Let’s face it: What good is a fabulous makeup look if it melts off within minutes? We’ve all been there, and that’s why we are all about investing in one of the best setting powders. Similar to setting sprays, they keep your makeup from budging, but setting powders have the added benefit of leaving skin looking velvety, even, and smooth. Ahead, we rounded up the 15 best setting powders according to editors and customers alike, so your look will stay put until the moment you grab the makeup remover.
Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $36.47, Laura Mercier
We like to consider this silky translucent powder one of the beauty GOATs, as it’s been beloved by editors (including this one) and professional makeup artists for years. Plus, the powder has racked up close to five stars from more than 16,000 customer reviews at Nordstrom alone, with one shopper raving about how it “literally melts into your skin.”
Pros:
Makeup-artist-approved
Silky finish
Customer review:
"I am 71 now and have tried lots of loose powder, but I come back to my Laura Mercier, every time. Not sure what it is, but it sets my makeup. I've been using this for years. They keep coming out with new makeup all the time, but I will stick with this powder. It's the best." —skychic
Cloud Set Baked Setting and Smoothing Vegan Powder, $53.18, Kosas
This sheer setting powder from the clean beauty experts at Kosas has a lightweight, natural finish that looks more like skin than makeup. Since this one is pressed instead of loose, you won’t have to worry about accidentally spilling powder in your bag if you take this compact on the go.
Pros:
Sheer finish
Convenient pressed packaging
Customer review:
"I’m really enjoying this product! The finish is soft and glowing and leaves my skin looking smoother and subtlety radiant. It seems to wear well all day." —wvu09
Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder, $21.90, Maybelline New York
Here’s a highly coveted loose mineral powder from holy grail beauty brand Maybelline that’s garnered close to five stars on Amazon, with more than 22,000 (!) customer reviews and counting.
Pros: Great price
Customer review:
"After purchasing so many loose finishing powders, I finally found one with a brown tint for my skin. The tint is very sheer and doesn't change the color of my concealer, which was the major problem with other tinted powders." —Misshonee
Loose Setting Powder, $40.44, Dermablend
If you have sensitive skin, consider this waterproof, dermatologist-tested setting powder that’s not only vegan and noncomedogenic, but made to stay put for up to 16 hours per wear.
Pros:
Non-comedogenic formula won't clog pores
Long-wearing
Customer review:
"This powder is perfect for daily use! It provides the right amount of coverage for every day look or glammed up look. I love how smoothly it goes on and how soft it feels on your skin." —Morgan
Related article: The 8 Best Setting Powders Of All Time
Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Setting Powder, $54, Pat McGrath Labs
If there’s anyone who knows about setting powder, it’s makeup icon Pat McGrath. Her version is designed to feel weightless on skin and is treated with amino acids for a pigmented color payoff that won’t budge—even when you work up a sweat. If you’re already a fan of the brand’s Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Foundation, this correlating powder is the cherry on top of your face makeup.
Pros:
Lasts for hours
Highly pigmented
Customer review:
"A lot of coverage for a setting powder. The powder is very finely milled, and the finish is smooth, soft, and pearlescent. No cakiness and limited fallout (some smudged on face mask). Makes your skin look even and glowy." —Leila R.
Skin Silk Loose Setting Powder, $38.32, Mented Cosmetics
Keep forehead shine in check while evening out your skin tone with this finely milled setting powder from Mented Cosmetics. It features skin-friendly ingredients like hydrating squalane and vitamin C to brighten, plus it’s hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested.
Pros: Contains skincare ingredients
Customer review:
"It was easy to apply and it blends well with my skin tone. I also like that it doesn't rub off on my clothes or anyone else's clothes when I touch or hug them." —Erica
Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder, $69.90, Charlotte Tilbury
This full-coverage pressed powder contains rose wax and almond oil to keep your skin hydrated as it mattifies, and even reflects light to leave your complexion looking extra dewy (but not overly shiny).
