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My skin is unpredictable—some days, I'm an oily greaseball, and other days, my skin is dull, meh, and has dry patches. This can be attributed to the ~wonderful~ NYC humid summers and really freakin' cold winters. So how do my tinted moisturizers, cream blushes, and face glosses stay put all day long, you ask? A really good setting powder, which, FYI, contains ingredients that "lock" liquid and cream formulas to your face to help extend wear time. As makeup artist Tayaba Jafri puts it, they're "one of the oldest makeup tricks in the book."
And thanks to my own chaotic skin, I’ve personally tested 25+ setting powders in the last six months to find the best for my skin type and makeup ~vibes~. And with the help of Jafri and makeup artist Tobi Henney, we’ve handpicked every setting powder that gets our seal of approval, below. Here’s a sneak peek:
Our top picks for setting powders in 2024:
Why take the time to put on a full face of foundation, concealer, and bronzer if it’s just going to melt off in a few hours? My thoughts exactly. Now keep reading to find the best setting powder for your skin type, along with the difference between setting powder, finishing powder, and powder foundation at the end.
1
Best Setting Powder Overall
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Pros
- Leaves skin with a soft-matte finish without feeling heavy
- Testers say it makes their makeup last 12+ hours
Cons
- Can be too matte on dry skin types, some testers say
No roundup of the best setting powders would be complete without the mention of the iconic Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (I legit have a jumbo size sitting next to me rn at my desk, lol). You’ll find this in the makeup bags of celebrities (*cough cough* Lori Harvey, who has the smoothest damn skin I’ve ever seen), makeup artists, and editors alike. Why? It has a fine, airy texture that feels light on your skin while giving you a smooth, blurred, matte finish.
To really nix shine, Jafri recommends pressing the powder into your skin with a powder puff instead of brushing it on, which “creates a sweeping motion and moves the product around instead,” she says, “while pressing the powder into the skin results in long-lasting makeup,” she says.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 4
Glowing customer review: “This product is SO good. I get oily skin throughout the day, so when I started using this, it made a significant difference. It leaves my skin looking soft and matte.”
2
Best Pressed Setting Powder
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Pros
- Finish can be built up without getting heavy
Cons
- Some reviewers wish it were more blurring
As much as I love the weightless feel of a loose setting powder, sometimes I need something with a little extra coverage to smooth out my textured, acne-prone skin—and that’s where this GOAT pressed powder from Charlotte Tilbury comes in. It has a ~smidge~ of tinted coverage that helps even out your makeup and skin tone without looking heavy or obvious, thanks to its super-fine consistency. The result is incredibly even-looking makeup that legit lasts.
- Type: Pressed powder
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 4
Glowing customer review: “Love this product! After setting my makeup, I noticed the difference in my face both in photos and in person. You definitely don’t look cakey. This is my second time buying it.”
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Pros
- Twist dispenser is less messy than regular powder jars
Cons
- Lightest shade has a yellow undertone that didn’t work for some fair-skin testers
After covering one too many jeans with powder dust, I honestly swore off messy setting powders. And then this Uoma powder and its brilliant packaging brought me back. You just turn the bottom of the powder while the lid is still closed, and when you open it, you can dip your brush or beauty sponge into the bottom of the jar without powder flying everywhere. Plus, the powder is formulated with glycerin and mushroom extract, so it lightly hydrates your skin to help reduce cakiness and dry patches.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 5
Glowing customer review: “Let me just say the packaging is genius. If you've ever tipped over or dropped a jar of loose powder, you know what I’m talking about. Never again with this product. It goes on like a dream too, even over products from different brands.”
4
Best Setting Powder for Oily Skin
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Setting Powder
Pros
- Jar holds a lot of product
- Comes in eight shades from light to deep with varying undertones
Cons
- Has a slight sweet fragrance some testers didn’t love
Ever since my skin turned on me and became as greasy as a teenage boy’s, I always have this setting powder nearby to mattify my skin (no joke; looking at it right now). It’s full of talc, silica, and dimethicone, which makes my skin look luxe, smooth, and velvety. Just a lil tip tho: If you’re not ready to commit to a full-size version yet, grab the mini. You only need a light dusting across your entire face, so you’ll def be able to make it last a while.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Matte/natural
- Shades: 8
Glowing customer review: “On my T-zone area where I have large pores with some texture from past breakouts and where foundation usually gets cakey, my skin stays baby smooth all day with this powder. Before this powder, I'd actually press the Fenty blotting powder over the most textured pore areas on my cheeks to blur the pores, and now using this powder, I don't have to do that step! It's so blurring.”
