Best Face Powders And Compacts For Women

1. Best Multipurpose:Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder

Loose face powders have a charm of their own. The Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder is a microspun formula. The powder adds softness to the skin by blurring out lines, wrinkles, and blemishes for a smooth finish. This lightweight powder can be used to bake, contour, highlight, and as a base, or even as a finisher to set makeup. If you love a silky, weightless feeling, this loose face powder is the one for you. Check out this video to learn more. Best For: All skin types Pros

Multipurpose Lightweight Microspun Available in different shades Pleasant smell No flashback Not thick or cakey

Cons

Contains some toxic ingredients

2. Best Translucent Powder:Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder

This lightweight, translucent loose setting powder from Aesthetica absorbs oil, conceals pores and fine lines for a flawless makeup finish lasting for hours. It is flash-friendly and doesn’t show up in photos, making you look sharp and gorgeous throughout. It comes with a velour powder puff for seamless application, giving you even more reasons to love this loose face powder. The formula is free from parabens, gluten, and starch. Best For: All skin types Pros

Cruelty-free Vegan Paraben-free Starch-free Includes powder puff

Cons

May become creasy and cakey Might feel rough Contains talc

3. Best Easily Blendable:L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Compact Makeup

If you’re a fidgety person, a pressed powder could be your best friend on the go. L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Compact Powder is the best drugstore pressed face powder to find. Its Precise Match Technology helps you control from light to medium coverage, matching your ideal skin tone. The micro fine powder provides buildable coverage, and the pearl pigments enhance your skin tone for a flawless appearance. Watch this video for more information about the product. Best For: All skin types Pros

Easily blendable Buildable coverage Available in a wide range of shades Lightweight Creamy texture Non-comedogenic Fragrance-free

Cons

Contains talc

4. Best Long-Lasting Shine Control:Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder gives you long-lasting gloss control, letting you be worry-free and in no hurry of a reapplication. Packed with minerals, the weightless powder provides high coverage that stays true to color and minimizes pore appearance for a smooth texture. It controls your natural shine and settles into a natural matte finish without drying the skin for up to 5-9 hours. This video helps you know more about the product. Best For: All skin types Pros

Lightweight Long-lasting shine control Matte finish Non-drying True color payoff

Cons

No applicator

5. Best Talc-Free:Covergirl Clean Fresh Pressed Powder

Covergirl Clean Fresh Pressed Powder is formulated with aloe vera powder and tapioca that absorbs oil, reduces shine, and even tones skin for a natural-looking glow and smooth texture. The lightweight powder offers buildable coverage. It comes in 9 versatile shades and with a vegan foam puff for an effortless application. Best For: Oily Skin Pros

Cruelty-free Vegan Non-comedogenic Talc-free Available in 9 shades

Cons

Doesn’t provide heavy or full coverage Feels like a tinted moisturizer

6. Best Coverage:L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Sweep & Lock Translucent Setting Powder

L’Oreal Paris face powders have been the torchbearer when it comes to drugstore face powders. The Infallible Pro-Sweep & Lock Translucent Setting Powder is made with microfine particles that seamlessly blur fine lines and pores, giving you a smooth, matte finish. Known to control shine all day long, this lightweight powder offers full coverage for a gorgeous complexion. Best For: All skin types Pros

Full coverage Long-lasting shine control Multipurpose use Non-cakey Matte finish

Cons

May feel extremely powdery

7. Best Lightweight:bareMinerals Mineral Veil

Mineral Veil Finishing Powder from bareMinerals is powered with SPF 25 and blurring minerals that blur pores and fine lines. It has oil-absorbing cornstarch that gives you an airbrushed, soft-focus finish. The weightless formula never feels cakey or causes flashbacks while prolonging makeup longevity. It is available in four sheer finishes to meet your different skin needs. Best For: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal Pros

Talc-free Cruelty-free Paraben-free Available in four sheer finishes

Cons None

8. Best For Oily Skin:Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

If many face powders have failed to control oil on your oily skin, this oil-free pressed powder from Clinique is where your search ends. It controls shine for long hours, minimizes pores, and doesn’t feel cakey, leaving the skin looking matte and flawless. Its ultra-sheer texture gives you natural-looking matte appearance even after several touch-ups. Best For: Oily skin, Combination skin Pros

Oil-free Lightweight Great coverage

Cons

May not be travel-friendly

9. Best Allergy-Tested:Dermablend Professional Loose Setting Powder

Dermablend Professional Loose Setting Powder can be used for setting or baking makeup for all skin tones. The micronized formula holds makeup for up to 16 hours. It is smudge- and transfer-resistant. It absorbs excess oils, provides sheer coverage, and mattifies the skin. It does not give any flashbacks when photographed but makes sure that you catch the limelight. Best For: Oily and Dry skin Pros

Oil-free Dermatologist-tested Sensitive skin-tested Allergy-tested Non-comedogenic Lightweight

Cons

The color might look different or darker than is visible in the pictures.

