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Whether you’re trying to keep oil to a minimum or just want a fool-proof option for that added bit of coverage, choosing the best drugstore powder foundation is a great idea.
Different from your usual setting powder, a powder foundation is designed to be used all over the face in place of your normal foundation.
You can find them in pressed powder and loose powder forms, but the result is the same; a flawless complexion that keeps oily skin matte, without accentuating fine lines or leaving dry skin feeling completely parched.
Why do you need to wear powder?
For most people, they will use drugstore powders on top of a high coverage makeup product to ensure a shine-free finish. Although it’s normally used on top of liquid foundation, it can also be used by itself for natural-looking coverage.
You can get mineral foundation, or a pressed foundation powder that will provide all the coverage that a foundation would, just in a powder format. You can get a range of different shades and products that are suited to different skin types, it’s really down to your skin type which product you use.
Most powders can be applied with a brush or sponge, either to bare skin or on top of other makeup.
The best drugstore setting powders to add to your basket
Choosing a powder foundation that’s going to give you full coverage with a natural look that’s suitable for oily skin types is quite the task. But we’ve sifted our way through some of the best drugstore foundations to help you find your perfect match.
Whether you want something infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin or a foundation with an extensive shade range for acne-prone skin and dark spots, we think we may have found the best powder foundation options out there – many of which you’ll find in a lot of makeup artist kits.
Here is our list of the best drugstore powder foundations.
L’Oréal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder
When it comes to drugstore base products, L’oreal Paris is always going to be up there with the top brands. I love most of their foundations, concealers, and now powders.
You may have seen this particular formula going viral over TikTok for its buildable coverage and ability to keep your makeup in place throughout the day. Now, I know that products that are coined ‘the best’ on social media don’t always live up to the hype but, I do love this product.
In one swipe of the L’Oreal Foundation in a Powder using the sponge applicator, you can quickly cover up any redness or blemishes you have. And, don’t worry if you have a drier skin type, this isn’t the worst at drawing attention to dry patches or texture.
Of course, this is a powder at the end of the day so won’t provide the dewy glow that other foundations will but, if you’re on board with that, you’ll love this foolproof base product. It still gives a flawless finish, and good coverage, and reduces the appearance of pores nicely.
e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation
Another firm drugstore option comes from e.l.f., another brand that you can really never go wrong with. We love a lot of their products and, luckily, this product was no exception.
The Camo Powder Foundation helps to soak up excess oil and even out the skin tone flawlessly. You can blend in the finely milled powder easily with a powder brush and it looks the same as a more high-end product would look. It has the coverage of a liquid foundation, a non-comedogenic formula, and easy enough to use on a daily basis — it’s an excellent option with one of the best results.
E.l.f is known for making some of the best foundations at the drugstore, and this product lives up to the rest of their products. The best part of this product is the natural matte finish, which is perfect for combination skin types. It’s a lightweight formula that doesn’t feel like it’s heavy or cakey on the skin.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder
Using a powder foundation is already a good idea if your skin is naturally on the oilier side, but if you could use a little more help in the oil control department, the Maybelline New York Fit Me Powder is your best bet.
The Maybelline Fit Me range is a great lineup of makeup products if you worry about having large pores. This powder keeps your skin feeling matte and oil-free all day long and doesn’t really feel like you’re wearing too much product on your face.
You can easily use this all over your face if you want that all-over coverage, then build it up a little around the T-zone where you notice your skin getting the oiliest.
NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop All Day Mattifying Powder
If you’re a fan of the Charlotte Tilbury powder, you’re going to want to listen up as it’s one of the best drugstore setting options that perform pretty similarly to its more expensive counterpart.
The NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Powder offers excellent excess oil control, a light to medium coverage that lasts for hours without looking cakey, and a good shade range, you can’t really go wrong with this drugstore gem.
I would say the NYX Professional Makeup stay matte powder is really suitable for all skin types, as it doesn’t dry out the skin too much — even on skin that can tend to veer into the dry area when the weather starts to cool down.
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Translucent Finishing Powder
When you think of No7, most people will normally see it as a brand that caters more to hydrating mature skin – which is a good thing when you’re looking for powder shades that won’t show off fine lines or texture.
I love the Lift and Luminate Powder because it’s able to blur out imperfections and provide a flawless base for bronzer, blush, etc. to go on top of.
This sheer powder instantly makes the skin look smooth while looking completely natural on all skin types. The natural range is great for sensitive skin and is long-lasting enough that you won’t have to worry about touching up too often throughout the day.
ColourPop Pretty Fresh Pressed Face Powder
For pressed powder options, I’m partial to the ColourPop Pretty Fresh Powder. The soft formula provides a nice finish with that little bit of glow that I love.
The coverage isn’t too much but works well at blurring the pores of oily skin without looking like you’re obviously wearing makeup.
