The best setting powders for a softer finish, from $8

My verdict: I'd choose ONE/SIZE Ultimate Blurring for an oily T-zone, Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur for a softer finish on dry skin, and e.l.f. Halo Glow if I wanted to spend just $8. Kosas Cloud Set is my pressed-powder pick; Huda Easy Bake makes the most sense for targeted brightening. The right finish matters more than buying the biggest name.

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Five quick takeawaysThe quick comparisonONE/SIZE Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder: my pick for oil controlLaura Mercier Ultra-Blur: the loose powder I'd choose for dry skine.l.f. Halo Glow: the $8 powder I'd try before spending moreKosas Cloud Set: my choice for a pressed powderHuda Beauty Easy Bake: my pick for targeted brighteningHow I'd choose the shade and apply itFrequently asked questions

A setting powder should solve a specific problem. Maybe concealer moves beneath your eyes, foundation gets shiny around your nose, or a lovely dewy base becomes much shinier than you intended. Those are different jobs. I wouldn't automatically prescribe the same powder, or the same amount, for all three.

My shortlist covers five useful choices without turning every jar into an essential purchase. Start with the area you want to set, then decide how much glow you're willing to lose.

Five quick takeaways

• For persistent shine: ONE/SIZE is my first choice for a matte finish.
• For dryness or visible lines: I'd start with Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur and a small brush.
• For an $8 starting point: e.l.f. Halo Glow gives a softer, more luminous finish.
• For touch-ups: Kosas Cloud Set's pressed format avoids dealing with a loose-powder sifter.
• For brightening: Huda Easy Bake offers tinted options, but the original formula contains fragrance.

The quick comparison

Regular US prices checked October 29, 2026, before tax. Laura Mercier was temporarily reduced to $36 on its site. Kosas currently lists 8.5g; some retailers still show 9.5g, so check the size on the listing you buy.

ONE/SIZE Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder: my pick for oil control

If the complaint is “my makeup gets shiny,” this is where I'd start. ONE/SIZE Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder costs $36 for 34.5g, a generous amount compared with the other jars here. The current range includes complexion shades and separate brightening options, so you don't have to choose a pale powder simply because it says translucent.

The appeal is a deliberately matte, blurred finish. Makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy recommends it to Who What Wear for strong oil control and keeping makeup fresh during long events. That's a more useful reason to consider it than treating the brand's 24-hour shine-control claim as a promise for everyone's face.

I'd use it where oil actually breaks through: beside the nose, across the center of the forehead, perhaps the chin. Dry cheeks don't need the same treatment.

My reservation: if your priority is preserving a glossy base, this wouldn't be my first choice. The large loose-powder jar also makes more sense on a dressing table than in a tiny handbag. I would buy it for regular setting at home, rather than occasional touch-ups.

Laura Mercier Ultra-Blur: the loose powder I'd choose for dry skin

The exact version matters here. This is Translucent Loose Talc-Free Setting Powder Ultra-Blur, $48 for 20g, rather than the original Translucent Loose Setting Powder or the pressed Ultra-Blur compact.

Laura Mercier positions Ultra-Blur for normal to dry skin, with a natural finish and a fragrance-free formula containing sodium hyaluronate. I like the aim: soften unwanted shine without making the whole face look uniformly matte. That doesn't make it a substitute for moisturizer, and I'd still avoid covering a flaky patch with extra powder.

Who What Wear's beauty team recommends Ultra-Blur for smoothing the look of texture and fine lines, while noting its slight sheen. For this category, I see that sheen as a reason to consider it. If you want a completely matte face, ONE/SIZE is the more obvious fit.

My reservation: $48 is a substantial spend. I'd choose this for someone who already knows that a softer finish suits their base, not simply because “hydrating” sounds reassuring. Start with a light application around moving concealer and leave comfortable, settled makeup alone.

e.l.f. Halo Glow: the $8 powder I'd try before spending more

e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder is $8 for 0.24oz, approximately 6.8g. This is the loose powder in a jar, not the separate Halo Glow Powder Filter pressed compact.

