By AnaMaria Glavan , Jennifer Hussein , and Angela Trakoshis
Take it from the professionals: It's essential to have, at the very least, one of the best setting powders in your makeup kit — especially in the summer when heat and humidity can ruin a makeup look before it's even done. "Setting your makeup is one of the most important steps of your makeup routine," New York City-based makeup artist Delina Medhin tells Allure. "When you set the makeup, it has longevity, because who wants to carry a touch-up kit everywhere?" Glass Cosmetic Bottles
Even if you prefer dewy looks (courtesy of BB creams or skin tints) over ones with a matte finish, setting powder applied strategically — in the T-zone, for example — can absorb excess oil and keep products in place longer, according to Medhin. But oil absorption and longevity aren't the only things setting powders are good for, according to fellow New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli. "Setting powder is not only used to lock in your makeup but to 'finish' the look of makeup — to create a smoother, more poreless, and texture-less surface," he explains.
Both artists agree that, whether you have oily skin or dry skin, the less-is-more approach is best when it comes to powders. "This gives you more control of the product," Medhin says. "Place your brush in the powder, then tap it off until it looks like nothing is left on the brush, then keep applying until you get to your desired matte look." Tommy adds face powder to the forehead, nose, chin, and sides of the mouth to "help to mitigate any excess shine or oil breakthrough that can lead to a porous look."
Give these techniques a whirl with the 16 best setting powders listed below, all of which are makeup artist and beauty editor favorites, and say goodbye to your days of makeup creasing and flashback.
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Why It's Worth It: The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is an undeniable classic and has been a mainstay in the kits of professional makeup artists for over a decade. Emily Cheng, who's Yara Shahidi's go-to makeup artist, can attest to that. She first used it 15 years ago and has been hooked ever since. "It's simple, basic, foolproof, and does the job," Cheng says.
Editor Tip: Despite it only having three shades, this powder has achieved such fan-favorite status because, unlike certain powders, it's actually translucent and works on all skin tones, including dark and deep complexions.
Type: Loose | Shades: 3 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: The beauty of Chanel's Poudre Universelle Libre is its barely-there feel and natural finish that blends seamlessly with a wide range of skin tones. This luxurious powder formula is available in eight pearlescent shades that have a brightening and blurring effect for an air-brushed finish to your everyday makeup.
Editor Tip: With the included powder puff, pick up a generous amount of powder and lightly tap it onto the skin anywhere you want to blur the appearance of pores.
Type: Loose | Shades: 8 | Finish: Radiant
Why It's Worth It: Life is all about the little luxuries, like the Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Setting Powder. This finely milled powder blends like a white cast-free dream. As each of its five tone-complementing shades locks makeup into place, its featherweight powder texture creates a soft-focus effect that's the closest thing to real-life FaceTune you can get.
Editor Tip: This powder is buildable so bring it out with you for when you need touch-ups — and never fear it messing up your base.
Type: Loose | Shades: 5 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: There are quite a few drugstore setting powders that give their costlier counterparts a run for their money, like the E.L.F. Halo Glow Setting Powder. This formula comes in five blendable shades that minimize greasiness and prevent smudging, fading, and smearing throughout the day for long-wearing results.
Editor Tip: For ultimate ease of application, snag the brand's Halo Glow Powder Puff to apply this powder.
Type: Loose | Shades: 5 | Finish: Radiant
Why It's Worth It: For a second-skin effect, makeup artist Rommy Najor relies on the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish. "It's lightweight and hugs the skin," he explains. And it doesn't make the skin look like it's covered in powder. For the same reason, makeup artist Vincent Oquendo calls it his favorite pressed powder. "It isn't talc-y or chalky," he says. “Also, it doesn't weigh down the skin.”
Editor Tip: Apply the pressed formula around the nose, T-zone, and any other oily areas that you want to be mattified instantly.
Type: Pressed | Shades: 4 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: Even on the hottest days, British makeup artist Giselle Ali can depend on the Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Powder to help makeup stay put. Ali says that it works for all skin tones as it comes in five different shades. Plus, it reduces the appearance of pores and smooths textured skin.
Editor Tip: Ali presses it into her brows with a dry Beautyblender and brushes it through before applying her go-to brow product." It helps them stay on longer in the heat," she says.
