The 29 best setting powder brands
Laura Mercier, bareMinerals and COVERGIRL lead our ranking of 29 setting powder brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Setting Powder brands, ranked
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1
Laura Mercier
Silky, finely milled loose powders that sit at the luxury end of department store counters.
Top products: Translucent Loose Setting Powder· Translucent Ultra-Blur Pressed Setting Powder
Website: lauramercier.com |Brands like Laura Mercier
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
bareMinerals
Mineral Veil loose powder is the long-running favourite, with a soft-focus, talc-light finish.
Top products: Original Mineral Veil Loose Setting Powder
Website: bareminerals.com |Brands like bareMinerals
Popularity 9.1/10
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3
COVERGIRL
Affordable drugstore pressed and loose powders, with the Clean Professional line aimed at oil control.
Top products: Clean Professional Loose Setting Powder· TruBlend Loose Mineral Powder
Website: covergirl.com |Brands like COVERGIRL
Popularity 7.8/10
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4
Maybelline New York
Drugstore powders in the Fit Me range, mostly sheer and matte, sold cheaply at most chemists.
Top products: Fit Me Set + Smooth Powder
Website: maybelline.com |Brands like Maybelline New York
Popularity 7.1/10
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5
Bobbi Brown
Sheer Finish Loose Powder from Bobbi Brown sets makeup with a translucent, fine-milled layer that avoids visible caking.
Website: bobbibrowncosmetics.com |Brands like Bobbi Brown
Popularity 6.5/10
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6
Mary Kay
Direct-sales brand whose Silky Setting Powder comes in twelve shades at a modest price.
Top products: Silky Setting Powder
Website: marykay.com |Brands like Mary Kay
Popularity 6.5/10
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7
Huda Beauty
Easy Bake powders are baked-look setting powders in bright, playful shades, popular with beauty fans.
Top products: Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
Website: hudabeauty.com |Brands like Huda Beauty
Popularity 5.4/10
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8
Jeffree Star
The new age of make-up has revolutionized the world. There is now more than just rosy and blush to your facial expressions and artistic skills. With Jeffree Star cosmetics = you can create your own creative identity. The company started with only 3 Velour Liquid lipsticks and now has various lines of cosmetic products. With cruel free testing and vegan products, you are provided with the rawest of substances with no artificial preserves. Express your inner goddess with these heavenly cosmetics.
Website: jeffreestarcosmetics.com |Brands like Jeffree Star
Popularity 5.2/10
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9
ELF
Inexpensive drugstore powders from a brand that's strong on tools and budget-friendly face products.
Website: elfcosmetics.com |Brands like ELF
Popularity 4.8/10
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10
NARS
Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder gives a glowy, blurred finish, sold at salon-style counter prices.
Top products: Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder
Website: narscosmetics.com |Brands like NARS
Popularity 4.7/10
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11
Makeup Revolution
Low-cost makeup with lots of colour options, and its setting powders are a simple buy for oily skin.
Website: revolutionbeauty.com |Brands like Makeup Revolution
Popularity 4.6/10
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12
Revlon
Mass-market brand with long-standing face powders and foundations, typically cheaper than department store lines.
Website: revlon.com |Brands like Revlon
Popularity 4.6/10
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13
Givenchy
Luxury French house whose Prisme Libre loose powder is a fine, satin-finish option for setting makeup.
Website: givenchy.com |Brands like Givenchy
Popularity 4.6/10
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14
IT Cosmetics
Pressed Bye Bye Pores powder is aimed at blurring pores, with a skincare-focused formula.
Website: itcosmetics.com |Brands like IT Cosmetics
Popularity 4.5/10
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15
M·A·C
Professional-style powders with a huge shade range, popular with makeup artists for studio work.
Website: maccosmetics.com |Brands like M·A·C
Popularity 4.4/10
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16
tarte
Vegan, cruelty-free formulas with Creaseless Setting Powder sit under the eyes without settling into fine lines.
Top products: Creaseless Setting Powder
Website: tartecosmetics.com |Brands like tarte
Popularity 4.1/10
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17
Pond's
Pond's skincare centres on cleansing and glowing skin. Face washes, foaming cleansers and travel sizes are the main products in the range. Many shoppers have relied on its anti-ageing products over the decades, and the range remains focused on daily...
