10 Best Setting Powders 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed
Ever dedicate a good portion of your morning routine to applying makeup, only to have it slide off by midday? Whether you've got dry or oily skin, foundation rarely lasts the duration you need - that is until you discover the joys of setting powder! Setting powder, which can be based on or applied with a loose coverage, is designed to increase your makeup's longevity and avoid multiple touch-ups during the day.
In this article, we've compared the best setting powders from drugstore staples to popular brands like Laura Mercier and NYX, to bring you the top 10 in the UK. Available from Boots, Amazon and John Lewis, we share our tips on how to find a setting powder that matches your skin tone. Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver the best information to our users.
Quick List - Top Setting Powders
Coty
Lightweight Loose Face Powder That’s Dermatologically Tested
Laura Mercier
16 Hour Setting Powder Recommended by Makeup Artists
NARS
A Velvety Pressed Powder That’s Suitable for Every Skin Type
As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
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Table of Contents
- Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Marie Dancer
- How to Choose a Setting Powder in the UK
- Choose a Loose Powder for an Even Finish, or a Pressed Powder for Easy Application on the Go1
- Select a Tinted Powder to Hide Blemishes, or a Transluscent Powder for a Matte Finish2
- Setting Powders Are Designed to Soak up Excess Oils, Pick One With a Hydrating Formula if You Have Dry Skin3
- Make Sure Your Setting Powder Can Last up to 8 Hours if You Don’t Want to Re-Apply It4
- What Is a Setting Powder?
- Tips On How to Apply Setting Powder
Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Marie Dancer
As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.
Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.
How to Choose a Setting Powder in the UK
- Decide Between Loose or Pressed Powder Depending on Your Usage
- Go for a blurring Tinted Powder, or Transluscent Powder for a Matte Finish
- Consider a Formula According to Your Skin Type
- Check How Long the Product Will Last Throughout the Day
Choose a Loose Powder for an Even Finish, or a Pressed Powder for Easy Application on the Go
Loose Powders Are Great for Even Application and a Lightweight Finish
Loose powder is essentially pressed powder in its raw form, these particles are available from very finely milled to suit dry skin to larger particles to fill in pores. This form of powder can be messy to navigate but will give you the flexibility to apply as little or as much as you need. Loose powders come in many forms: translucent, coloured, mineral, matte and glowy, there's an option for everyone.
The best way to apply a loose powder is with a make-up sponge or powder puff, this will allow you to press and roll the powder into the skin for a natural, seamless finish. Especially effective on oily skin types, the powder will absorb oil for a shine-free, flawless look.
Go For a Pressed Powder to Refresh Your Makeup During the Day
Pressed powder is powder that has been compressed into a solid form, similar to eyeshadow. These are a much better option for using on the go, and are easy to work with as they can be applied with either a pad or a brush. You will also often find a much more extensive range of colours and tints for matching your skin tone.
The formula usually contains ingredients like silicone or wax to help firm up the texture. This means that the particles are much larger and more tightly packed together, which can result in a more cakey appearance if you apply too much. Some brands offer the same powder in both a loose and pressed version, allowing you to touch up with the same formula and not disturb the make-up underneath.
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Select a Tinted Powder to Hide Blemishes, or a Transluscent Powder for a Matte Finish
Pick From a Colour Range With Four or More Shades to Match Your Setting Powder to Your Foundation
The rule of thumb when it comes to choosing a setting powder is to match it to your foundation. When choosing a foundation, you want the shade to be as close as possible to your natural skin tone, and your setting powder should be the same. This will create the most seamless finish possible.
If you apply a shade that's too light, it will give you a washed-out complexion; if you go too dark, you could end up with a streaky appearance. Buying a setting powder that matches your foundation is the best route to a flawless finish! Go for a powder that offers a wide range of shades as it will make finding the perfect match much easier.
Opt For a Transluscent Powder to to Mattify Your Foundation and Lock In Makeup
Finding a setting powder that perfectly matches your skin is much easier said than done. If you can't find a good match, translucent powders are the next best thing. These powders aren't tinted, so they won't provide any extra coverage or colour, but work to mattify your foundation and lock in your makeup just the same.
Translucent powders can easily be applied on the go, without much precision, so they are perfect for quick touch-ups during the day when natural oils begin to surface. Just be aware that translucent powders are often loose. Although they can be found in pressed versions if you look hard enough!
Deeper skin tones don’t have to worry about translucent powder possibly looking ashy, options such as ‘Translucent Medium deep’ by Laura Mercier have revamped the usual one-size-fits-all to match a variety of deeper skin tones by warming up the powder with a slight tint.
Look For Setting Powder With a Base Colour of Blue, Pink or Yellow to Mask Problem Areas
A setting powder with a base colour - such as pink, blue, yellow or green are excellent options if you have specific problem areas you want to cover up. For example, a yellow-based setting powder can help brighten up your complexion and lighten dark areas around the eyes.
Pink setting powders are great for adding a healthy blushing glow to dull skin, whilst blues and greens can cover up redness and even out blemishes. These act as colour correctors to balance the skin, just make sure you don't apply too much and completely alter the colour of your make-up.