Pros: Full-coverage finish
Customer review:
"This is the best powder. I almost gave it to my friend and then decided to look in natural lighting I actually did look airbrushed. I will use this powder the rest of my life, especially when I am outside like at a wedding or something." —Tameh
Soft Focus Finishing Powder, $46.67, Ilia Beauty
Here’s a highly coveted, talc-free option shoppers are raving about to round out your routine, with one customer describing how this lightweight powder “feels like nothing.”
Pros:
Talc-free
One shade fits all
Here’s a highly coveted, talc-free option shoppers are raving about to round out your routine, with one customer describing how this lightweight powder “feels like nothing.”
Customer review:
"Great powder to take away shine! I have an oily skin type and no matter what I put on my skin I still look shiny. This powder really balances out my skin and just takes away the excess shine without leaving my skin feeling dry. It’s very natural looking. Love it!" —Lisa C.
Related article: The Best Pressed Powders That Make Touching Up A Breeze
Original Mineral Veil Pressed Setting Powder, $34.52, bareMinerals
Those with dry skin should pay close attention to this best seller from bareMinerals, which is loaded with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin E, plus shea and cacao butters.
Pros: Contains skincare ingredients
Customer review:
"Love, love, love this setting powder. Pore blurring, mattifying without being flat, translucent color. The perfect setting powder or on its own." —DRHuntington
The Silk Powder, $83, Tatcha
Whether you decide to apply this powder with a sponge or makeup brush, you don’t have to be a hard-core J-Beauty fan to appreciate its luxe feel, which is powered by Japanese pearl powder and actual silk extracts.
Pros: Luxe formula
Customer review:
"This is the best powder I have ever used. I use it over my concealer under my eyes. It goes on perfectly, no caking, you can’t tell it’s there but it does it’s job." —Kimberly
Mattifying Powder, Beautycounter
This vegan and Environmental Working Group–approved mattifying powder applies white but seamlessly blends in with your skin tone.
Pros: Absorbs excess shine
Customer review:
"I used to get shiny one hour after applying my makeup until I tried the mattifying powder from Beauty Counter. This powder is amazing!" —Francesca
Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder, $44.21, One/Size by Patrick Starrr
With close to five stars and more than 14,000 loves on Sephora, this top-rated setting powder from beauty influencer Patrick Starrr is designed to last for up to 14 hours and is totally fragrance free.
Pros:
Soft-focus finish
Lasts up to 14 hours
Customer review:
"It’s easy to blend, actually blurs my pores, and gives my makeup an elevated look. 10/10 love." —Rayray1102
Related article: 8 Mattifying Powders To Keep Shine Off Your Face
All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder, $53.18, Urban Decay
This translucent setting powder from the makeup aficionados at Urban Decay is designed to stay put for up to 11 hours per wear. Since the powder is also waterproof and has a powdery matte finish, it’s especially ideal for oily and combination skin.
Pros:
Absorbs excess shine
Long-wearing
Customer review:
"I work outside and sometimes it gets hot and humid. This helps on those days to keep my makeup from running/sweating off my face so I still have coverage all day long." —Kathy
I Am Magic Loose Setting Powder, around $19, Juvia's Place
If you prefer your setting powder to match your foundation or concealer of choice, this one from buzzy makeup brand Juvia’s Place is specifically optimized for people of color and suits a number of deeper skin tones.
Pros:
Lightweight finish
Designed for deeper skin tones
Customer review:
"Love this setting powder. No flashbacks and suits my skin tone." —Nadine
Stay Matte Sheer Pressed Powder, $55, Clinique
This beloved, featherweight powder works for most skin types, as it’s dermatologist tested, non-acnegenic, and both oil and fragrance free.
Pros:
Convenient pressed packaging
Absorbs excess shine
Customer review:
"I live in Arizona, thus heat and humidity create a shiny T-zone. The Stay-Matte sheer pressed powder is great for stopping shine and feels light in a sticky situation due to perspiration that promotes a shiny and oily look." —CathyAZ
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.