silica. This tint-free powder is a perfect choice for preventing flashback on any skin tone. Apply using a large powder brush for a smooth finish that keeps makeup locked down.
What makeup ingredients cause flashback? ›What causes make-up flashback? The harsh white markings are caused by silica, an ingredient in many translucent powders, particularly those labelled as “HD”.
Does bare minerals cause flashback? ›What it is: A weightless, talc-free loose setting powder that sets makeup and extends wear while blurring the appearance of pores and fine lines, for a soft-focus finish with no flashback.
Does Fenty beauty have flashback? ›Rihanna was obsessed with creating a Fenty Beauty setting powder with no flashback, so Pro Filt'r was born in 8 versatile shades to melt into your unique skin tone, leaving you ready for any photo op.
How do I stop my makeup from transference? ›So, how do we stop our makeup transferring? "Use a good primer first," Dom advises. "The MAC Prep & Prime Natural Radiance Primer is oil-free so it helps to keep your foundation on longer by 'grabbing' hold of the oil within your foundation."
Can you stop a flashback from happening? ›Try grounding techniques. Grounding techniques can keep you connected to the present and help you cope with flashbacks or intrusive thoughts. For example, you could describe your surroundings out loud or count objects of a particular type or colour.
What are flashbacks triggered by? ›Flashbacks are often triggered by anything that reminds you of the traumatic event. There are ways to cope with flashbacks and potentially prevent them, including through self-care techniques. If you cannot manage your flashbacks on your own, consider speaking to a healthcare provider for additional support.
What powder does not have flashback? ›Take it from the pros- RCMA No Colour Powder is one of the top truly translucent powders for locking down your look without flashback. A cult favourite with makeup artists, this powder guarantees not to mess with your carefully chosen makeup base.
What powders dont have flashback? ›Dermablend Loose Setting Powder in Translucent
An influencer fave, this powder has been at the top of our list for years. It mattifies the skin without flashback and helps reduce the appearance of large pores. If you have oily skin, this is the perfect powder for you.
If you're using cream products such as foundation or concealer, it's essential to set them with powder so that they don't melt or slide off your face when you start sweating. Not only will this help your makeup become flash-proof, but it will also help your makeup last longer throughout the day.
Does all foundation with SPF cause flashback? ›
All moisturizers, primers, concealers and foundations containing SPF (sunscreen) can potentially cause flashback. High SPF is increasing the risk for flashback. SPF will not cause flashback with digital photography, and not all SPF containing products will cause a white cast.
Does NYX HD powder have flashback? ›Well, the main thing is that it doesn't have any flashback. It has the same filtered, matte finish as the white but with a yellow-ish tint instead of white which is virtually untraceable on the skin (but I cannot confirm how well it works on darker skin tones) along with the other pros of the white, but no flashback.
Does banana powder have flashback? ›No Ashy Flashback. Blurs Fine Lines and Pores. Loose, Translucent Face Powder to Set Makeup Foundation or Concealer. For Medium to Dark Skin Tones, 1.25 oz.
Does hourglass translucent powder have flashback? ›The finely-milled powder is infused with diamond powder to create a light-refracting effect that, when photographed, doesn't cause flashback. (Not to be confused with flashbacks, which this powder doesn't cause either.)
Does Fenty powder cause flashback? ›In a universal shade for all skin tones, this setting + blotting powder gives you a natural matte finish with no flashback or cakiness.
Does Huda beauty give flashback? ›We designed our weightless Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder, $35, to make baking as foolproof as possible: the powder is really finely milled, gives a matte yet luminous finish, controls shine, plus it has zero flashback!
What is the psychology behind wearing makeup? ›Research shows there are two primary reasons why women wear makeup: Camouflage – Women who are anxious and insecure tend to use makeup to appear less noticeable. Seduction – Women who want to be noticeably more attractive tend to use makeup to be more confident, sociable, and assertive.
What triggers transference? ›Transference usually happens because of behavioral patterns created within a childhood relationship. Seeing the therapist as a father figure who is powerful, wise, authoritative, and protecting. This may evoke feelings of admiration or agitation, depending on the relationship the client had with their father.
Does transference ever go away? ›Transference won't get resolved in a single session, but it will respond to the work you do to address it. It can take some time, but a good therapist will help you feel supported while you do the work.
