Black Radiance’s True Complexion Loose Setting Powder in Honeymoon is one of those drugstore products that tends to surface in conversations about affordable face powders, particularly for deeper skin tones. It’s sold in a 0.64-ounce jar, which is a fairly standard size for loose powder, and sits at a price point that makes it easy to try without much commitment. The question is whether it earns a place in a routine or just occupies space in a drawer.
The product is a loose, finely milled powder intended to set makeup, reduce shine, and soften the look of the skin. Honeymoon is a warm, golden-toned shade that leans toward medium-to-deep complexions. That’s worth noting because the setting powder category has historically been thin on options that don’t leave a gray or ashy cast on darker skin, and Black Radiance has built its reputation partly on addressing that gap. The shade range for this particular powder isn’t enormous, but Honeymoon is one of the more versatile entries in it.
In practice, this is a powder people reach for after foundation or concealer, applied with a fluffy brush or a damp sponge depending on the desired finish. A light dusting over the T-zone is the most common approach; pressing it in with a sponge gives a more matte, locked-in result, while sweeping it on with a brush keeps things lighter. Because it’s loose, it’s also used for baking in some routines, though the jar format makes that a bit messier than a pressed or shaker-style container would.
Functionally, the powder does what a setting powder is supposed to do. It mattifies, it blurs slightly, and it helps makeup last longer through a normal day. The texture is soft and doesn’t feel gritty, and it blends without much effort. On the skin, it reads as a natural matte rather than a flat, chalky finish, which is a meaningful distinction for anyone who has used a powder that made their face look dusty. The golden undertone in Honeymoon is subtle but present, and it tends to warm up the complexion rather than neutralize it.
- Format: Loose powder in a 0.64 oz jar with a sifter
- Shade: Honeymoon, a warm golden tone suited to medium and deeper skin
- Finish: Matte, with some blurring effect
- Typical use: Setting foundation and concealer, controlling shine, light baking
There are trade-offs, and they’re worth being honest about. The packaging is the most obvious one. Loose powder in an open jar with a basic sifter tends to be messy, and this is no exception. Powder escapes around the sifter holes, and travel with it is a gamble unless it stays upright. The sifter itself isn’t particularly refined, so controlling the amount that comes out takes some practice. None of this is unusual for drugstore loose powders, but it’s a real annoyance in daily use.
Wear time is decent but not exceptional. On oily skin, shine can start returning around the four-to-five-hour mark, which means touch-ups are part of the deal. On drier skin, the powder can emphasize texture if applied too heavily, especially around the nose and mouth. The mattifying effect is real, but it’s not a full-day oil-control solution, and anyone expecting that will be disappointed. It’s also worth noting that the shade, while flattering on many medium-to-deep tones, won’t suit very fair skin or very deep skin without a close match; the range is limited.
Compared with a translucent setting powder, which is the most common alternative, Honeymoon offers a bit of tone and warmth rather than pure invisibility. That’s an advantage if the goal is to add a subtle golden cast or to avoid the white flashback that some translucent powders cause in photos. On the other hand, a translucent powder is more forgiving across skin tones and easier to use without thinking about matching. Compared with higher-end loose powders, the texture here is slightly less silky and the packaging less polished, but the gap in performance is narrower than the gap in price.
This powder suits people who want an affordable, warm-toned setting option for medium-to-deep skin, who don’t mind a bit of packaging fuss, and who are realistic about touching up during the day. It’s a reasonable pick for everyday makeup, especially for those who prefer a matte finish. It’s less suitable for anyone who needs a truly translucent powder, who has very dry or textured skin that needs a more forgiving formula, or who expects oil control to last a full workday without maintenance. It’s also not the best choice for travel kits where spillage is a concern. As a budget setting powder with a useful shade for deeper complexions, it fills a specific need well enough, provided expectations stay in line with what a drugstore loose powder can realistically deliver.