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Translucent setting powder is absolutely essential in your makeup bag because it has so many amazing benefits. Not only does the powder set your makeup in place all day without allowing it to move or spread, but it also absorbs excess oil so you’re not shiny.
No matter what your skin type is – oily or dry – we rounded up the best translucent setting powders that will transform the way you apply your makeup. The purpose of setting powder is to keep your full face of makeup looking pristine, without having it fade. To use the powder, apply your makeup as usual, including your foundation or concealer, then simply dab the powder on top, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then brush it off.
When it comes to translucent powder, there are two types – pressed or loose. Depending on your preference, it is up to you which powder works better on your skin. However, pressed powder is much easier to apply on the go to not only set your makeup but control shine, as it doesn’t get messy and can easily be dabbed on the face with a powder puff or brush.
We rounded up the best translucent powders that you will absolutely love, and you can see them all below!
Compare the Top Translucent Setting Powder of 2024
Rimmel London Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder — Best Overall
This matte transparent powder is formulated with minerals to keep your complexion shine-free all day long. Not only does this lightweight pressed powder protect against shine, but it also minimizes the appearance of pores, so you’re left with a soft and smooth canvas. Keep it in your purse so you can reapply on the go as you see shine, or keep one at your desk so you can powder your face during work.
Pros
- It lasts up to 5 hours
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a brush
Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder — Runner Up
This loose powder is perfect for setting your makeup. Simply apply the powder to your makeup, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then brush it away. Not only is the powder good for setting makeup, but it also reduces shine by absorbing oil, minimizes the appearance of pores, and the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and more.
Pros
- It comes with a powder puff applicator
Cons
- The loose powder can get messy
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder Makeup — Honorable Mention
This long-lasting powder provides shine control all day while minimizing the appearance of pores, mattifying oily skin, and covering up blemishes, dark circles, and more. The powder lasts 12 hours and doesn’t clog pores, so you can keep reapplying throughout the day without having to worry about pimples.
Pros
- It comes with a mirror & a powder puff applicator
Cons
- Can dry out the skin
Dermablend Setting Powder — Most Convenient
This loose translucent powder goes on white but dries clear and is the perfect option for setting your makeup, concealer, and foundation. Suitable for all skin tones, the powder is fragrance-free and oil-free, doesn’t clog pores, and absorbs excess oil throughout the day. Even better, it comes with an applicator, is dermatologist-suggested, and meets PETA’s skin security standards.
Pros
- It is fragrance-free & oil-free
Cons
- It lasts 16 hours
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Finishing Powder — Most Reliable
This sheer loose setting powder is complimentary on all skin tones and is made with 100% pure mineral silica, which absorbs oil, blocks shine and keeps your skin matte all day long. Perfect for setting makeup, the powder keeps your makeup in place without drying the skin or causing the makeup to get crunchy. Even better, it is PETA certified cruelty-free.
Pros
- It is made with 100% pure mineral silica
Cons
- It does not come with a puff
Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder — Also Consider
Perfect to throw in your purse, this oil-free and fragrance-free pressed powder doesn’t clog pores, making it easy to keep reapplying throughout the day. Not only does it set your makeup, but it also controls oil and shine for up to 16 hours. The powder is super lightweight and suitable for sensitive skin, plus it minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines.
Pros
- It lasts 16 hours
Cons
- It can dry out makeup
Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder — Another Option
This loose setting powder is vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free. It soaks up excess oil and sets your makeup for all day staying power. Plus, it comes with a velour powder puff that makes application super easy. Simply add the powder to your makeup, concealer, or foundation, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and brush it off.
Pros
- It is cruelty-free
Cons
- It is chalky
Buying Guide: Translucent Setting Powders
Setting powder is arguably one of the most important parts of your makeup routine, no matter what kind of finish you wish to achieve. Learn more about how to utilize this crucial product with the help of our buying guide!
What Is Translucent Setting Powder?
The term “setting powder” may be unfamiliar to some of you, so we’ll go over a brief description. Setting powder is a type of cosmetic powder applied before or after you have put on all the liquid or cream products you wish to use, be it primer, foundation, concealer, blush or bronzer. Its purpose is to “set” your skin in a certain state for as long as possible so that your makeup stays in perfect condition.
One of the most common uses for setting powder is to reduce the amount of oiliness on your face. Having an oily t-zone isn’t uncommon, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. However, it is rather annoying to put in considerable effort to do your makeup and then have it look like an oily mess only a few hours later. If you don’t want that to happen, you’ll need something to keep that oil at bay - and that’s where setting powder comes in.
What’s the Difference Between Setting Powders and Foundation Powders?
Because they’re both applied at the beginning of your makeup routine, some people may be confused as to what the difference is between setting powder and foundation powder. The answer is that while both powders are crucial to start off the routine, one is meant for the skin while another is meant for your makeup. If that’s still a bit confusing, let us explain further.
Setting powder is meant for your skin in the sense that it’s supposed to set your skin in a good enough state for your makeup. In other words, it’s meant to prepare your skin for the makeup so that your skin can actually hold the makeup in place for as long as possible. This, of course, includes minimizing oil on your face, which is why it’s worth using even if you don’t plan on applying foundation or other makeup.
On the other hand, foundation powder is made for your makeup in the sense that it serves as a blank canvas of sorts. Think about it - foundation powder is meant to hide imperfections on your skin, and not to prepare your skin for better makeup application. It covers blemishes, birthmarks, and other uneven areas of the skin. This helps turn your face into an empty canvas for the rest of your routine. After applying your foundation powder, you can then add other products such as concealer, blush and bronzer.
So, in short, while both setting powder and foundation powder are essential in most makeup routines, setting powder is meant for your skin to better prepare it for makeup, whereas foundation powder helps turn your skin into the perfect canvas for the rest of your routine.
Do I Need Setting Powder?
While setting powder is a great and arguably vital part of a makeup routine, you may have not even heard of it before, or maybe you’d rather not add one extra step to your daily routine. It’s understandable - applying makeup can take a lot of time, and if you’re a busy person, you may want to shave off as much time as you can for other things.
However, setting powder is a lot more important than you think. As mentioned earlier, setting powder helps prevent your face from getting oily. This makes it useful whether or not you’re applying makeup, as you’ll almost always end up with an oily face if you stay in a hot or humid environment for a little too long.
Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, setting powder can help hold your foundation powder and other liquid or cream products on your face better. It’s by no means impossible for foundation powder to hold without setting powder, but setting powder makes it a lot easier to work with foundation powder. It’ll just help keep your makeup on for much longer.
So while setting powder isn’t exactly required per se, it can be of great benefit to you whether or not you plan on putting on makeup. At the end of the day, no one wants to deal with an oily face. So, why not spare a few minutes to apply setting powder and prevent this from happening?
Setting Powder Price Range
Setting powder can cost you either nothing or quite a bit of money depending on where you buy your powder from. Some powders can go for as cheap as $3-$5, whereas more expensive brands will sell their powders for $40 at the bare minimum. While that may be an exorbitant amount, you may like the look of the powder on your face, or you might prefer how it feels on your skin, and that’s something you can’t put a price on. It all boils down to personal preference in the end, but it’s good to know that you can save quite a bit of money if push comes to shove.
