Rare Beauty’s First Finishing Powder Is Finally Here, and 'Marie Claire' Editors Put It to the Test
Selena Gomez, our makeup routines thank you.
![a collage of four Marie Claire beauty editors and Rare Beauty's new tinted finishing powders in front of a colorful backdrop to illustrate a review of the new tinted finishing powder](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbN4gSxfp6FSzFGqmF34xd-415-80.jpg)
If Rare Beauty knows how to do two things, they are how to make a quality makeup product—and how to make the said product go viral. The brand itself has 3.4 million followers on TikTok and a cool six million on Instagram, so grabbing one of its products on launch day requires thorough planning and speedy fingers. (Read: A lot of beauty fans pay attention to each and every drop.)
Judging by the reactions to past Rare Beauty debuts—Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush, Brow Harmony Eyebrow Gel, and Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil are repeatedly sold out—the latest arrival from Selena Gomez's label, True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder, can't be missed. The new blurring-smoothing-setting powder is officially available today, July 18, and like all those other fan-favorite products, the buzz around it is undeniable.
@selenagomez ♬ Walking On A Dream - kalia ྀི
Last week, the brand posted a teaser of the 14-shade range, with Gomez very casually integrating the product into a get-ready-with-me TikTok just after. It’s a “quiet drop” by the brand’s standards; normally, they’re teasing new products months in advance.
Still, just like its predecessors, the blurring-smoothing-setting powder grabbed shoppers' attention. Over the past few days, TikTok creators who were lucky enough to score some early samples have provided glimpses of the product’s powers to the masses. They’ve dropped intel that the True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder initially debuted at the Oscar de la Renta Pre-Spring 2025 show in NYC. They’ve thrown compliments left, right, and sideways, too. “It’s doing god’s work” and “literally gorgeous” sum up the online sentiment.
@lindceybeautyy ♬ original sound - Lindcey Nava
@kay_caputo ♬ original sound - Kayla Caputo
Marie Claire was also one of the lucky recipients—Rare Beauty sent the full Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder range to our office last week. Our team of expert testers was, candidly, a bit skeptical: Not one of us is a diehard fan pressed powder fan. Still, we reviewed the product according to finish, coverage, and longevity—and quite frankly, it seems everyone who gets their hands on the powder is glad they tried it. Our honest reviews are ahead, in their entirety.
What Sets Rare Beauty's Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder Apart?
When you look at the setting powder market (a quick Sephora search will do the trick), you’ll find that the offerings are most frequently problem-solution-oriented. One will mattify oil, another will brighten your under-eye, and something else can be employed to blur over pores. Rare, however, set out to do it all—and do it all at once. The product claims to “blur, smooth, and set,” while absorbing excess oil.
The powder can be used on bare skin for a subtle boost, on top of foundation for added coverage, or on top of concealer to set makeup and prevent creasing. It's perhaps one of the brand's most versatile launches to date.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
A post shared by Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez (@rarebeauty)
A photo posted by on
It’s notably talc-free, as well. The safety of talc, a natural mineral, has long been contested among beauty professionals. Not only can talc irritate sensitive skin, but in certain concentrations and derivatives, it’s been shown to cause respiratory issues or lead to cancer. With that in mind, many makeup products still include a finely milled version of the ingredient in powder cosmetics. Avoiding talc is a personal choice (many experts claim it's safe in cosmetics), but Rare has chosen to err on the side of caution.
Editors' Honest Reviews
Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Samantha wears the Rare Beauty True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder in shade Ivory.
"I’ve always been a translucent powder girl. Tinted formulas, candidly, terrify me. Typically, they’re just a magnifying glass for imperfections and texture. But Selena hasn’t steered me wrong yet (I’m a Soft Pinch Blush devotee), so I owed it to her to give the compact a try.
"Before I get into my thoughts on the physical product, I want to give the packaging a little shout out. It’s incredibly easy to open and is accompanied by a cute little mirror that makes on-the-go application easy.
"As for the product itself? It’s impressive. It’s very lightweight and not cakey in the slightest. A very soft dusting smoothed out my under-eyes and mattified any oiliness on my complexion. My only note: The colors do skew a bit orange, so if you’re a pale girl like me, choose a shade lighter than you think you need."
Deena Campbell, Beauty Director
Deena wears the Rare Beauty True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder in shade Honey.
