Take it from the professionals: a top-notch setting powder is a non-negotiable must-have in any makeup kit — especially in the summer when heat and humidity can ruin a makeup look before it's even done. "Setting your makeup is one of the most important steps of your makeup routine," New York City makeup artist Delina Medhin tells Allure. "When you set the makeup, it has longevity, because who wants to carry a touch-up kit everywhere?" Show Even if you prefer dewy looks over matte ones, setting powder applied strategically (in the T-zone, for example) can absorb excess oil and keep products in place longer, according to Medhin. But oil absorption and longevity aren't the only things setting powders are good for, according to fellow New York City makeup artist Tommy. "Setting powder is not only used to lock in your makeup but to 'finish' the look of makeup — to create a smoother, more poreless, and texture-less surface," he explains. Both artists agree that, whether you have oily skin or dry skin, the less-is-more approach is best when it comes to powders. "This gives you more control of the product," Medhin says. "Place your brush in the powder, then tap it off until it looks like nothing is left on the brush, then keep applying until you get to your desired matte look." Tommy adds face powder to the forehead, nose, chin, and the sides of the mouth to "help to mitigate any excess shine or oil breakthrough that can lead to a porous look." Give these techniques a whirl with the 19 best setting powders listed below, all of which are makeup artist and beauty-editor favorites, and say goodbye to your days of makeup creasing and flashback. Here's the lowdown on how to subscribe to Allure's print edition for more beauty routines, recommendations, and features. All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Nicky J Sims/Getty Images No matter whether your makeup routine is a complex, multi-step process or a simple, swipe-and-go situation, a finishing powder is an invaluable asset. “The most immediate benefit is shine reduction, while the long-term benefit is enhanced staying power of your makeup,” says New York-based makeup artist Shayna Goldberg. And if you equate powder with matte skin, guess again. “Finishing powders come in a variety of finishes, and don’t necessarily have to result in mattified skin, so they really can work for all skin types,” explains Goldberg. To that point, there are a variety of formulas out there that can offer the above-mentioned effects, plus blur blemishes and spots and enhance radiance. We conducted hours of research to find the very best finishing powders on the market, evaluating them based on their finish, coverage, and staying power. We also made note of their format, whether that be pressed or loose powders; matte or radiant. After considering multiple formulas and consulting an expert, we landed on these 12 top-rated picks. Here, the best finishing powders you can find on the market today.  Sephora What We Like
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Who else recommends it? Allure, Glamour, and WWD all picked the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. What do buyers say? 1,800+ Sephora reviewers rated this product 4.5 stars or higher. Many of the finishing powders on the market are translucent, which can sometimes be tricky. Because let’s be real: translucent doesn’t always mean undetectable. Many translucent options we’ve tried leave behind a weird cast or chalky finish—but not this one. "It has the most natural finish and actually works on the widest range of skin tones of any of the other translucent powders I’ve tried," says Goldberg. Plus, it’s also infused with diamond powder for the perfect amount of light reflection without any flashback. Reviewers love that it feels light on the skin, doesn't crease on dry skin or settle into fine lines, and that its long-wearing no matter what foundation they use underneath it. Many commented that it has become their new holy-grail powder, and that it's the only powder they've tried that was actually effective in prolonging their face coverage and giving them a soft, airbrushed look. Another added benefit is that it's free of talc, which is a controversial ingredient that some say can contain the known carcinogenic asbestos. Price at time of publish: $46 Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Mica, synthetic sapphire | Size: 0.36 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes Nordstrom What We Like
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It should come as no surprise that this formula basically has its own fan club. True to its name, the ultrafine particles create an Instagram filter-esque effect, magically blurring away the look of lines and blemishes with one fell swoop. It’s also incredibly lightweight and feels great on the skin, thanks to the addition of ingredients such as rose wax and almond oil. It’s a favorite of Goldberg’s, who lauds it for the soft matte finish and buildable coverage. Price at time of publish: $46 Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Rose wax, almond oil, and light-reflecting pearls | Size: 0.28 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No Byrdie / Khera Alexander What Our Testers Say "The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish setting powder is fantastic; it will keep your makeup in place, give your skin a natural glow, control shine, and give your skin a velvety finish." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester What We Like
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Affordable, yes. But lacking in quality, definitely not. Dust it on solo to minimize the look of prominent pores and excess shine, or over makeup to boost longevity. Either way, the mattifying formula gets the job done. Price at time of publish: $14 Skin Type: Oily | Key Ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.28 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes Courtesy of Walmart What We Like
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There are so many things we like about this drugstore staple. There’s a great range of shades to choose from (eight to be exact, a lot for a powder of any kind), it has a gentle mineral formula, and its shine-controlling, skin-smoothing effects, just to name a few. The wallet-friendly price tag is the cherry on top. Price at time of publish: $9 Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes What We Like
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Goldberg recommends using this pressed option to help set the foundation. “It absorbs the perfect amount of excess oil so that skin ends up looking just slightly dewy, never shiny,” she says. Super-fine powders and a featherweight texture also make this feel insanely light on the skin, always a good thing in our book. Price at time of publish: $89 Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Silica| Size: 0.31 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes What We Like
