Best Setting Powders for Flawless Makeup

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 29, 2024
Want to wear flawless makeup with a perfect velvety finish all day long? If so, a setting powder is the answer. Specifically designed ...Read more
PROS

The Micro-blurring technology applied in the product formula minimizes pore size, hence, the powder lays on your skin evenly and will give it a velvety touch for the whole day. 

CONS

The cap is prone to scratches when storing powder in a beauty bag. 

OUR VERDICT

This almost weightless powder from Kat Von D is hands down the best translucent setting powder that will become your reliable helping hand in creating long-lasting flawless makeup. Distinguished by super finely milled particles, it won't dry out the skin and won't cause flaking.

detailed parameters
Skin Type

All skin types

Shades

Translucent

Safety

Free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, Never tested on animals

Packaging

Jar with sifter holes

Tub Capacity

0.67 oz

0.9 oz available

PROS

Infused with diamond powder containing ultra-fine light-reflecting particles, this setting powder will perfectly disguise imperfections and smoothen your skin, meanwhile lending a mild shimmering effect.

CONS

It might have a drying effect.

OUR VERDICT

The Hourglass powder perfectly sets and holds makeup without making it look heavy and mask-like.  You will hardly notice it on your face. And it's an ideal product to keep the under-eye concealer in place and prevent it from sliding down. As light as it is, it's easy to take out and won't dust. 

detailed parameters
Skin Type

All skin types

Shades

Translucent

Safety

Vegan, Cruelty-free, Free from parabens, fragrances or nanoparticles

Packaging

Seal with holes

Tub Capacity

0.36 oz

PROS

Finely milled and light, the powder blends easily and evenly to create a perfect matte finish without overweighing your skin texture or setting in lines. 

CONS

The packaging lacks a good seal.

OUR VERDICT

Highly popular among professionals, this loose setting powder from Laura Mercier is a real find for those who seek a multi-tasker product making a base both for day and for evening makeup. Suitable for all skin types, the powder is non-comedogenic and dermatologically tested.

detailed parameters
Skin Type

All skin types

Shades

Medium deep

Safety

Oil-free, Non-comedogenic, Non-caking, Dermatologically-tested

Packaging

Jar with powder only

Tub Capacity

1.02 oz

PROS

Perfectly fixing your makeup for as long as 16 hours, this powder boasts a really strong mattifying effect to maintain a matte skin finish under any conditions.

CONS

When applied with a brush, the powder might fly everywhere. 

OUR VERDICT

Whatever your skin type and tone, the Dermablend setting powder will have you covered. Available in three most popular shades, there is something to suit both light and dark skin colors. Besides, allergy-tested, this powder is also a great choice for sensitive skin.

detailed parameters
Skin Type

All skin types including sensitive skin

Shades

Translucent, Cool Beige, Warm Saffron

Safety

Vegan, Fee from sulfates, phthalates, triclosan, Non-comedogenic, Dermatologically-tested, Allergy-tested

Packaging

Jar with sifter holes

Tub Capacity

1 oz

0.18 oz available

PROS

Featuring a yellowish undertone, the powder works to efficiently conceal both redness, irritation, and discoloration to even up your skin tone. 

CONS

It takes some effort to remove the protective film without spilling the powder. 

OUR VERDICT

Seeking to improve your complexion and smooth your skin? The BellaPierre setting powder will come to help. Keeping your makeup in place for longer, this powder will also help refine the skin texture, fill in minor lines and hide dark under-eye circles making your face fresh and natural-looking.

detailed parameters
Skin Type

All skin types

Shades

Original

Safety

Non-toxic, Paraben-free, Cruelty-free

Packaging

Jar with powder only

Tub Capacity

0.14 oz

Best Loose Setting Powder for Professionally Looking Makeup

If you had a chance to visit a makeup artist when preparing for some festive occasion in your life or just to experience professionally done makeup, you saw that they use a number of products to achieve that perfect skin smoothness and setting powder is never overlooked. Are you looking to create professional-level makeup at home to look immaculate every day, yet, not sure which setting powder will work for you? This is where the Kat Von D Lock-it powder will come into play.

