In the days when powders are considered an additional (not to forget an unnecessary step), we’re here to tell you oh-how-so wrong this narrative is. Face powders are so versatile that you’d be amazed by the number of benefits it offers. Whether you want to set your base, finish the makeup with one last touch-up, smooth fine lines, or desire an even texture, they are your go-to product. In fact, it also acts as a base for some makeup products to provide an even surface, such as cream shadows, blush, and so much more.
The hot summer days call for one and one thing only – a good setting powder. Whether it is translucent, loose, compact, or pressed, it is a must-have product and should be sitting on the front of your beauty shelves. If you are concerned with its bad reputation (read: old) of being too cakey, heavy, or thick, you’d be delighted to know that the cosmetic industry has come up with brilliant formulations that feel light as a feather on your skin, all the while controlling excess shine, extends the wear time of your makeup, and balancing the complexion. In this article, we’ll help you find the one that suits your skin needs and concerns.
Let’s begin!
Comparing Premium Face Powders
Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder — Best Overall
A rave product among many famous makeup artists, this Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder has an undeniable charm of its own. Featuring a micro-spun formula, this ultra-smooth powder blends and adapts to your skin like a dream. This classic pick offers translucent and extra translucent shades that deliver a natural look without any flashbacks. It also includes tinted shades that suit all skin types. Whether baking, contouring, highlighting or adding that finishing touch to your makeup, it does it all with a few swirls of a fluffy powder brush.
Its weightless texture leaves a smooth matte velvety finish and gives a subtle radiant flow to your skin. Moreover, this pick has buildable coverage that helps minimize the look of wrinkles and fine lines, conceal blemishes, and so much more. This fine-milled powder feels weightless on the skin making this the best overall product on our list. Grab your favorite luxurious shade and get ready to enjoy a silky, smooth feeling all day long.
Pros
- Locks makeup in its place
- A little goes a long way
- Can be used as a base for other makeup products
Cons
- Smell may be too much for some
Aesthetica Loose Setting Face Powder — Best Splurge
If you are searching for a loose powder that gives a radiant airbrushed finish, look no more. This Aesthetica Loose Setting Powder comes in two colors: translucent and banana. While translucent, one is perfect for a matte finish. On the other hand, the banana one goes a step ahead and also color-corrects your skin. Its luxurious velour puff makes the application smooth, easy, and foolproof.
It’s a lightweight formula loaded with high-quality ingredients that are environmental and skin-friendly. Suitable for all skin tones and types, this budget-friendly pick absorbs excess oil and softens the look of fine lines and pores.
Pros
- It’s talc-free
- Sets makeup well
- Powder sifter to keep it smooth and clump-free
Cons
- It gives a slight pale effect
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder — Best Budget
This drugstore brand doesn’t fail to amaze us with its high-quality yet affordable makeup products that have taken the beauty industry by storm. Available in translucent and 23 classic shades, Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder is a cult favorite. Living up to its name, this pick delivers medium coverage that blurs your pores and fine lines effortlessly. Apply it on your face after the foundation, or settle the cream blush with a few dabs of this pressed powder for long-lasting makeup that doesn’t melt away on hot summer days.
Infused with Pearlite technology, it absorbs excess oil and greasiness for a flawless, natural-looking look. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic and mattifies the skin, which controls the shine, making it ideal for people with oily skin types. The texture of this finely-milled powder is impeccably smooth, soft, and blendable. With its long-lasting formula for up to 12 hours, it holds your makeup in its place from sunup to sundown. If this was not enough, this pick is incredibly travel-friendly, thanks to a pressed compact formulation that doesn’t explode upon opening.
Pros
- Feels weightless on the skin
- Creates even skin tone
- It offers a smooth, velvety finish
Cons
- Not suitable for dry skin type
Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Face Powder — Best Lightweight
Get a seamless finish and shine-free skin with this undeniable classic Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Face Powder. This superfine silky powder melts into the skin and gives a flawless matte finish. What sets it apart, it’s not only used to set makeup but also is a stellar product to bake and brighten the skin. With this in your beauty bag, you needn’t worry about your makeup creasing away or settling into fine lines.
