All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The best setting powders can help seal in your foundation, keep shine under control, and leave your skin with a soft-focus finish. It takes only a couple of extra minutes in your routine, but this finishing touch will make your makeup seriously last longer. You can even wear it on its own when you feel like going makeup-free but still want a light veil of coverage to keep you matte. I’ve worked as a makeup artist for over 15 years, and whether it’s for a fashion shoot, an event, TV, or a wedding, I never let a client leave my chair without a light dusting of setting powder—whether in a matte, velvet, or shimmer finish.
To find the best setting powders for every skin type, we spoke with several makeup artists who gave us the intel on their favorite picks, plus tips on how to choose the right powder—whether pressed or loose powder. We also included tried and tested personal favorites from Glamour editors.
The best-rated setting powders, at a glance:
- Best Overall: Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking and Setting Powder, $38
- Best for Oily Skin: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Loose Powder, $36
- Best for Dry Skin: Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder, $25
- Best for Mature Skin: No7 Flawless Finish Face Powder, $15
- Best Drugstore: Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Matte Setting Powder, $15
- Best Translucent: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $47
Your setting powder questions, answered:
- What are the benefits of using setting powder?
- Is translucent powder the same as setting powder?
- What’s the difference between setting powder and setting spray?
- Which powder is best for setting makeup?
- How do I choose the best setting powder for my skin type?
- Is loose or pressed powder better?
- What is the best way to apply setting powder?
- What is the best way to apply setting powder under the eye?
Best Overall: Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking and Setting Powder
This was the unanimous favorite among the Glamour team. Between its lightweight finish and easy-to-apply sponge applicator, this setting powder from Huda Beauty works for every skin type. In addition to a translucent version, it comes in nine other shades. “I started using setting powder again after trying this mini Huda Beauty setting powder,” says Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor. “Setting powders can get really messy and make me look like Casper the Friendly Ghost, but the selection of shades works well on my skin tone (banana bread). Plus, it comes with a lid that doubles as a sponge, so it’s easy to apply and travel with.” Glamour social media manager Jazmin Gathers is also a fan: “This is honestly the best setting powder I’ve ever tried, and my go-to for a full makeup look or natural beat,” she says. “It’s light but gives a gorgeous finish, and seamlessly blends everything together. A little goes a long way, so it’s definitely worth the price.”
Key ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.22 oz.
- What we love: Sweat- and humidity-resistant
- What we don’t like: Slightly messier to use
Best for Oily Skin: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Loose Powder
Beloved by both makeup artists and the Glamour beauty editors, this pro setting powder from MAC is the one to reach for if you’re serious about achieving an expert finish to your base. Suitable for all skin types and available in various shades and undertones, this powder gives the skin a soft and blurring effect while also absorbing oil and controlling shine. Makeup artist Natalie Dresher, explains the hype: “This powder is an OG favorite for makeup artists. It sets makeup for a full day without settling into fine lines or wrinkles or clinging onto dry patches. You can also wear it on the skin alone. It truly makes it look like you’re filtered IRL. The color range is also impressive for the fairest of fair tones and deepest of deep tones.”
Key ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.22 oz.
- What we love: Sweat- and humidity-resistant
- What we don’t like: Slightly messier to use
Best for Dry Skin: Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder
Just because you have dry skin doesn’t mean powdering will automatically leave you looking cakey. This velvet-finish setting powder from Rare Beauty will seal in your makeup without settling into dry patches throughout the day. The formula has a silky lightweight feel that works perfectly for those with drier skin textures. Dresher recommended it for those that prefer to have a talc-free powder. It’s designed to be lightweight and paraben-free, ideal for all skin types, especially dry, and sets makeup flawlessly for long-lasting wear. It also comes in various tones to cover all skin tones.
Key ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.33 oz.
- What we love: Cruelty-free; extra-fine milled powder; airy feel
- What we don’t like: Some may prefer a more matte finish.
Best for Mature Skin: No7 Flawless Finish Face Setting Powder
.png)
.png)
This setting powder from No7 is constantly sold out across drugstores in the UK. “I first discovered it while working as a makeup artist during London Fashion Week, and it’s considered just as good as (if not better than) its pricier counterparts by beauty insiders,” says Glamour contributor Clare Holden. Part of the reason it’s so popular is because it doesn’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles like many other powders, making it the ideal choice for those with mature skin. The formula is enriched with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E, which help give it a hydrating feel and smooth finish.
Key ingredients: Pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E | Size: 0.35 oz.
- What we love: Great price; lasts a long time
- What we don’t like: Not as widely available
Best Drugstore: Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Matte Setting Powder
Whether you’re looking to set your foundation or want to add a light veil of coverage over your natural skin, this Conceal + Perfect setting powder from Milani is one of the best-hidden gems at your local drugstore. “I love this powder for over my makeup or when I just need a touch of coverage over my face sunscreen and want to stay shine-free,” says Holden. “It gives the skin a soft-focus finish and works especially well if you have any redness or breakouts as it is light enough not to irritate yet still reduces the appearance of any imperfections.”