Unlike with pressed powders that are very convenient both for morning routine and for quick touch-ups on the go, with loose powders, it is very easy to go overboard and create a kind of chalky mask over your face. Yet, you can be sure this won’t be the case with the Kate Von D. The powder is super-fine and super-light and boasts a silky texture. So, it lays on your face easily and evenly resulting in a weightless smooth velvety finish rather than a cakey crust many other denser powders often deliver. And even if you apply too much, you can brush the excess off without a hassle. The product is translucent and has a universal shade with a hardly noticeable yellowish tint. However, on the skin, it is invisible, whatever your skin tone.

As the name suggests, the product locks in makeup and lends a perfect mattifying effect for you to look flawless all day long without even the need for a touch-up. The powder also stands out for its unique formula featuring Micro-blurring technology that softly diffuses and minimizes the pore appearance for a perfectly smooth and refined skin look. In addition, jojoba ester and soja oil in the content prevents skin dehydration and the powder won’t overdry your skin, never cause flaking, and won’t feel tight.

Though coming in a loose form, the powder is packed in a plastic tub container with sifter holes and tightly closed with a twist-off cap. So, you can safely take it with you on a trip without worrying it will spill out everywhere in your beauty bag.

All things considered, the Kate Von D setting powder will help bring your makeup technique to a quality new level and effortlessly achieve a perfectly smooth finish without a heavy look time and again.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $41.06
Stock In stock
ASIN B01IRS0KBK

More Than a Setting Powder

Nobody is perfect, yet, all of us want to look perfect. And though ideal facial skin is a kind of privilege, modern beauty products help set up flawless looks via makeup. Just choose proper cosmetics to show the best of your face's beauty. Setting powders are meant to neatly set makeup so that you can wear it all day long and feel confident that it won’t slide off. Yet, the Hourglass powder offers a bit more than a makeup setting effect.

Right off the bat, the product comes infused with ultra-fine diamond particles and sapphire powder that work to blur the appearance of pores, fine lines, and even deeper mimic wrinklies in mouth and eye areas to lend the so-called “airbrushed finish”. Those microparticles are light-reflecting, hence a visual correcting effect, and they provide a very mild shimmer, creating a gentle satin glow. So, your skin will look softer and smoother with no deceitful flashback.

Another distinctive benefit that sells this powder is the talc-free formula, which means it won’t clog your pores or drive deep into wrinkles and won’t feel or look cakey or crusty. Instead, thanks to its translucency, it lays on like a weightless sheer veil over your face, perfectly blending with your makeup and mattifying oily spots and areas. Besides, it will in no way overdry or irritate the skin. Due to its super-fine texture, it creates no patches or flakes on dry and sensitive skin.

With the lightness it offers, the Hourglass powder might be not the best option for baking makeup, yet, it does everything it promises and is definitely well worth the higher price you’ll have to pay. Overall, it’s hands down the best setting powder for dry skin showing the first signs of aging as well as for mature skin.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $46.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07DCY4TK6

Makeup Artists Choice

Laura Mercier is a world-famous makeup artist who has created numerous award-winning cosmetic products, and this setting powder is one of them. No wonder, this "best in beauty" powder is a go-to choice of other professionals as well - it goes on evenly, blends amazingly well into the skin, and reliably holds even the most dramatic make-up for a whole day.

That is to say, it can keep your make-up looking fresh for 12 hours without adding weight or texture. Even if you get caught by rain, your look won't be ruined, which is very impressive considering the fact that most other setting products would never hold up to that.

The Laura Mercier powder is completely color-free, so it'll suit any skin tone and won't make you look pale. Also, it will neither settle into fine lines nor look cakey. That's largely achieved owing to the ultra-light and fine-grained texture that can be safely put over primer/foundation/concealer without the risk of ruining all your hard work. Even if you suffer from eczema and psoriasis, this powder will give your makeup a flawless look without overdrying problem areas. It'll help create a nice, sheer, silky finish and reveal your inner radiance.

In a word, the Laura Mercier powder will make you look as if you've just stepped out from a beauty salon. It lends a professional beautiful finish and holds make-up products all day long.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $39.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B06Y2GG2M9

A Makeup Finish for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin needs special care and closer attention. Notably, both oily and dry skin can be sensitive, which further complicates an already tricky process of building up a proper beauty arsenal. The more so with makeup products that often tend to overdry and irritate the skin. If this sounds like you and you still can’t find setting powder for your prone skin, the loose setting powder from Dermablend will definitely catch your fancy.

