Best Setting and Finishing Powders For Every Skin Tone
These Are the 14 Best Setting and Finishing Powders Money Can Buy
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A finishing and setting powder — along with foundation and mascara — is a daily must have in many people's makeup routine. It keeps oil-prone skin from looking like a Slip 'N Slide, keeps the foundation you spent 10 minutes on perfectly in place, and can even work alone as a subtle base. In fact, face powder is often seen in the beauty history books. It's a makeup product that's been used for centuries for the same reasons we use it now: covering blemishes (or the scars from smallpox in the 16th century, eek) and evening out the skin tone. Luckily, the ingredients and formulas have improved dramatically since then; face powders are no longer chalky and dusty looking, and they are a whole lot safer.
Although all powders generally look the same and do the same the things, there are, in fact, many different types to choose from. There's tinted and translucent, loose and pressed, luminous and matte — which one you choose depends on how much coverage you want and how you want your complexion to look.
With so many setting powders on the market, it's understandable if you're confused or overwhelmed, which is why we rounded up our favourites that we've tried and tested and made sure they A) do what they promise to do, and B) make your skin look well, like skin. You'll find options from iconic brands like Laura Mercier, Hourglass, and Dior Beauty, which makeup artists have sworn by for years, as well as some from newer brands like Becca Cosmetics and Fenty Beauty. Read on to discover the complete list.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (£30) is a makeup artist favourite and boasts a solid five-star rating for good reason. People love it for its ability to mattify the oiliest skin types without looking heavy, which is because the formula is so finely milled.
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Pressed Powder Translucent
The Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Pressed Powder Translucent (£26) gives very sheer coverage, blurs away imperfections, and reduces oil and shine without leaving the skin looking too matte. Basically, it keeps your dewy base from skewing too greasy without looking chalky or settling into any fine lines or contours of your face. Plus, the compact makes it supereasy to use without having to faff with loose powders.
Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
POPSUGAR UK's content director has used the Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder (£29) for over five years. "I started using this the day it looked back and still haven't found a setting powder I like more," she says. "It looks very bright white in the compact, but it's almost entirely translucent — sometimes I have to look at my bristles really closely to make sure I've picked some up." And although unbelievably lightweight and invisible, it's also incredibly hard-working, mattifying unwanted shine — without adding an obvious texture to your skin — and locking makeup in place for hours." The brand launched it in a darker shade, Sunstone, so more people can enjoy this magic in a compact.
Becca Cosmetics Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder
Becca Cosmetics Soft Light Blurring Setting Powder (£28) promises a lit-from-within finish. It's slightly mattifying but also adds a glow to the skin at the same time. It's infused with ceramic microspheres, which is a fancy way of saying that it smooths out your skin and makes your makeup last longer.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder (£35) is a superfine, lightweight formula that sets your makeup without feeling heavy. It assists foundation in adding a blurring effect to the skin while also providing skin with a fresh, glowy finish.
Revolution Loose Baking Banana Powder
If you've ever wanted to channel your inner Mario Dedivanovic and give your makeup a Kim Kardashian-approved bake, now you can do it for just a fiver. The Revolution Loose Baking Banana Powder (£5) is perfect if you wear medium-to heavy-coverage foundation and want to accentuate your contour. It has a subtle yellow tint (hence the name), which is good because it neutralises and colour corrects any unwanted redness in the skin tone.
Christian Dior Diorskin Mineral Nude Matte Powder
Christian Dior Diorskin Mineral Nude Matte Powder (£35) is an absolute favourite of POPSUGAR UK assistant editor Ange Law. "I'm able to layer Nars Orgasm Blush and Nudesticks Blushes/Cream Highlighters over without it all f*cking up," she said.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
If a supermatte powder isn't what you're looking for, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (£42) might be the perfect option. It delivers a just-back-from-holiday glow without any glitter, ensuring your complexion looks positively otherworldly.
Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder
If you're looking for a long-lasting powder that'll truly set your makeup, consider trying Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder (£22.50). This one is great for oily skin types and people who wear slightly more medium-coverage foundation. It also comes in six shades to perfectly match a variety of complexions.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder
It Cosmetics was founded by a former TV presenter, so the brand knows what works when it comes to long-lasting makeup with blurring effects and without having to worry about flashback. That's exactly what the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Powder (£22) does. The translucent powder will set the base makeup while adding an instant airbrush effect.
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder
The Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder (£28) comes in eight shades, making it a great option if you struggle to find a powder to match your skin tone and foundation. It's an ideal choice if you have oily skin and want your makeup to last throughout the entire day.
E.L.F Perfect Finish HD Powder
E.L.F Perfect Finish HD Powder (£7.50) helps reduce oiliness on the T-zone without settling in fine lines and causing dryness.
Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder
When oily skin is leaving you looking like a disco ball within a matter of minutes after doing your makeup, you might want to consider a product like the Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder (£24). This little compact will keep your makeup perfectly in place without any flashback in photos. One reviewer put it perfectly: "Ladies this should be in your purse at all times with the house keys."
Sisley Paris Blur Effect Luminous Matte Perfecting Veil
When the Sisley Paris Blur Effect Luminous Matte Perfecting Veil (£66) launched in the US, it sold out in less than a week. Why? Apparently the formula (which is a powder/gel hybrid of sorts) creates an imperceptible, soft-focus effect on the skin, which, in layman's terms basically means it's like adding the Paris filter you can add to your Instagram stories in compact form. If you decide to splurge (because yes, £66 is crazy expensive for a powder), just know that you can say hello to luminous skin that doesn't look shimmery and goodbye to fine lines and imperfections.
