1
Most Iconic
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
1
Most Iconic
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Makeup-artist-approved
- Silky finish
We like to consider this silky translucent powder one of the beauty GOATs, as it’s been beloved by editors (including this one) and professional makeup artists for years. Plus, the powder has racked up close to five stars from more than 16,000 customer reviews at Nordstrom alone, with one shopper raving about how it “literally melts into your skin.”
Customer review:
"I am 71 now and have tried lots of loose powder, but I come back to my Laura Mercier, every time. Not sure what it is, but it sets my makeup. I've been using this for years. They keep coming out with new makeup all the time, but I will stick with this powder. It's the best." —skychic
2
Natural Pick
Ilia Beauty Soft Focus Finishing Powder
2
Natural Pick
Ilia Beauty Soft Focus Finishing Powder
Pros
- Talc-free
- One shade fits all
Here’s a highly coveted, talc-free option shoppers are raving about to round out your routine, with one customer describing how this lightweight powder “feels like nothing.”
Customer review:
"Great powder to take away shine! I have an oily skin type and no matter what I put on my skin I still look shiny. This powder really balances out my skin and just takes away the excess shine without leaving my skin feeling dry. It’s very natural looking. Love it!" —Lisa C.
3
Great for Travel
Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting and Smoothing Vegan Powder
3
Great for Travel
Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting and Smoothing Vegan Powder
Pros
- Sheer finish
- Convenient pressed packaging
This sheer setting powder from the clean beauty experts at Kosas has a lightweight, natural finish that looks more like skin than makeup. Since this one is pressed instead of loose, you won’t have to worry about accidentally spilling powder in your bag if you take this compact on the go.
Customer review:
"I’m really enjoying this product! The finish is soft and glowing and leaves my skin looking smoother and subtlety radiant. It seems to wear well all day." —wvu09
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4
Drugstore Deal
Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
4
Drugstore Deal
Maybelline New York Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
Now 55% Off
Pros
- Great price
Here’s a highly coveted loose mineral powder from holy grail beauty brand Maybelline that’s garnered close to five stars on Amazon, with more than 22,000 (!) customer reviews and counting.
Customer review:
"After purchasing so many loose finishing powders, I finally found one with a brown tint for my skin. The tint is very sheer and doesn't change the color of my concealer, which was the major problem with other tinted powders." —Misshonee
5
Great for Sensitive Skin
Dermablend Loose Setting Powder
5
Great for Sensitive Skin
Dermablend Loose Setting Powder
Pros
- Non-comedogenic formula won't clog pores
- Long-wearing
If you have sensitive skin, consider this waterproof, dermatologist-tested setting powder that’s not only vegan and noncomedogenic, but made to stay put for up to 16 hours per wear.
Customer review:
"This powder is perfect for daily use! It provides the right amount of coverage for every day look or glammed up look. I love how smoothly it goes on and how soft it feels on your skin." —Morgan
6
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Setting Powder
6
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Setting Powder
Pros
- Lasts for hours
- Highly pigmented
If there’s anyone who knows about setting powder, it’s makeup icon Pat McGrath. Her version is designed to feel weightless on skin and is treated with amino acids for a pigmented color payoff that won’t budge—even when you work up a sweat. If you’re already a fan of the brand’s Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation, this correlating powder is the cherry on top of your face makeup.
Customer review:
"A lot of coverage for a setting powder. The powder is very finely milled, and the finish is smooth, soft, and pearlescent. No cakiness and limited fallout (some smudged on face mask). Makes your skin look even and glowy." —Leila R.
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7
Great for Oily Skin
Mented Cosmetics Skin Silk Loose Setting Powder
7
Great for Oily Skin
Mented Cosmetics Skin Silk Loose Setting Powder
Pros
- Contains skincare ingredients
Keep forehead shine in check while evening out your skin tone with this finely milled setting powder from Mented Cosmetics. It features skin-friendly ingredients like hydrating squalane and vitamin C to brighten, plus it’s hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested.