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5
Best Drugstore Setting Powder
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
Pros
- Has more than 40,000 positive reviews on Amazon
- Less than $10
Cons
- Some testers found the finish too heavy on their skin
When I first reentered the powder game, I wasn’t ready to drop $$$ for a setting powder, which led me to this drugstore fave (like, there are so many positive reviews). And now that I’ve tested dozens, I’m shocked at how well it sets my makeup for the price. I just brush it lightly across my skin for a satin finish or press it in with a sponge to seriously mattify. And when I feel like baking (aka when you cover your makeup with a heavy layer of powder, let it sit for a few minutes, then dust it away), I don’t feel bad using so much product since a refill costs less than $10.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Satin
- Shades: 8
Glowing customer review: “I was recommended this powder by a friend, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a light/sheer-feeling powder, but it gives you good coverage if you build it up. I use it to set on most days, but if I want to bake, it’s also a nice powder to use. It doesn’t have a scent, and it lasts me all day unless I need to touch up my T-zone area. I like how it looks and feels on my skin too.”
6
Best Brightening Setting Powder
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
Pros
- Available in pink and yellow shades for different undertones
Cons
- Contains fragrance that can be irritating for some
I didn’t believe this hype with this brightening, pink-toned powder for a long time. But I’m eating my words now, as I sit here looking like I got the best eight hours of rest when I actually took a four-hour red-eye flight next to a screaming baby. The rosy pigments counteract the dark tones under my eyes to disguise them a little bit, even without a full-coverage under-eye concealer. And on the days that I need some extra help, I can dab it on with a sponge, and it smooths out my skin to slightly create an illusion that my under-eye bags are a bit flatter.
"My face has always been a grease blob since I was a teenager—and as a gal who loves to glam up, it was hard to find a setting powder that kept my look matte, without looking dry, for hours," says associate shopping editor Meg Uy, a self-proclaimed Miss Certified Oily Girl. That was, until she found this Huda powder, which now she refuses to use anything else. "I use setting powder in my T-zone since that’s where all my oil builds up," she says. "A couple of pats of this into those areas, and I look Kardashian-style airbrushed for 10+ hours," she adds. FWIW, she also uses a sponge or powder puff to press the powder into her skin.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 9
Glowing customer review: “Wow! After months of hearing about the hype surrounding this product, I finally was able to get it, and it’s literally so stunning. It brightens the under-eyes so well and definitely is the best pink setting powder I’ve tried!”
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7
Best Setting Powder for Combination Skin
Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder
Pros
- Sets your makeup with a radiant finish
- Includes a powder puff
Cons
- Have to mix all four shades together in the lid, which can be messy
This cult-favorite powder is a mix between a traditional setting powder (which helps “set” your makeup so it lasts longer) and a finishing powder (which helps “blur” visible texture in your makeup). The result? Softer, smoother, airbrushed-looking makeup that actually lasts until you take it off, according to associate editor Siena Gagliano, who co-wrote this story with me.
It's a lil different from your standard powder, since four sheer, color-correcting powders are housed in one compartmentalized jar. Just flip the jar over, tap the powder into the lid, and mix the shades together to brighten, smooth, and neutralize, all at once.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 6
Glowing customer review: “I am NOT a powder girlie, I have incredibly dry and acne-prone skin. I bought this on whim during the sale, and WOW, it blurs imperfection without totally mattifying my skin. My skin maintained a glow while looking blurred and healthy, which I loved.”
Pros
- Has micro-shimmers that add a glowy sheen to your skin
Cons
- Might be too shimmery for oily skin
A powder that makes your skin look glowy, not flat? YUP, Saie’s clean loose setting powder is filled with itsy-bitsy flecks of mica (ethically sourced!) that give a bit of radiance back to your skin, which makes it look surprisingly seamless and natural. Plus, it’s made with hydrating squalane, which won’t moisturize your skin like a face cream or facial oil would, but it will help keep the naturally drying silica from clinging to any dry patches you might have.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Radiant
- Shades: 3
Glowing customer review: “I think this powder is amazing. Not only did it prevent creasing, but it didn’t dry my under eyes out. I was worried about the shimmer, but it isn’t noticeable on your skin and adds a nice, subtle glow.”
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9
Best Clean Setting Powder
Tower 28 GetSet Blur + Set Talc-Free Pressed Setting Powder
Pros
- Blurs and sets to offset shine
- Comes with a powder puff that fits inside the compact
Cons
- Doesn't come with a mirror (which makes it recyclable, but can be difficult for touch-ups)
This just launched (ofc, as a beauty editor, I got to test it ahead of time), and I'm actually shocked that it hasn't sold out yet, as most Tower 28 newness flies off shelves. Fine by me, because then I get to wax poetic about how fab it is, all while having a clean formula that's suitable for even the most sensitive skin types. I just use the included puff to press the powder into my T-zone to ward off shine, and it blurs and sets my face. I also don't have to touch up for quite a few hours, which is strong praise considering my v-oily face.
