Setting Powders

Reddit Rankings (by upvotes)

86 discussions analyzed

Reddit Analysis

Editorial Summary: Reddit conversations cluster around a few favorites: Huda Beauty (blur + oil control, can be drying), Laura Mercier (cult classic, variable on texture), Hourglass (luminous, friendly to dry/mature skin), ELF Halo Glow & Innisfree (budget favourites). Opinions split by skin type and technique; minis/samples and pressing lightly are common advice.

Recommendations:

Oily or heavy‑wear glam — choose a mattifying, blurring loose powder (Huda Beauty or Laura Mercier) and focus on t‑zone touch‑ups.
Dry or mature skin — favor finely milled luminous or pressed powders (Hourglass Veil, Charlotte Tilbury, Givenchy or Kosas pressed) to avoid emphasizing flakes and lines.
Undereye setting — use a light‑coverage brightening powder (Laura Mercier Secret Brightening or Hourglass sparingly) and press, don’t buff.
Budget or everyday glow — try ELF Halo Glow or Innisfree No‑Sebum for a skin‑like finish and lower price point.
Prefer pressed/pocketable — Charlotte Tilbury or Kosas pressed powders give smoother, less drying results than heavy loose baking.
Want pore‑blurring without extreme matte — pick hybrid finishing powders (One/Size, Kosas, Hourglass ambient) for soft focus and longevity.
Sensitive or talc‑avoidant — look for talc‑free formulas (new Laura Mercier talc‑free, Kosas) and sample before committing.
Photo/flash concerns — avoid heavy white/pink powders on medium‑deep skin tones; test in daylight and with flash before events.

HOURGLASS setting powder

🟢 53 positive reviews
🟡 30 neutral reviews
🔴 12 negative reviews

HUDA BEAUTY Setting Powder

🟢 62 positive reviews
🟡 17 neutral reviews
🔴 19 negative reviews

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

🟢 57 positive reviews
🟡 32 neutral reviews
🔴 19 negative reviews

Innisfree setting powder

🟢 20 positive reviews
🟡 8 neutral reviews
🔴 44 negative reviews

e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder

🟢 10 positive reviews
🟡 4 neutral reviews
🔴 3 negative reviews

Asked by Redditors

Why does my powder make me look cakey, dusty or ghostly in photos?

Over‑application, using a powder with a mismatch in tone or strong white/pink pigments, and leaving powder to sit without blending or misting can create a dry/corn‑starch or flashback effect.

Do talc vs talc‑free powders perform differently?

Some users find talc formulas feel drier or more mattifying while talc‑free powders can read more skin‑like; choice often comes down to sensitivity preferences and finish rather than a universal performance winner.

How should I choose between loose vs pressed?

Loose powders usually give stronger mattifying/blurring results and are common for baking; pressed powders are travel‑friendly and can be gentler on dry skin—pick based on application style and skin texture.

Application Tips by Redditors:

Press, don’t scrape: use a velour puff or a dense small brush to press powder into concealer/foundation (press‑and‑roll) to avoid settling into fine lines.
Use the lightest amount where needed: powder the t‑zone or under eyes sparingly and dust off excess; add setting spray after to melt the finish into skin.
Sample and layer: try mini sizes and combine formulas (pressed all‑over + a bit of blurring loose on problem areas) rather than applying heavy single layers.