best setting powders

10 Best Setting Powders For That Flawless Finish

Setting powder is an absolute game-changer when it comes to achieving a flawless makeup look that lasts all day.

Apply a setting powder to your foundation base, to get a smooth, shine-free finish with a long-lasting hold.

Whether you have oily, dry, or blemish-prone skin, using a setting powder is vital for getting perfect makeup that will last you from day to night. 

To complete the setting of your makeup check out our reviews for the Best Under Eye Setting Powders For A Flawless Look and our Best Contour Kits reviews.

If you want to double check you have indeed fully blended and that your makeup looks flawless we have reviewed the Best Lighted Makeup & Vanity Mirrors, some of which also offer the added benefit of magnification.

Best Setting Powders

There are so many different setting powders out there, including loose powder or pressed powder, so we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best setting powders to help you choose which is the best option for you.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish setting powder leaves your skin extremely soft.

This product contains almond oil and rose wax which actively moisturizes your skin and increases smoothness.

This powder is very finely milled making it feel extra luxurious.

Despite this, this setting powder does a great job of covering up imperfections and adds extra coverage to problem areas.

This product is a great choice if you have fine lines, as it’s full of soft-focus nanoparticles, meaning the powder doesn’t settle into any creases or wrinkles and leaves an airbrushed and matte finish.

CLINIQUE Almost Powder Makeup Foundation SPF15

CLINIQUE Almost Powder Makeup Foundation SPF15

This setting powder not only works to keep your makeup in place, but it also features SPF and antioxidants, meaning it also offers you protection from the sun at the same time.

This powder feels super-lightweight, and like you’re not actually wearing any makeup at all. 

The Clinique Almost Powder offers a great deal of pore and fine line reduction, whilst easily gliding across the skin thanks to its unique formula of air pockets and uniform particles.

With this powder, your skin will be shine-free, and your skin will look healthy and flawless all day.

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

This setting powder is a great choice if you need to be camera-ready.

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder is infused with ‘Photochromic Technology” meaning it adjusts to new sources of light and cleverly diffuses light particles, leaving your makeup looking perfect in any lighting conditions. 

If your skin is on the dry side, this setting powder is a great choice for you.

Containing antioxidants and glycerine, it actively locks your makeup in place whilst protecting your skin against dryness, and ensuring your makeup never looks “cakey” or too heavy.

VICHY Dermablend Loose Setting Powder

VICHY Dermablend Loose Setting Powder

This setting powder is a great choice if you find yourself suffering from spots on a regular basis.

Thanks to the hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic properties, this setting powder helps to reduce shine and oil without clogging your pores. 

This is also a great choice if you have a darker skin tone as it doesn’t leave any white powdery residue on the skin when applied.

It’s perfect for use in the t-zone or on any areas of your face which usually get oily.

COVERGIRL truBLEND Mineral Loose Powder

COVERGIRL truBLEND Mineral Loose Powder

The COVERGIRL truBLEND Miners Loose Powder is great if you love to contour and is a fantastic product to use to bake your highlighted areas because it blends and brushes off super easily. 

However, the product might not be the best option if you have a large number of fine lines or wrinkles on your face, as this setting powder may highlight these rather than blurring them out.

Depending on your complexion, this setting powder may also oxidize on your skin, leaving your skin with a slightly different color than when you first applied the powder.

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, Invisible Setting Powder, Vegan and Cruelty-Free

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder. Invisible Setting Powder. Vegan and Cruelty-Free.

This setting powder has been specifically created with a translucent formula, so it’s incredibly easy to get a flawless finish, no matter what skin tone you have.

Because of this, it’s a great choice for those who aren’t too familiar with using setting powder as part of their routine.

This product is formulated to distribute the exact amount of product you need for your face, so if you’re not sure how much setting powder you need – no worries, this product has you covered!

This product is very lightweight, and leaves a stunning dewy finish on your face, as opposed to a powdery finish. It lasts all day, eliminating your imperfections, pores, and fine lines. 

HUDA BEAUTY Easy Bake Loose Powder

HUDA BEAUTY Easy Bake Loose Powder

The HUDA BEAUTY Easy Bake Loose Powder is the ultimate product for preventing oily skin.

This setting powder absorbs any excess oil from the skin, making it super easy to get a long-lasting pristine finish. 

The incredibly smooth texture and refined finish help this setting powder to blend seamlessly into your foundation base and sits on the skin perfectly.

This a great choice if you struggle to maintain an even skin tone. 

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

If you’re after a sheer, matte finish then, the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder could be a great choice for you.

This setting powder features light-reflecting particles, and micro-refined silica to give a healthy glow to the skin, and avoid dull, powdery-looking makeup.

Thanks to the lightweight, blendable formula this setting powder will keep your makeup in place for 12 hours, whilst smoothing out your skin and removing the appearance of any blemishes or fine lines.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Tinted Loose Setting Powder

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Tinted Loose Setting Powder

This setting powder is a great option for those who are shopping on a budget, as it has a small price tag but comes in a large size.

This setting powder works to keep all makeup products in place all day, not just your base. 

The L’Oréal Paris Infallible tinted loose setting powder is created to not leave a white powder residue on the skin, however, this product may not be the best choice if you have particularly oily skin.

The mattifying effects of this setting powder are not as strong as some of the other products we’ve mentioned on the list, so if your skin is on the greasy side, it’s recommended to bring this product with you, so you can touch up your makeup throughout the day.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Sheer Finish Loose Powder

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Sheer Finish Loose Powder

This setting powder has a very strong hold on your makeup and is a great option if you’re looking to get maximum wear out of your makeup look.

Despite this product being great for locking in your makeup, it still gives your skin a really natural look. 

This setting powder is a bit more on the pricey side but it’s totally worth it as it has a translucent formula.

It doesn’t feel heavy on the face at all but can still make your makeup seem freshly applied, even after a long, sweaty day.