Finishing powder is meant to be applied after your makeup and its purpose is to lock your foundation in place while providing a subtle blur of pores, wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin texture -- giving you an extra-perfect look. Translucent definition: (of a substance) allowing light, but not detailed shapes, to pass through; semitransparent. It is suitable for "any" shade of skin: light, medium, tan, or dark. And a must have for a photoshoot. (If you'd like to buy >1 let me know. I will discount and make a posting in my closet for you.)