Website: ponds.com |Brands like Pond's
Popularity 4.0/10
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18
NYX
Butter Gloss is one of the lip products that draws the most attention from NYX Professional Makeup buyers. The brand comes from Los Angeles and makes cosmetics that are cruelty-free and vegan. Its eyeshadows and everyday makeup are formulated to...
Website: nyxcosmetics.com |Brands like NYX
Popularity 4.0/10
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19
Morphe
Morphe sells professional makeup brushes, eyeshadow palettes and glitter products used by makeup artists on set and at live events. The company was formed in Los Angeles in 2008. Its shade ranges cover many colours and tints.
Website: morphe.com |Brands like Morphe
Popularity 3.9/10
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20
Canmake
Can make is a Japan-based beauty brand. The collection includes a huge variety of items for base makeup, lips, nails, cheeks, and eyes for people with different skin tones. The official webpage even provides a category for makeup tutorials for...
Website: canmake.com |Brands like Canmake
Popularity 3.8/10
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21
Physicians Formula
Physician's Formula is dedicated to gathering all kinds of natural and organic ingredients to incorporate into their products. Physician's Formula is making cosmetics and skincare products for their customers. They make sure that the only products they use are safe...
Website: physiciansformula.com |Brands like Physicians Formula
Popularity 3.7/10
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22
Fenty Beauty
Witnessing a lack in the makeup products market for people of color, Fenty Beauty was born. The brand focuses on providing full-coverage and healthy makeup while practicing inclusivity. From the darkest skin tone to the lightest, the company offers premium-quality...
Website: fentybeauty.com |Brands like Fenty Beauty
Popularity 3.4/10
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23
Almay
Almay was established in 1931 and has offered the best-quality, chemical-free cosmetics to ladies. This is the cosmetics brand that caters to those with sensitive skin. It has a large selection of items designed to be soft on the skin....
Website: almay.com |Brands like Almay
Popularity 3.4/10
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24
wet n wild
Wet n Wild is all about providing cosmetics at a low cost. What began as a tiny firm in the late 1960s has grown into one of America's largest makers and dealers of mass cosmetics. They are a firm dedicated...
Website: wetnwildbeauty.com |Brands like wet n wild
Popularity 3.4/10
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25
Hourglass
Makeup lovers who want a polished, glowing complexion turn to Hourglass Cosmetics for face makeup, foundation and brushes. Its Vanish Airbrush range and Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder offer soft-focus, weightless wear, and the formulas are vegan and talc-free. Hourglass also...
Website: hourglasscosmetics.com |Brands like Hourglass
Popularity 3.1/10
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26
Too Faced
A meaningful cosmetics line that redefines you is Too Faced. Too Faced creates and produces innovative products for a range of skin types and tones with the ultimate objective of making every woman feel attractive. Additionally, they are dedicated to...
Website: toofaced.com |Brands like Too Faced
Popularity 3.1/10
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27
No7
No7 Beauty is a beauty brand that started in 1935. The company aims to make women feel the best in their skin. The company's rich heritage and culture help make such a diverse range of products. Beauty can be costly,...
Website: us.no7beauty.com |Brands like No7
Popularity 3.0/10
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28
MAKE UP FOR EVER
Makeup Forever is exactly what it sounds like. The company was founded in 1984, and they have been making cosmetics for all kinds of people. The company is dedicated to the industry, and they always come up with new beauty...
Website: makeupforever.com |Brands like MAKE UP FOR EVER
Popularity 3.0/10
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29
Urban Decay
Urban Decay's range is anchored by long-wear eyeshadow palettes, including nude shades. Eyeliners, face makeup and travel-size versions of its popular products are included in the line, alongside the core palettes. Its formulas are built for strong colour payoff and...