Key ingredients: Silica | Size: 1.76 oz.
- What we love: Satin finish; cruelty-free
- What we don’t like: Slightly smaller
Best Translucent: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
There is no doubt that this pick from Laura Mercier, possibly the most famous translucent powder, is a beauty staple and deserves a place in any makeup bag. The formula has evolved over the years to now include skin-boosting vitamins and amino acids. It’s Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro's all-time favorite; she says she’s been using it for the past three years. “It's the only formula that absorbs the oil in my T-zone, chin, and undereye area without leaving my skin looking dry and ashy,” she says. “I also like that it comes in different colors, so you can find one that works for your skin tone.” Some people avoid translucent powder for fear of looking blotchy or ghostlike, but with its weightless feel and seamless finish, Laura Mercier’s loose powder will convert even the most skeptical among us. In fact, it’s a favorite of Natasha Moor, makeup artist and founder of Natasha Moor Cosmetics, who says: “I’ve tried several others and always go back to this staple in my makeup kit.”
Key ingredients: Vitamin C and E | Size: 0.33 oz., 1 oz., 1.7 oz.
- What we love: Comes in three sizes
- What we don’t like: Available in matte finish only
Best for Undereyes: Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Blurring Setting Powder
The skin around the eyes is one of the most delicate areas on the face, and as we all know, it takes one bad night’s sleep to make any fine lines more apparent. While it can be tempting to load on the concealer, going in lightly with a hydrating product like this blurring powder from Westman Atelier is actually the best option to not accentuate any tiredness or bags further. This powder uses quinoa seed extract to minimize the appearance of pores while vitamin C helps protect against free radicals. “It blurs the undereye beautifully, giving the illusion of a flawless and lineless undereye,” says makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “The pink color is my personal favorite for the viral pink undereye look.”
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, probiotic, quinoa seed extract | Size: 0.17 oz.
- What we love: Skin-enriching ingredients; luxury packaging
- What we don’t like: Slightly more expensive (although a little goes a long way)
Best Pressed Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Pressed powder is the best option for anyone who favors a mess-free application or has to do their makeup on the go. Unlike powder compacts of the past, this modernized take from Charlotte Tilbury is anything but cakey. The skin-care-based formula uses a combo of rose wax and almond oil to soften and moisturize the skin, while the powder has been infused with light-reflecting pearlescent pigments to give your face a luminous and radiant finish. Makeup artist Mai Quynh gave us her top tip when applying pressed powder: Use a sponge or dense brush and apply in a pressing or rolling motion rather than swiping to set makeup without disturbing it. Makeup artist Cnarik Aloyan swears by it, calling it her all-time favorite. “It also works great to throw in your bag if in need of light touch-ups,” she says.
Key ingredients: Rose wax, almond oil | Size: 0.11 oz., 0.28 oz.
- What we love: Available in a refill option; easy to apply
- What we don’t like: Smaller shade range
Best Splurge: Givenchy Prisme Libre Finishing & Setting Powder
If you’re looking to treat yourself, this powder quartet from Givenchy Beauty is the ultimate way to set your makeup and give it an elevated finish. It not only locks in your look but also mattifies the skin without drying and leaves it looking luminous all day. “I love how finely milled the Givenchy Beauty Prisme Libre Loose Setting Powder is,” says makeup artist Kasey Spickard. “It gives a beautiful, soft-focus effect to the skin, helping to blur any imperfections. I also love its multicolored formulation, with four shades that work harmoniously to correct, illuminate, and enhance the complexion.”
Key ingredients: Silica | Size: 0.42 oz.
- What we love: Ultra-fine texture; luxury finish
- What we don’t like: Not as widely available
Best for No Flashback: Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
If you have a wedding coming up or any event where you know you’ll be having your photo taken, you’re going to want to invest in this pressed-setting powder from Nars. This compact has long been the go-to finishing touch for getting celebrities red-carpet-ready because of how good it makes the skin appear on camera. It uses photochromic technology, whereby the pigments diffuse and adjust to various types of light so the skin looks radiant both in person and especially when captured on camera.
Key ingredients: Glycerin and vitamin E | Size: 0.35 oz.
- What we love: Its light-reflecting properties
- What we don’t like: Some shades aren’t always available.
Best Budget: Maybelline Fit Me Loose Setting Powder
Proving you don’t have to spend a fortune to create a gorgeous makeup look, this setting powder from Maybelline is the ideal option if you’re looking for a high-quality finish at a drugstore price. It seals in your makeup and will keep you shine-free all day. “I grabbed this at the drugstore when I forgot my personal makeup bag at home, and I was so impressed that it’s now a staple in my personal makeup kit,” says Desher. “This powder is a direct dupe for some of its name brand sisters.”
Key ingredients: Talc, silica | Size: 0.7 oz.