Want your eye makeup to stay all day too? We got you covered with our favourite eyeshadow primers!
Setting Powders Are Designed to Soak up Excess Oils, Pick One With a Hydrating Formula if You Have Dry Skin
- For oily skin: You don't need to be too picky when choosing your powder - almost any one should do the trick. Powders are designed to soak up excess moisture, so it is excellent for oily skin-types. The only thing you need to be aware of is that you aren't buying a hydrating setting powder as you want to reduce the moisture, not increase it.
- For combination skin: use a moisture absorbing powder to soak up excess oils on the areas of the face where you need it the most. You can then apply it lightly to the rest of your face, to seal your makeup for the rest of the day.
- For dry skin: When you already have quite a dry complexion, adding a setting powder can dry out your skin even further. Thus, it's best to look for a powder that's specially formulated to be hydrating, so that you don't lose valuable moisture. If you can't find a hydrating powder and your complexion is particularly dehydrated, go for a lightweight powder and use it sparingly to avoid cracking or caking.
For a flawless finish, check out these primers for oily skin!
Make Sure Your Setting Powder Can Last up to 8 Hours if You Don’t Want to Re-Apply It
The whole point of adding a setting powder is to provide a little more longevity to your makeup. You want the product to be able to keep your makeup in place and retain its original quality for as long as you need it to. Of course, you can touch up as the day wears on, but a setting powder is there to minimise the number of re-applications.
Check how long the product claims to set your makeup for before purchasing. This will give you a rough idea of whether it will last the entire day at work, or even longer, so you'll know if you need to pack a touch-up kit in your handbag for the day.
Oily skin will find powder won't last as long on the skin due to breaking down the make-up far quicker than dry skin. For extra longevity, spray a make-up sponge with setting spray and use it to apply the powder, this will press it into the skin for a smooth finish whilst adding extra protection for long wear.
10 Best Setting Powders in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder｜Translucent | | Lightweight Loose Face Powder That’s Dermatologically Tested | |
2 | Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder｜Translucent | | 16 Hour Setting Powder Recommended by Makeup Artists | |
3 | Sacha Setting Powder｜Buttercup | | Transluscent Setting Powder for Medium-Dark Skin Tones | |
4 | NARS Soft Velvet Pressed Powder｜Translucent | | A Velvety Pressed Powder That’s Suitable for Every Skin Type | |
5 | Revolution Banana Baking Powder | | Banana Yellow Baking Formula to Even Out Redness | |
6 | L'Oreal Cosmetics Infallible Magic Loose Powder｜Translucent | | Blue Mattifying Powder to Brighten Your Skin and Reduce Shine | |
7 | Becca Hydra-Mist Set and Refresh Powder | | Hydrating Setting Powder for People With Dry Skin | |
8 | Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder｜Oat (Translucent) | | Eliminate Flashback With This HD Formula | |
9 | Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder｜Dark | | Loose Powder for Oily Skin That Lasts All Day | |
10 | Jeffree Star Cosmetics Magic Star Setting Powder｜Translucent | | Ultra-fine Candy Scented Loose Powder to Lock In Your Makeup |
Lightweight Loose Face Powder That’s Dermatologically Tested
The Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder has been a beauty secret since 1935. As there are now nearly 14,000 positive reviews on Amazon, it's safe to say that people have finally cottoned-on. This unique formula blends the face powder with air, providing a strong coverage with a cloud-like, lightweight feel.
This powder leaves your skin feeling soft, and as been dermatologically tested, making it suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive complexions. Best of all, it keeps your makeup in place for hours, effectively covering up blemishes and hiding fine lines.
Laura MercierLoose Setting Powder ｜ Translucent
16 Hour Setting Powder Recommended by Makeup Artists
This cult favourite is always on hand in any makeup artist's bag. This is by no means a new product, but it's held its 5-star rating for years - and there's a good reason why! The formula has an incredible mattifying ability, capable of mopping up any excess oils, without leaving your face feeling heavy, which is a rare find!
This powder has won multiple awards, with many people swearing by it. It has a smooth application, blends seamlessly, instantly blurs imperfections, and guarantees to set your makeup for 16 hours at a time. What's not to love?
Transluscent Setting Powder for Medium-Dark Skin Tones
The Sacha Buttercup Setting Powder is an Amazon favourite and an excellent choice for medium to dark skin tones. The loose powder is translucent, but doesn't leave behind any white or ashy residue, for a reliable, long-lasting finish to your makeup.
Some setting powders don't come up well in photos, but this product is completely flash-friendly, great for selfie moments. As well as setting your foundation, the fine, loose particles create a smooth surface, blurring away lines and blemishes.
A Velvety Pressed Powder That’s Suitable for Every Skin Type
The colour may look bright-white inside its case, but the product becomes almost as translucent as you can get once it's been applied on the skin. Formula-wise, it's lightweight, but still manages to do an excellent job at reducing unwanted shine.
