10 Best Powder Foundations in 2022 (Makeup Artist-Reviewed)
Here, we’ve ranked some of the best 10 different powder foundations that you can buy online. We’ve also thrown in a few tips—like how to choose foundation based on skin type, or what makeup tool is best. We liked MAC's Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation the best for its long-lasting and oil-controlling effects, plus its color range. Take a look below for more!
Quick List - Top Powder Foundation
Natalya is a professional makeup artist based in Los Angeles and has been trying new products to find what is best for each individual's skin tone and type. She is self-taught but wanted to further her education, and she went to a makeup school in Los Angeles to learn the ins and outs of makeup. She has tried many makeup brands and products and can proudly say she has found some of the best and longest-wearing products. As a freelance makeup artist, she wants her clients not to worry about their makeup not lasting as long as they need it to.
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How to Choose Powder Foundation
Pick a Foundation Based on Skin Type
A matte finish gives your face a smooth, blank canvas-like look. However, applying too much matte foundation can cake up and emphasize your pores, so thin layers work best. This finish is best used for oily skin types, as it can help control oil flow throughout the day.
Dewy finishes are perfect for when you want healthy, glowing skin. These types of foundations can cover pores and fine lines while giving you that bright-eyed, fresh-faced look. Since this adds shine, it is usually recommended for those with dry skin.
Look for Ingredients Your Skin Needs
Many powder foundations these days will moisturize or protect your skin from the sun. Depending on the type of skin you have, there are a range of formulas to choose from.
Moisturizing is Required for Dry Skin
Powder foundations don’t contain much oil. On top of that, they absorb sebum, which are the oils produced on your face. For those with dry skin, this is less than ideal, as you want to keep all those great oils to balance out your skin type. Choosing a powder foundation that has moisturizing ingredients, such as collagen and ceramide, can help keep skin looking hydrated.
Minerals for Sensitive Skin
Mineral foundations are natural and gentle on the skin. They are extremely light and comfortable to wear. Though the coverage is sheer, you can pile on layers and still let your skin breathe.
Lustrous Pressed Powders for Acne-Prone Skin
If you don’t have large pores, a finely milled powder foundation works great. It slides on to the skin smoothly. Some are pearly or lustrous, which’ll help to cover dullness and pores more effectively.
Avoid Too Much Sun
Nowadays, many foundations boast SPF for people who are constantly outdoors. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause spots on the skin and premature wrinkles. In addition, it can also make skin dry out and become sensitive, which’ll result in acne. If you don’t wear sunscreen daily, getting a foundation with SPF can give your skin the protection it needs.
Regardless of the season, guard your skin from the sun. Just because you’re being drenched by April showers doesn’t mean that UV rays have just disappeared; wearing a foundation with SPF will guarantee some protection. And in summer, you might need an extra layer of sunscreen beneath your makeup to prevent sunburn.
Consider Two-Way Powder Foundations
A two-way powder foundation is a lightweight product for natural-looking coverage that absorbs shine, and it can be used both wet and dry. These products are great for those with normal to oily skin.
Applying wet can give heavier coverage while applying dry will give a more sheer look. Applying wet, take a sponge, damp under water, and squeeze excess water out. Dip the sponge into the product and then pat over the skin.
10 Best Powder Foundation Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation | | Controls Shine for 12 Hours | |
2 | BareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 | | Bare It All With Sun Protection | |
3 | NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation | | Stunning and Lightweight Coverage | |
4 | Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder | | Fully Customizable Coverage With Two Ways to Apply | |
5 | Maybelline New York Fit Me® Matte + Poreless Powder Foundation Makeup｜Classic Ivory | | Matte Finish and Poreless Look with Long-Lasting Shine Control | |
6 | L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder | | Matches With Any Skin Tone | |
7 | Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Compact Powder Foundation | | Oil-Free Formula Backed by Dermatologists | |
8 | Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation | | Smooth Out Wrinkles With Mary Kay | |
9 | Lancôme Dual Finish Multi-tasking Powder Foundation | | Versatile Foundation With Many Shades | |
10 | Bobbi Brown Skin Weightless Powder Foundation | | Start the Day Feeling Weightless |
Controls Shine for 12 Hours
Studio Fix doesn’t melt off in the heat, keeping your blemishes, pores, and other imperfections covered. The velvety texture of the formula allows the skin to breathe and is non-drying.
Bare It All With Sun Protection
As well as being non-comedogenic, it’s good for all skin types and allows the skin to breathe. The lightweight formula gives you a no-makeup look while providing up to eight hours of coverage and wear. The SPF 15 is an added bonus, which gives you basic sun protection if you plan on wearing this alone.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUPStay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation
Stunning and Lightweight Coverage
There’s not a lot of product in the compact, so this one can run out quickly if it’s used every day. Some users have also claimed that the powder oxidizes on their face after a few hours, so watch out for this. However, the formula is smooth to the touch, isn’t flaky when applied, and works well with all skin types.
Fully Customizable Coverage With Two Ways to Apply
Unfortunately, there’s a limited shade range with this one–namely 20–from a golden light beige to a medium coffee. It’s a bit pricey and gets chalky if you layer it on. However, the foundation covers blemishes and smooths out the skin without settling into fine lines. And we give it another point for being water-resistant!