"When I hear 'pressed powder,' my mind conjures up images of my grandma in front of her vanity, getting ready for a drive in her 1975 Chevy. I’m being slightly dramatic, but in short, I’m not a pressed powder girl because I feel older whenever I wear them. I strive for a soft, dewy finish and most pressed powders are way too drying—and the formula settles into my fine lines. But this Rare Beauty newbie is the pressed powder for people who hate pressed powder. The coverage is on the lighter end, but it’s easy to build upon. I added concealer where needed, but the powder could’ve served as both. My final thought? It blurred redness and evened my skin tone, and that’s a major win."
Jonelle Afurong, Junior Designer
Jonelle wears the Rare Beauty True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder in shade Sand.
"I don't wear makeup very often, and I like to keep things natural when I do. I never really use powder: I'm more of a 'use setting spray and hope for the best' kind of girl, because powder tends to cake on me. This powder had the opposite effect. I really enjoy the silky texture of it and that it's not heavy on my skin. I never noticed how much shine and texture I get from not having a finishing powder. After using it, I had a blurred, but still natural, look. I'm definitely adding this to my routine from now on!"
Julia Marzovilla, Fashion E-Commerce Editor
Julia wears the Rare Beauty True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder in shade Natural.
"I have skin that's on the dry side, so the idea of wearing a powder has never appealed to me. However, this one from Rare is so microfine that it doesn't make my skin look patchy or flaky. I found that it it blurred my under-eye area as promised without settling into the creases that have developed as I head into my late 20s. On the rest of my face, it set my makeup and played well under layers of cream bronzer, blush, and highlighter."
Brooke Knappenberger, Associate E-Commerce Editor
Brooke wears the Rare Beauty True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder in shade Porcelain.
"My skin is perpetually oily, plus my pores are on the large side, which is not exactly a winning combo when it comes to makeup application. So a product that promises to smooth, blur, reduce shine, and set had my ears perking up.
"To start, I set my under-eye concealer with a light layer of powder, then I topped off my entire face with a soft dusting to set the rest of my makeup. To really seal the deal, I lightly pressed some powder onto the t-zone and around the nose, which are the oiliest parts of my face. My final result was smoother under-eyes, less noticeable pores, and whole lot less shine. My one note is that I received a much better application and more coverage with a powder puff than a fluffy face brush, but nonetheless, I’m impressed.
Gabrielle Ulubay, Beauty Writer
Gabrielle wears Beauty True to Myself Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder in shade Almond.
"I usually find that pressed powder gives my skin a grainy finish and a thick, cakey feeling—especially in hot weather like this. Rare Beauty's Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder pleasantly surprised me because it's lightweight, mattifying, and blends seamlessly with my skin tone. However, I didn't find it as blurring as I would have liked it to be, and found that it brought out some of my uneven texture rather than masking it."
Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.
-
Jennifer Lopez Says “It Was a Summer” in First Post Following Split From Ben Affleck
“She’s in bloom and unbothered out of reach and at peace.”
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Naomi Osaka Says Being a Mom Made Her Realize She "Couldn't Be More Proud" of Herself After US Open Loss
"I gave birth to such an amazing human and I played the US Open? A win is a win."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Princess Diana's Younger Brother Charles Spencer Remembers Beloved Royal on the 27th Anniversary of Her Untimely Death
The former Princess of Wales was just 36 years old when she passed away.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Cardi B Gives Summer’s Most Controversial Red Nail Trend an On-Brand Update
Just look at that stiletto shape.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Bella Hadid’s New Orebella Nightcap Fragrance Gives a Familiar Scent a Sexy Rebrand
Even her boyfriend approves of the sultry scent.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Justin Bieber Personally Requested Hailey Bieber’s Take on the Milky White Manicure Trend
He personally selected Mrs. Bieber's latest shade.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Kaia Gerber’s Pigtail Braids Are a Sign of a Throwback '90s Hair Trend
The '90s are calling.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Meghan Markle Matches Her Milky White Manicure to Her $4,700 Loro Piana Bag
The royal matched her milky white manicure to her cream Loro Piana bag.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Jennifer Lopez’s Pedicure Proves the Glazed Donut Nail Trend Is Coming for Your Toes
What goes around comes around.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Rihanna’s Purple Plum Manicure Confirms a Very Anti-Summer Nail Trend
Consider this the royal tone resurgence.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Leah Kateb’s Hot, New, Under-$40 'Love Island' Shower Routine Has Entered the Villa
A 'Love Island' contestant's regimen is going viral for sweet reasons.
By Samantha Holender Published