Powder foundation is making a comeback! Or maybe in your world, it never left. Regardless, powder foundation is great for giving the best skin-like finish. Its easy application is sometimes preferred over liquid foundation. Plus, it’s great for those with oily skin, like me. Keep reading to see my recommendations for the 10 best powder foundation you need to try!
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Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Powder Foundation
It feels wrong to start with any product other than a Rihanna product. She can truly do no wrong! RiRi proves this through her beauty line, Fenty Beauty. Her inclusive beauty line features their Pro Filt’r Powder Foundation. It’s easy to see why it is a beauty community favorite.
This soft-matte pressed powder foundation comes in a long-lasting, vegan formula. Its silky-smooth formula perfectly blurs your skin. This allows for a natural finish without looking cakey.
The Pro Filt’r Powder Foundation is a buildable product. This means you can use it whether you’re looking for light or full coverage. Plus, the shade range is unbeatable. It features 50 shades across various undertones and skin colors! This makes it one of the best powder foundations (and honestly the reason I have it listed first).
Shop Sephora ($38) | Shop Ulta ($38)
Bare Minerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation
Bare Minerals has well-established skin in the game when it comes to powder foundation. Their Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation is a cult favorite and it’s clear to see why.
This powder foundation has SPF 15. This is not enough IMO, so make sure you’re layering with at least SPF 30 underneath. It has only 5 ingredients which are all vegan and 100% cruelty-free. Its lightweight formula helps reduce the appearance of skin imperfections. It does so without clogging pores or enhancing fine lines.
This Bare Minerals foundation is a loose powder that comes in 30 shades. In terms of coverage, it’s buildable. It can provide sheer-to-full coverage while providing a natural, glowy finish. If you’re looking for the matte version of this powder foundation, you can find that here.
Shop Sephora ($35) | Ulta ($33)
Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation is one of the best long-lasting powder foundations. Its 12-hour wear is great for all skin types but is especially great for those with oily skin.
Loved by many, this powder foundation is the sister to Mac’s iconic Studio Fix Fluid Foundation. It reduces the appearance of pores and helps control oil for up to 8 hours. It’s also sweat and humidity resistant and photo-friendly. What more could you ask for?
It’s also made without harmful ingredients including parabens. The Fix Powder Plus Foundation also comes in 48 shades. It’s buildable without being cakey and covers any imperfections, such as acne scars.
Pür 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation
This is one of Pür’s best-selling products and it’s clear to see why. This Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation is a 4-in-1 product. Trust me, this does not function the same way a 3-in-1 shower gel your boyfriend or brother uses (shady, not sorry). This product holds 4 benefits in one product: foundation, concealer, powder, and SPF.
This is a lightweight product that won’t settle into fine lines. It also reduces the appearance of skin imperfections such as redness or dark circles. It contains clean ingredients, is vegan, and is cruelty-free. The ingredients in the product, such as shea butter and vitamin E, condition and moisturize your skin.
Pür’s Powder Foundation comes in 24 shades with its lightweight formula. Its easy and fast application is a must-have for on-the-go beauty lovers.
NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop All Day Mattifying Powder
If you’re ballin’ on a budget, this is one of the best powder foundations. NYX is an iconic drugstore brand. They offer high-quality beauty products at an affordable price. Their pressed powder foundation is no exception!
Made with rice oil that absorbs oils, The Can’t Stop Won’t Stop All Day Powder Foundation has a matte finish. If you struggle with oily skin, then this is a great affordable product for you. Despite its matte finish, this product is non-drying and non-cakey.
The coverage of this foundation is generally sheer but is buildable. It is a vegan and cruelty-free product and also comes in 10 shades.
Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder
Clinique Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder is perfect for keeping shine under control. This powder is perfect for hot weather as it doesn’t streak or fade throughout humidity.
This lightweight formula feels weightless on your skin. It has a natural finish and moderate coverage for any acne scars or blemishes. The application is smooth and applies quickly. It settles onto the skin effortlessly without enhancing fine lines.
Many people use this as a foundation but some also use it as a setting powder. It’s also a great product to bring on the go for touch-ups throughout the day. This product comes in 13 shades.
Shop Sephora ($31) | Shop Ulta ($31)
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
Another drugstore fav! The Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder is one of the best powder drugstore foundations. It is marketed as a finishing/setting powder, however, it can be used as a powder foundation if you’re looking for lighter coverage.
This product lasts for up to 12 hours and is sheer enough for those looking for a lightweight, more natural finish. This is a great powder for oily skin as it will also give you a shine-free finish.
The foundation comes only in 8 shades, which is quite disappointing. Hopefully, they will expand their shade range soon.
Urban Decay Stay Naked The Fix Powder Foundation
Urban Decay is one of the best makeup brands out there and for good reason. Not only do they have some of the most stunning packaging, but their products can’t be beaten.
Their Stay Naked The Fix Powder Foundation is a weightless, long-wear powder foundation that provides medium coverage and has the ability to be built. It has a natural matte finish without looking cakey and also lasts up to 16 hours.
They also have 14 shades, which could be expanded upon in my opinion.
Shop Sephora ($40) | Shop Ulta ($40)
L’Oréal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation
The L’Oréal Infallible line is one of the best drugstore lines out there. Their Fresh Wear “foundation in a power” lasts up to 24 hours with full matte coverage.
The formula of this foundation is lightweight and breathable. It’s waterproof, heatproof, and sweatproof which is perfect for the summertime. It’s also great for all skin types, including acne-prone.
People are obsessed with how long this foundation lasts so if that’s something you’re looking for, then here you go. This foundation also comes in 20 shades.
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation
Last but not least, we have the Make Up For Ever Blurring Powder Foundation. I’ve always been a big fan of Make Up For Ever and am in love with all of their foundation products.
This long-wearing wears up to 12 hours. It’s the best powder foundation for avoiding any powdery/dry look, despite its matte finish. It blurs your skin for a flawless finish and is lightweight, while not looking powdery or cakey.
This foundation also comes in 30 shades, but a lot of them look quite light so it would be great if they could expand into darker tones as well.
Powder Foundation FAQ
Now we’re going to touch on some commonly asked questions about powder foundation.
Is powder foundation better than liquid?
This really comes down to personal preference. There are pros and cons to both.
For powder foundation, it’s quick and easy to use. It tends to feel lighter than skin and generally works better for oily skin.
I personally prefer powder foundation slightly more than liquid foundation simply because of my combo/oily skin.
Is loose or pressed powder better?
This also comes down to personal preference. Loose powder is generally good for oily skin because loose powder tends to contain fewer oils. Pressed powder tends to be better for dry skin because of contains more oils, typically.
However, I’m sure some people disagree with this so I’d advise you to form your own opinion on which works best for your individual skin tone!
Do you need primer with powder foundation?
Using primer under your makeup is all about extending its wear. Whether you use a primer under your makeup is up to you, however, I do recommend it if you want your makeup to last all day.
Here are some suggestions for great primers to use under powder foundation.
Benefit POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer ($32)
Maybelline FaceStudio Master Primer ($10.99)
bareMinerals Prime Time ($26)
NYX Studio Perfect Face Primer ($14)
Do you put on concealer before or after powder foundation?
When using powder foundation, you should apply concealer before the powder. The opposite is true if you’re using liquid foundation.
But hey, at the end of the day, do whatever works best for you and your skin.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! 10 of the best powder foundation. If you’re new to using powder foundation, don’t feel intimidated. It’s incredibly easy to use and once you find the right one, you won’t go back.
Don’t forget to check out my other beauty articles here!
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