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“This is by far my favorite loose powder, allowing the skin to look like skin while eliminating shine and leaving behind a perfect, soft glowy finish,” says Goldberg. Dust it on all-over or just on areas prone to sheen; either way, it never looks chalky or settles into lines. Goldberg adds that it also behaves beautifully with flash photography. Also nice: It’s talc- and fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested, so it's great for those with sensitive skin. Price of time at publish: $22 Skin Type: All| Key Ingredients: Diamond powder, kaolin clay, and vitamin E | Size: 0.25 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes Courtesy of HSN What We Like
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Powders can pose some serious issues for those with darker complexions; many are too light, which ends up coming across as chalky and results in flashback in photos. Happily, while this option only comes in three colors, two of those are geared towards deeper skin, and they all offer great shine-control and, indeed, a silky smooth texture. Price at time of publish: $25 Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Vitamin C | Size: 0.92 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes What We Like
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Prefer to keep your routine simple and streamlined? Reach for this two-in-one, another one of Goldberg’s favorites. “It’s iconic because it has such a wide range of uses,” she says. "Wear it alone as a foundation over moisturizer (use the included sponge for that) or dust it on with a fluffy powder brush if you want it to act as any other loose translucent powder would," she suggests. Either way, you get up to 12 hours of wear-time and a gorgeously velvety finish. Price at time of publish: $39 Skin Type: All, especially oily | Key Ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.52 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes What We Like
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In case you missed it, you really should be reapplying your sunscreen every two hours. It’s an admittedly lofty goal, which is where an SPF-infused powder, like this one, can come up huge. Dust it on in the A.M. as a little extra layer protection, but then reach for it throughout the day to not only absorb shine and touch up your makeup but also add back some of that needed sunscreen. This particular one also has the added benefit of blurring away spots and blemishes and is filled with skin-soothing, plant-based extracts, too. Price at time of publish: $34 Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Non-nano Zinc Oxide 14 | Size: 0.24 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes Courtesy of Sephora What We Like
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True to its name, think of this as the powder version of those annoying to deal with blotting papers. It’s completely undetectable (on all skin tones, we might add), instead simply stopping shine in its tracks, without ever settling into pores or lines. And if you use it over the foundation, it will up its staying power, too. Price at time of publish: $34 Skin Type: Oily | Key Ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes What We Like
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Price at time of publish: $52 Skin Type: Dry | Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Size: 0.35 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes What We Like
What We Don't Like
Generally speaking, powders tend to contain fewer chemicals than other products, but this one really takes the clean beauty cake with a minimal ingredient list that relies on natural ingredients. It comes in one universal shade, a sheer, glow-enhancing tone that is ideal for anyone who doesn’t want the classic matte finish. But yes, it still does all the standard finishing powder duties—think stop shine and up the staying power of other makeup. Price at time of publish: $22 Skin Type: All | Key Ingredients: Organic squalane, magnolia bark, and lactic acid | Size: 0.26 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes Final Verdict Meet the Expert Makeup artist Khera Alexander works with celebrities and bestselling makeup brands and is a frequent Byrdie contributor. Shayna Goldberg is a New York-based makeup artist and consultant who often works on editorial as well as brand campaigns. What to Look for in a Finishing PowderLoose vs. PressedDon’t get too hung up on this difference, as it really is a matter of personal preference, says Goldberg. (Also, depending on your application technique, you can usually score both types of effects from either product.) Makeup artist Khera Alexander points out that "the difference between loose and pressed powders...is that loose powders tend to be much lighter in texture and are more finely milled." FinishAgain, not all powders are mattifying, so Goldberg recommends checking the description to see if it describes the finish as matte or natural/radiant. Matte makeup has been trending for some time, so if you've been on the fence about trying it, know that you'll be in good company if you take the jump. CoverageMost of the finishing powders out there are pretty translucent (even if they do have a tint to them), but some may pack more pigment than others, so check on that as well, suggests Goldberg. Knowing how heavy the coverage will be can prevent you over applying your powder, as can being well-versed at powder application. If you’re looking to use it instead of any other makeup, you may like the more pigmented, opaque options. FAQ
Why Trust ByrdieByrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She holds a BA in Journalism and English from New York University. For this roundup, she consulted with two makeup artists and considered dozens of products before landing on her top-rated picks. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Can you use translucent powder on mature skin?The ideal setting powder for more mature skin is a loose, translucent, matte-finish mineral powder. A bit of a mouthful to say out loud, but it gives the most natural finish to the skin that may not be as plump and youthful as it used to be.
What is the difference between setting powder and loose powder?Pressed powders are easier to use and can be more pigmented than loose powders. They provide more coverage and some of them can be used alone as foundations. Loose Powders are finely milled powder formulas designed specifically to set the makeup and blur the skin.
Should loose setting powder be lighter or darker?When selecting your setting powder, choose a color that matches your foundation or is slightly lighter. Avoid using a setting powder that is too light as it can make you look ashy. A translucent powder will work for most skin tones, but if you have a dark complexion, you might need to apply a tinted powder.
Which brand is best for loose powder?COVER FX Perfect Setting Powder. ... . L'Oréal Paris Infallible Tinted Loose Setting Powder in Light-Medium. ... . Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. ... . COVERGIRL truBLEND Minerals Loose Powder. ... . Glossier Wowder Finishing Powder. ... . PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Setting Powder. ... . BOBBI BROWN Sheer Finish Loose Powder.. |
Best loose setting powder for mature skin
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