Yes, baby powder is a fantastic, dirt cheap setting powder for your foundation, especially if you have oily skin.
Think about it, one of the major ingredients in many loose and pressed powders is talc. What is baby powder? - talc. Unless of course you get the cornstatch version (which is NOT recommended for oily skin as cornstarch can lead to breakouts when it mixes with the oil on skin.)
When I used to purchase pressed or loose powders I always look for the main ingredient to be talc as I know it holds up best on my uber oily skin. Covergirl, Maybelline, N.Y.C., Coty Airspun and many others all use talc in their powder formulations.
I know there is alot of hype out ther about talc being bad and being linked to cancer, however, that has been debunked (for more info. on that go to cosmeticcop.com and start your own research there) Still there is alot of misinformation running around out there making talc "evil" as well as many other well know, widely used ingredients, such as silicone, mineral oil and petroleum jelly. Obviously if you have a talc allery, avoid it, but other than that I cannot see the harm in using it.
When using baby power for your setting powder it is a bit different than traditional powders. First off baby powder is much, much more finely milled than any other powder I have ever used. Second, a little goes a long, long way.
Baby powder can make a huge mess. I have an old loose powder container with a sifter lid that I transfer mine into so I can shake some into the lid. If you don't have that you can always sprinkle some baby powder into a small dish, or a plastic lid off of most any jar and go from there.
Baby powder is best applied with a fluffy brush, so you can lightly dust your face. Going to heavy will, without a doubt, leave you WHITE. Now if thats the look you need or want, go for it. However, since most people want to look natural, go light and add more if need be until you reach your desired look.
Baby powder does not really give added coverage like some traditional makeup powders do. So make sure your foundation gives the coverage you need. Baby powder is strictly for setting and oil absorbtion. Also, make sure your foundation is the right shade for you. If its to light the baby powder will make you look to pale. However, if your foundation is to dark, a healthy layer of baby powder can help lighten it up.
If you think baby powder is way to light for you anyway you can always cut it with your favorite loose powder to bump up its oil absorbing properties, or you can give yourself a super light dusting over top your already powdered face.
My favorite way to use baby powder is to use up all the old loose powders I have around ) I am a product junkie
I used to mainly use Coty Airspun loose powder or N.Y.C (which are both owned by Coty), however I wanted a truly untinted face powder so I mixed baby powder with my Coty since I hate to waste product. I mix it 3/4 baby powder to 1/4 Airspun. Its probably going to take me a year to use it all but thats okay. I also perfer a matte face so I pat on the baby powder mix with a fluffy puff then I buff it with a small kabuki brush. I am light and this can leave me a bit pale, but not ghostly, and I fix that with bronzer and a nice pop of peachy blush.
I donot think I will ever go back to traditional powders, as baby powder works so well for me. I use it over Revlon Colorstay and I may touch up my face once or twice a day, even in 100 degree weather. Thats huge for me. Also it never cakes or looks heavy.
Give it a try, I get mine at the dollar store for yes, a dollar. I only buy the ones that contain talc and fragrance- no other ingredients. As for the baby powder scent, it does dissapate and you do get used to it after a while.
