Although dewy, glowing skin has been dominating makeup trends recently, we shall not forget about the makeup-saving powers yielded by pressed powders. According to celebrity makeup artist Maria Vargas, pressed powders work to set foundation in place and control excess shine. Unlike powders of the past, a lot of modern formulas aren't heavy or cakey, and they won't completely eradicate your glow. Instead, pressed powders will help to extend the longevity of your makeup and ensure your glow doesn't enter into greasy territory.
If you’re more into matte skin, are prone to excess oil, or maybe just want to extend the life of your liquid foundation, having a pressed powder in your makeup bag is a must. But which ones are best? We researched and tested dozens of options and enlisted the help of editors and experts to share their recommendations. We evaluated each powder on its formula, finish, shade range, longevity, and look and feel on the skin, and ahead, we're sharing which ones impressed us the most.
Read Full Review: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Review
Medium coverage
Fine powder that doesn’t crease
Helps control shine
Creates airbrushed finish
Shade range could be better
Designed to set makeup in place, keep shine to a minimum, and blur the skin, this iconic pressed powder from Charlotte Tilbury is truly as good as people say it is. It’s matte but not thick, heavy, or chalky, so it will help you achieve a smooth and glamorous makeup look without looking cakey. In fact, it's so smooth that it creates an airbrushed effect on the skin. There are only four shades, but because it’s a setting powder (as opposed to a powder foundation), they are pretty versatile on a wide range of skin tones. When testing this one out, we enjoyed that the soft and effective formula works nicely on all skin types by controlling shine without looking too dry, thus making it our best overall pick.
Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Read Full Review: Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder Review
Affordable
Great shine control
Extensive shade range
Could be slightly drying on dry skin
With an incredibly soft and silky texture that works to absorb oil and suppress shine, this pressed powder from Maybelline is an affordable, effective, and welcome addition to any makeup kit. It comes in a big shade range (especially for the drugstore), and the formula isn't too stiff or chalky. The finish is quite matte, making it an excellent choice for people with oily skin, but it's also nice for dry skin if you apply just a light layer to your T-zone using a fluffy powder brush.
Shades: 24 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Extensive shade offering
Matte finish
Offers coverage
Can be used in multiple ways
Could dry out some skin types
When it comes to shade inclusivity, it’s hard to beat Fenty Beauty. With 50 different colors across all skin undertones, this light-as-air powder has a soft matte finish for a glamorous, poreless look. Though it's designed as a full-on powder foundation to offer medium coverage, it's also a nice product to use to set liquid makeup in place or add even more coverage on top of foundation, making it quite versatile. An added bonus is that it comes with a sponge applicator in the packaging, making it convenient and travel-friendly.
Shades: 50 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Semi-luminous finish
Hydrating
Extensive shade range
Could be better at combating excess oil
Those with dry skin often fear that applying powder will exacerbate dryness, but that's not always the case. Take this beloved powder from MAC, for example. It's lightweight, formulated with hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, and has a very fine luminosity to it. The texture is incredibly smooth and it works to set makeup in place without highlighting dry patches or creating a cakey appearance. Although it's not ideal for controlling excess oil for long periods of time, it does a nice job of setting makeup in place and creating an even finish that looks skin-like. We also love that it comes in 14 shades and offers a bit of sheer coverage.
Shades: 14 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Works on all skin tones
Affordable
Comes in color-correcting shades
Can be a bit drying
This ultra-fine pressed powder comes in three shades (translucent, banana, and mint green) to set and correct your makeup. While the translucent does a stellar job at suppressing shine, the banana will help to camouflage dark circles, and the mint green will combat redness. As for its oil-controlling capabilities, we're seriously impressed. It works to keep shine at bay for several hours before needing to touch up. Because the texture is so weightless, it doesn't look cakey or heavy on the skin, though it can be a bit drying if you over-apply. However, if you're prone to a greasy T-zone or you live in a humid climate, this drugstore buy could be the key to keeping your makeup looking its best.
Shades: 3 universal shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Talc-free
Natural finish
Lightweight
Could provide better shine control
An editor go-to and a favorite of Vargas, this powder has a super light texture and a natural-looking finish, making it the powder for those who hate powder. "It’s weightless and gets rid of shine but not the glow," says Vargas. "You can reapply it throughout the day and it won’t cake on you." Instead of mattifying, it just softens and blurs the skin, reducing shine but keeping radiance intact. It also has a super clean formulation, and the fact it doesn’t contain any sulfates, parabens, talc, fragrance, or silicones makes it a smart choice for those with sensitive skin.
