These Setting Powders Keep Shine in Check All Summer Long

Take it from the pros: Dusting yourself with one of the best setting powders is a non-negotiable for long-lasting makeup, especially as summer sets in and heat and humidity can melt your makeup in record time. A few pats or swipes of loose or pressed powder help keep everything in place, tamp down excess oil, and blur the look of pores and fine lines. Even if you prefer a dewier look, there are ultra-translucent formulas that keep shine in check without getting in the way of your natural glow. Whether you go full-beat or keep things minimal, there’s a powder to match your vibe, skin tone, and texture preferences. Editors and makeup artists filled us in on their favorites, so you can skip straight to the standouts and hit checkout, stat.

Why it's worth it: Beauty products are no strangers to reformulations, but Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Setting Powder has remained unchanged for roughly 25 years—a testament to the formula's quality. "It's simple, basic, foolproof, and does the job," says bicoastal makeup artist Emily Cheng, who first used the powder 15 years ago and has been fangirling ever since. Makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, who’s based in New York and Los Angeles, agrees, calling the finely milled powder “great for targeting shine. Ingredients like talc and corn starch help absorb excess oil and blur the look of pores without adding noticeable coverage or altering your foundation shade, while vitamins C and E provide antioxidant benefits.

“Years ago, a celebrity makeup artist raved to me about this Laura Mercier setting powder, and I haven't used anything else since. I have the classic translucent shade, and it disappears on my brown skin, but they also have honey, rose, and deep options that you can tailor to your skin tone. I like to apply a touch of this powder right over my concealer to avoid creasing (of course, tapping excess off my brush first to make sure it doesn't cake up). I will also use it mid-afternoon to touch up my forehead and cheeks once the shine starts to set in. No flashback in photos—ever.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief

Why it's worth it: For a second-skin effect, New York City-based makeup artist Rommy Najor reaches for Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish. "It's lightweight and hugs the skin," he explains, adding that it’s basically undetectable. For the same reason, makeup artist Vincent Oquendo calls it his favorite pressed powder. While the formula does contain talc to give the powder slip and diffuse the look of pores, "it isn't chalky and doesn't weigh down the skin.” The formula brightens as it sets, and is spiked with vitamin E-rich almond oil and rose wax for a touch of nourishment, plus pearlescent mica to prevent the finish from looking flat.

"I can't be bothered to deal with loose powders because of the inevitable mess (whether I'm at home or traveling, TBH). I love how natural a finish this Charlotte Tilbury pressed powder provides—like a soft-blurring veil that doesn't totally negate my glow. (Thanks, light-reflecting particles!) To that point, it's not my pick for the mattest-of-matte powders, but I'm a-ok with that. I wear the shade 2 Medium, which I find complements my foundation and concealers perfectly without washing my Asian skin tone out (as I presume Light would)." —Sarah Han, commerce editor

Why it's worth it: If you have acne-prone skin, setting powder can feel like a gamble. Some formulas settle into active breakouts, emphasize flaky spots from acne treatments, or try so hard to mattify oily skin that they leave your complexion looking flat. For those in that camp, Bhatty “will forever love Nars Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder,” she says. “It’s good on all tones and sets the skin in such a beautiful way.” Skin still looks like skin, but minus the shine. The talc-free formula relies on light-reflecting mica and oil-absorbing silica to diffuse the appearance of pores and excess shine, making it feel less drying or heavy than traditional setting powders. Meanwhile, squalane and glycerin help keep skin comfortable throughout the day.

“My naturally oily skin looks shiny by mid-morning, but I've never committed to setting powder, since I felt they made my skin look dusty, for lack of a better word. This is the only one I ever wear, since it feels like nothing (a must for the acne-prone!) and creates a soft-focus effect, rather than sapping all the life and dewiness from my skin. Even though it comes in six shades, the translucent version (meant for pale skin tones) still works just as well for my medium-tan skin.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editors

Why it's worth it: For anyone whose dry skin has been personally victimized by setting powder, Saie has an answer. Unlike many traditional formulas, the brand’s Tint Undetectable Baked Setting Powder takes a talc-free approach. (For the record, talc isn't inherently "bad"—many beloved powders rely on it for its oil-absorbing and blurring abilities, though it can feel drying on some skin types.) Instead, this pressed powder features mica, squalane, and jojoba esters. The emollient ingredients give the baked powder a creamier feel, helping it melt into skin rather than cling to fine lines or dry patches. Hyaluronic acid further softens and smooths, leaving behind a natural, radiant finish that looks undetectable—regardless of which of the five translucent shades you choose.