Type: Loose | Shades: 5 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: Glossier has become synonymous with dewy complexions and Wowder lives up to those expectations. The formula is intentionally weightless and buildable, allowing you to both set your makeup and control the exact amount of shine you'd like. Diamond powder is used for a light-reflecting finish while kaolin clay absorbs into your skin to prevent caking.
Editor Tip: For those with dry skin, this one's for you. The formula contains vitamin E so it's silky and moisturizing on the skin.
Type: Loose | Shades: 5 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: If you're constantly on the move, One/Size's Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder by Patrick Starrr is a product you'll want in your makeup bag, stat. It boasts up to 14 hours of lasting power, blurs fine lines, and is fantastic for baking and ensuring that your foundation lasts from sunup to sundown.
Editor Tip: This is the best for baking because of how little falls off the skin. Apply a generous amount to the under eye area, let it sit, and then whip the product away for a matte, flawless finish with no creases. P.S. Beyoncé's a fan of the One/Size setting spray, so we wouldn't be surprised if she also uses this setting powder to seal the deal.
Type: Loose | Shades: 4 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: Those who follow makeup artist Nam Vo on Instagram know that she's all about the glow — or as she calls it, the "dewy dumpling" look. With that in mind, she's picky about powder. "I love the La Mer The Powder because it is as fine as silk, sets makeup in place, but still lets the glow and natural beauty of skin shine through, rather than making it look flat like pancakes as other powders often do," she says.
Editor Tip: Made with Miracle Broth, the brand's cell-renewing formula that reduces signs of inflammation and keeps skin calm and soothed. This powder may be a splurge but let us tell you, if you have the coins, it's worth it. Type: Loose | Shades: 1 | Finish: Radiant
Why It's Worth It: Three key ingredients are used in the hero product that is Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder: bamboo stem extract to reduce shine, passionfruit leaf extract for a smoothing effect, and Chinese peony to minimize pore appearance. And while this trio may be effective at curbing excess oil, the formula maintains a barely-there feel that truly justifies the "Cloud Set" name.
Editor Tip: Lightly tap a powder brush coated in the powder on your skin to reveal an airbrushed finish that's never cakey.
Type: Pressed | Shades: 10 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: If you plan on 'gramming this weekend, be sure to finish off your look with a few swipes of Blk/Opl's True Color Soft Velvet Finishing Powder. It's lightweight and oil-absorbing but the tone-evening formula ensures there's no flashback present in photos. It's also hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and caps at a reasonable $13.
Editor Tip: Wear this powder over makeup or alone to keep oily skin matte all day.
Type: Loose | Shades: 4 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: If you want a soft-matte look but have a complexion that errs on the dry side, Saie's Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder may get fast-tracked onto your list of staple makeup products, thanks to a hydrating squalane-infused formula. The brand's patented "aerated-cream technology" ensures a weightless, radiant finish for a fresh-faced glow.
Editor Tip: We know, a glowy setting powder may seem scary, but have no fear — this one adds moisture without looking heavy on the skin.
Type: Loose | Shades: 3 | Finish: Radiant
Why It's Worth It: As one of the best drugstore options on the market, CoverGirl's Clean Fresh Pressed Powder touts an all-vegan, talc-free formula, so it's just as good for the environment as it is for your makeup looks. With the mattifying properties of mica and tapioca, this lightly pigmented powder can serve as a setting powder for your favorite foundation or be used on its own as a lightweight powder foundation.
Editor Tip: As we said, this product leans more toward a foundation than a setting powder. It's quite buildable and full-coverage but it also comes in a transparent hue that works on all skin tones.
Type: Pressed | Shades: 6 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: The IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Translucent Pressed Setting Powder uses silk, collagen, antioxidants, and peptides to mattify without enhancing texture or fine lines. It's also incredibly easy to travel with, thanks to a pressed-powder compact that won't explode the second you twist open the lid.
Editor Tip: If you're planning to go all natural but don't want oil seeping through throughout the day, this powder layers great over skin-care products.
Type: Pressed | Shades: 3 | Finish: Matte
Why It's Worth It: Beauty editors and makeup artists like Medhin alike won't flinch when they tell you that Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Setting Powder (a 2020 Best of Beauty Award winner) is one of the best they've ever used. With such a finely milled formula and a variety of shades to choose from, it's no shocker.
Editor Tip: A lot of powder comes out of the tiny holes in the retro jar's plastic separator. Be careful when dispensing and tap the extra product back into the jar, so you don't waste anything.
Homeopathic Dropper Bottles Type: Loose | Shades: 8 | Finish: Matte