Shades: 10 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Lightweight
Vegan formula
Talc-free
Subtle radiant finish
Packaging could be more sturdy
Formulated with skin-nourishing niacinamide, green tea extract, and sodium hyaluronate, this powder promotes a healthy complexion while cutting shine and locking makeup into place all day. It seriously impressed us when we put it to the test in our lab. We loved that it blurred the appearance of fine lines and pores but still kept the skin hydrated and plump. And even after applying a few layers, it remained lightweight and skin-like while creating a subtle glow. We also appreciate that it's talc-free which is great for those with sensitive skin since talc can be an irritant.
Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: No
Radiant finish
Sheer coverage
Buildable
Extensive shade range
Reviewers note it can oxidize
With a luminous finish but long-wearing capabilities, Sephora’s Microsmooth powder is proof that you really can have it all. The baked formula has a very subtle shimmer that illuminates the skin, but it still does a great job of absorbing excess oil. It's very lightweight and doesn't create a powdery or cakey finish. It also comes in 15 shades that range from fair to dark, though it's worth noting that some online reviewers say it oxidizes (darkens a bit) a few minutes after application. If you're looking for a powder to set makeup and control excess oil without sacrificing your glow, this one is a fantastic choice.
Shades: 15 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Smooth, fine texture
Lightweight
Helps to prevent concealer from creasing
Shade range could be more extensive
Finding the perfect pressed powder to set your makeup can be tricky, but finding one that won't crease under your eyes or settle into fine lines is even more challenging. We're happy to say that this pick from Pat McGrath fits the bill—it was specifically formulated to blur and illuminate your under-eyes (no drying or cakiness here). With a soft, weightless formula, it works to set concealer in place, prevent creasing, and smooth the appearance of the under-eye area.
"I've been using this powder to set my under-eyes for years, and not much compares to how smooth it makes the area look. I'm prone to creasing and this formula helps keep it at a minimum without creating a dry or cakey finish." – Alyssa Kaplan, Commerce Writer
Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: No
Lightweight
Buildable coverage
Natural matte finish
Extensive shade range
Transfers a bit
If you're looking for a pressed powder that you can set your makeup with or use completely on its own to even out your complexion, we highly recommend this one. During our test of the best full-coverage foundations, we loved how lightweight and buildable this formula was. A light layer worked to combat shine and offer a bit of coverage, while a second or third layer provided medium-to-full coverage. Though it does transfer a bit, this isn't a dealbreaker for us considering how versatile it is, how nice it looks on the skin, and the fact that it comes in 30 shades.
Shades: 30 | Cruelty-Free: No
Where We Stand
Our best overall pick is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, thanks to a lightweight formula that combats excess shine and creates a truly airbrushed finish. If you have sensitive skin or you're looking for a powder that's undetectable on the skin, we recommend the Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder. Finally, the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation gets a shoutout for its unmatched shade range and soft, matte finish.
What to Look for When Buying Pressed Powder
- Coverage: While some pressed powders are translucent and are only meant to set makeup in place and control shine, others offer these benefits with the addition of coverage. If you're looking for something that doesn't offer much coverage but works to smooth the appearance of your skin and keep your makeup in place, you can't go wrong with the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder. If it’s coverage you’re after, seek out a pressed powder foundation hybrid instead, such as the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation or the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Matte Powder Foundation.
- Finish: Finding a pressed powder with a finish that works for your skin type and makeup preferences is key. If you have oily skin and want to keep shine at a minimum, opt for one that has a matte finish, like the NYX HD Finishing Powder Pressed Setting Powder. If you have dry skin and find that most powders emphasize dryness, try one with a natural or radiant finish, like the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Face Powder or the Sephora Collection Microsmooth Multi-Tasking Baked Face Powder Foundation.
- Ingredients: If you have oily skin, keep an eye out for ingredients like bamboo, talc, or cornstarch, as the absorbent qualities will help to mop up any excess shine. Similarly, drier skin will fare well with the addition of hydrating ingredients, including vitamin E, jojoba, or botanical extracts.
Why Trust Byrdie
Emily Algar is a beauty expert with five years of experience in the industry, specializing in product reviews. She's contributed to Byrdie since 2021.
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has years of experience using and experimenting with pressed powders and is a fan of several on this list. She's been a staff writer at Byrdie since 2022.
Writers also consulted with experts to gain additional insight and recommendations for this story. Those experts include:
- Maria Vargas, a celebrity makeup artist who's worked with clients like Jessica Alba, Jhené Aiko, and more.
- Kasey Spickards, a New York City-based makeup artist.