At the end of the day, you want the makeup you carefully applied to still be there, and setting powder is the key to making sure your look stays put. It absorbs oil but repels water (see how we tested the waterproof power of some of the most popular setting powders in the TikTok below), ensuring long-lasting wear that is crease-, transfer- and sweat-proof.
Ahead, we hear from six professional makeup artists about how setting powder secures makeup, how to apply it and the best setting powders to shop for every skin type and budget.
What does setting powder do?
“Setting powders have a dual purpose — to set the makeup under it (liquid foundation, concealer, cream blush) while providing a base for powder products (powder blush, highlighter, contour), and to absorb excess oils on the skin,” explains celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles, who works with Lily Collins, Natasha Lyonne, Gabrielle Union and more.
Those oils “will begin to break down your face makeup as the day goes on,” Stiles says, so using a setting powder will prevent any slippage and shine. Moreover, a quality setting powder will keep your makeup in place without creasing or creating a “cakey” effect. Instead, it should have a smooth finish that seamlessly binds with your foundation, whether it is color-correcting, tinted or translucent.
While setting powders absorb excess oils on the skin, creating a matte effect, that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on having a glowy complexion. “Most traditional setting powders give a matte finish, but many new-generation powders have a luminous glow to them,” says New York-based makeup artist Jas Doyle.
How to apply setting powder
The way you apply setting powder can be adjusted for your skin’s needs and your desired effect.
“Your tools are a large component to consider when applying setting powder,” makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran says. All of the experts we spoke to said that a big, fluffy powder brush is the best for a natural, diffused look. If you have oily skin, you may need to use a heavier hand when it comes to setting powder and apply it with a powder puff or makeup sponge with a patting or rolling motion to bind the powder without disrupting your foundation or concealer.
“If you’re looking for more coverage or you’re into baking, using a damp Beautyblender helps to give more coverage and melt the product into the foundation,” Jaikaran suggests.
Whether you use a brush, puff or sponge, you’ll want to let your base makeup dry for a minute before applying the setting powder. “It’s best to let your foundation settle for a minute or two after you’ve applied it,” says Wendi Miyake, a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Madonna, Kelly Rowland and several of the Kardashian sisters. “You don’t want to apply powder over your foundation when it’s still freshly wet, since this can cause patchiness or caking.”
Stiles also says to avoid applying setting powder over a powder foundation as this “will be redundant and make the makeup look too dry and thick.”
If you prefer a lighter hand, setting powder can be applied to target specific areas of the face. Makeup artist Mai Quynh, who works with Jessica Alba and Chlo? Grace Moretz, opts for a small, fluffy brush when setting makeup around the nose and under the eyes — areas that are prone to creasing. Spot-applying setting powder can also help you maintain a dewy finish while controlling shine. “If you lightly apply the powder to the forehead, sides of nose, chin and leave the rest unpowdered, you’ll have lovely dewy cheeks while managing oil in the T-zone,” Stiles explains.
Setting powders for dry skin
$32 at Sephora
From $22 at Sephora or $46 at Ulta and Hourglass
$30 $22.91 at Amazon or $30 at Mineral Fusion
$54 at Amazon and Nordstrom
$64 at Sephora and Nordstrom
Setting powders for oily skin
$34 at Nordstrom and MAC Cosmetics
$24 at Sephora
From $25 at Sephora or $45 at Charlotte Tilbury
From $20 at Sephora or $34 at Ulta and Fenty Beauty
From $18 at Sephora or $39 at Ulta
From $16 at Sephora
Translucent setting powders
From $24 at at Sephora or $40 at Ulta
From $40 at Sephora or $58 at Nordstrom
$36 at Amazon and Nordstrom
$34 at Sephora, Ulta and Fenty Beauty
From $20 at Sephora or $37 at Make Up For Ever
$110 at Sephora and Nordstrom
Drugstore setting powders
From $7.78 at Amazon or $8 at Ulta
$6 at Ulta
From $11.95 at Amazon or $10.29 at Target
$8.49 $3.42 at Amazon
