Sweeping setting powder onto your face after blending in foundation can either go terribly wrong or oh-so-right. The worst-case scenario: You pick one for a major event and you have cringe-worthy flashback in photos. (Don't worry, even Angelina Jolie has been there.) Or the setting powder could feel like it's so thick that it's suffocating your skin — no one wants that. Luckily, several best-case scenarios exist. We asked professional makeup artists who have experience with keeping models and celebrities' skin fresh and shine-free for hours on end to share their go-to setting powders. Their picks will keep your skin looking flawless no matter what shade your complexion is, and they'll do it with feather-light formulas. The powder makeup artist Nam Vo swears by, in particular, won't make your skin look like a pancake with powdered sugar on top. Looking for drugstore options? Check out our list of under-$25 alternatives.
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder hasn't been out for long, but it's quickly become a must-have for makeup artists Allan Avendaño and Vincent Oquendo. Because the powder is so finely milled, "it creates the most beautiful airbrushed finish on the skin while the diamond particles in it blur any imperfections," Avendaño explains. He sweeps it all over the face, as well as sets under-eye concealer with it. Oquendo agrees, adding that the product's reflective finish gives skin a slight glow that doesn't look over-the-top. "It's hands-down my favorite loose powder," he says.
$46 (Shop Now)
Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Powder
Even on the hottest days, British makeup artist Giselle Ali can depend on the Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Powder for helping makeup stay put. In fact, she presses it into her brows with a Beautyblender and brushes through them before applying her go-to brow product. "It helps them stay on longer in the heat," she says. For use all over the skin, Ali adds that it works for all skin tones as it comes in five different shades. Plus, it lessens the appearance of pores and smooths out textured skin.
$24 (Shop Now)
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is an undeniable classic and has been a mainstay in the kits of professional makeup artists for over a decade. Emily Cheng, who's Yara Shahidi's go-to makeup artist, can attest to that. She first used it 13 years ago and has been hooked ever since. "It’s simple, basic, foolproof, and does the job," Cheng says. Because it now comes in a Medium Deep shade, New York City-based makeup artist Rommy Najor often reaches for it, too, when working on clients with deeper skin tones. "It immediately mattes the hot spots and sets makeup without looking heavy," he says.
$38 (Shop Now)
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder
If you're looking for brightening powder in shades like apricot and banana, Los Angeles-based makeup artist Fiona Stiles suggests her favorite, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder. It's a handy, mess-free version of the beloved loose powder that comes in the additional shades to help illuminate the high points of your face and undereye area. Cheng, on the other hand, prefers the translucent shade for dabbing on blemishes to quickly cover them up, especially when she's on the go.
$36 (Shop Now)
Kett Cosmetics Sett Powder
At Fashion Weeks across the world, you'll find this backstage staple, especially in the kits of Tom Pecheux and Najor. Even though the powder looks chalky white in the compact, "you can apply it on all skin tones," Najor says. On deeper skin tones, he recommends giving the Sett Powder a minute to melt into your skin or it has a slight white cast.
$22 (Shop Now)
Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
Another mess-free option that will give skin a luminous, but matte finish: Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. The compact version of a Best of Beauty Award winner is crystal-clear on skin of all complexions but gives it a filter-like, soft-focus glow.
$37 (Shop Now)
Surratt Beauty Diaphane Loose Powder
Although this refillable compact is filled with loose powder, it has a thin mesh screen that only dispenses as much product as you truly want. All you have to do is press the enclosed puff against it to coat it in just the right amount. After dusting it onto skin, the Best of Beauty Award winner staves off oil all day long.
$20 for cartridge (Shop Now)
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
For a second-skin effect, Najor relies on the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish. "It's lightweight and hugs the skin," he explains. All the while, it doesn't make the skin look like it's covered in powder. For this same reason, Oquendo calls it his favorite pressed powder. "It isn't talc-y or chalky," he says. "Also, it doesn't weight down the skin."
$45 (Shop Now)
Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder
British makeup artist Adam Burrell, who's worked with Little Mix, Winnie Harlow, and Ava DuVernay, has depended on the Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder for about as long as he's been on the job. "It’s tried and tested on red carpets, TV, music videos, and everywhere in-between, and I can’t fault it," he says. "I’m wary to try anything else because if it’s not wrong, don’t fix it, as they say. It’s sheer, finely milled, and the shade range is perfect.”
$42 (Shop Now)
Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder
As Stiles points out, Cover FX makes one of the darkest setting powders on the market. So if the thought of sweeping a chalky-white powder onto your face makes you skeptical, try the Deep Translucent option instead. It has the same translucent finish that doesn't make skin feel dry or cakey as the lighter shade.
$35 (Shop Now)
La Mer The Powder
Those who follow makeup artist Nam Vo on Instagram (or caught her in the first edition of Five of Five) are well-aware she's all about the glow — or as she calls it, the "dewy dumpling" look. With that in mind, she's picky about powder. "I love the La Mer The Powder because it is as fine as silk, sets makeup in place, but still lets the glow and natural beauty of skin shine through rather than make it look like pancakes like other powders often do," she explains.
$95 (Shop Now)
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