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As a makeup artist for more than 15 years, I’ve seen how powder base foundations have improved from the chalky makeup we used to know. The best powder foundations work with your complexion instead of trying to camouflage it with heavy pigments. They come in a range of coverages, from light to full, and have shine-controlling capabilities, with some even providing the added benefit of SPF. Plus, they offer a quicker and cleaner application than their liquid counterparts—making them travel-friendly for when you’re short on time and need to do your makeup in a hurry. We spoke with professional makeup artists and dermatologists to learn how to apply powder foundations, and find out their personal favorites. I’ve tested many of these myself and found picks for every skin type, age, and budget.
MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation
For powder bases, the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation is a favorite for many makeup artists. Found in most professionals’ kit, and beloved by both myself and Miami-based professional makeup artist Natalie Dresher, it comes in a wide range of shades and undertones that make it easy to find your exact skin match. The formula is suitable for all skin types, but especially for those with oily skin. It helps to reduce the appearance of pores and control shine, and its long-wearing formula is both sweat- and humidity-resistant. But it’s the matte finish combined with its velvety texture that really makes this foundation stand out.
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Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Loose Powder
As someone with sensitive skin, I personally love how minimalist the formula of this loose powder foundation feels upon applying. Whenever I’m suffering breakouts or feel my skin needs a time-out from heavy products, I go for this mineral powder from Physicians Formula. It also comes with a handy air-cushion blender sponge for an easy application. A little bit goes a long way: I can’t even remember when I bought mine, and it is still more than half full—it seems like it will last forever, so it’s definitely worth the money.
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Maybelline Super Stay up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation
This powder foundation from Maybelline is a great choice for dry skin. The noncomedogenic formula is designed to prevent caking and patchiness, making it a great option as an everyday base as it won’t leave your skin looking flakey. It’s also sweat- and water-resistant so it’ll hold up against whatever the day throws at you without transferring. This foundation is easy to apply, with one swipe delivering a medium coverage that can be built up to full if you desire.
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The Lawless Skin Smoothing Talc Free Powder
Dresher recommends this product for those with oily skin: “It’s my favorite choice for those with shinier complexions, and one I use on my more natural clients.” She adds, “It also works great for those with fine lines.” The soft matte finish is extremely flattering, and the addition of plant-based squalane helps the skin to retain moisture.
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Patrick Starr OneSize Turn Up the Base foundation
Another favorite of Dresher’s, this foundation is suitable for all skin types and available in 32 shades. The pigments have been triple-milled to make them as fine as possible for a seamless and lightweight base. This powder has also been infused with rice silk powder to leave your skin with a soft-focus finish.
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Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Acclaimed makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s setting powder is so luxurious it can be worn on its own or over foundation. Infused with rose wax and almond oil to give your skin a soft and supple feel, the microfine powder nanoparticles add a blurring effect to leave your base looking smoother. It also contains light-reflecting properties for added radiance and luminosity.
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Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation
Kaolin clay combines with antiaging ingredients in this powder foundation from Cover FX to provide a veil of color that is perfect for those with mature skin. Dresher recommended this product, saying, “I do love the Cover FX powder mineral foundation on my mature-skin clients. It’s light and still adds coverage.” Suitable for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, it can be applied with a powder brush for a natural look or with a damp sponge to achieve a more full-coverage finish.
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L’Oréal Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder
This lightweight powder foundation from L’Oréal is one of our favorite drugstore makeup finds. It offers medium to full coverage that can be applied in minutes. Despite its matte finish, it feels lightweight and breathable on the skin, and the noncomedogenic formula means it won’t clog your pores. I particularly love how well it controls shine throughout the day.
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NYX Professional Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Mattifying Powder
One of my personal favorite drugstore brands, NYX products always manage to provide high quality formulas without breaking the bank. Their Can’t Stop Won’t Stop powder is no different and cleverly uses rice powder to mattify the skin and give it a smooth clean finish. This powder can be used to apply a veil of color or be built up to achieve a more full coverage base that reduces shine and absorbs excess oil from the skin. In addition to its 10 shades it also comes in a Bright Translucent option if you're looking to create a naturally radiant-looking base.
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Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation
If you’re looking to invest in a powder foundation, the finish of this powder compact from no-makeup makeup pioneer Bobbi Brown definitely looks and feels elevated. This powder has a cashmere-soft texture that gives the skin a more polished and put-together appearance that never appears heavy or overdone. It blends into skin beautifully, concealing everything from blemishes to fine lines to pores, leaving your complexion with a natural and fresh finish.
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BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15
The BareMinerals Original Mineral Foundation is on the pricier side on this list, but you really can’t beat the coverage and mineral-based SPF 30. Jennifer Gordon MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas, recommends it for sensitive skin and easy reapplication. The added benefit of mica and bismuth oxychloride help give your complexion a softer appearance and a luminous finish.
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Colorescience Brush-On Sunscreen Mineral Powder
“One of my favorites things to have in every purse is the Colorescience Sunforgettable brush-on shield,” says Dr. Gordon. Those with fair skin need all the extra protection they can get, and this powder provides not only SPF 30 but also a veil of sheer matte coverage. “Colorescience is one of the best powder foundations I have ever used. It gives good coverage, doesn’t dry you out, and has SPF. They have multiple colors and go on nicely, as it comes with a built-in brush,” Dr. Gordon says.
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Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation
This powder foundation from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty was an instantaneous hit when it was first released. Available in 50 colors, it has one of the widest shade selections available for a powder foundation. It can be built up easily from a light to full coverage, making it ideal for both day and night looks, and the soft-matte finish works with every skin type. The thing we love most about this product, though, is how it doesn’t crease or settle into any dry patches or fine lines on the skin, instead remaining smooth-looking for hours.
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From my own experience as a makeup artist and after speaking with other beauty insiders, the verdict was unanimous: The MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Foundation is still the best in the business. Dresher confirms this, saying, “The MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation is a tried-and-true powder foundation. I have a whole palette I made of these, and I love them for the amazing shade range they have!”
Along with the MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation, Dresher recommends the Patrick Starr OneSize Turn Up the Base foundation when looking to create a fuller coverage base. She praises its smooth formula and says it’s always on set with her.
Powder products are renowned for settling into fine wrinkles in the skin, but that doesn’t mean powder foundations are off the table for those with mature skin. In fact, as long as you moisturize your skin beforehand, a powder foundation can actually provide a soft veil of coverage that looks like your own natural skin but better. “Powder is more breathable and lightweight, and there are many that can also give great coverage and SPF as well. If you are very dry, think about a dimethicone based product, which helps sit on top of the skin to avoid the flaky look and can reflect light nicely to reduce the signs of aging,” says Dr. Gordon.
When it comes to choosing between liquid or powder foundation, there is no decisive winner. Both work well for different looks and occasions. Powder foundations can, however, be especially beneficial for those with oily or sensitive skin. “If you have very oily skin, powder may hold up better, especially in hot or sweaty situations,” says Dr. Gordon. “And if you have sensitive skin, powder may be a safer choice, since it often has fewer ingredients,”
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By Deanna Pai and Brigitt Earley
By Lauren Dana , Deanna Pai , and Marissa Oliva
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