Set a Flawless Makeup Look With the 7 Best Powders

1. KimChi Chic Beauty That White Powder Setting Powder

Best under-eye setting powder. This sweat and oil-absorbing powder controls shine and keeps you looking cool and polished all day. It comes with a classic powder puff that’s perfect for applying an even layer of powder and makes it easy to set your makeup on the go.

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2. Supergoop (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF35

Best UV-protection setting powder. This powder offers sunscreen and shine control in one convenient package. You can also wear this powder on its own for a flawless, natural complexion or as a quick dose of UV-protecting SPF. It’s available in four shades. 

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3. Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Best translucent setting powder. You’ll love this ultra-refined, finely-milled, buildable loose powder. It’s formulated with soft-focus light-reflecting particles to instantly blur imperfections and minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles for effortlessly smooth skin. Use this translucent formula on all skin tones for an invisible, natural finish.

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4. Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder

Best setting powder for a dewy finish. Set, smooth, and diffuse with this unbelievably weightless and radiant loose powder. Saie’s patented aerated-cream technology delivers a translucent sheen and provides a natural, velvety finish. It’s talc-free and provides a dose of hydration thanks to the addition of nourishing squalene. It’s available in three shades. 

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5. ITEM Beauty Powder Hour Setting Powder

Best setting powder for oily skin. This translucent powder instantly blurs imperfections, smoothes uneven texture, and delivers a silky matte finish. It’s packed with skin-soothing and calming ingredients like gotu kola (tiger grass), green tea, and chamomile extracts.

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6. Honest Beauty Invisible Blurring Loose Powder

Best setting powder for combination skin. This talc-free, weightless, invisible loose powder blurs, mattifies, and sets makeup while delivering a gorgeous, soft-focus finish that won’t crease or cake. It’s perfect for mid-day touch-ups to minimize unwanted shine. 

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7. e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder

Best setting powder for dry skin. This cruelty-free loose powder has a light and silky texture that leaves skin shine-free while adding natural-looking luminosity. Infused with lab-created sapphire particles that blur imperfections, it’s a brightening setting powder that gives your complexion a selfie-ready, soft-focus look.

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FAQ

How do you use setting powder?

While setting powder application is pretty straightforward, use a makeup artist-approved technique to get long-lasting results. 

Step 1: Prep your face. Cleanse, dry, and moisturize your face before wearing cosmetics. Then, apply your concealer and foundation as usual and let everything dry before moving on.

Step 2: Load your makeup brush. If you’re using loose powder, pour a little into the container cover. Then, swirl your powder brush into the lid’s contents. You can also use a kabuki brush if you prefer. Tap off any excess. If you’re using pressed powder, swirl your brush over the product, then lightly tap to remove the surplus.

Step 3: Apply powder. Starting at your t-zone and using a circular motion, work your way toward the edges of your face, focusing on the under-eye area and beneath the cheekbones. Reapply powder to your brush as needed, and repeat until you have an all-over, even finish.

If you’ve oily skin, you’ll get better, long-wearing coverage by using a powder puff or makeup sponge and applying powder with a slightly heavier hand. Load your tool with powder and apply with a patting or rolling motion across the skin. Don’t rub, or you’ll smudge your foundation and create streaks. 

Step 4: The finishing touches. Apply the rest of your makeup, including eye makeup, mascara, blush, and lipstick. Once done, brush on a light layer of translucent finishing powder and let it set for about 3–5 minutes. 

Is it okay to use setting powders daily?

Setting powder is one component of a flawless daily makeup look, but day-to-day use of the wrong product can lead to skin issues like redness, irritation, and breakouts.

You can avoid this by purchasing water-based face powders or products made with non-comedogenic oils. Grapeseed, sunflower, sweet almond, and hemp seed oils are skin-friendly, moisturizing ingredients that won’t build up on your face. If you’re prone to acne breakouts, purchase brands that include pimple-fighting components like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

If you have sensitive skin, watch out for mica, silica, and talc. These ingredients reflect light, giving your skin a youthful appearance, but can aggravate sensitive skin, leading to red and dry patches. Other ingredients to avoid include alcohol and fragrances. 

Most of all, practice good face hygiene. At the end of the day, remove every trace from your face. Even the best setting powders will cause problems if left on overnight. Cleanse your face daily, and use a good exfoliator regularly to clear pores. 

How do you choose a setting powder?

Setting powders come in an array of shades, ranging from colorless, translucent products to colors that match the darkest complexion. The right one depends on whether you purchase loose or pressed powder and your skin tone.

Most pressed powders are associated with a foundation shade range, so choose the one that’s partnered with the color you usually wear. If you aren’t sure, go with a shade lighter than your own. Loose powder should match your skin tone exactly. If you can’t find a shade you’re happy with, choose a go-with-anything translucent powder. 

All set

Finding the right setting powder doesn’t have to be intimidating. The Flip community provides informative feedback about all the best products, so you can feel confident and excited about this new addition to your makeup routine.