Groom+Style is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The Best Translucent Powders for a Flawless Finish

Last modified on :

Rebecca Moses
Your guide to this Review is Rebecca Moses

How we review products

This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you buy after clicking on our links

A woman applying the best translucent powders for a flawless finish
A woman applying the best translucent powders for a flawless finish

The Best Translucent Powders for a Flawless Finish

IMAGE PRODUCT
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
  • Lightweight formula
  • Suitable for all skin tones
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
  • Talc-free formula
  • Fine, weightless powder formula
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
  • Pressed powder formula
  • Airy micro-fine formula
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder
  • Great mattifying effect
  • Ultra-lightweight and super-fine formula
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
COVERGIRL truBLEND Minerals Loose Powder
  • Light, finely milled powder
  • Enriched with natural minerals
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
COVER FX Perfect Setting Powder
  • Soft focus finish
  • Non-drying and non-cakey
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
La Mer The Powder
  • Formulated with air spun seaborne and Miracle Broth™
  • Fits all skin tones and types
VIEW LATEST PRICE →

Are you tired of your smudging or melting off makeup by midday? Fear not; there’s a simple solution for achieving a flawless finish that lasts all day: translucent powder.

Translucent powders have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to set makeup without adding any additional coverage. Let’s join our journey to take a closer look at some of the best translucent powders on the market.

The Best Translucent Powders That Extend the Life of Your Makeup

From drugstores to high-end brands, there are many options to choose from. So, get ready to say goodbye to oily skin and hello to a perfect matte finish that will last all day long. Check out our picks here!

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

This cult-favorite setting powder from Laura Mercier is undoubtedly the ultimate all-rounder choice. It’s lightweight, easy to apply, and blends effortlessly with every skin tone.

We love that it instantly sets makeup with a matte, oil-free finish when applied. Moreover, it helps blur imperfections on the skin, resulting in a flawless complexion with no flashbacks in photos. On top of that, it’s packed with vitamins C & E and natural amino acids.

Key Benefits

  • Lightweight formula
  • Up to 16-hour wear and 24-hour shine control
  • Shaker-topped jar packaging
  • Blurs imperfection
  • Reduces shine
  • Matte, oil-free finish
  • Suitable for all skin tones
  • Contains vitamins C & E and natural amino acids
  • Best for oily, combo, and normal skin

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Another must-have is this setting powder from Hourglass for achieving a naturally flawless finish on all skin types. The highlight of this product is that it contains no talc — so it won’t dry out skin!

We recommend this product for people who want a natural finish while blurring out pores and imperfections with subtle shimmer. The fine, weightless formula feels nice on the skin, and application is just as easy due to the packaging!

Key Benefits

  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Talc-free formula
  • Gives a natural finish with a slight shimmer
  • Fine, weightless powder formula
  • Blurs out pores and imperfections
  • Shaker-topped jar packaging
  • Cruelty-free

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

If you’re not a fan of loose powder, try this pressed powder from Charlotte Tilbury. You’ll avoid drying out your skin with its nourishing ingredients: Rose Wax and Almond Oil to moisturize the skin and light-reflecting pearls to illuminate the complexion.

We love to use it during touch-ups as the packaging includes a mirror, and the pressed formula minimizes the chances of getting unnecessary fallouts onto our OOTDs. It won’t make the skin cakey, though pressed, as the powder is airy.

Key Benefits

  • Pressed powder
  • Airy micro-fine formula
  • Packed with rose wax, almond oil, and light-reflecting pearls
  • Blurs imperfections
  • Reduces shine
  • Nourishes, softens, and moisturizes the skin
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Free of harsh chemicals
  • Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free

Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder
Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder

ABH Loose Setting Powder is a game-changer in the makeup world. Its ultra-lightweight and super-fine powder formula blurs out imperfections while keeping your makeup in place longer.

Use it for baking the under-eyes area, and you’ll know why it’s widely raved about by the beauty community — its mattifying ability is just insane! Plus, we love that it comes in five shades to fit any skin tone.

