Oily Skin Doesn’t Stand a Chance Against My Favorite Setting Powders
The matte makeup agenda continues.
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In theory, having oily skin is a wonderful thing in terms of long-term aging, but in my day-to-day life, I have to admit, I’m not a fan. Not only do I have to alter my skincare routine to keep excess sebum at bay, but I have to be really careful when trying new products just in case it causes my sensitive, overreactive skin to flare up. And don’t even get me started on makeup. Everything slips, slides, and practically runs off my face if I don’t reinforce it in some way. That being said, I have had almost 29 years under my belt with the oiliest skin on this side of the Mississippi, so I know a thing or two about keeping it in check. One of my secret weapons? Setting powder.
Whether pressed, loose, or in balm form (more on that later), my favorite setting powders pull double duty on the regular. Not only are they helping to keep my makeup intact and extra oil under control, but they also help to brighten my under-eye area and correct any discoloration on my skin. In short, my makeup routine simply is not complete without the best setting powders for oily skin.
Of course, I’ve taken it on as my duty to find only the best of the best formulas that actually help to keep my oily skin matte, and years of research has led me here. Whether you love a good drugstore gem or prefer the finer things in life, there’s an option here for everyone. Keep reading to refresh your makeup bag just in time for spring.
The Drugstore Ones
The drugstore has stepped it up big time when it comes to setting powders, but there’s a tried and true gem that I’ve sworn by for over 10 years that I must rave about. Plus, a new formula that has the entire beauty team obsessed.
The pressed version of this powder carried me through college, and the loose version is just as good. I’ve found that the latter formula helps with oil control just a little more and doesn’t look chalky when packed on, which makes it perfect for baking the under-eye and nasolabial fold area.
If you’re someone who doesn’t love a “dry” powder, this setting powder from Versed needs to have been in your cart, like, yesterday. Not only does it have both a skin tone and a brightening shade in one container, but it also has ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe leaf juice to boost hydration. This means that no matter how many layers of concealer and foundation you apply, you won’t be left looking ghostly or dry.
The Translucent Ones
As someone with a deeper skin tone, the word translucent, when used in the makeup industry, usually makes me raise a very skeptical brow. The powders below truly live up to the word and help to keep my very oily skin mattified at the same time.
This powder has been my secret weapon for months now, and it’s time to stop gatekeeping it. While it’s technically marketed as a blotting powder, I love using this compact to set my face. Not only does it leave no white cast, but it actually keeps my oil under control without sucking the life out of my skin thanks to the upsalite technology that continuously absorbs oils throughout the day. It’s like magic.
Another translucent blotting powder that I swear by is Fenty Beauty’s Invisimatte formula. It’s another one of those options that kept me intact during my college party era, but it’s also fantastic to keep in my purse for touch-ups, especially before big events because it doesn’t give flashback. Plus, the shade range was recently expanded, so if you want a bit of a tint, this line has you covered as well.
The Viral Ones
You’ve likely seen the powders below on your For You Page a time or two (or ten). They’re raved about for a reason—they really work to keep your makeup set for hours. Consider this the official stamp of approval for you to go ahead and press “check out.”
You may have heard of Huda Beauty’s Easy Bake setting powder, but have you heard of the brand’s new, updated pressed version? Coming in eight shades, this formula has both rice starch and micronized powder, which help to absorb excess oil and allow you to layer the powder under the eye without caking or creasing, respectively. Paired with the super smooth, blurred effect that it also provides? It’s a big yes from me.
It’s gone viral numerous times for a reason, but my love for this powder bears repeating. Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish formula is one of the most natural-looking powders on this list. While the shade range could use an extension, I typically used medium or tan under the eyes to provide that flawless finish that doesn’t cake up when I touch up after a few hours.
The Luxury Ones
I’m as big a fan of luxury beauty as anyone else, but I also love it when said products actually work. The luxe powders below are light as air, blur my imperfections, and keep my oils away.
I have long been obsessed with Sisley’s Blue Expert powder, so I had high hopes when the brand released the Phyto-Teint Poudre Libre Loose Powders. Thankfully, these are just as blurring and smoothing as the original, plus the loose formula packs onto the skin beautifully, making it perfect for baking. Tack on an extended shade range, and we have ourselves a winning luxury formula.
At this point, it feels like the entire world is well aware of how much I love the Ambient Lighting Powders from Hourglass, but today we’re talking about the Vanish Airbrush line. As the name suggests, it does, in fact, make my face look airbrushed, but I have also worn this formula in the dead heat of summer, and it has held up, while keeping my skin oil-free, beautifully. Plus, the sleek compact makes it super easy to travel with.
Pat McGrath Labs has one of the most underrated setting powders of all time. It’s another one of those formulas that’s extremely lightweight thanks to a proprietary blend that the brand holds close. In addition, it’s also water repellent with long-wear properties that keep the powder in place even though sweat and sebum (or oil from the skin).
The Indie One
This product is so incredible that it truly deserves its own spotlight. Use it under or over makeup, and you will have the most matte skin of your life, especially when paired with a specific primer from the same brand.
Foundation, primer, setting powder—you can do it all with Danessa Myricks Beauty’s blurring balm. With 22 shades to choose from, you can really customize the balm to your needs. However, no matter how you use it, expect your skin to be super matte. This is because the balm also boasts that upsalite technology, which continues to address oil production throughout the day. Plus, when you pair it with the water powder serum primer? Your face will be stuck in place.
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