Customer review:
"It was easy to apply and it blends well with my skin tone. I also like that it doesn't rub off on my clothes or anyone else's clothes when I touch or hug them." —Erica
8
Great for Dry Skin
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
8
Great for Dry Skin
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Pros
- Full-coverage finish
This full-coverage pressed powder contains rose wax and almond oil to keep your skin hydrated as it mattifies, and even reflects light to leave your complexion looking extra dewy (but not overly shiny).
Customer review:
"This is the best powder. I almost gave it to my friend and then decided to look in natural lighting I actually did look airbrushed. I will use this powder the rest of my life, especially when I am outside like at a wedding or something." —Tameh
9
Great for Dry Skin
bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder
9
Great for Dry Skin
bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder
Pros
- Contains skincare ingredients
Those with dry skin should pay close attention to this best seller from bareMinerals, which is loaded with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E, plus shea and cacao butters.
Customer review:
"Love, love, love this setting powder. Pore blurring, mattifying without being flat, translucent color. The perfect setting powder or on its own." —DRHuntington
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10
Natural Pick
Tatcha The Silk Powder
10
Natural Pick
Tatcha The Silk Powder
Pros
- Luxe formula
Whether you decide to apply this powder with a sponge or makeup brush, you don’t have to be a hard-core J-Beauty fan to appreciate its luxe feel, which is powered by Japanese pearl powder and actual silk extracts.
Customer review:
"This is the best powder I have ever used. I use it over my concealer under my eyes. It goes on perfectly, no caking, you can’t tell it’s there but it does it’s job." —Kimberly
11
Natural Pick
Beautycounter Mattifying Powder
11
Natural Pick
Beautycounter Mattifying Powder
Pros
- Absorbs excess shine
This vegan and Environmental Working Group–approved mattifying powder applies white but seamlessly blends in with your skin tone.
Customer review:
"I used to get shiny one hour after applying my makeup until I tried the mattifying powder from Beauty Counter. This powder is amazing!" —Francesca
12
Long Wearing
One/Size by Patrick Starrr Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
12
Long Wearing
One/Size by Patrick Starrr Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder
Pros
- Soft-focus finish
- Lasts up to 14 hours
With close to five stars and more than 14,000 loves on Sephora, this top-rated setting powder from beauty influencer Patrick Starrr is designed to last for up to 14 hours and is totally fragrance free.
Customer review:
"It’s easy to blend, actually blurs my pores, and gives my makeup an elevated look. 10/10 love." —Rayray1102
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13
Long Wearing
Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder
13
Long Wearing
Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder
Pros
- Absorbs excess shine
- Long-wearing
This translucent setting powder from the makeup aficionados at Urban Decay is designed to stay put for up to 11 hours per wear. Since the powder is also waterproof and has a powdery matte finish, it’s especially ideal for oily and combination skin.
Customer review:
"I work outside and sometimes it gets hot and humid. This helps on those days to keep my makeup from running/sweating off my face so I still have coverage all day long." —Kathy
14
Great for Deeper Skin Tones
Juvia's Place I Am Magic Loose Setting Powder
14
Great for Deeper Skin Tones
Juvia's Place I Am Magic Loose Setting Powder
Pros
- Lightweight finish
- Designed for deeper skin tones
If you prefer your setting powder to match your foundation or concealer of choice, this one from buzzy makeup brand Juvia’s Place is specifically optimized for people of color and suits a number of deeper skin tones.
Customer review:
"Love this setting powder. No flashbacks and suits my skin tone." —Nadine
15
Great for Acne-Prone Skin
Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
15
Great for Acne-Prone Skin
Clinique Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
Now 14% Off
Pros
- Convenient pressed packaging
- Absorbs excess shine
This beloved, featherweight powder works for most skin types, as it’s dermatologist tested, non-acnegenic, and both oil and fragrance free.
Customer review:
"I live in Arizona, thus heat and humidity create a shiny T-zone. The Stay-Matte sheer pressed powder is great for stopping shine and feels light in a sticky situation due to perspiration that promotes a shiny and oily look." —CathyAZ
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