I've mostly been using the translucent shade (pictured here), but there's also a light pink for brightening and a yellow for color correcting dark circles. But don't worry, because both colored shades are extremely sheer. They don't make my face look pink or yellow by any means—instead,I just look a lil more awake.
- Type: Pressed powder
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 4
Glowing customer review: “Tower 28 is literally creating some of the best products on the market. I'm obsessed with the fineness of the powder and how seamless it makes my skin look. I use it to set my concealer, and there is never any creasing."
10
Best Matte Setting Powder
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
Pros
- I love how blurring and mattifying it is without feeling heavy on my skin
- A little dusting of powder goes a long way
Cons
- Colored powders are very pigmented, which some testers with fair skin found darkened instead of brightened
Associate shopping editor Daisy Maldonado wears this powder basically every day (so much so, it's her desert island product), she told me. Which led me to, obviously, test it in hopes of achieving the same smooth, velvety skin she always has at the office. “I love how well it sets, blurs, and brightens all in one," she adds. And while the finish is matte, it doesn't give her a cakey feel. "Instead, it has a nice satin finish that makes you look like an IRL TikTok filter," she notes. "Since I have oily skin, I usually have to dab on a good amount of product around my t-zone so it lasts all day, but a little goes a long way with this powder," she explains.
My one caveat is that the peach and pink are quite pigmented, which can be a little too intense for fair skin. With my current summer tan, I've been enjoying the peach shade to brighten, but it was a bit too much when my skin was lighter in the spring. But the translucent shade is always a winner, IMO.
- Type: Loose
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 7
Glowing customer review: “This powder does exactly what it is supposed to do! I saw several reviews on TikTok. It makes me skin look flawless and hides wrinkles. It also helps with my hereditary dark under-eye circles! I love it so much and will continue to use it forever!"
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11
Best Under-Eye Setting Powder
Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Blurring Under-Eye Setting Powder
Pros
- Leaves your skin looking radiant, without glitter or shimmer
Cons
- Powder can crack in the pan easily, according to reviewers
I’m convinced Pat McGrath created this under-eye-setting powder just to fulfill my previously unattainable list of requirements, namely that a formula be lightweight (check), that it reduces creasing (check), and that it has a luminous-but-not-glittery finish (check). I just dust it under my eyes with a fluffy brush to set my concealer, then swipe the excess over my smile lines and forehead. It leaves my skin looking truly natural, without highlighting any of my fine lines. Ty, Pat.
- Type: Pressed powder
- Finish: Radiant
- Shades: 4
Glowing customer review: “I am 53, and I have tried every powder known to man on my dry skin and under eyes,” reads one review. “I am FLOORED at how nice this looks on my under eyes. I will never be without this.”
12
Best Talc-Free Setting Powder
Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Powder
Pros
- Reviewers say you can barely feel it on your skin
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a mirror or powder puff for touch-ups
If you don’t like the chalky, heavy feeling of loose powder, try Kosas’s talc-free pressed powder. It’s so lightweight you can barely feel it on your face, even though it leaves behind a satin, skin-like finish. FYI: Hailey Bieber swears by this setting powder to lock her makeup in place without ruining her signature “glazed donut skin” glow. And I, too, would like to have Hailey Bieber’s skin, so pls give me three.
- Type: Pressed powder
- Finish: Satin
- Shades: 10
Glowing customer review: “My absolute favorite. I love how this wears! I am always reaching for this because I love using it to refresh my makeup. I’m obsessed with the texture (or lack thereof) it leaves on my skin—it feels nearly weightless.”
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13
Best Blurring Setting Powder
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder
Pros
- Silicone-based to “blur” your skin texture
- Comes with a powder puff for a full-coverage finish
Cons
- Some testers say the powder cracks easily
True story: When I became a beauty editor, I gifted this smoothing powder to my mom as repayment for all the times I ~borrowed~ it from her makeup bag. She’s got an oily T-zones with prominent pores (especially with all those dewy skin tints I’ve made her test with me), and this powder sets down her makeup and eliminates shine without emphasizing her pores or uneven texture. Tbh, my mom’s skin is so smooth, she gets mistaken for my sister now at 52 more than she did 10 years ago.
- Type: Pressed powder
- Finish: Matte
- Shades: 3
Glowing customer review: “I never hear anything about this powder, but it’s STUNNING. It leaves a matte finish on my face without drying me out and is perfect to help control oily skin.”
