'I tried Rodial's cult £45 setting powder with a 5,000 person waitlist'

Daily Mirror

5 days ago

Shopping writer Lauren finally got her hands on Rodial's sell-out beauty product - here's her verdict
I'm a sucker for a viral beauty product, from Laneige's cult Lip Sleeping Mask to Color Wow's Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. So when I heard that Rodial's Glass Powder - which has sold out six times and reportedly flies off shelves at a rate of three units per minute - was finally back in stock, I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about.
The ultra-fine finishing powder has been popular in the beauty world for its ability to blur pores, reduce shine, and leave behind a soft-focus, almost airbrushed finish. It racked up a 5,000-person waiting list, and fans say it gives skin that elusive 'glass skin' glow without any shimmer or cakiness.
On the powder, Rodial founder Maria Hatzistefanis said: "When we created Glass Powder, our goal was to deliver instant, flawless skin with zero compromise, and the overwhelming response shows we have done just that."
At £45, it's more of a splurge than a casual add-to-basket buy. But with hype this strong and a track record of selling out fast, I was intrigued.
When I put the powder to the test, would it live up to its reputation? Let's find out below.
My honest review of Rodial's Glass Powder
The Glass Powder comes in a sleek little 18g pot, which was smaller than I expected but entirely my own doing. Note to self: always check the measurements before hitting checkout.
Packaging-wise, it features a sifter top with tiny holes designed to stop the powder from spilling everywhere. It's smart in theory, but in practice, I struggled to get much of the product out.
I had to close the pot and tap it firmly against my desk to coax a little powder to the surface. While I appreciated that it didn't make a mess - unlike my go-to Morphe Bake & Set Setting Powder (£12.75), which has a habit of puffing out in clouds, it was mildly frustrating to work with.
Once I had enough, the application was thankfully straightforward. I used a medium-sized brush and gently swept it across my face, focusing on my T-zone and around my nose, which are oilier areas on my face.
The results were instant. My pores looked blurred, my skin tone more even, and the finish was natural, not too matte and not too overly dewy. It felt lightweight, didn't cling to any dry patches and gave me a soft, filtered glow.
For those who love the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (£30.80), Rodial's version has a similar blurring effect with a slightly more luminous finish. It's less mattifying, but in a good way, making my skin look alive and vibrant rather than flat.
As for longevity, it didn't quite hold up during a humid London walk (to be fair, few products do), but for a regular day indoors or out and about, it performed well. I did need to blot my face a couple of times, but overall, it kept my skin looking smooth and fresh for hours.
It's also compact enough to pop into my handbag, which is ideal for touch-ups on the go. Plus, I love that it's a universal shade, working whether I'm rocking my natural pale look or wearing fake tan. It means there's no need to buy two separate pots.
So, while the packaging could be improved, the actual formula impressed me. It's lightweight, pore-blurring and shine-reducing without flattening the skin, and I can see why it's a best-seller. It's available to shop via Rodial here - but shoppers should be quick if they're tempted, as it's likely to sell out again soon.