8 Best Setting Powders

What is Setting Powder!?

The goal of a setting product is to keep your makeup in place and make it last longer.  People seem to be firm in their stance on setting powders vs. setting sprays, but we enjoy both for different reasons!  Setting powders, also known as finishing powders, are great to blur lines and even out skin tones.  They work perfectly with oily skin types, but finishing powders can definitely also work for dry skin types as long as the skin is properly hydrated.  Another reason we love adding setting powder as a final touch is how they subtlety bring your whole look together.

 

How to Use Setting Powder

Loose Setting Powder  – For a natural set, dust the powder over the face with a large powder brush.  If you have oily skin or want to specifically set your T-zone or other areas, use a smaller brush.

Pressed Setting Powder – There are several options for using setting powder that is pressed in a compact.  Our go to applicator is the classic round makeup sponge, but we also love powder puffs and powder brushes.  Simply tap the sponge, puff, or brush onto the powder a few times until the product is loose (a back and forth rubbing motion works too), then lightly press and roll in the areas you want to set.

“Baking” – When using translucent powder to set foundation and concealer in the under-eye area, we recommend using an egg-shaped makeup sponge. First, slightly dampen the sponge.  Next, dip the sponge in the powder.  Then press the sponge onto the under-eye area.  Let the powder sit for ten minutes before lightly brushing off with a powder brush.

You can set your makeup after applying foundation, after applying all of your makeup, or after both!  It’s truly a personal preference.

 

Best Setting Powders for Foundation

You will notice we did not include the cult favorite setting powder made by Laura Mercier.  This is not meant as a diss.  That powder is a great product but is not our favorite compared to other news ones that have come onto the scene.  We would like to note, however, that our all-time favorite, RCMA No Color Powder, is missing from the list because we could not find a reputable online retailer.  Many reviews on Amazon report receiving fake versions of this powder, and we don’t want that to happen to our readers.  If anyone knows of a legitmate supplier for this, please let us know!

We hope you enjoy our choices for the best setting powders!

 

1. Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder – $5.97

Our #1 Choice!

Our editors had never tried this loose face powder, but we could not ignore over 4,500 5-star reviews on Amazon.  And we can confirm that the hype is very real.  Things we loved about this powder, besides the incredible price, include no flash back in photos, amazing for baking concealer, and the “airy” light weight feeling that is truly unmatched!  We found no creasing or separation, even after a full day of work.  Added bonuses are that this powder unexpectedly has a great scent and works with both oily and dry skin.

Purchase Here

 

2. Aesthetic Translucent Setting Powder – $19.00

Our Choice For:  Flawless Look

This was another shot in the dark Amazon purchase that paid off.  This stuff blew us away.  First, there is SO much powder in this jar!  5.1 ounces to be exact.  When applied after a liquid or cream foundation, this setting powder provides a gorgeous air brush finish.  And it comes with a powder puff that applies the powder perfectly.  5-stars all around!

Purchase Here

 

3. Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder – $5.34

Our Choice For:  Drugstore Brand

This setting powder has a small tint of color with a natural finish and can be used with all skin types.  The ad instructs to apply this with a brush, and we agree.  We used this brush and highly recommend it with this powder.  The key is to tap the excess powder back in the container (beware, a lot of “dust” is created in the air with this one) and lightly tap the brush across the face.  This powder can also be used alone for light makeup days.

Purchase Here:

Amazon Ulta

 

4. Dermablend Loose Setting Powder – $24.65

Our Choice For:  Baking

If you came to this list to find a powder for baking your foundation and/or concealer, search no further.  Great for oily, combination, and dry skin types, this setting powder is white in color but is clear when applied.  Another stand-out feature of this powder is its ability to control shine in the t-zone area and blur pores!  We couldn’t find anything negative about this setting powder, it’s that good!

Purchase Here:

Amazon Dermablend Ulta

 

5. bareMinerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder – $25.00

Our Choice For:  Clean Ingredients

bareMinerals have come a long way since first introducing its Mineral Veil.  It now comes in four finishes:  original, for a soft matte look; tinted, containing a tint that is ideal for darker skin tones; illuminating, giving a luminous glow finish; and hydrating, with a “soft-focus” finish and slight luminosity.  We chose this powder for most clean ingredients because it’s non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic (didn’t know that was a thing!?), hypoallergenic, talc-free, gluten-free, oil-free, fragrance free, and vegan.

Purchase Here:

bareMinerals Ulta Sephora Walmart

 

6. e.l.f. cosmetics Perfect Finish HD Powder – $6.00

Our Choice For:  Long Lasting

This product proves that you do not need to pay a high price for a quality setting powder.  This powder makes makeup stay in place for a very long time.  Unlike the others on the list thus far, this is a pressed powder instead of loose powder.  Because of this, we recommend applying with a sponge rather than a brush.  For a light makeup day or natural look, we found this tip from one of the reviews that we absolutely love:  “I have found that using the elf poreless matte primer and setting it with this powder on top makes for a great ‘no makeup’ look, it seriously just looks like perfect skin all day long.”

Purchase Here:

e.l.f. cosmetics Amazon [Ulta

 

7. Sacha Buttercup Setting Powder – $24.95

Our Choice For:  Dark Skin Tones

Two words:  no flashback.  Seriously, if you have senior pictures or engagement photos coming up, this powder will give you great results with flash photography!  This is the Buttercup shade that is designed for medium to dark skin tones.  The Buttercup Light is for light skin tones, and the Buttercup No Color can be used with all shades.

Purchase Here

 

8. Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear Pressed Powder – $7.98

Our Choice For:  Sensitive Skin

This pressed powder gives a natural finish while absorbing excess oil and minimizing pores.  If you have sensitive skin, this powder was made with you in mind and should not be an irritant.  It also glides on and stays put all day!  This powder is similar to a very light coverage foundation, as there are different shades, but it sets makeup exceptionally well.

Purchase Here