NARS Soft Velvet Pressed Powder is guaranteed to lock in your makeup for hours, which is exactly what it should be doing. It now also comes in 9 different shades, as well as the translucent version, meaning that all skin tones should be able to benefit from this incredible product.
Banana Yellow Baking Formula to Even Out Redness
We all know that the cost of your makeup bag can pile up to a small fortune, but this product is so affordable that you need to try it! Created specifically for baking, this is a product that you want to leave on for 30 minutes for it to work its magic.
This is an excellent setting powder to buy if you wear a medium to heavy coverage foundation, as it will stick to your skin and provide long-lasting coverage for the whole day. Better yet, the formula has a very subtle yellow tint that works to cover-up any redness in your skin tone.
L'Oreal CosmeticsInfallible Magic Loose Powder ｜ Translucent
Blue Mattifying Powder to Brighten Your Skin and Reduce Shine
L'Oreal is one of the biggest names when it comes to skincare, and their Infallible Magic Loose Power is a well-loved favourite. With a unique blue-toned formula, it brightens your skin as well as locking in your makeup for hours to come.
This product is specifically mattifying, making it great for oily skin types. It's excellent for masking any unwanted shine, especially on the t-zone, and the loose powder is micro-fine which provides a blended, super silky finish that won't cake inside fine lines.
Hydrating Setting Powder for People With Dry Skin
The Hydra-mist set and refresh powder by Becca is the best for dry skin-types. You don't want anything too mattifying, and should instead opt for a product that can retain the moisture in your skin, which is where this powder really thrives!
The formula contains 50% water and glycerin, which provides a mist-like coverage on the surface of the skin, hydrating any dry patches as well as providing a wonderful refreshing feeling. The light-reflecting formula also produces a smooth texture, setting your makeup for longer.
Eliminate Flashback With This HD Formula
This setting powder is one of the most long-lasting formulas on the market, so you can be sure that your makeup will stay in place all day. Being especially mattifying, this is an excellent product for those with oily skin, or those who are after a medium-heavy coverage.
Coming in a range of 6 shades, you should be able to find one to suit your skin tone. Plus, the HD formula blurs pores, blending your complexion and reducing any flashback from photos! That said, it is very absorbent, so it's not the best choice for dry skin.
Loose Powder for Oily Skin That Lasts All Day
The velvety finishing powder from Black Opal is ideal if you have oily skin. The reviews have proven it to be a reliable choice for keeping makeup in place throughout the entire day, and even when hitting the gym or club.
The powder has a colour-balancing formula that helps create a smooth, even finish. Being such a lightweight product, it's suitable for most skin types. However, it only comes in 4 shades, so it might be difficult to find the perfect shade for some.
Jeffree Star CosmeticsMagic Star Setting Powder ｜ Translucent
Ultra-fine Candy Scented Loose Powder to Lock In Your Makeup
This ultra-fine setting powder from Jeffree Star cosmetics is excellent if you're only after a light coverage. The weightless formula is designed to blur any imperfections, reduce excess facial oils and lock-in your makeup for hours.
This option is translucent, but it's also available in 8 shades that will work on all skin types. Unusually, this product has a slight cotton candy scent, which may not be appealing to some. But if you like a sweet fragrance, this is an excellent buy!
What Is a Setting Powder?
Setting powder locks in your makeup so that it lasts longer, creating a luxurious, flawless finish. No matter how well we seem to apply our foundation, it can still slide or rub off when you touch your face. Setting powder essentially eliminates, or at least reduces, the need to retouch your makeup throughout the day.
The moist surface of unset foundation attracts grime, leaving it open to contamination from pollution and dirt in the air. Setting powder can act as a barrier to protect your skin from impurities, which is why it should be the last product applied in your makeup routine, whether it's applied to the entire face, or just to the oily areas like your t-zone.
Setting powders are often referred to as 'baking powder', but baking just refers to the method or application, not the product. Baking is a technique where you liberally apply powder to certain areas of your skin that you want to appear brighter, such as under your eyes. The product is left on for around 20 - 30 minutes to sink in, and then you brush off the excess.
Tips On How to Apply Setting Powder
Tap some setting powder onto the lid and dip your powder brush into the powder in the lid. Doing this will give you more control over how much product you are applying, it also prevents getting the product everywhere. Then, start off light-handedly and build up coverage as you go. Do this by tapping off any excess powder on the brush before going in on the face.
To apply the powder, begin at the center of the face and work your way outwards. Lightly buff in the powder in small circular motions and apply more powder if needed. Do not press too hard nor too rough as it might mess up your foundation. Keep doing the same motion until you achieve an evenly diffused, velvety finish.
Written and researched by Roxy Pratley
Top 5 Setting Powders
No. 1: Coty｜Airspun Loose Face Powder｜Translucent
No. 2: Laura Mercier｜Loose Setting Powder｜Translucent
No. 3: Sacha｜Setting Powder｜Buttercup
No. 4: NARS｜Soft Velvet Pressed Powder｜Translucent
No. 5: Revolution｜Banana Baking Powder
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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