Setting powder is an essential step in any makeup routine. It helps set your makeup, reduce shine, and make it last longer. With so many setting powders on the market, it can be hard to choose the right one for your skin type and needs. In this article, we’ll go over the top setting powders to help you find your new holy grail product.
What Does Setting Powder Do?
Setting powder has a few key benefits:
- Sets makeup – It helps blend all your makeup layers together seamlessly so they don’t slip and slide throughout the day.
- Mattifies skin – It removes excess oil and shine, leaving you with a smooth, matte finish.
- Increases wear time – It helps lock your makeup in place so it wears longer without fading or creasing.
- Reduces transfer – It prevents makeup from transferring onto clothes, phones, etc.
- Blurs imperfections – Finely milled powders help blur pores, fine lines, and other imperfections.
Setting powder should be one of the last steps in your routine, applied after foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, etc. Using a large fluffy brush, dust it lightly all over your face, concentrating on the T-zone to prevent excess oil and shine. Be sure to avoid applying too much, which can make makeup look cakey.
How to Choose the Best Setting Powder
With so many setting powders available, choose one based on your skin type and needs:
- Oily skin – Look for oil-absorbing powders containing clay, silica or starch.
- Dry skin – Choose a finely milled loose powder without added mattifiers.
- Mature skin – Opt for a powder with a luminous, light-reflecting finish to avoid emphasizing lines.
- Sensitive skin – Avoid fragranced and harsh formulas that may cause irritation.
- Flashback – Translucent and talc-free powders prevent white cast in photos.
- SPF – Powders with SPF give extra sun protection.
Always do a patch test when trying a new powder to check for allergic reactions or breakouts. And remember, you can use a setting powder alone on bare skin for a quick, natural look too!
Top Setting Powders
Based on reviews, ratings, and recommendations from makeup artists, these are the top setting powders to try:
| Setting Powder | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder | Cult favorite, suits all skin tones, blurs imperfections |
| Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder | Affordable drugstore option, available in multiple shades |
| Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder | Longwear, sweat-resistant, soft-focus effect |
| Dermablend Loose Setting Powder | Full coverage, great for oily and acne-prone skin |
| Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder | Luxe splurge, velvety finish, suits dry skin |
| NYX Professional Makeup HD Finishing Powder | Banishes shine, affordable price, good shade range |
| Neutrogena Shine Control Powder | Controls oil and shine, lightweight and comfortable |
| Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder | Iconic powder, gives matte finish |
| MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder | Refines skin texture, versatile powder |
| L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Loose Powder | Matte finish, up to 16 hours wear, sweat resistant |
#1 Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder takes the top spot for best setting powder. This cult favorite has gained near-iconic status in the beauty world and has won numerous awards and accolades.
What makes it so special?
- Universal translucent shade suits all skin tones
- Blurs imperfections and smoothing fine lines and pores
- Controls oil and shine for 8+ hours
- Soft focus effect diffuses light to diminish appearance of wrinkles and imperfections
- Doesn’t settle into fine lines or accentuate dry patches
- Extremely lightweight and comfortable wear
- Doubles as an effective finishing powder over bare skin
- Masks redness and pigmentation
- Photographs beautifully without flashback
- Talc-free, non-comedogenic, and dermatologist tested
It’s formulated with light-diffusing pigments that create a soft-focus effect, blurring imperfections seamlessly. The ultra-fine powder sets makeup flawlessly without looking cakey or powdery.
It works for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. The translucent shade means it doesn’t leave a white cast and suits fair to deep skin tones. It also prevents flashback in photos.
The powder can be dusted all over the face with a powder brush, concentrated on oily areas, or used under the eyes to set concealer. It comes in a convenient universal shade in regular or travel size packaging.
The Laura Mercier powder gets rave reviews for leaving a silky, flawless finish and keeping oil at bay for hours without fading, settling into fine lines, or irritating skin. Multiple users say it’s the best setting powder they’ve tried.
However, it does come at a price point higher than drugstore powder. But a little goes a long way, making it worth the investment for many users.
Overall, the cult status, thousands of positive reviews praising its finish and longevity, and versatility for all skin types and needs makes Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder the clear choice for the #1 setting powder.
Tips for Applying Setting Powder
Here are some tips for flawlessly applying setting powder:
- Use a large, fluffy brush – This distributes powder evenly without over-applying.
- Tap off excess – This prevents powder overload that can look cakey.
- Press powder into skin – Pressing sets makeup better than dusting.
- Layer lightly and build up – Add thin layers for optimal, natural-looking finish.
- Target oily areas – Focus on T-zone, under eyes, around the nose and chin.
- Avoid baking – Packing on a thick layer of powder and letting it sit can accentuate lines and texture.
- Use right before heading out – For freshest, longest-lasting finish.
- Carry for touch ups – Bring powder for quick touch ups on the go to reduce mid-day shine.
With the right techniques, setting powder can help your makeup look flawless all day without enhancing texture or dryness.
Alternatives to Setting Powders
If powders tend to emphasize dryness or accentuate your lines and wrinkles, you may want to explore some alternatives:
- Setting spray – Locks in makeup without powdery finish.
- Blotting papers – Absorbs oil and shine on the go.
- Primer – Creates smooth base and helps makeup adhere better.
- Longwear foundation – Minimizes need for constant touch ups.
- Concealer – Spot-conceal oily areas instead of powdering all over.
You can also mix setting spray with powder for extra holding power. Play around to find the right combo and application method for your mature skin.
FAQs About Setting Powder
Should I use setting powder if I have dry skin?
Yes, you can still use setting powder if you have dry skin. Opt for a finely milled loose powder formula that won’t cling to dry patches. Use a light hand and focus just on areas that get more oily, like the T-zone. Avoid baking and full-face heavy powder application.
When should you apply setting powder?
Apply setting powder as the last step in your makeup routine, after you’ve applied all face makeup including foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, highlight, etc. This locks everything in place.
Do you really need setting powder?
Setting powder is optional, but does have benefits for increasing wear time, controlling oil, and perfecting makeup application. If you have oily skin or need long-lasting makeup for an event, setting powder can be very useful.
Is loose powder or pressed powder better?
Loose powder provides a lighter finish and sets makeup best. But pressed powder is more portable. It comes down to preference and your needs – both types have pros and cons.
How do I apply loose powder?
Use a large, fluffy powder brush. Tap brush into powder, then tap off excess. Press into skin instead of dusting for the most flawless application. Apply lightly in thin layers and build up coverage.
Conclusion
A dusting of setting powder can make a world of difference in perfecting your makeup look and preventing midday meltdowns. The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder stands out as the clear winner for best setting powder thanks to its impeccable performance, suitability for all skin types, and natural, flawless finish.
Remember to tailor your choice to your skin’s needs. Proper application technique helps prevent setting powders from accentuating dryness or texture. With the right powder, you can lock your makeup in place for long-lasting wear.
Give your top choice a try or experiment with a few to find your new favorite setting powder!