Setting powder. It’s the final step that can make or break your makeup look. A good powder is absolutely worth it’s weight in gold. And as a part time oily skinned gal, I’ve tried my fair share of them over the years. So, today, I wanted to chat about some of my favourite tried and true pressed and loose powders in every price point. And maybe a few that just aren’t worth it. Let’s get into it!
SAVE (Budget up to $25.00)
Let’s be real, as soon as you saw the title, you knew which pressed powder I would have in the Save category. AUSTRALIS FRESH & FLAWLESS PRESSED POWDER – $16.95 is an Aussie Beauty Lovers staple. It’s had a permanent spot in my makeup routine since I was 17 years old. It absorbs oil like a dream and adds a solid amount of coverage to my base. It’s also stunner worn on it’s own as a powder foundation.
For my loose powder pick, I have another long time staple, the MAYBELLINE FIT ME LOOSE FINISHING POWDER – $22.95. I remember the absolute pandemonium online when this finally came out in Australia. And 8 years later, it’s still worth the hype. Super finally milled, blurs like a dream. And it has just enough coverage to give a little extra to your base. I still want a translucent version one day though…
SPEND (Budget from $25.00 to $50.00)
This was the first powder that sprung into my brain when I decided I was doing this post. The TOWER 28 GETSET BLUR + SET POWDER – $48.00. Mostly because I used this one this morning. But also because it’s easily in my top three for powders at the moment. The way this leaves my under eyes smooth and blurred without looking crepey or dry every single time? I truly cannot put this one down.
For loose, I had to think about this one a little bit. And then I remembered the MECCA MAX LIFE PROOF LOOSE SETTING POWDER – $28.00. This has one of the more unique formulas that I’ve come across. It feels also silky to the touch. But it mattifys and smooths my base so well. Almost like it’s repelling the oil from making it onto my face. This one is quite underrated. But worth the pick up!
SPLURGE (Budget over $50.00)
Before I get too far into this category, I should point out that the best pressed powder ever made is still the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Powder. I just don’t have that one in front of me right now. Having said that, the KOSAS CLOUD SET BAKED SETTING POWDER – $66.00 is damn, damn good. It’s probably the most finely milled powder I’ve come across. It blurs and sets my makeup without making my base look heavy or cakey, no matter how much I use. But where this really shines is under the eyes. It makes such a difference.
For loose powder, sing along if you know the words! The HUDA BEAUTY EASY BAKE LOOSE POWDER – $70.00. In my eyes, it’s worth every single ounce of hype it’s ever gotten. It’s such a flexible formula, blurring into nothing on the skin. It’s weightless and effortless. May the anti-talc gods never come for this one.
SKIP (No Budget)
Ok, full disclosure, this category was hard. I’m generally speaking not that picky when it comes to pressed powder. But there have been a handful that I’ve come across over the years that I’m a bit ‘meh’ on. Firstly, the RIMMEL LONDON STAY MATTE PRESSED POWDER – $15.95. I remember loving this as an oily skinned 20 year old. But as a combo dry 36 year old? Yeah, nah. This just isn’t for me anymore. Never has a powder left my skin looking and feeling so dry and cakey.
Loose was even harder to narrow down. As this is a category that I tend to stick with what I know. And then I remembered how absolutely dirty the ELF HALO GLOW SETTING POWDER – $20.00 did me the handful of times I used it. Now, I don’t mention ELF on here all that much anymore (fuck you ELF, you know what you did). But this powder has such a weird consistency. Almost gritty to the touch. And then you apply it to the skin and holy Stephanie Meyer! Your under eyes look like they are auditioning for Twilight, there is that much mica in this formula. I love a little glow with my powder, but not like this. And then you use it on the rest of your face and it picks up every line, pore, and imperfection on it. Suffice it to say, I’m not a fan.
And that is a wrap on some Emmie’s Beauty Life approved powders! Let me know in the comments what your go to powders are!
Cheers and love
Emily xo