The lightweight, silky formulation is super blendable and comes in four natural-toned shades and one translucent shade. The fine powdery formula goes smoothly on your skin and absorbs excess oil while minimizing the shine. The best part, this pick is vegan, cruelty, and gluten-free, making it safer for all skin types.
Pros
- Smooth texture
- Flawless, matte finish
- Prevent makeup from sliding off
Cons
- No cosmetic puff
Revlon ColorStay Pressed Face Powder — Best Value
If loose powder seems messy to you, try this Revlon ColorStay Pressed Face Powder. Its super smooth texture glides easily over the skin, giving a soft, matte, flawless look that is not greasy or chalky. With Softflex technology, this pick provides a fresh, comfortable feel all day long with its ultra-smooth, silkier texture.
Friendly for all skin types, this product is oil-free, noncomedogenic, and doesn’t clog pores.
With buildable coverage and a long-wear formula that lasts up to 16 hours, it is ideal for finishing touch-ups or can be used as a stand-alone. The shade range is versatile, making it incredibly easy to find one that suits your skin needs. Plus, it includes a mirror and a sponge applicator for a seamless application process and is extremely travel-friendly.
Pros
- Non-irritating
- Easy to spread
- Non-cakey formula
Cons
- Contains talc
Buying Guide: Face Powder
Now, you must know why dusting your face with powder is important. However, finding one is not as easy as it seems. Endless roaming in the makeup aisle is no fun when you cannot pick what you actually need among many available options. Fret not. We have rounded up all the necessary factors and can come in handy when selecting a face powder for you.
Types of Face Powder
Pressed or loose, tinted or translucent, there is a face powder for everyone.
Pressed powder
Packed in a compound container, pressed powder is available in different shades to suit different skin tones and types. The particles are compressed, which makes it travel-friendly and go-to powders for touch-ups on the road. They give medium coverage to the face and are good at concealing blemishes and discoloration. Pressed powders can also act as a base for your entire makeup when you don’t feel like wearing foundation. People with dry skin mostly prefer to set their makeup for long hours.
Loose powder
As the name suggests, loose powder comes in a jar. It consists of tiny particles that are so finely milled, making it perfect for a smooth, comfortable look. The primary purpose of the loose powder is to absorb the excess oil and prevent greasiness and extra shine for a flawless, smooth complexion. It also helps in blurring the lines and is a favorite among beauty lovers in translucent and tinted shades for being best at locking the makeup, contouring, baking, and even highlighting. Whether you desire a natural coverage or want to color correct your skin, these powders are incredible at mattifying the skin.
What to Look for
Like any other makeup product, choosing foundations for yourself is not an easy task. To ensure you find the right pick, let’s discuss some factors you must consider before purchasing a powder.
Skin tone
Matching the shade of your powder to your skin tone is crucial, as too light will give an ashy look, whereas too dark gives a greyish appearance. To avoid this, it’s wise to test the shade at the base of your neck or cheeks and see whether it blends well or not with your overall complexion.
Going with a yellow base would be good if you have a light skin tone. On the other hand, apricot or beige shades go well with medium skin tones, whereas copper-based shades are ideal for deeper tones.
Coverage
Translucent powder is a colorless powder that offers light coverage. If you want a natural look that is shine-free, these are ideal. Be cautious when applying it, as too much might give a ghost-like appearance (extra white). In contrast, pressed powders have buildable coverage and are better at hiding your skin’s imperfections and flaws. So if coverage is what you’re after, meet your new BFFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to apply face powder?
It depends upon the formulation. If you’re using a pressed powder, using a puff works well. But it’s loose, immerse your thick fluffy brush in it, dust it and dab it lightly onto your skin.
How long do face powders last?
Face powders last up to 2 years easily.