Sennen Prickett
Whether you're looking for a travel-friendly formula to blot away any shininess throughout the day, or simply prefer a lightweight, matte finish to your complexion, the best powder foundations will have you covered.
Offering all-day mattified coverage and a portable compact that makes top-ups easy, there a handful of benefits that give powder foundations the edge over the best cream foundations. Particularly great for those with oily skin, powder helps absorb excess oil, blur imperfections and set makeup for the ultimate staying powder.
While you may initially associate powder foundations with a chalky or cakey finish, we've tried, tested and discovered a number of quality formulas that are the secret to unlocking lightweight matte coverage - that suit a variety of skin types and budgets. Not to mention, we've also shared expert's top tips on how to apply foundation powders so that you achieve the best results possible.
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The best powder foundations, reviewed by our beauty experts
RRP: £36.50 | Shades: 20 | Coverage: Light and buildable
“I’ve been using this foundation for ten years now, and although I’ve tried more foundations than I can count since, this will always be my number one,” says tester Dionne Brighton. "I have chronically oily skin and this is the only formula I trust to not leave me a shiny mess by the end of the night,” she continues. Its hypoallergenic formula is ideal for sensitive skin types, though we would stress that it worked for all our testers' complexions. All of our testers found this loose formula works as a very sheer veil that can be dialled up to full coverage, without going cakey or settling into fine lines. It disguised discolouration and blurred the look of pores and blemishes very easily.
Buy if: You want an easy-to-use, fuss-free option
Avoid if: You want very high coverage
Reviewed by: Dionne Brighton
RRP: £34 | Shades: 50 | Coverage: Buildable, high coverage
Powder foundations aren't always buildable and can cake – but that's not the case here, as this velvety soft formula builds easily thanks to its light-as-air consistency. That extends to the wearing experience, as we barely noticed that we were wearing any powder during the testing process. We would, however, stress that the finish is undoubtedly matte, so steer clear if you prefer a glowy or more radiant-looking base. As is the case with the original and great Pro Filt'r Foundation, the shade range here is very extensive with 50 options that cater to all skin tones and undertones. As ever with Fenty makeup, we are seriously impressed by this powder foundation.
Buy if: You want an exact shade match (there are 50 choices here)
Avoid if: You like a bit of a natural glow
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £50 | Shades: 16 | Coverage: Buildable, full coverage
"When Dior promised a non-transfer foundation, they delivered," says Dionne. "This is the only powder foundation I can trust not to transfer onto the white shirt of the friend I'm hugging and to stay in place for hours. After wearing bareMinerals for the past 10 years, this is the only other powder foundation I use and love just as much." The compact also houses a dual-sided applicator; the velvet side applies the foundation to the skin, while the smooth side blends as the formula melts into the skin, yielding a natural and flawless finish. Mostly made from natural-origin ingredients, the fine formula is super soft on the skin, which makes for comfortable and breathable wear.
Buy if: You want something that looks like your skin but better
Avoid if: You don't like a sponge applicator
Reviewed by: Dionne Brighton
RRP: £13.99 | Shades: 6 | Coverage: Medium to full
The liquid version of this formula went viral on social media when it first launched – and the powder foundation is just as great. It promises 24 hours of wear and while we couldn't attest to quite that long (we have to remove our makeup before bed), this is a good one if you're looking for a more affordable option. It's super lightweight, with buildable medium coverage and a soft matte finish. It also comes with a sponge applicator, which is great for touch-ups on the go. This is a plus as, although it says it's resistant to water, heat and sweat, we did have to top it up a couple of times during the day.
Buy if: You want to try powder foundation at an affordable price point
Avoid if: You’re looking for an exact shade match as there are only six shades
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £42 | Shades: 18 | Coverage: Full
The main selling point of this quality foundation is that it isn't made up of dry ingredients pressed into the compact; instead, a liquid mix is baked for 12 hours until it sets. Intriguing. The result is a formula that covers and evens skin tone without feeling heavy or drying out our complexions, offering a natural matte finish. It blends particularly nicely for a powder, which we put down to its liquid origin. We couldn't feel it on our skin at all, so in our book it's tip-top – and there's a good shade range on offer here, too. An easy inclusion in our edit of the best powder foundations.
Buy if: You have dry skin
Avoid if: You want lightweight coverage
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £11 | Shades: 28 | Coverage: Full
Another great affordable buy, this powder foundation is part of e.l.f.'s fan favourite Camo range. With a 28-strong shade range that's also pretty inclusive, the powder formula itself provides great coverage that can be built nicely without going cakey – and all housed in a handy mirrored compact, too. According to the brand, the formula itself is "primer infused" to help boost its longevity. It's definitely on the heavier-duty side, as powder foundations go, but if you want brilliant coverage that lasts, you could do a lot worse than put your trust in this reasonably-priced brand.
Buy if: You want a lasting shine-free finish
Avoid if: You prefer lightweight coverage
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £43 | Shades: 40 | Coverage: Buildable, medium to full
If you've ever read an Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation review, you'll know this is one of the most iconic foundations on the market. But did you know there's a powder version, too? Housed in a chic black-and-gold compact, this powder feels luxurious from the moment you pick it up – something we found extends to the formula inside, too. It's very finely milled and has a silky soft feel, blending with ease. In fact, it's so fine that it doubles as a setting powder and takes the edge off any shiny areas perfectly. Both humidity and sweat-resistant, this promises to control oil for up to 12 hours, and much like the original foundation, we can attest to the fact that it does have great staying power.
