One minute you are a flawless goddess, and 3 hours later you catch a glimpse of your reflection and your forehead is as shiny as the mirror you’re looking in. It’s actually quite common for even combination skin to get hit by the grease train (yes dry skinners, we know you wish you had this problem!).
It may seem like a little dab dab will do the job, but what you really need is a translucent powder to soak up the excess oil and keep you looking gorgeous.
But, if you are an oily skin victim, you probably know the voyage of trying to find a powder that does the job but doesn’t have you looking or feeling cakey. The keyword is translucent. These are vastly different types of setting powders that will lock in your finished look, extend the life of your makeup and even mattify your face.
These powders come in both pressed and loose formulas, so there are quite a few options depending on your preference. You can pack a travel size with you and touch up throughout the day without having to reapply the beautiful pigments of the morning. You’re basically just tossing them a life preserver. Remember blotting papers of the past? This is the next level up.
For our oily skinned friends, these are some of the best translucent powders around.
Top 5 Translucent Powders:
The reality is, you can never go wrong with NARS. From eye products to lip products, this is a luxury brand and you feel every bit of it. This Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder captures the luminous look of light and works for all skin tones – but greasers will especially appreciate it.
This powder also reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes pores. It’s weightless and contains glycerin and vitamin E to guard against dryness and keep your skin comfortable all day. Algae extract and Polynesian seawater is what work together to optimize the light reflection on your skin. For years it’s been earning five stars and fans don’t seem to mind shelling out the $37 it costs.
Sometimes when we think of mattifying, we associate it with dullness. Not so with this peachy dream. Reviewers claim it actually brightens their skin for up to 14 hours with this lightweight setting powder. It’s transfer-resistant and feels silky smooth on your face. Two shades of peach are universally flattering and will keep your oily skin in check. Fans of this product also love the peachy smell of this powder.
One reviewer even claimed to buy eight to stock up, “just in case” it ever goes out of production – if that’s not a testament, I don’t know what is! You can pick up this highly recommended powder at Sephora for $20.50.
Rest assured you don’t have to spend a fortune for a good matte setting face powder. This is a budget-friendly option from L’Oreal that, yes, actually works. Nix your shine without breaking the bank. This is another lightweight option that provides a soft focus and sets beautifully.
You can use it to set all over, bake under your eyes, perfect your contours or even mattify your lips – yes, it’s that versatile! It’s pro-inspired (hence the name) and swirls onto your brush in a jiff. Tap excess powder before applying. Swing by Wal-Mart and grab it for just $7.56.
If cost is no issue (lucky you!), this is the best splurge around. This formula is a two-for, as it controls shine while color correcting your skin tone. The five pigments each help improve your complexion and diminish any imperfections you’re worried about.
Reviewers are raving about the “facelift” effect they feel after applying it. “It makes everything better,” said one fan of the product. But, this may be a blow to the system – it’s $58 at Sephora.
As a loose powder, we recommend being very judicious with your tapping off the excess and making sure that the lid is on super tight after you are done using it. We all know the makeup bag disasters of loose products and this is one you won’t want to waste.
I’m a little partial because I love all of Kat Von D’s products, but this one takes the gold when it comes to setting powder. I have tried everything, and I mean everything, since working as a makeup artist and being a beauty product enthusiast.
Nothing works better than this. It is an invisible shield and an undetectable final layer after you finish your makeup. It protects from photo flash and dries up every last bit of shine, regardless of whether it’s humid or rainy. This is one I don’t leave home without applying. People often tell me how great my skin is, but sometimes half the battle is just finding a product that works really well. I scored this as sample size and couldn’t log onto the Sephora website fast enough to order the bigger version.
KVD products are vegan, too, which is a score! This one comes in at $31, but from unbiased experience, it is absolutely the best setting powder you will find.
Conclusion
If you’re sick of the slickness and want to preserve your gorgeous makeup look – one of these will get you going in the right direction. You’ll find the one that works for you and likely stay with it as long as you can!
