The 10 Best Loose Setting Powders Set Makeup, Fight Oils, and Blur Texture
Airbrushed-looking skin incoming.
As a perpetually oily and textured girl, my makeup routine gets completely overhauled every spring and summer. While I like to refer to my overproduction of sebum as a biologically given glow, there’s a time and place when I actually don't want to see any sort of dew on my face. This is where my favorite loose setting powders come in.
“The purpose of a loose setting powder is to basically lock your makeup in place,” celebrity makeup artist Ehlie Luna tells me. “It also helps to dull shine, and overall, you get a smoother-looking texture. In turn, you get more longevity out of your makeup.”
I am a devout follower of the gospel of setting powder, but it took me a while to find the ones that actually work for my very specific needs. I’ve used the formula all over my face as a quick way to set my makeup before applying creams, as a brightener, and even as a blush topper (more on this to come). All of this is to say: If you’re trying to figure out how to integrate loose setting powder into your routine without giving yourself cakeface and a more porous base than you started with, keep reading for the best loose setting powders I’ve tried and recommend. Plus, find additional tips from Luna on how to choose the best formula for your skin's needs.
If you’ve been researching loose setting powders, you’ve likely come across Huda Beauty’s viral Easy Bake formula. The shade Ube Birthday cake has become my favorite from the line, primarily because I use it to set my pink blushes. This technique not only helps set your cream products and keep oils in that area at bay, but also helps the powder blush on top become extra pigmented. It’s my favorite blush hack that makes my pinks more vibrant while blurring my pores.
The Translucent Loose Setting Powder from Laura Mercier is a classic for a reason. It offers a great amount of blur under the eye, and the shade Honey is my perfect highlighting shade. It’s always stocked in my makeup bag.
Speaking of Laura Mercier, the Secret Brightening Powder doesn’t get the hype it deserves. There are five shades to choose from, but peach, in particular, is my secret weapon on those days when I go to bed late and have to wake up early. It’s like a cup of coffee for my undereyes.
Another viral formula that deserves all the hype is One/Size’s Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder. As the name suggests, the powder blurs the under-eye area phenomenally, so if you’re someone who struggles a lot with texture, you may want to try this one first.
Another underrated gem that I have loved for over six years is this one from Danessa Myricks. The Evolution powder is still, to this day, one of the most finely milled formulas that I have ever tried. I prefer it as a blurring product, and while it is fantastic under the eyes, the shade Deep Brown makes the most incredible bronzer. Thank me later.
If there is one thing that Hourglass is going to perfect, it’s a powder formula. The Ambient Lighting line is untouchable, but that excellence extends to the loose powder as well. It’s lightweight, has three shades that work across skin tones, and delivers a gorgeous, natural finish. This is luxury makeup at its finest.
As a society, we don’t talk enough about how incredible Fenty's Set It Down powder is. Not only does it come in a massive tub, but there are also eight shades to choose from. Whether you’re setting, baking, or highlighting, there’s a color here for almost everyone.
Like pretty much every other product in the brand's lineup, Make Up For Ever’s HD Skin Perfecting Loose Powder is for the true makeup lovers. It can withstand even the harshest of environments and does an incredible job of blurring texture on my face. Hilariously, I’ve even seen one reviewer say that they use it as dry shampoo, which is innovation at its finest.
If this were an episode of Bridgerton, this Physician’s Formula powder would be my diamond of the season. I truly consider it similar to the previously mentioned Hourglass formula, with the main differences being that there’s only one universal color to choose from (trust me, it really is translucent on all skin tones) and a price tag under $15.
The pressed version of this powder held me down all through college, and I am happy to report that the loose version is just as good. It’s a mineral-based formula that provides incredibly long-wear coverage, plus there are also eight shades to choose from. Did I also mention that it’s only $11?
If oil control is your main goal for buying a loose powder, this one from MAC is another fantastic option to consider. It’s lightweight enough not to feel extremely heavy on the skin; however, it will keep your oils at bay for hours before you need to touch up.
How Do I Choose the Best Setting Powder for My Skin?
To determine the best setting powder for you, you have to understand your preferred makeup style. “If you’re not someone who’s using a brightening concealer, baking, or any heavier makeup techniques, you’ll likely want to keep things simple,” Luna says. Below is a quick cheat sheet to follow when shopping.
- If you’re more of a natural makeup wearer, you’re probably going to prefer a simple translucent powder.
- Some powders are more blurring than others. “Shop in person versus online and feel the texture of the formulas that you’re interested in,” Luna says. “Some provide more of a filter-like effect and even deposit more color onto the skin than others.”
- Lastly, makeup is supposed to be fun. Experiment and play until you find exactly what you’re looking for—that’s half the fun anyway.
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Meet the Expert
Ehlie Luna is a professional and celebrity makeup artist and content creator.
