The 11 Best Setting Powders For Every Skin Type

Whether you want to achieve a matte look, contour your features, or give your makeup a long-lasting hold, setting powder really can be your best friend. Though often overlooked, a good setting powder is one of the silent superheroes in your makeup bag and can elevate your base to MUA standards. With so many makeup brands out there, we know that finding the best setting powders for your skin type can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve been left with cakey makeup in the past. Whether you have dry, oily, mature, or sensitive skin, we’re here to banish your baking fears with our roundup of the best setting powders for every skin type and how to use them.

Want to reduce shine and set your makeup in place but not sure how to apply setting powder? We’ve got you. Follow our simple steps and enjoy flawless makeup that lasts all day and all night.

Once you’ve applied your base, use a makeup sponge or brush to tap your chosen setting powder under your eyes, down the sides of your nose, and up to your temples. For a more sculpted look, you can also apply setting powder underneath your cheek contour. To give your base extra definition and long-lasting power, leave your setting powder to sit on the skin for a few minutes before sweeping away.

How long have you got? Here at BEAUTY BAY, we believe that once you have found the setting powder that is right for your skin type, the benefits are endless. Though a seemingly invisible step in your makeup routine, setting powder can be used all over your face to give a smoother, more matte finish, and improve longevity.

If you prefer a dewier base, placing you setting powder tactfully in the areas of your face that naturally attract grease can be a great way to keep shine under control without sacrificing that fresh-faced look.

Setting powder can also be a great tool to achieve the snatched, contoured look that never seems to stop trending. Whether you’ve got a night out planned or simply want a to rock a bold look that’s going to last, leaving your setting powder to bake on the areas of your face you’d like to highlight is a sure fire way to take your base to the next level. 

If you’ve got a normal skin type, your skin will thrive with a setting powder that does a little bit of everything, from controlling shine to ensuring your makeup won’t budge. The e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder could be the missing piece to your flawless base. Made from a lightweight, smoothing formula, this setting powder works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, pores, and shine, leaving you with long-lasting makeup that will look great from the start of your day to the finish. Packed with ingredients to give your skin a gentle glow, embrace shine on your own terms and haul this essential now.

Another great option for normal skin, the Trigwell Cosmetics Velvet Setting Powder ensures a medium coverage, flawless finish. As promised in its name, this setting powder is designed to give your skin a velvet soft and smooth complexion. It also has brightening and pore-reducing properties, meaning you can ace your base every time. Thanks to its mattifying effect, this velvety powder also prevents flashback, so you can be red carpet-ready with every wear.

If you have a combination skin type, your base will thank you for a setting powder that controls shine in your oily areas without drying out your skin. The Milani Conceal and Perfect Shine-Proof Powder does just this, absorbing any unwanted oil without settling into areas craving moisture. Enriched with lily extract to tighten pores and bamboo powder to banish shine, this setting powder is here to bring some balance back to your base.

Ideal for those with a combination skin type, the MAC Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder is a weightless, comfortable formula that instantly reduces shine and texture. Designed with dual-bending technology that reflects light on the skin, this powder gives your skin an airbrushed, matte makeover without leaving it in drought.

For those with an oily skin type, a setting powder is a staple when it comes to keeping your flawless base in place. The bPerfect Lockdown Luxe Pressed Powder has strong oil-absorbing powers, blending seamlessly into your base to maintain a long-lasting complexion. Providing a rich matte finish, this powder is a real must have for those looking to keep their natural shine in check.

Say goodbye to shine with the NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Mattifying Lightweight Powder. Created with rice powder, this ultra-mattifying powder instantly absorbs oil and shine, leaving you with a flawless base that refuses to budge. And thanks to its lightweight, smoothing formula, this powder also blurs fine lines, leaving you with airbrushed results that are built to last.

 While it may feel like the last thing you need if you have dry skin, skipping out on setting powder could be preventing you from achieving the flawless base you deserve. If you’re seeking radiant and silky skin that’s going to last, hauling the Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Loose Setting Powder is a must. Enriched with hyaluronic acid made to smooth and hydrate skin, this powder works to prolong the life of your makeup while leaving your skin with a radiant glow.

From a brand that puts skincare first, the Clinique Blended Face Powder is a lightweight, airy formula that promises not to dry out your skin. Thanks to its super fine texture, this powder allows you to maintain a natural, fresh and luminous look while simultaneously reducing the appearance of pores, flaws and unwanted shine.

For those with mature skin, it can be frustrating when makeup settles into fine lines and wrinkles. A lightweight and smoothing setting powder, like the Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Powder, could be the perfect solution. Designed and tested with TV, film, and photography in mind, this micro-fine powder is ready to blur your skin to picture perfection, while banishing any buildup of oil and shine.

Another great option for mature skin, the Sigma Beauty Soft Focus Setting Powder is perfect for blurring skin while maintain a shine-free base. With a silky, lightweight formula, this powder is packed with hydrating and nutrient-rich vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to give your skin a boost of radiance.

Trying new products can be a worrying concept if you have sensitive skin. Luckily, the Inglot Cosmetics Smoothing Under Eye Powder is made to be suitable for all skin types, meaning you can achieve long-lasting makeup without the fear of a breakout. Enriched with HD pigments, vitamin E, emollients, and diamond dust, this powder has all the ingredients you need to slay your base every time.