Translucent Setting Powders For All Budgets

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a (single) woman in possession of a good beauty stash, must be in want of (yet another) translucent setting powder. In fact, men too, because gender is not a factor when it comes to setting your makeup to perfection. Take it from us, folks that wear layers of product on our faces daily — your liquid/cream foundation will only last and not slip around if it has something to cling on to. And that, my friend, is a translucent setting powder. Yes, that white powder that your favourite YouTubers always douse their faces in before applying blush and highlight. These powders, loose or pressed, will help mattify any excess shine (without fully eliminating the foundation’s natural glow). Basically, it “dries down” your base makeup, locking it into your skin.
The best setting powders are the kinds that are, as mentioned, one, translucent, two, mattifying (i.e. pore-filling), and three, do not leave white casts. This is especially important for folks who will be exposed to flash photography — you won’t want your face to have an unsightly streak of white in photos.
Ahead, some of our favourite translucent setting powders for all budgets:
Loose Powders

e.l.f. High Definition Powder
$8.34, available on sg.iherb.com
Being on a shoestring budget doesn’t mean you get left out on the setting powder fun. Invest in a classic drugstore favourite and you’re set to well, set your makeup. The translucent version of e.l.f’s loose powder creates a blurring, soft-focus effect that masks fine lines and wrinkles for a radiant look. Lightly dust the powder all over with a fluffy powder brush for a silky finish.

RMS Beauty “Un” Powder
$55, available on naturallybetterco.com.sg
This one came recommended by a colleague, who, sought the expert advice by her one true green beauty idol, Emma Watson. The “Un” Powder is ultra fine, ultra lightweight, and goes on “virtually invisible”. It minimises the appearance of pores, tones down any harsh foundation and concealer streaks and absorbs oil. The product is organic and talc, silicon, perfume and paraben-free.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
$67, available at TANGS
No need for any further introduction; the legendary TLSP from Laura Mercier has won the hearts of many a beauty vlogger, blogger and junkie worldwide. The luxurious product is made with extremely finely-milled French “cashmere” talc that when applied, gives the skin a satin smooth finish. Plus, because of how incredibly fine the powder is, it makes for a beautiful powder to bake your under-eyes with, without leaving a white cast.

Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder
$49, available at Sephora and sephora.sg
We’d like to think of KVD’s offering as more of a “heavy duty” setting powder; the kind that you’d want to use should you have on a thicker, more full-coverage foundation that requires an equally sturdy powder to fully mattify everything in place. This may be too hearty a loose powder for everyday use, but for important events, you can be sure that it’ll keep your game face looking 10/10 all night.
Pressed Powders

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent
$13.90, available at selected Watsons.
Hands down, one of the best translucent pressed powder in the market — mind you, this one has earned its stripes among brand-snobbish beauty gurus simply because it does what it promises. The translucent powder does go on very invisible; in fact, a finger swatch of it hardly reveals any colour. But dust it on with a powder brush and you’ll find it setting your makeup while smoothening any harsh edges. The versatile powder layers on well on different types of foundation, and won’t cake up or pill.

Sephora Collection Smoothening & Brightening Powder
$26, available at Sephora and sephora.sg
If there’s anything we learnt from multiple trips to Sephora, its to not underestimate the store’s in-house label. Apart from having some of the most amazing matte lip creams, this translucent setting powder performs incredibly on the skin as well. Reviewers have commented that the powder goes on lovely, even on darker skin tones, and that it works well for both baking and makeup setting. And the price that you’re paying for it is truly unbeatable too.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Mirco Powder
£33.00, available on charlottetilbury.com and beautylish.com
A #treatyoself gift that you most likely won’t regret might just lie in the hands of Charlotte Tilbury; namely, her Airbrush Flawless Finish powder. The silky, butter-soft powder perfectly adapts to different skin tones, providing a flawless finish after each use. The product is very fine, hence it effectively fills in fine lines and wrinkles to smoothen your complexion out. There won’t be any caking, dusting, or exaggerated lines and pores — but instead, a blurred and brightened canvas that’s ready for the next step of makeup.
Header Image: @lauramercier IG