I Usually Cringe At Powder Foundations, But These Soft-Blurring Formulas Left Me Speechless

Although powder foundations are one of the best antidotes for shine-prone complexions (especially come summer!), they get kind of a bad rap. It’s no secret that powders can be unflattering, and the wrong shade or formula can quickly veer ashy or cakey, which is the complete opposite of what we’re after—matte, lightweight coverage.

“A good powder foundation should be finely milled, buildable, and offer a smooth, natural finish without looking cakey,” says makeup artist to the mega-famous, Ash K Holm. “Look for a formula with skin-loving ingredients, good coverage (sheer to full), and a comfortable texture that blends effortlessly into the skin.”

While powder foundations were typically a miss back in our early aughts youths, these formulas have grown leaps and bounds in the years that have passed—with an emphasis on wider, more inclusive shade ranges, more advanced formulations, and better education around application and technique.

Fast-forward to 2025, powder foundations have officially become one of the best and most efficient ways to curb shine and give your complexion an airbrushed finish. Below, the 13 best powder formulas money can buy, no matter the budget.

The Best Powder Foundations, at a Glance

• Best Overall: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
• Best Budget: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder
• Best Splurge: Dior Forever Natural Velvet Transfer-Proof Compact Foundation
• Best for Mature Skin: Laura Geller Baked Balance-N-Brighten Powder Foundation
• Best Shade Range: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation

Best Overall: MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

Best Budget: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder

Best Budget, Runner-Up: Sheglam Skin-Focus Full Coverage Powder Foundation

Best Splurge: Dior Forever Natural Velvet Matte Compact Foundation

Best Shade Range: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Powder Foundation

Best Multi-Purpose: Make Up For Ever HD Skin Matte Velvet Blurring Powder

Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Powder Foundation

Best Natural Finish: Rare Beauty True to Myself Tinted Finishing Powder

Best Lightweight: Chanel Ultra Le Teint Flawless Finish Compact Foundation

Best Coverage: It Cosmetics CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder Foundation

Best Pressed Powder: One/Size Turn Up The Base Powder Foundation

Best Loose Powder: BareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF 15

FAQ

What is powder foundation?

There are many factors that differentiate powder foundations from cream and liquid formulas, namely the difference in matter and consistency. However, powder foundations serve a different purpose and come with their own individual set of benefits—and you’d be surprised how necessary they are.

“Powder foundation is typically more lightweight, offers a matte or semi-matte finish, [and] has less slip and dewiness than liquids or creams,” Holm explains, also pointing out that it’s easier to take on the go for touch-ups than any other kind. “Think of it as great for quick coverage and a polished finish without the mess or blending time of liquids,” she adds.

Is powder foundation good for mature skin?

Depending on the formula, yes—powder foundation can be very good for mature skin. “Opt for hydrating or creamy powder foundations with light-reflecting properties that don’t settle into fine lines,” Holm advises those with aging skin. “Avoid overly matte, dry, or thick powders—these can emphasize texture or dryness,” she muses.

Henney also recommends reaching for a powder foundation in particular settings, such as on-air appearances and certain weather conditions. “It can be good for [the] camera—on TV or movies—when using it as a makeup artist,” she explains. “It can also be good on wedding days if you are in a humid climate and need more staying power, or if you have super oily skin,” she adds.

Who is powder foundation good for, and who should avoid it?

Having glammed some of Hollywood’s most elite for camera flashes, Holm has a few pointers about who should and shouldn’t opt for powder foundations over any other medium of full-face coverage.

Holm:

• Great for: Oily, combination, or acne-prone skin types who want a lightweight, matte finish. Also ideal for quick touch-ups and minimal makeup days.
• Not ideal for: Very dry or flaking skin, unless it’s prepped well with moisturizer or a hydrating primer.

How do I find the right powder foundation for my skin tone?

With the improvements brands have made in the name of shade expansion, there are now a bevy of options that stretch from porcelain to very deep skin tones, including cool, warm, neutral, and olive undertones, too. If finding the right combo sounds daunting, I hear you—and Henney has a formula.

“You have to start with finding your undertone—are you warm/yellow undertone or cool/pink undertone (or neutral)?,” asks Henney. “From there, you can figure out if you land in the light, medium, tan, [or] dark range and find your exact shade.”

How to Apply Powder Foundation

Holm has a breakdown for the perfect powder foundation application, and it goes like this:

Holm:

• Prep your skin with a hydrating primer or lightweight moisturizer to avoid a dry finish.
• Use a dense brush or puff for fuller coverage, or a fluffy brush for lighter application.
• Mist with a setting spray after application to melt the powder into the skin and add a more skin-like finish.
• Want a 2-in-1? Apply lightly as a setting powder over liquid foundation for more coverage and staying power.

What to Look For

When it came to finding the best powder foundations, I took a look at several different factors.

• Formula: Though each product has a powder base, each pulls different strengths. I looked for standout factors—was one easier to layer than another without making the skin look cakey? Did it hold up well to long days of wear (and consistently control shine)? Do they have ingredients that make them intrinsically different, like SPF or skincare benefits that prevent the skin from drying out?
• Coverage: If you’re applying foundation at all, you are seeking some sort of coverage—so naturally, this was one of the leading qualities I looked for in a winning formula. Each powder provided a different level of coverage, with some being lightweight and natural-looking (ahem, Rare Beauty Tinted Finishing Powder) and others being so potent that the skin can appear airbrushed (read: It Cosmetics CC+ Powder Foundation). The last thing you want to do is add on a layer of makeup for no reason, so I ensured that these picks were true to their intentions.

How We Chose

As someone who uses powders in her everyday life (I love a dewy moment, but if you want your makeup to stay, you need at least one powder in your collection), I know a thing or two about what constitutes a good powder foundation. Whether I’m applying it directly to my skin as a foundation, dusting it over cream foundation as a finishing powder, or baking the highlights of my face a lá setting powder, these multi-purpose products are a staple in my routine—and I’ve tried a lot of them.

While I haven’t had the pleasure of testing every single one on this list (I live in a small New York apartment with no space, guys!), I asked for top-tier recommendations from my team of established beauty editors and, for extra good measure, went out to two of my most trusted beauty experts—Ash K Holm and Tobi Henney—for advice on what to look for and which are worth adding to cart. The results of my own testing, their recommendations, and other expert- and shopper-loved products stand before you, ready to take your glam game to the next level.

Why Trust Us

First-person testing is of the utmost importance to us at Who What Wear, which is why we try as many products as possible ourselves before polling our fellow editors for their fine-taste picks. We are a team of seasoned beauty editors who have spent years testing the latest and greatest beauty products on the market, which gives us the confidence to relay our picks to you based on real-life experience and real, unfiltered feedback.

To bolster our claims, we reach out to industry experts who are extremely knowledgeable in their fields of expertise—and expected to use the best of the best on their famous clientele—making for the most coveted knowledge in the beauty industry. Their recommendations, tips and tricks, and explanations offer invaluable insight into which products beauty lovers should be using to achieve celebrity-level glam, and we package them up into buying guides to give you the most informed insights possible, making your life a little easier (and a whole lot more glamorous).

Who’s Who

• Ash K Holm is a celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles. She regularly glams the likes of Ariana Grande, Megan Fox, and the Kardashian sisters.
• Tobi Henney is a celebrity makeup artist who often works with Barbara Palvin, Karlie Kloss, and Lili Reinhart.