Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder is a true cult classic and a favorite of makeup artists and regular customers alike. It’s a very fine-milled powder that melts seamlessly into the skin. It does just enough to set your foundation base into place without making it dull or lifeless.

Face powders are the finishing touch to any makeup base. They are perfect for setting in place any creamy products, such as foundation or tinted moisturizer or concealer. Not all face powders are created the same. Some are mattifying and more drying because they were made especially for oily skin. This skin type produces more sebum, and oil dissolves makeup. So oily skin needs all the help it can get in terms of makeup longevity; try using a suited primer and a mattifying powder that has more absorbent power. But you can also find more subtle powders that set your foundation base into place without drying it at all. These types of powders are generally fine-milled and very subtle, and they just melt into the skin seamlessly. These products are suited for dry or mature skin because they don’t emphasize dry patches or make the complexion look cakey. You'll want to consider the finish as well. Like foundation and concealer, setting powders offer various finishes, including matte, radiant, natural, and even dewy. If you have particularly oily skin and are looking to control shine, look for a setting powder that delivers a mattifying effect. Other than that, it's mostly a matter of preference.The mattifying finish was natural-looking with a subtle glow. It blended effortlessly with our tester's natural skin tone without any remaining residue or white cast in sight. This setting powder even smoothed out her pores and corrected for redness around her nostrils.

Sheer Coverage: Enjoy weightless coverage with this silky-smooth loose setting powder. Gently brush it on and enjoy sheer coverage that helps set makeup in place.I love using a powder on my mature skin that is on the dry side because it sets the makeup into place and they blur out the skin. My makeup looks more refined and is more long-lasting when using the right powder.

If you have oily skin, you'll want to look for a highly absorbent, talc-free setting powder that keeps shine at bay. Those with combination skin types can use a similar formula, though they may only want to apply the powder to shinier areas. As Zeinali notes, "People are normally the oiliest in their T-zone."

Product overview

The offer of face powders on the market is overwhelming. There are so many brands, different types, with different purposes. So I’ve created a list of my favorite powders for every category, from drugstore to high-end. The Best Translucent Powder Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder Creamy products tend to move around and melt throughout the day, especially if you have oily skin. This also happens in a humid climate or in the summer heat when we sweat more. This is why cream products need to be set in place, so we can avoid them melting off or settling into wrinkles. Effortless Glow: This loose setting powder creates a soft focus effect that catches the light and creates a stunning glow-from-within look.