10. Best Fragrance-Free:Clinique Blended Face Powder

If you swear by products that match every skin type, Clinique Blended Face Powder is your next buy. This lightweight powder absorbs surface oil and eliminates the appearance of pores to give you a smooth and natural look. It delivers a silky-smooth finish that reflects light to add extra radiance. The superfine, loose, airy powder sets and perfects your makeup and blends well for every skin type. Best For: Normal to combination skin types Pros

Lightweight Suits all skin types Color corrects imperfections Fragrance-free

Cons None

11. Best Color-Balancing Formula:Black Opal True Color Soft Velvet Finishing Powder

It is a constant battle to find a product that will balance out skin imperfections while staying true to our natural skin tone. But worry no more, the Soft Velvet Finishing Powder from Black Opal is a color-balancing powder that sets and perfects your makeup. Its Shade ID Technology adjusts to your skin tone to give the perfect finish. The jet-milled powder feels velvety on the skin, absorbs oil, and provides a soft-focus radiance for lightweight coverage. Best For: All skin types Pros

Non-cakey Lightweight Color-balancing formula Shade adjusts to skin tone

Cons

Contains talc

12. Best For Sensitive Skin:Supergoop! Invincible Setting Powder

Layering sunscreen on top of makeup and setting powder might make your skin feel heavy but with Supergoof! Invincible Setting Powder, you’re bound to feel feather light. This makeup setting powder contains 100% mineral sunscreen of SPF 45 and is also sweat-resistant, keeping you fresh and matte all day long. It hydrates skin and diffuses light to create zero flashbacks. Best For: All skin types Pros

Detachable brush SPF 45 Sweat-resistant Suitable for sensitive skin as well

Cons

May not be ergonomic

13. Best Smooth Finish:No7 Lift & Luminate Powder

If you’re looking for a finishing powder that instantly defies your age, you have to get your hands on No7 Lift & Luminate Powder. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores, even tones the skin, and smoothes the skin for a youthful appearance instantly. It diffuses light and makes the skin look flawless and radiant. Best For: Normal, oily, combination, dry, and mature skin Pros

3 age-defying benefits Non-cakey Lightweight Smooth finish

Cons

Doesn’t come with an applicator

14. Best For Dry, Mature Skin:Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Looking for a setting powder that perfects your skin? Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder is a lightweight and finely-milled powder with soft-focus, light-reflecting particles that instantly blur pores, wrinkles, and fine lines, for a flawless, airbrushed finish. It contains diamond powder to create the most refined refraction with no flashbacks. The translucent formula is suitable for all skin tones to get an invisible, natural finish. Best For: All skin types Pros

Cruelty-free Fragrance-free Vegan Paraben-free Great for dry, mature skin Talc-free

Cons None

15. Best Non-Acnegenic:MAC Mineralize Skinfinish

A little highlight adds extra oomph to the look. Infused with MAC multi-mineral complex, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish is a luxurious, slow-baked powder that highlights the face and body. It provides radiance and adds a luminous polish to the skin while accentuating the high points of the face. Grab this one to get the most glamorous finishing look. Best For: Normal to combination skin types Pros

Non-acnegenic Suitable for all skin types Compact packaging Dermatologist-tested Ophthalmologist-tested

Cons None

16. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder

The cult classic of finishing powders, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder blurs imperfections and fine lines to give you the perfect soft-focus finish. It is infused with Sweet Almond Oil and Rose Wax that add smoothness and moisture to the skin. It also reduces shine while the pearlescent pigments diffuse light to brighten the natural complexion. Best For: All skin types, best for oily and combination skin types Pros

Natural-looking finish Easily blendable Smooth on the skin Ideal for oily T-zone

Cons None

17. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder

An award-winning finishing powder, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Microfinishing Powder, is known for its blurring and light-diffusing benefits that make all skin tones look perfect in any light. The silica- and silicon-based formula provides a matte finish while blurring pores and fine lines. It is a non-drying formula suitable for all skin types. Best For: All skin types Pros

Suits all skin tones Non-drying Long-lasting Does not cause skin irritation or breakouts

Cons None

18. NARS Reflecting Light Loose Setting Powder

If you’re always in the limelight, you might need a photo-friendly setting powder. NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder uses Photochroamtic Technology that adjusts to new light sources, giving you no flashback but only perfect, happy skin. The Light Reflexing Complex optimizes light reflection creating a soft-focus effect that fades fine lines, pores, and wrinkles. The evenly-applicable powder regulates shine throughout the day, blends seamlessly, and delivers a weightless finish. Best For: Normal to combination skin types Pros