I like it as a low-cost starting point for someone who wants their foundation to retain some light. The brand describes a soft-focus glow, and the small jar keeps the initial spend sensible. You're not buying the largest amount of powder for your money; you're avoiding a $40 experiment before you know which finish you prefer.

There is useful wear evidence behind that distinction. In her Marie Claire review, Jazzria Harris found that a light layer set her makeup without looking dry or heavy.

My reservation: I wouldn't select a glow-focused powder for someone whose main aim is eliminating every trace of shine. Keep the first layer thin and assess it in daylight before adding more.

Shop e.l.f. Halo Glow in Light, 0.24oz, at Amazon.

Kosas Cloud Set: my choice for a pressed powder

A loose jar isn't always practical. For a compact you can take out and use without tipping powder into a lid, I'd choose Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting + Smoothing Powder, $38. The brand currently lists the full size as 8.5g.

Cloud Set offers ten complexion shades alongside three brightening options. I would begin with the closest complexion match for general touch-ups. That gives you a clearer idea of whether you like the finish before adding the separate question of color correction.

The sheer coverage is the attraction. In Woman & Home's review, Lucy Abbersteen describes Cloud Set as lightweight and silky, with useful blurring coverage. I'd choose it for setting and light evening, rather than substantial coverage. If coverage is the priority, start with our powder foundation guide.

My reservation: you get much less powder than in the ONE/SIZE jar for a similar price. Kosas's own review section also includes complaints about broken lids, so I'd keep it protected inside a makeup bag. If you only apply powder at home and go through plenty of it, I'd buy a loose formula instead.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake: my pick for targeted brightening

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder is now $40 for 20g on the US site. I'm referring to the original loose formula, which lists fragrance, not the separate fragrance-free or pressed versions.

This is the option I'd explore when setting makeup and adjusting its color are equally important. Alongside complexion shades, the range includes pink, peach, lavender and green options. Those tints have a purpose; I'd choose for the area and tone you want to address, rather than assuming the most popular pink is right for every face.

In Allure's review of Cherry Blossom, Lexi Herrick praises its rosy effect and summer oil absorption. That's useful evidence for that particular shade, rather than a reason to claim every Easy Bake color will look identical on skin.

My reservation: the fragrance is an easy reason to choose another powder if you prefer unscented makeup. I also wouldn't treat the name as an instruction to bake your entire face. A small amount pressed where you need brightness is a more sensible starting point than a thick layer beneath both eyes.

How I'd choose the shade and apply it

For setting the whole base, I would choose a powder close to the skin tone or foundation underneath it. “Translucent” describes sheer coverage; it doesn't guarantee that one pale shade disappears on every complexion. Laura Mercier, for example, separates its Translucent, Honey and Medium Deep options by skin tone. Brightening shades are a separate decision, especially if you plan to apply them beyond the under-eye area.

My application rule is to add powder only where the makeup needs help. Smooth out any concealer that has already collected in a crease before setting it. Then load a little powder onto the brush or puff, tap away the excess, and press gently. A small brush makes it easier to reach beside the nose or beneath the eyes without coating the cheeks.

For a touch-up, blot visible oil first and reassess before adding another layer. If makeup is separating or collecting around a dry patch, more powder may make that patch more obvious. I'd check the amount of foundation and skin prep before buying a stronger setting product. Our foundation guide for mature skin is useful if the base itself is emphasizing texture.

Frequently asked questions

Is loose or pressed setting powder better?

I'd choose loose powder for setting makeup at home and pressed powder for convenient touch-ups. Neither format guarantees a particular finish. Kosas Cloud Set is pressed and sheer; ONE/SIZE is loose and more deliberately matte. Decide how you want the makeup to look first, then which packaging suits your routine.

Do I need setting powder if I use setting spray?

Not necessarily. If your makeup looks and wears the way you want with spray alone, there is no reason to add powder automatically. Powder is useful when you want to reduce shine or set a particular area. Our setting spray versus setting powder guide explains where the two fit into a routine.

Should I bake my under-eyes?

I wouldn't make it the default. Huda's directions describe leaving a generous layer for three to five minutes, but you can start with a much lighter application and see whether that is enough. If your under-eyes look dry or creased, piling on powder is unlikely to give you the softer finish you're after.