“I've gotten a lot of questions about what changed in my makeup routine since I started using this pressed setting powder. The difference is visible! It leaves my skin so smooth without looking cakey, and my makeup stays in place through an 8-hour workday without a problem. I like the silky finish of the powder and how lightweight it is on application—no tapping of your brush is necessary; it somehow always picks up the right amount of product. The formula is also not too mattifying so it still allows my glowy foundation and blush to shine through. Shade 3 is the perfect match for my medium skin tone.” —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Givenchy Prisme Libre Ultra-Blurring & Color-Correcting Pressed Powder

Why it's worth it: Givenchy’s Prisme Libre Ultra-Blurring & Color-Correcting Pressed Powder essentially does the work of four complexion products at once: It neutralizes discoloration, brightens dullness, blurs texture, and sets makeup without leaving skin looking flat. Each compact houses four complementary shades that work together to softly color-correct and diffuse the look of pores, while silica, kaolin clay, and light-reflecting mica absorb excess oil and create a blurred finish. “I was the absolute biggest fan of the original formula of the Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting Powder, but this pressed powder version is much more convenient in a mess-free compact,” says Kasey Spickard, a makeup artist based in New York City. Meanwhile, glycerin and peony root extract work together to keep the powder feeling comfortable and elegant.

“My skin is almost always a little red—whether it's from spending time outside (yes, even with diligent sunscreen application), allergies, or general environmental irritation. But here's the catch-22: As much as I want to tone down the redness, I hate the feeling of heavy makeup sitting on my skin even more. That's why my usual routine starts with a lightweight serum foundation for a sheer wash of coverage, then I sweep Givenchy's Prisme Libre Ultra-Blurring & Color-Correcting Pressed Powder over the areas that still need a little extra help, namely my cheeks. The whole point of wearing a serum foundation is to keep skin still looking like skin, and this powder softens redness and evens everything out without sucking the life—or the glow—out of my complexion.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

Why it's worth it: Before we get to the formula itself, we must talk about the packaging. Laneige's silicone mesh neatly encloses the loose powder, eliminating the typical messy cloud that can coat your vanity (or occasionally your black shirt). Paired with the plush velvety puff—which, in our humble opinion, outperforms the flimsy sponges and tiny brushes often tucked inside pressed powders—the whole experience feels equal parts effective and convenient.

Those with combination skin may appreciate the formula most. Silica and hydrolyzed corn starch help control excess oil and shine where you need it, while Laneige's signature Blue Hyaluronic Acid—a fermented, micro-sized form of HA designed to penetrate the skin better— maintains hydration in drier areas of the face. Meanwhile, mint leaf extract delivers a refreshing cooling effect, and chamomile water and licorice soothe and balance skin.

“What I love most about the Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder is how compact, mess-free, and lightweight it is—it’s a no-brainer travel pick, and I even drop it into my purse if I’m going to have a busy day out in the city. It nixes any shine in my T-zone, just like that, without making my complexion look downright flat, and I never feel like I’m wasting product or making a mess. The mirror is a nice bonus, too, for on-the-go touch-ups. I haven’t used this in super hot weather yet, but I’m confident this will help me survive the dog days of NYC summer.” —Han, commerce editor

Setting powders are used on top of base makeup like concealer, foundation, or blush to ensure it won't budge, crease, or develop an oily sheen throughout the day. "Setting your makeup is one of the most important steps of your routine," New York City-based makeup artist Delina Medhin tells Allure. "When you set the makeup, it has longevity because who wants to carry a touch-up kit everywhere?"

However, oil absorption and longevity aren't the only things setting powders are good for, according to New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli. "Setting powder is not only used to lock in your makeup but to 'finish' the look of makeup—to create a smoother, more poreless, and texture-less surface," he explains.

Both setting powder and setting spray extend the longevity of your finished look, but setting powders and setting sprays function differently. While the former minimizes the look of pores and excess oil, the latter acts more like a film on your skin. Setting sprays are the equivalent of cling wrap for your makeup and usually contain a blend of water, alcohol, and a film-former to create a barrier and seal your cosmetics in place.

Even if you prefer dewy looks (courtesy of BB creams or skin tints), setting powder applied strategically— on the T-zone, for example—can absorb excess oil and keep products in place longer, according to Medhin. The makeup artists we spoke to agree that, whether you have oily skin or dry skin, the less-is-more approach works best with powders. "This gives you more control of the product," Medhin says. “Place your brush in the powder, then tap it off until it looks like nothing is left, then keep applying until you get to your desired matte look.” Napoli adds face powder to the forehead, nose, chin, and sides of the mouth to "help to mitigate any excess shine or oil breakthrough that can lead to a porous look."

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For our list of the best setting powders, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from makeup artists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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