Buy if: You need a powder with extra staying powder
Avoid if: You don't want a hefty price tag
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £32 | Shades: 10 | Coverage: Light but buildable
Hailing from TikTok darling Kosas, the Cloud Set Baking and Setting Powder scored very highly with us. Though we'll admit it's not technically a foundation, it does provide some lightweight and blurring coverage that means it could be used as a natural-looking matte base. And it's impressively lightweight in every sense of the word; it also feels beautiful on the skin with a silky and barely there texture. If we were really pushed to critique it in some way, we'd say that it's definitely on the more expensive side as powders go. But even if you regularly used it as a base we're confident it'd last a decent amount of time – and we can vouch for its setting prowess, too.
Buy if: You want something ultra lightweight
Avoid if: You want very full coverage
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
RRP: £38 | Shades: 4 | Coverage: Lightweight finishing powder
This Laura Mercier pressed powder yields a luminous, almost flawless finish thanks to its skincare-infused formula, adding radiance and hydration to the skin with chamomile and rose oil extracts. If you don't usually enjoy a powdery feel, we think you will love this as it feels comfortable to wear throughout the day. The best part has to be its "auto-balancing" tech, which helps to control shine for hours. If you want a powder foundation to cover blemishes or pigmentation, you will want to use one of the best powder foundations above. But if you’re going for a "no-makeup" makeup look, this will give your skin a healthy radiance either when worn alone or over your foundation.
Buy if: You need a new setting powder or want very lightweight coverage
Avoid if: You want a full coverage foundation
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
How we tested the best powder foundations
A selection of the powder foundations one of our testers trialled for this feature
In order to ensure that our guide to the best powder foundations truly does feature the best of the best, our testers put dozens of formulas through their paces to see how well they covered and lasted. While testing the various powders, they took note of the following factors:
- Number of shades available - is the shade range diverse?
- Packaging - is it easily accessible and travel-friendly?
- Format - is it pressed or loose?
- Ease of application and buildability - does it apply nicely and can it be built up to achieve the desired coverage?
- Finish - what is the finish of the product like on the skin?
- How it wears throughout the day – did it go shiny, patchy, or transfer?
- Cost - does it fall into the budget category or does it require an investment?
Our expert panel
Dionne is a freelance fashion and beauty journalist and woman&home contributor who has also written for titles including Marie Claire and Glamour. As someone with oily skin, she knows what makes a good powder foundation.
Lucy is a freelance beauty journalist and a contributing beauty editor at woman&home. With close to a decade of experience in the industry she has tested hundreds of products over the years, reviewing everything from hair tools to makeup. Also having oily skin, she often relies on powder to take the shine off her complexion.
Your best powder foundation FAQs, answered
What are the benefits of powder foundation?
- Ease of use: If you don't usually wear foundation, many makeup artists recommend starting out with powder; it's often easier to apply and won't leave any telltale streaks or visible lines. Most also include a sponge or puff, which makes things exponentially handier for travel or on the go. Many of the best foundation brushes can also be seamlessly used with a powder formula.
- Mattifying properties: Powder foundations are great for oily or combination skin types due to their ultra-lightweight base. The powder absorbs extra oil and can easily be used to touch up and remedy any excess shine or grease spots throughout the day. "Foundation powder gives you a more matte finish and is really easy to use with a sponge," notes celebrity makeup artist Lisa Armstrong.
What skin type should use powder foundation?
Any skin type can use powder foundation, but it tends to suit those with oilier complexions because of its blotting properties and its ability to both mattify and prevent shine from developing throughout the day.
If you do have dry skin but prefer the look and feel of a powder finish, the key is to make sure you're moisturising well before applying powder. Doing so will soften your complexion from the get-go and prevent the powder from clinging to any areas of dry skin and looking noticeably patchy. Our guide to the best foundations for dry skin has all the tips you need to master your base.
How to apply the best powder foundations
"Use a [loosely packed] sheer powder brush and sweep powder foundation onto the skin for a lightweight finish," advises Bobbi Brown Pro Artist Hollie Ellis. "On areas where you want a little extra coverage, a full coverage face brush also provides a cushion effect; simply press and stipple into the skin. Tailor this to those areas where you want coverage to avoid the skin looking cakey."
- Prep your skin: After cleansing, to ensure you're starting with a clean canvas, you'll also want to apply your usual serums, moisturiser and SPF. You may also want to apply a primer that suits your skin type, as this can improve your makeup's longevity.
- Use a powder brush... These tools help to deliver non-cakey, sheer coverage and finish. Swirl your brush into your loose or pressed powder and gently tap off the excess. Apply it lightly in a circular motion across your forehead, cheeks, and the rest of your face if you feel it's needed. Or, if you want fuller coverage, focus on your T-zone first, working outward.
- ...Or a makeup sponge: Sponges, by design, pick up more product for denser application and yield more coverage. Use one to first collect powder, then dab off any excess to prevent streaking, splotching and general cakiness. Start by applying it to the most shine-prone areas of your face and blend out, dabbing it gently across the skin and into any contours, such as around the nose.