Setting powders are designed to be used with your foundation. They come in two forms: loose and pressed. The powder helps hold your foundation in place and prevents your foundation from rubbing off. It locks in your foundation and concealer to prevent cracks in your foundation. Also, setting powders help absorb excess oil, help touch up your make up, and help reduce a shiny appearance after applying your foundation.
So with so many setting foundations, which one do you choose? I have 3 favorite setting powders that I thought I would share with you. So in no particular order, here are my favorite setting powders:
- Laura Mercier – This is a cult favorite and award-winning translucent setting powder. This bestseller creates a modern, matte finish with a touch of sheer coverage, while it absorbs oil and reduces shine all day. The powder is a little denser than an average powder, providing super smooth, even application and blending. This has a no-flashback formula which means you’ll look great in photos, and it creates a soft-focus effect to subtly blur the look of fine lines and imperfections. It will not settle into fine lines or pores and never looks cakey. The reason I love this powder is because of the fact that while it is dense, it doesn’t feel dense. I don’t have that heavy feeling on my face as with most powders. Plus, it really does look fantastic in photos. The Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder retails for $38.00. It may be purchased at www.lauramercier.com, Sephora and Macy’s.
- Ben Nye Luxury Banana Powder – This is a great powder. I stay matte all day and the finish is beautiful. I have a medium skin tone, so this is fantastic for me. Also I live in the extremely humid south, and this is the best powder for keeping the foundation in check. It has fantastic coverage that you can easily control, and it goes on like a dream. It can cover dark circles under the eye and never creases. I don’t recommend this banana shade for anyone with reddish undertones. They make a paler color for those people with that skintone. Ben Nye Banana Powder is loose stage makeup powder. It’s not chalky, goes on smooth, leaves the area applied brightened, and stays in place all day. What more could a girl ask for? Ben Nye Luxury Banana Powder retails for $13.50. It may be purchased at www.camerareadycosmetics.com, www.stagemakeuponline.com and www.frendsbeauty.com.
- RCMA No-Color Powder – This is THE perfect universal setting powder for all skin types. No-Color powder contains zero pigment, perfume or fillers. It will never alter your foundation or your natural skin tone. The powder will set your makeup with a flawless finish which will not cause flashback. It’s a great powder that lasts all day long, giving any foundation a flawless finish. You can you the powder as a setting powder or for touch ups throughout the day. I also find that this powder does not look powdery. Sometimes I can get carried away with over-powdering, but I never look cakey when it comes to this powder. The actual color of the powder is white, though it never appears white on the face. One of my favorite ways to apply this is over a light, dewy foundation. When I apply the RCMA powder over it, and the foundation transforms into a light, demi-matte finish. And I am able to wear the foundation for the entire day without any signs of fading or slipping. It really looks pretty. The RCMA No-Color Powder retails for $12.00. It may be purchased at www.rcma.net, www.camerareadycosmetics.com and www.beautylish.com.
So those would be my favorite setting powders. Laura Mercier is a great powder that you can find in most department stores and Sephora. The final two are used mainly by professional makeup-artists. But don’t let that stop you. Sometimes you can find better quality and cheaper makeup at makeup-artist websites. The problem is you cannot always sample these products.
Do you have a favorite setting powder? Which one is it and why do you like it?
Alexis Towle says
Laura Mercier is my go to. I know no matter what this product will hold up 16 hour day. I want to try RCMA but its very hard to find in Canada.
Alexis|| https://lidsandtricks.com/
Erica S Katsanis says
I like Laura Mercier. However with the humidity in New Orleans, it does not last for 16 hours. I wish it did though. Do try finding the RCMA via the websites I provided. I am unsure of shipping cost, but it can’t hurt to look.
Thanks.
Erica
1alwaysnyc1 says
I don’t use a setting powder. Honestly, I’ve always just used loose or pressed powder. However, after reading how they work, I’ve changed my mind! Thanks for providing price and where to buy info!
Erica S Katsanis says
I did not used to use setting powder either. I used to use loose powder. But when I purchased a setting powder and saw what it did, I fell in love. No problem with price and location. What’s the point of talking about a product if you don’t know where to get it.
Thanks!
Erica