Key Benefits

  • Ultra-lightweight and super-fine formula
  • Great mattifying effect
  • Blurs out imperfections
  • Comes in five shades
  • Vegan and paraben-free
  • Shaker-topped jar packaging

COVERGIRL truBLEND Minerals Loose Powder

COVERGIRL truBLEND Minerals Loose Powder
COVERGIRL truBLEND Minerals Loose Powder

The COVERGIRL truBLEND is another option for a loose powder with a shaker-topped jar packaging — plus a fluffy puff! It’s super light and fine, making applying easy without feeling cakey.

We love that the brand team put extra attention to the puff; it doesn’t look cheap and feels super soft! The packaging also makes it a breeze to dust on exactly where you need it. Try it for baking — and you won’t regret it!

Key Benefits

  • Light, finely milled powder
  • Shaker-topped jar packaging with a fluffy puff
  • Enriched with natural minerals
  • Ideal for combination skin
  • Natural finish
  • Good for baking

COVER FX Perfect Setting Powder

COVER FX Perfect Setting Powder
COVER FX Perfect Setting Powder

Like magic, this finishing powder keeps makeup on point all day. Not only that, but its soft-focus finish also blurs skin for a flawless look. The formula is super fine and doesn’t dry or cake.

Another thing we highlight from this product is the promising main ingredients: micronized green tea leaves to soothe the skin and help protect against free radicals, phytosphingosine to calm redness, and vitamins C, E, and F to protect the skin against environmental stressors.

Key Benefits

  • Soft focus finish
  • Blurs out skin imperfections
  • Super-fine formula
  • Non-drying and non-cakey
  • Packed with nourishing ingredients

La Mer The Powder

La Mer The Powder
La Mer The Powder

This La Mer product is definitely a splurge for a luxury setting powder, especially if you’re after the perfect no-makeup makeup look. Trust us; it miraculously works for all skin tones and types!

Formulated with air spun seaborne and Miracle Broth™ particles, it feels ultra lightweight on the skin. We also notice a cooling sensation during application — which we’re so into. If you’re a fan of luxurious beauty products, it’s definitely worth the investment.

Key Benefits

  • Ultra lightweight formula
  • Fits all skin tones and types
  • Formulated with air spun seaborne and Miracle Broth™
  • Exudes a cooling sensation
  • No dry or cakey results
  • Leaves skin smooth and flawless
  • Diffuses light for an illuminating effect
  • No flashbacks on cameras

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a translucent powder used for?

A translucent powder is typically used to set makeup, mattify the skin, and give it a smooth finish. It’s a colorless and sheer powder to be applied to the entire face or specific areas to absorb excess oil and reduce shine. Translucent powder can also help blur fine lines and pores, making the skin look more refined.

Is pressed or loose translucent powder better?

Both pressed and loose translucent powders have their own merits. A pressed powder tends to be more convenient, travel-friendly and has a finer texture.

Meanwhile, loose powders often have a lighter texture and can be more versatile in coverage or mattifying effect. They can also be easier to apply with a fluffy brush, allowing for a more natural and airbrushed finish.

Should I use translucent powder on mature skin?

Translucent powder is generally safe for mature skin. Still, choosing the right formula and applying it properly using a fluffy brush is important to avoid emphasizing fine lines and wrinkles.

Look for a powder specifically marketed towards mature skin, which may contain hydrating or moisturizing ingredients to prevent it from settling into wrinkles and fine lines.

Conclusion

All in all, translucent powders are a great way to create a smooth, flawless finish to any makeup look. From pressed powders to loose formula, drugstore to luxury products, these powders come in various textures, making it easier to find the right one for your skin type.

When in doubt, seek out customer reviews or even try out sample sizes before committing to a full-size product. When used correctly and regularly, this often undervalued beauty tool can help seal your makeup look with a polished finish you can be proud of. So experiment with different brands and finishes — you may just find the perfect addition to your daily beauty routine!

Author

  • Rebecca Moses

    Depending on the day, you’ll find Rebecca in a well thought-out ensemble that she handcrafted herself, or in hiking and rock climbing gear. An avid outdoorswoman, cyclist, and cat lover, Rebecca reminds us all on the Groom+Style team just how much we need to get outdoors. She’s worked in spas and salons off and on before going full-time with the G+S team. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-moses-3158b914b/