Are flashbacks real memories? ›Flashbacks are sudden, involuntary, and vivid memories of past personal experiences. In many cases, these powerful memories are closely linked with traumatic events.
What happens during a flashback? ›
A flashback is a vivid experience in which you relive some aspects of a traumatic event or feel as if it is happening right now. This can sometimes be like watching a video of what happened, but flashbacks do not necessarily involve seeing images, or reliving events from start to finish.
Can flashbacks be false memories? ›Flashbacks were occasionally reported to foil stimuli, which were then likely to be wrongly attributed to the person's own narrative. This provides proof of concept of a cognitive mechanism that could potentially account for some cases of false trauma memories.
What are the two types of flashbacks? ›There are essentially two main types of flashback: A full flashback scene or a brief in-scene flashback.
What are some examples of flashback? ›A woman is about to get married. As she puts on her veil, she remembers her fiancé three years before, swearing he would make her his wife someday. A tear comes to her eye and she prepares to walk down the aisle. Here, the flashback is the memory of the woman's fiancé three years before.
What part of the brain controls flashbacks? ›Several brain regions have been implicated in the neurological basis of flashbacks. The medial temporal lobes, the precuneus, the posterior cingulate gyrus and the prefrontal cortex are the most typically referenced with regards to involuntary memories.
Do hidden photos show up in memories? ›Items in Locked Folder won't appear in the Photos grid, memories, search or albums and won't be available to other apps on your device that have access to your photos and videos.
Do photos trigger memories? ›A picture can trigger a buried memory and recall a precise moment in time much more rapidly than words. But why exactly? Neuroscientists have known for many years that humans have an extraordinary ability to encode pictures.
How do you stop memories? ›- Recognize what's happening. The more you ruminate, the easier it is to get stuck in a cycle of negative thinking. ...
- Identify solutions. Thinking about your problems isn't helpful. ...
- Practice mindfulness. ...
- Give yourself time to think. ...
- Distract yourself.
SOFT-FOCUS: This smoothing, weightless powder has a soft-focus effect that blurs pores and texture while controlling excess oil and shine. PHOTO-READY: As this superfine powder sets and extends the wear of skincare and base products, You'll always be photo-ready with this No Flashback, No White Cast formula.
Does Maybelline Fit Me powder give flashback? ›Does the Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder have flashback? The quality of the Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder is impressive! Many chocolate cuties struggle with flashback using loose powders. This isn't the case with the Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder.
Does Laura Mercier give flashback? ›
Cult favorite and winner of major awards, Laura Mercier's “Best in beauty” Translucent Loose Setting Powder is beloved for its 16HR wear and iconic soft-focus finish with zero flashback. Truly translucent, the #1 Setting Powder* is Laura's makeup must-have to set and maintain the color of your Foundation.
What causes flashback in powder? ›The answer is flashback! Flashback happens when you use products that contain light reflecting ingredients. These ingredients reflect the light from the camera flash which causes the white floury look. One such ingredient would be silica, commonly used in powder.
Does makeup Forever HD powder have flashback? ›Create a mattified look using Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder. Blur skin, minimize the appearance of pores, and set makeup with this anti-shine powder, perfect for oily and combination skin types. Instantly achieve a lightweight, matte complexion without photo flashback.
Does Covergirl loose powder give flashback? ›LIGHTWEIGHT, BREATHABLE FORMULA: Looks & feels like your skin, but only better. SOFT, SHINE-FREE FINISH: Silky-fine loose powder provides beautiful finish that doesn't crease or cake with no flashback.
Does sweat-proof makeup exist? ›Sweat-proof concealer is serious business and Benefit's Boi-ing Cakeless Waterproof Concealer isn't joking around. This liquid concealer is available in 30 easy-to-blend shades that are totally full-coverage, so you'll only be needing one layer of this water- and sweat-resistant formula.
Does flash make you look different? ›If you turn flash on when you take a selfie, it's going to make your skin look shiny (in a bad way) and it might even give you an overexposed, sickly look. Wait for the right lighting before you snap a selfie to avoid problems with flash. You can always correct your lighting with Facetune2 after the fact, too.
Why is makeup SPF not enough? ›with SPF provide broad spectrum protection. That means that the SPF in those makeup products will only protect you from UVB rays, not UVA rays. It is important that your skin stays protected from UVA rays because they can cause pre-mature aging and even worse, they are the primary cause of skin cancer!