Maybelline New YorkFit Me® Matte + Poreless Powder Foundation Makeup ｜ Classic Ivory
Matte Finish and Poreless Look with Long-Lasting Shine Control
Application is straightforward using the included applicator, which can be used to target the forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin, blending downward for an even finish. This versatile powder can be worn alone or as a setting powder over foundation. Available in a range of shades to suit various skin tones, the Fit Me® Matte + Poreless Powder Foundation Makeup offers customizable coverage, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a long-lasting, natural look.
Matches With Any Skin Tone
With over 30 shades, L'Oreal's True Match line has been created for a wide range of skin tones. Each compact foundation is created to soak up excess oils and mattify skin—all while creating a natural-looking finish. The packaging also includes a mirror and applicator, so you can touch up your makeup on the go.
Reviewers experience issues with the colors being too light or too dark for their skin or with the packaging or powder arriving broken. If you can, it might be best to try this product on in the drugstore before purchasing it online. However, most reviewers like how inexpensive the product is and how well it works considering. It's perfectly blendable, smooth, and lightweight.
NeutrogenaMineral Sheers Compact Powder Foundation
Oil-Free Formula Backed by Dermatologists
The coverage can be considered too sheer for some and may wear off easily throughout the day. There are only eight shades to choose from, with the darkest being a sun-kissed bronze. However, it's great because it won’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles and gives a sheer to medium coverage without feeling heavy.
Smooth Out Wrinkles With Mary Kay
This lightweight mineral foundation is non-comedogenic, dermatologist- and clinically-tested, and oil- and fragrance-fee. Mary Kay claims it's also great for sensitive skinned folks. It evens out your skin tone, mattifies, and creates a perfect base for other makeup. It also works on fine lines and wrinkles!
A couple of critical reviewers mention that their makeup came previously opened and used. It would be best to contact the company before purchasing. On the other hand, reviewers say that it has great coverage without feeling cakey, and is quite breathable. It also feels light and blends well with makeup.
Lancôme Dual Finish Multi-tasking Powder Foundation
Versatile Foundation With Many Shades
For those with acne-prone skin, there’s a chance that this foundation can make skin more oily and cause breakouts, so beware if you've got oily skin. But it's a great foundation for covering wrinkles—just dab the foundation on with a wet sponge and as it dries, it’ll smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and tauten the skin.
Bobbi BrownSkin Weightless Powder Foundation
Start the Day Feeling Weightless
There are only 17 shades, ranging from baked porcelain to light espresso, so this brand may not be for everyone. The foundation itself is also rather fragile, and there have been instances of the product crumbling prematurely.
Natalya's Recommended Powder Foundation
This foundation gives you a 12-hour matte finish that controls a shine without causing acne. I love to use this on my more natural makeup days. I just apply a primer, concealer, and then this pressed powder to correct my acne, dark scars, and oily skin.
I was recommended this product by my mom. It is a great powder for mature skin because it is so light and does not crease in fine lines. I also like to use this as a touch-up product. I find myself having this product in my purse to touch-up my skin on days I wear liquid foundation.
It brings back that matte-ness and takes away any excess oil that builds up on the skin. This product won't lift on the skin throughout the day, and the best part is that it doesn't crease or look dry on the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to reviewing our buying guide, Natalya also answered a few commonly asked questions on the Internet.
What's the best way to apply powder foundation?
Natalya explains, "Swirl a small amount of the powder foundation on a big, flat, and fluffy brush - Real Techniques Multitask Brush, for example - then tap excess powder off the brush. Buff the powder into the skin using circular motions, or gently pat into the skin to pack on product if you want more of a full coverage.
Repeat until you get the coverage you need. Most of the time, the pressed powder foundations come with a mini sponge you can use to apply and blend the product into the skin. The sponge will give you more of a full coverage look."
Is powder foundation better than liquid?
"Both foundations have pros and cons," Natalya says."It really depends on what skin type you have and the coverage you are looking for. A liquid foundation is suitable for any skin type. Powder foundations are dry formulas that come in either a pressed powder or a loose powder.
A powder foundation would be better for someone who is looking for light to medium coverage. It can give you a natural skin look without getting cakey. If you have oily skin, a matte pressed powder would be great to absorb excess oil.
A liquid foundation tends to melt in the heat, whereas a powder foundation would be less likely to melt. Powder foundations are also great for mature skin because they're lightweight formulas that blend easily on the skin and don't settle in fine lines or wrinkles. They give that radiant look to the skin.
How long does powder foundation last?
Natalya says, "A powder foundation is great for if you sweat easily or if you have to wear makeup in the heat because powders don't tend to run in high temps. Powder foundations, like setting powders and pressed powders, are to help your liquid foundation set and last longer throughout the day.
A powder foundation lasts longer in your kit because a cream or liquid foundation tends to separate over time and can last only up to six months. A powder foundation, on the other hand, has a shelf life up to two years."
Finish Your Look With These Products
Now that you've got your mineral foundation, it's time to find products that complement it! There are so many brand out there that it can be hard to find something that actually works. That's where we come into play. Check out our other buying guides when you need help choosing makeup!
In Collaboration With Professional Makeup Artist Natalya Lowe
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary, as well as extra tips and advice. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.