14
Best Lightweight Setting Powder
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
Pros
- Reviewers say it barely feels or looks like they’re wearing anything
Cons
- Might not be mattifying enough for very oily skin
Tbh, this is the powder for people who think they hate powder. It was my starter-powder a few months ago (and look at me now!), because it feels and looks like absolutely nothing on my skin. It helps tone down excess shine without fully mattifying the dewy finish from my creamy concealers and blushes, helping me keep my ~lit-from-within~ glow. I just sweep it all over my skin with a big, fluffy brush, and then, with a smaller brush, layer a bit more over oil-prone areas, like around my nose and over my T-zone.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 3
Glowing customer review: “This is the gold standard of setting powders. It helps to blend and melt makeup together wonderfully and sets my makeup all day. Looks good with literally any liquid/cream product I use it over too.”
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15
Best Setting Powder for Fine Lines
Haus Labs Bio-Blurring Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder
Pros
- Slightly blurs fine lines and textured skin
Cons
- Not mattifying enough for oily skin, said some testers
Legit, this powder feels like actual silk when you pat it into your skin, which is how it creates a velvet-y-smooth finish on your skin. So don’t worry about it highlighting or settling into fine lines, forehead wrinkles, or skin texture. Just be sure to press the powder into your skin with a puff or brush instead of dusting for that blurred effect.
- Type: Loose powder
- Finish: Natural
- Shades: 5
Glowing customer review: “I love it. It's so good. I have been using it to set my makeup, and it does not crease! I can use it to set the concealer for my dark circles, and it keeps it in place and does not accentuate my fine lines.”
What is setting powder?
“Setting powder helps keep your makeup from moving and does exactly what it says: sets it in place,” says makeup artist Tobi Henney. “You should use it on top of cream and liquid products, like foundation and concealer, because it can eliminate shine.” These powders can be loose or pressed and are usually translucent or in a few extremely light coverage shades that come in natural, luminous, and matte finishes. Consider it like swiping a top coat on your nails after painting them.
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What’s the difference between setting powder and finishing powder?
No, setting powder and finishing powder are not the same thing, and yes, using the incorrect formula can seriously mess with the results you’re trying to get. Here’s the general breakdown:
- Setting powder: Medium-weight formula without coverage for setting and prolonging makeup
- Finishing powder: Lightest formula with no coverage that is dusted over your skin as the final step in your makeup routine to blend everything together and sometimes add a glow
- Powder foundation: Densest formula with coverage meant to even skin tone and replace liquid foundation (not meant to be used as a setting powder)
“One of the biggest mistakes I see is people using powder foundation to ‘set’ their base foundation,” says makeup artist Tayaba Jafri, “which can add a heavy layer to your skin and look cakey or dry.” Basically, powder foundation is foundation; it’s not meant to be used as a topper. But if you’re trying to keep your makeup matte and locked in place? Reach for setting powder. And if you want to save your shiny glow but “blur” your skin, finishing powder will be your BFF.
Is setting powder really necessary?
I mean, no makeup step is truly “necessary” (there are no rules in makeup, and I stand by that). But setting powder is important if you want to mattify your makeup, set your liquid and cream products, and make your makeup stay on longer. Basically, if you want your work to last, you should try incorporating a setting powder.
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How to choose the best setting powder:
Consider your skin type.
Every single skin type can use setting powder, but the formula and finish you choose will definitely impact your results. For dry skin, look for a sheer, lightweight powder formulated with moisturizing ingredients like squalane or hyaluronic acid. Workin’ with dull, meh skin? Try a setting powder filled with micro-shimmers for a luminous or “radiant” finish. And if you’ve got oily skin, go for a mattifying setting powder with a velvet-matte finish, or a pressed powder for fuller coverage.
Look at how much coverage it has.
If you’re nervous about trying setting powder, or you want the lightest finish possible, opt for a loose, translucent formula with absolutely no tint or coverage. But if you want a little help evening out your skin tone, choose a loose or pressed setting powder that comes in different shades, since it’ll add a subtle tint to your skin. Similarly, if you want to brighten your skin or color-correct, choose a lavender or rose-toned powder to brighten, or a peach or yellow-toned powder to counteract under-eye circles.
Determine if you want loose or pressed.
Whether you choose a loose or pressed setting powder mostly comes down to personal preference. Loose powder tends to be more finely milled, so it feels lighter on your skin and blends more easily. But pressed powders are easier to travel with or touch up your makeup. I typically keep a loose powder at my vanity for when I do my makeup at home, then bring a pressed setting powder or blotting powder in my purse (with, of course, a lil powder puff).
Meet the experts:
- Tobi Henney is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA. She’s worked in red carpet, editorial, and advertising with celebrities like Megan Fox and Ashley Graham. She also has a makeup brush collection with Trademark Beauty.
- Tayaba Jafri is a makeup artist based in Toronto, ON, CA. She’s the global beauty director of Laura Mercier, where she is involved in education and artistry.
Siena Gagliano
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
Beth Gillette
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.