Paraben-free Non-comedogenic Synthetic fragrance-free Oil-free Dermatologis-tested Can be used to set lip color, layer eyeshadow, soften eye or cheek looks

Cons

May settle into fine lines for some skin types

19. Laura Mercier Loose Fit Translucent Powder

A sheer coverage always wins the game. To get the perfect hint of sheer coverage, hold onto the Loose Fit Translucent Powder from Laura Mercier. This lightweight, finely ground powder delivers a matte finish that lasts up to 12 hours. The soft-focus effect blurs fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes for a youthful appearance. The flash-free formula makes it perfect for everyday wear. Best For: All skin types Pros

Long-lasting Matte finish Flash-free formula Lightweight

Cons None

Benefits Of Applying Face Powder

Face powders reduce sweat production. They absorb the excess oil and regulate shine to keep the skin matte and oil-free.

Face powders enhance the glow and radiance of the skin.

They blur imperfections, fine lines, pores, and wrinkles, making the skin appear flawless.

They help makeup last longer and prevent it from melting away.

They even out the skin tone and make the skin look smoother.

How To Apply Face Powder Correctly

Apply foundation or concealer first. Setting or finishing powders should be applied after foundation and concealer but before lip and eye makeup.

Choose the right face powder for your skin. Pick a face powder that is either translucent or matches your skin tone.

Load the powder onto a makeup brush. Tap the brush to remove excess product.

Dust your face with the powder using light movements all over your face.

Use a densely bristled brush or blender to blend the powder for an airbrushed finish.

How To Choose The Best Face Powder Or Compact – Buying Guide

Get the right shade for your skin. A face powder should match the skin tone. If you can’t seem to find the exact shade, you can choose a translucent powder.

Choose a powder with the right finish. For oily skin beauties, an oil-free face powder that gives a matte finish is an ideal choice. A face powder should add subtle shine or a natural glow to your complexion.

Pick a face powder with the right texture. The right one should be finely milled and have a lightweight texture. It should glide smoothly on the skin and blend easily without accentuating fine lines or looking cakey.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified as an image consultant and in makeup techniques. She has curated the list of best face powders and compacts for women with their pros and cons listed for users to make the right choice following their skin type. She has carefully researched the products to pick the best ones. These products provide extra coverage to your makeup and make you look oh-so-fabulous by avoiding white patches on your face. What is the difference between compact powder and face powder? Face powders are mostly setting or finishing powders that are different from compact powders. Compact powders match the skin tone exactly, whereas setting powders are comparatively pale. Setting powders can also be used for baking, but a compact powder only blurs the imperfections. A compact powder sits directly on the skin, while a setting powder melts into the skin to secure makeup for a longer time. A compact powder is used to touch up your makeup throughout the day, whereas a face powder is used to hold and set the makeup in place. Can I use face powder every day? You can use a face powder every day to get light coverage and to keep oil secretion in control. However, choose a high-quality face powder free from harsh ingredients that can affect your skin. Can face powder cause pimples? Choose a non-acnegenic or a non-comedogenic face powder to avoid clogging of pores and further breakouts. Also, do not apply excess face powder as it can cause pimples. Can face powder cause wrinkles? Yes, face powders that contain talc cause wrinkling of the skin. Also, using face powders regularly and in excess amounts can cause early aging of the skin. Can I apply face powder without foundation? Yes, you can apply face powder without foundation. However, go for a face powder that provides decent coverage and matches your skin tone. Should my face powder be darker than my foundation? No, your powder shade should be exactly the same as your foundation. If it is lighter or darker than the foundation, it will give a streaked appearance. What is the best powder to set makeup? A translucent setting powder is the best to set makeup. While there are plenty of those, you can choose the best setting powder depending on your skin tone, type, and need. What should I use to apply pressed powder? Use a rounded kabuki brush to apply pressed powder evenly and achieve a flawless, airbrushed finish. Do I need both setting and finishing powder? Yes, you can use a setting and a finishing powder together. A setting powder will set and hold your makeup in place while a finishing powder will blur the imperfections for a smoother finish. However, some formulae perform this dual action. Is face powder necessary for makeup? Yes, a face powder will set and hold your makeup and control the oil secretion, keeping your skin oil-free and matte all day long. It will also add a natural glow to your complexion and smooth imperfections for a healthy, youthful appearance. Should you wear face powder over the foundation? Yes. Apply face powder over makeup products like foundation and concealer. It acts as a setting powder for your overall look. Can I use face powder in place of foundation? Yes, you can use makeup powder in place of foundation on your skin. Women with oily skin need less coverage and can use powder foundation on their skin. You can also apply pressed-setting powders to set makeup throughout the day. What’s a good powder to set the foundation? The translucent powder from SUGAR is the best setting powder to get a flawless finish. It keeps your makeup in place and controls shine.

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