The packaging is professional yet cute, much like a lot of the ColourPop packaging which I like and the product comes in a good range of shades.
Coty Airspun Face Powder
The Coty Airspun loose face powder is a hidden gem that I’ve heard about through plenty of professional makeup artists.
The lightweight, milled formula is a mineral-based loose powder that gets rid of shine and gives a soft, smooth finish to the skin. The shades aren’t great and don’t cater to all skin tones which is a shame, and the packaging can be a bit messy too.
But, it’s a favorite for a reason! This powder is great, even on dry skin, and is a great dupe for the constantly-viral Laura Mercier Powder.
Wet n Wild Bare Focus Clarifying Finishing Powder
Wet n Wild isn’t a brand that was on my radar for a long time but, ever since trying a few products from them, I can’t get enough.
Not only is the price of the Clarifying Finishing Powder great, but it does an equally good job of banishing shine and excess oil with a hint of long-lasting, natural coverage that is typical amongst other similar setting powder products.
Again the formula doesn’t come with a shade range that caters to a broad mix of skin tones, which I hope they improve on. But, I like the light finish and think it’s great value for money.
FLOWER Beauty Miracle Matte Translucent Finishing Powder
Finally, we have a loose finishing powder that doesn’t actually provide coverage like the others do but the blurring effect gives you the appearance of having a flawless base.
The Flower Beauty Miracle Matte mineral powder is translucent but, in my opinion, still ranks among the best drugstore setting powders for the beautiful finish it provides to the skin.
It helps to hide pores, mattify the skin, and, most importantly, keep your makeup in place all day long — minimal touch-ups needed. This powder’s main purpose is to mattify the skin, so you’re not going to get a luminous finish or glowy look with this product. If you don’t want to look to powdery, just use it in certain area — like your t-zone and under eyes – for a targeted matte finish.
Maybelline Superstay 24H Hybrid Powder Foundation
The final product in our list of best drugstore foundation powders is the Maybelline Superstay 24H Hybrid Powder Foundation. This product has a slightly fuller coverage than your average powder, in the best way possible. It provides an airbrushed finish and flawless coverage if you have blemishes or redness to cover up.
Another option is to pair it with a sheer foundation with sheer coverage to mattify the skin and add in some extra coverage in areas where you need it. This way, you’re not covering your entire face, yet still achieve flawless coverage.
Maybelline is always on point when it comes to good drugstore options, whether it’s their cream foundations or eyeshadows, you can’t really go wrong with their products.
How do you choose the right powder foundation for your skin type?
We’ve listed a lot of powders, some offer a skin-like finish and a more natural-looking finish whereas some are more full coverage and designed to be a good match for people with oily skin.
To choose which of our picks will be the best option for you, it’s important to think about your skin type and the kind of coverage you’d like. If you want a more natural finish from your powder, a light coverage powder will be a great option that evens out the skin tone without looking like a flat powder foundation.
You may also see that different powders have key ingredient lists that they use to market to you based on your skin type — like having vitamin E, vitamin C, or salicylic acid — we wouldn’t pay too much attention to this. The beauty industry has a lot of marketing, but when it comes to ingredients, leave that to the skincare products.
How to use a powder foundation?
If you’ve never used a powder foundation or setting powder in your makeup routine before, the application process is a little different from your usual liquid foundation.
Start by getting a setting powder in your shade, whether it’s a loose powder or pressed powder from the drugstore. Pick from any of the ones we’ve mentioned above from drugstore brands that range from more lightweight, natural options, to ones that pack a bit more of a punch when it comes to coverage.
Depending on the amount of coverage you want, you can either use a brush or a sponge. With a sponge, we like to use it dry to avoid too much product getting soaked up. Start with a small amount at first to give a smooth finish across your face and eliminate shine. It’s important to pat the product in, or apply it in small swiping motions rather than circular motions to avoid distributing the product too much.
The good thing about powder foundations is that they’re very buildable, so you can go back in with more product, or build up coverage in certain areas until you’re happy.
If you would prefer a lighter finish, you can also use a brush. We’d recommend using patting motions to distribute the product in the areas you need it, then sweeping motions to blend everything in seamlessly.
Can you use a powder foundation if you have dry skin?
Normally, people with dry skin will try and stay as far away from a setting powder as possible. You don’t suffer from oily skin and want makeup that will give you a glow, rather than making you look matte and dry.
However powder foundation shouldn’t be something you’re scared of, in fact, you can easily find a lot of makeup products that are formulated to make dry skin look flawless.
If you want to set your makeup or use a powder instead of your usual liquid foundation for light to medium coverage, look for powders that are specifically intended for dry skin as they normally contain lots of skin-loving ingredients.
Also, remember not to go too overboard with the powder, just use enough to provide the coverage you need without looking too powdery or cakey. You can also use a few spritzes of a finishing spray afterwards if needed to add back a little more hydration.
What do you think are the best drugstore setting powders and powder foundations?
