Setting powder is the step that can make or break your base…especially if you’re over 40. The right one keeps everything in place and looks like nothing, and the wrong one can look dry, heavy or chalky within an hour. There are so many of them out there, so I’ve narrowed it down to five I’d happily recommend, three loose and two pressed.
This list isn’t about which powder is the most expensive or the most talked about, and it’s also not the only ones I’d recommend, but I’m conscious that a big list can be overwhelming so I’ve kept it short. It’s about which ones actually do the job, and I’ve included both loose and pressed so there’s something for however you like to work.
1. Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Setting Powder
I’ll be honest, this isn’t a finely milled powder, so it doesn’t feel as silky as some of the others on this list. But it does the job really well, and it’s the next best thing to Ben Nye, which is an old school favorite with pro makeup artists. Put a layer under your eyes and on your T-zone, then dust it away immediately. If you’re under 40, you can get away with a bit of baking but in all honesty I don’t think you need to.
This is the one I’d pick if I wanted a powder you can’t see. It goes on so light that it blurs and mattifies without leaving any trace on your skin. That’s why it works so well on mature skin, where heavier powders tend to grab onto texture and make it look obvious. It’s also really versatile. Use it just on your T-zone to cut out shine, dust it all over to set your makeup, or use a little under your eyes to brighten. The translucent shade means you don’t have to worry about shade matching, though there are a few tinted shades too if you want one.
3. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Loose Setting Powder
This is the opposite of the Huda in texture. It’s micro-fine, so it feels silky and goes on really smooth, and it gives skin a soft, blurred look without looking dry. It comes with a little heart-shaped puff and a mesh dispenser, so you press the puff in, tap off the extra on the back of your hand and press it onto your skin. That tap off step stops you from using too much. There’s a good range of shades, including a few translucent ones and two brightening tints, so you can match it to your skin or use it to brighten under the eyes.
“A good setting powder should look like nothing.”
The two pressed powders, how I’d choose between loose and pressed, and the way I’d apply any of these on mature skin are all for paid subscribers.