- What we love: Great price; controls shine
- What we don’t like: Smaller shade range
Best for Sensitive Skin: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Diamond Blur Skincare Powder
For those with acne-prone or sensitive skin, opt for a setting powder such as this one that’s formulated without any parabens, talc, fragrance, or dye, which will make your skin far less likely to become irritated. “I love this powder and it’s my preferred choice for daytime wear as it reduces the appearance of my pores,” says Holden. “It also feels lightweight and breathable, which is a big thing for me as I hate the feeling of heavy makeup on my skin while I’m working.”
Key ingredients: Vitamin E | Size: 0.21 oz.
- What we love: Cruelty-free; gentle formula
- What we don’t like: Available in only one shade
Best Talc-Free: Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder
This loose powder from Ilia is designed to lock in your makeup while also providing your skin with a trio of hydrating and conditioning ingredients. The formula is talc-free, so it won’t result in flashback in photos, and the cocktail of aloe, bamboo, and rosemary keeps the skin soothed, soft, and supple. “I love this setting powder because it is so finely milled that it really lays on the skin nicely,” says Desher.
Key ingredients: Aloe, bamboo, rosemary | Size: 0.32 oz.
- What we love: Suitable for all skin types
- What we don’t like: Comes in only one shade
What are the benefits of using setting powder?
In a nutshell, setting powders help reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and blemishes while helping your makeup last longer. While it gets a bad rap for making your face look dry and cakey, the latest face powder formulas stay put without smearing, smudging, or feeling heavy.
Is translucent powder the same as setting powder?
While translucent powders and setting powders are both used for the same purpose—to set your makeup and control shine—setting powders are not necessarily translucent. “A translucent powder (colorless) is always a setting powder, but not every setting powder is a translucent powder,” says Dresher. “Some setting powders have color added to them to match skin tone.”
In addition, translucent powder functions more like a “finishing powder,” whereas setting powder sits on top of liquid and cream makeup, helping it to adhere to the skin. “Finishing powder, or translucent powder, perfects the skin by absorbing shine and blurring the appearance of pores, fine lines, or other imperfections,” says celebrity makeup artist J Guerra. “If not used carefully, some translucent powders can cause ‘flashback’ in photos or leave a chalky cast on deeper skin tones.”
What’s the difference between setting powder and setting spray?
The difference is minimal, but celebrity makeup artist and Jamie Makeup founder Jamie Greenberg says, “Powders typically work better for oily skin and setting sprays for drier skin.” Of course, you could combine the two for even longer-lasting wear, says Greenberg.
Which powder is best for setting makeup?
The best powder for setting makeup often depends on personal preference for coverage. You can set your makeup using a sheer translucent powder or for extra coverage, use a powder foundation, says makeup artist Mai Quynh. Dresher says her preferred technique is to set with a translucent loose powder and then add more coverage with a pressed powder foundation. “That may be too much coverage for someone, so a pressed powder is the most beginner-friendly,” she says.
“In the heat, your cream or liquid foundation will not set without a setting powder,” explains Natasha Moor, makeup artist and founder of Natasha Moor Cosmetics. “It keeps your foundation locked in throughout the day and ensures that your skin looks smooth with an allover clean finish—never shiny or oily.”
How do I choose the best setting powder for my skin type?
Ingredients are the main thing to look out for when finding the right setting powder for your skin type. Those with dry or mature skin should choose hydrating options, while those with oilier complexions should keep an eye out for powders with mattifying properties. ”For oily skin, look for setting powders labeled as oil-absorbing or mattifying,” says Quynh. “Ingredients like silica and kaolin clay can help control excess oil. Whereas, for dry skin, I opt for setting powders with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to prevent makeup from looking cakey or emphasizing dry patches.”
Is loose or pressed powder better?
Loose powder is more breathable on the skin, but pressed powder can be a great option if you’re in a hurry. Quynh echoes this by saying, “I prefer loose powder over pressed as it provides a more lightweight and natural finish and is easier to use during makeup application, but pressed powder is great when you’re on the go or in need of a touch-up.”
What is the best way to apply setting powder?
.gif)
Applying setting powder correctly will depend on your skin type. If someone has dry skin, I set the area using a damp sponge first. For mature skin or drier skin types, I apply either loose powder or pressed powder with a fluffy brush, and for oily skin I pack the pressed or loose powder onto a powder puff and press it into the skin, says Dresher.
What’s the best way to apply setting powder under the eye?
Another pro tip: Ditch makeup primer for setting spray, which works just as well and eliminates another layer of makeup. “Instead of adding additional product layers under the eyes with primers, softly apply setting spray onto a brush and sweep it under the eyes before applying concealer,” Guerra says. “This will adhere the makeup from underneath. After lightly setting with powder, mist a touch of setting spray onto a damp sponge and gently press over the undereye area. This will set your undereye makeup and melt down any excess powder. Try to look up with your eyes while blending to prevent any creases from forming during this process.”