Can you put foundation over SPF? ›“For maximum protection, sunscreen should be applied directly onto skin, underneath any makeup, other moisturizers or skincare products,” says Dr. Katz. “You can put sunscreen on over your foundation, but ideally, you would wash it all off and reapply — although we know most won't really do that.”
Does Fenty concealer have flashback? ›The translucent powder is made to complement the Pro Fil'tr foundation and concealer. According to Fenty, it's truly translucent with absolutely no flashback.
Does Elf powder cause flashback? ›The L.A Girl powder gave a ton of flashback in flash photography, and the Elf one did not. But in natural light, they look practically the same.
Does Morphe powder have flashback? ›
Bake and set your look with these Morphe satiny loose Bake and Set Powders that seamlessly lock in makeup with a perfectly matte finish and zero flashback.
How do you reduce flashbacks in makeup? ›To avoid this, it is best to use setting powder that has some colour to it. Choosing a loose powder shade closest to your skintone is an easy way to avoid flashback. Set your makeup with a setting powder without flashback, and you will notice the difference in pictures yourself.
How do I get rid of powder flashbacks? ›If you're experiencing white cast from your powder or cakey foundation, going in with a light layer of setting spray on top of your makeup could help diffuse the excess product that's causing flashback.
What is the best makeup to avoid flashback? ›RCMA No Colour Powder contains only two ingredients: talc and silica. This tint-free powder is a perfect choice for preventing flashback on any skin tone. Apply using a large powder brush for a smooth finish that keeps makeup locked down.
How do you keep makeup from making you look older? ›Makeup can settle into wrinkles and make them look deeper, so it's best to begin with a flawless base that stops creasing before it starts. Unlike regular primers, blurring formulas soften and hide fine lines for a more youthful-looking finish.
How to do makeup for flash photography? ›- Use a mattifying or blurring primer. ...
- Avoid using foundation with SPF. ...
- Contour and highlight your face. ...
- Conceal any discoloration. ...
- Set your makeup with powder. ...
- Choose a blush color that looks natural on your skin tone. ...
- Fill in your brows completely. ...
- Define your eyes.
All moisturizers, primers, concealers and foundations containing SPF (sunscreen) can potentially cause flashback. High SPF is increasing the risk for flashback. SPF will not cause flashback with digital photography, and not all SPF containing products will cause a white cast.
Does heavy makeup age you? ›Untimely Aging
Leaving makeup on for a longer period along with sun damage can result in premature ageing signs like wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Also, when you don't remove your makeup before you sleep, it can get into your pores, break the elastin and cause wrinkles.
Less makeup leads to less germs that will interrupt the formation of your new skins cells. You'll feel a more clear, vibrant and hydrated face. Your skin will stay looking younger.
Do people look better without makeup? ›It's been shown that when women wear makeup they appear more trustworthy and competent than their bare-faced peers. But a widely reported study published last May in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology had a different take: both men and women think ladies look better wearing less makeup.
How do you ground yourself after a flashback? ›
- Look around the space you're in and notice what's around you- colors, objects, and people.
- Notice and listen to the sounds around you. ...
- Make sure your eyes are open and if you're in a dark space, turn on a light.
- Notice your body. ...
- Move your body. ...
- Breathe.
- Tell yourself that you are having an emotional flashback.
- Remind yourself that you are safe.
- Leave situations that make you uncomfortable.
- Support and comfort your “inner child.”
- Remind yourself that these feelings will go away and the flashback will end.
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
You won't experience any flashback with this foundation either, making it perfect for when you have photos done.
Fortunately, there's a new foundation by NARS called 'Light Reflecting' which not only acts as a counter product to the dreaded flashback, but also “positively reflects” light during day, night and yes — with flash photography.
Why does my makeup look washed out in pictures? ›It's because the flash and lens you're using totally change how your face is seen. In real life, there's nothing targeting and bouncing light off of your face, washing out your features.
What causes flash back? ›Flashbacks can be triggered by a sensory feeling, an emotional memory, a reminder of the event, or even an unrelated stressful experience. Identify the experiences that trigger your flashbacks. If possible, make a plan on how to avoid these triggers or how to cope if you encounter the trigger.
Does setting powder have flashback? ›The only potential downside of using a setting powder? There's a little thing called flashback, which happens when you take a picture using flash and a white cast shows up on the areas where your powder was applied. (You've definitely seen it on the red carpet, if not in your own selfies.)