The very first thing to mention is that the product is formulated without sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and other potentially harmful chemicals that might irritate the skin. Besides, the powder was never tested on animals and contains no animal-derived ingredients, which will be highly valued by vegans and all users who care for environment and nature safety. The Dermablend powder has no odor and causes no comedogenic action. In addition, it was thoroughly tested by dermatologists for triggering possible allergic reactions and has proven to be hypoallergenic. So, it is absolutely safe for all skin types including very sensitive skin.

Speaking of the powder performance, it works great both on oily and on dry skin and is a real find for combination skin with a problematic T-zone. As such, it effectively mattifies oily areas and creates a light and smooth finish on dry skin without caking into crusty patches or accentuating dry skin imperfections. Finely milled, the powder is hardly noticeable on your skin and doesn’t add texture. Instead, it securely locks in your makeup and prevents smudging or melting under any weather conditions. Hence, whether you live in a very dry area with high temperatures prevailing or in a place with a humid climate, your makeup will always look flawless. On top of that, the Dermablend powder is distinguished by a truly long-lasting effect fixing your makeup for 16 hours and, thus, outcompeting many other more expensive products.

To resume, if your skin is prone to some allergic reactions and irritations and you are looking for a setting powder that will give an ideal finishing touch to your makeup without affecting your skin condition, the vegan setting powder from Dermablend is for you.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $29.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002RI2PG

For Specific Skin Needs

Have you ever watched those numerous videos where girls with red cheeks, visible capillaries, and darker dull-looking skin around the eyes transform into stunning beauties with gorgeous skin? The BellaPierre Banana can do the same trick. If your skin is prone to irritations, you have a ruddy complexion or dark under-eye circles disrupt your whole look, the BellaPierre Banana setting powder will become your best helper. When paired with a properly selected foundation and concealer tones, it will help achieve perfectly even and healthy complexion and a smooth finish.

Unlike many other translucent colorless powders, this product has a mild yellowish undertone, hence the name. Yet, this is what counterbalances redness and discoloration to even up the skin tone to a more natural shade. The fine powder texture applies easily and immediately takes away the greasy shine. As such, the BellaPierra is a great choice for oily skin that needs a mattifying action more than other skin types as well as for Rosacea-prone skin to combat the excess ruddiness.

Specifically formulated, this product is suitable for baking makeup to achieve a creaseless, poreless, and spotless finish without a flashback or a cakey effect, which is appropriate for evening affairs and is ideal for professional photoshoots. Besides, the powder is available in two shades, both featuring yellow tinge, for light and olive or dark skin accordingly. Yet, if you have very light skin, don’t apply too much of the product to avoid a yellow finish.

Simply put, the BellaPierre is an affordable good-quality setting powder with a visible corrective effect for the skin with some specific needs.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $12.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01IJ25GHM

What Is a Setting Powder?

Today, creating professional-grade makeup at home is an easy task, with some skill and proper cosmetic products at hand. While the skill is something that’ll come with time, building up a decorative cosmetics arsenal appropriate for your skin type and seasonal color type might turn out to be a real challenge. Given the main task of makeup, which is to accentuate your face beauty and hide some imperfections, there are a number of basic products a beauty bag should contain to achieve a fresh and radiant complexion. A good setting powder is one of them, along with primers, concealers, and foundations.

A setting powder is what we know as a classic powder. Usually, it is applied atop foundation and concealer to refine the skin texture, minimize the pore look, remove the stickiness and oily shine, and, what is more important, to hold the foundation in place for longer and create a perfect matte finish. On the market, you can come across setting powders in a loose or pressed form. The first option is a finely milled powder packed in a jar while pressed powder is a semi-solid product packed into a compact pack usually fitted with a mirror. Preferred by professionals, loose powder is lighter and doesn’t build up on your skin. Pressed powder, on the other hand, is very easy to use and less messy, which makes it a great choice for your handbag and quick touch-ups during the day. However, pressed powders might contain silicone or waxes and have a bit more of a coarse texture that lends a bit heavier finish.

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