Hello. I’ve been testing and using some recent releases in loose setting powders, as well as some cult favorites to set my makeup and I’m happy to report that a lot of the loose setting powders nowadays really live up to the expectation. You can find different setting powders that are good multitaskers; be it to set the foundation or simply to mattify the skin and reduce shine. I mostly use my loose powders for these reasons, although I admit that in the past, I didn’t really care much about them, but since noticing my liquid foundations sliding easily off my face, I felt like it’s about time I need to start looking into some really good setting powders to help keep my makeup stay put on my face.
Most of the time, I tend to use loose setting powders if I’m not in a hurry to apply my makeup or if I’m applying makeup from home, also, I tend to buy them in smaller packaging just in case I might need them for travel. However, when I’m in a hurry, traveling, or at work, I tend to use pressed powders since they’re not messy to use. There’s nothing worse than baking or setting your makeup while being in a constrained space and in a rush. Chances are, you’d probably knock down some products and spill your beloved loose powder in the process. Yep, story of my life, LOL.
Anyway, here are my current loose setting powder favorites. A separate review of some of my preferred pressed powders will be posted here in the blog soon.
Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre (1 oz: $52) – This is one of the first loose powders I ever purchased and now I’m down to my fifth. I’ve repurchased this in either Naturel (30) or Dorรฉ (40) shades, depending on my current skintone situation. Right now, I’m using Naturel, which is pretty much the perfect natural shade for my complexion – not too light and not too deep. The Dorรฉ shade was perfect when I had a bit of tan, but it seems like I’ll be sticking to the Natural shade from now on probably a long time. What I like about this loose powder is that it comes in a huge tub with a big puff inside, and that means that you won’t run out of this product so easily. Applying this is super convenient if you use the puff, but using a brush can be a challenge, as the powders can be hard to dispense especially since they’re so fine, but it’s not much of a big deal. The finish of this powder is natural, sheer, and it does set the makeup well for hours, and also, there’s no flashback. This also does a good job or reducing oil on the face.
Laura Mercier
Translucent Loose Setting Powder (Mini 0.33 oz: $23, Standard 1 oz: $38) – Oldie but goodie, this cult-favorite loose setting is the one that started it all, and is still loved by many, including yours truly. I love this for its natural finish and soft sheer coverage. This appears ivory white and may sorta leave a very slight white cast on a darker complexion, but it’s super easy to blend. On my skin, this goes quite transparent, and I have not noticed any flashbacks while using this. However, this can emphasize dryness or accentuate the dry patchy areas of the skin, especially around the eyes. So this requires a pretty good technique in strobing, baking, and blending. Also, this may as well require a face mist to sort of soften the dryness of the powder. Apart from that, this does a good job of keeping my makeup on for hours and hours, and it keeps the oiliness at bay,
Translucent Loose Setting Powder Glow (Mini: $23, Standard: $38) – This is kinda like the popular Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder above, but with a radiant finish. I kinda like this one better than the original formula because this is not as mattifying and doesn’t emphasize any kinds of dryness. It does have some fine shimmers which add a subtle glow to the face and I like that because then my face won’t look too flat or too matte, so I don’t have to use a face mist right after my makeup. Also, the micro shimmers of this have a warming shade that complements my light-medium skintone.
Marc Jacobs Finish-Line Perfecting Coconut Setting Powder (0.28 oz: $44) – This is probably my most favorite loose setting powder as of the moment. Though this is supposed to have a natural finish, this actually has a soft-matte effect right after application, and it transforms into something creamy when it blends onto the foundation and gets warmed by the skin. I like that I don’t have to use a face mist right after applying my makeup when using this powder, and this pretty much blurs my pores, making my skin look flawless and filtered. This powder smells like coconut and also has cocoa butter, which makes it a bit heavier than most loose setting powders, but also has the creamiest most beautiful effect on my skin. Another thing I love about this is the easy-to-use packaging. I like that this has a mesh opening because it makes it so easy for the brush to pick up the product, and I don’t have to tap it or shake it several times. This definitely doesn’t cake and has no flashbacks, and the finish is very natural, sheer and creamy.
Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder (Mini 0.19 oz: $15, Standard 0.67 oz: $30) – This setting powder reminds me a lot of Laura Mercier’s, which has a natural finish and with a sheer coverage that doesn’t have flashbacks, but unlike Laura Mercier’s, this doesn’t emphasize dryness and it’s not as chalky. This loose powder truly is great for baking and contouring without having to worry for the dreaded white cast, and it’s great at keeping your makeup on for hours or for simply reducing shine off the skin. Basically, this powder locks-in and sets your look.
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder (Mini 0.07 oz: $18, Standard 0.36 oz: $46) – Also with a natural finish, this very light and very refined loose powder is infused with diamond powder and it works really well at not just controlling the shine off the face, but it also goes invisible and doesn’t emphasize the fine lines or the dry areas. This passed the flashback test for me and truly does keep my makeup stay on longer while giving me that sort of filtered skin look, sans cakiness or chalkiness.
Are you a fan of these powders? What’s your favorite loose setting powder?
