One of the biggest betrayals in beauty is when the makeup you just spent 25-plus minutes on begins to melt and slide away. There are dry shampoos that suck up extra oil from your scalp and powders specifically made to soak up boob sweat—and for your face, there's a magic product that keeps your makeup from sliding off your face and onto the sidewalk or worse, your mask: old-fashioned setting powder.
By old-fashioned, we simply mean reliable, because the latest and greatest in face powders are more advanced than ever. Blurring pigments act as DIY Instagram filters. Formulas are infused with soothing skin ingredients that treat your complexion while you wear it. Shade ranges have been expanded, and prices range for affordable buys or luxury splurges. All in all, setting powders have just gotten better ingredient and texture-wise, and we're thrilled about it. We felt that everyone could use a refresher on the best setting powders out there, from pressed options to pretty loose powders in pots. Here, the very best setting powders for every skin tone under the sun (literally.)
It's a makeup artist go-to for a reason. If you know you're going to be taking pictures on a night out, this powder will keep your T-zone matte without that scary, telltale flashback.
Touching up your complexion on the go can be a hassle—personally, my purse is too packed to throw in a big fluffy buffing brush—and this formula is the solution. This pressed powder can easily cover red spots and blemishes on your travels, and it includes rose wax and almond oil to keep skin looking soft.
If you've been burned by setting powders in the past when it comes to white casts or snagging on dry patches, meet your new best friend: Kosas' meadowfoam seed oil-infused formula is buttery enough to use on flaky skin and comes in multiple shades.
Combine this setting powder with Patrick Starrr's On ‘Til Dawn matte spray and you can kiss mask imprints goodbye. A loose powder, it’s available in two shades for lighter and darker skin tones, a light dusting bond to the skin that instantly reduces shine and oil.
A beauty Youtube throwback, this was THE setting powder circa 2016 and its impact is still felt today. This setting powder has more than 80k reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon for good reason, including the inexpensive price point and the soft-touch look it leaves.
Available in 13 shades, this setting powder is best for dry skin or for a light blotting. Oh, and the beautiful packaging is refillable for infinite use. Warning: Using a brush might cause color change in the pan, so opt instead for the sponge provided.
The light formula offers buildable coverage to set any face products without clogging pores. Or, if you just need some shine control, a quick swipe on the T-zone and chin will absorb oiliness without flashback.
When you need to soak up sweat fast, this pressed powder sucks up all that unwanted sebum and improves the appearance of large pores.
This formula's wide shade range contains gorgeous, warm tones that'll make skin look more radiant while it sets the rest of your makeup.
The photo-reflective pigments in this formula add an extra elegant softness to its matte finish. Use a big, fluffy brush to dab it on your forehead, cheekbones, and chin to squash any extra shine.
If your foundation tends to pebble around your nose and cheeks, this pollution shielding powder will provide a smoother canvas.
This ultra-fine powder is nixes shine in seconds, and it comes in multiple shades for those with deeper skin tones.
Re-upping your SPF on top of your makeup can be annoying, but it's a must, especially in the summer months. A couple dabs of this loose powder, though, makes reapplying a breeze.
A classic, and for good reason: if you're looking to bake your foundation, this versatile setting powder can help you at every step of your routine.
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