Website: urbandecay.com |Brands like Urban Decay
Popularity 2.8/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Mercier | lauramercier.com | /lauramerciercosmetics | lauramercier | @LauraMercier | LauraMercierCosmetic |
| bareMinerals | bareminerals.com | /bareminerals | bareminerals | @bareminerals | – |
| COVERGIRL | covergirl.com | – | covergirl | @covergirl | CoverGirl |
| Maybelline New York | maybelline.com | /maybelline | maybelline | @maybelline | maybellinenewyork |
| Bobbi Brown | bobbibrowncosmetics.com | /BobbiBrown | BobbiBrown | @BobbiBrown | – |
| Mary Kay | marykay.com | /MaryKay | marykayus | @MaryKay | – |
| Huda Beauty | hudabeauty.com | /hudabeauty | hudabeauty | – | hudaheidik |
| Jeffree Star | jeffreestarcosmetics.com | /jeffreeStar | jeffreestarcosmetics | @jeffreestar | jeffreestar |
| ELF | elfcosmetics.com | – | – | @elfcosmetics | – |
| NARS | narscosmetics.com | /narscosmetics | narsissist | @narscosmetics | NARSMEDIA |
Setting Powder Buying Guide
Setting powder is an essential part of any makeup routine. Whether you have oily skin or just want your makeup to last longer, setting powder can make all the difference. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your skin type and needs. In this setting powder buying guide, we’ll walk you through the different types of powders and what to look for when shopping for one.
Types of Setting Powder
Before diving into what to look for when buying setting powder, let’s first discuss the different types of setting powders available:
Translucent Powder
Translucent setting powders are designed to blend in with any skin tone and provide a natural finish. They are great for people who want to set their makeup without altering the color of their foundation or concealer. Translucent powders are also suitable for all skin types.
Pressed Powder
Pressed powders are compact powders that provide more coverage than translucent powders. They come in a variety of shades and are suitable for people who want to set their liquid foundation or concealer while also providing some coverage.
Loose Powder
Loose powders are finer than pressed powders and provide a more natural-looking finish. They are best for people with oily skin as they help to keep the skin matte throughout the day.
Baking Powder
Baking powder is a type of setting powder that is used to “bake” the foundation and make it last all day. It is applied under the eyes and left for a few minutes before dusting off the excess powder.
What to Look for When Buying Setting Powder
When shopping for a setting powder, there are a few things to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your skin type and needs:
Shade
If you’re using a pressed powder, it’s essential to choose the right shade that matches your foundation or concealer. If you’re using a translucent powder, you don’t need to worry about the shade as it will blend in with your skin tone.
Ingredients
It’s crucial to check the list of ingredients before buying a setting powder, especially if you have sensitive skin. Look for non-comedogenic powders that won’t clog your pores or irritate your skin.
Oil-Control
If you have oily skin or tend to get shiny throughout the day, look for a setting powder that is designed to control oil. Loose powders are best for controlling oil as they do not add any more moisture to your skin.
Long-Lasting
If you want your makeup to last longer, look for a setting powder that is marketed as long-lasting or mattifying. These powders are designed to keep your makeup in place and prevent it from fading throughout the day.
Top Setting Powders to Consider
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
The Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder is an ultra-refined powder that sets makeup and blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines. It’s perfect for people who want a natural-looking finish that lasts all day. The powder is also cruelty-free and vegan.
RMS Beauty “Un” Powder
The RMS Beauty “Un” Powder is a lightweight, vegan, and natural powder that gives a soft-focus finish to the skin. It’s designed to set makeup, reduce shine, and blur imperfections. The powder is also free from potentially harmful ingredients, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin.
Lancôme Translucence Silky Loose Powder
The Lancôme Translucence Silky Loose Powder is a lightweight powder that provides a natural-looking, matte finish. It’s great for people with oily skin as it helps to control oil and shine. The powder is also infused with special light-reflecting pigments that give the skin a radiant finish.
Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder
The Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder has been a favorite among makeup enthusiasts for years. It’s a finely-milled powder that provides a matte finish and helps to control oil and shine. It’s also affordable and available in several shades to match different skin tones.
KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder
The KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder is a weightless powder that sets makeup and prevents it from fading throughout the day. The powder is also formulated with micro-blurring technology to give the skin a smooth, flawless finish.
Conclusion
Choosing the right setting powder can make all the difference in how long your makeup lasts and how it looks throughout the day. When shopping for a setting powder, consider your skin type and needs, and look for powders that are formulated with high-quality ingredients and marketed towards your specific concerns. With these tips and product recommendations, you’ll be able to find the perfect setting powder for a flawless finish every time.
