“Soft Matte” Makeup Is Trending for 2025—These 17 Setting Powders Are the Portal to Success

Harper Rose4 weeks agoLast Updated: 18 May 2025

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"Soft Matte" Makeup Is Trending for 2025—These 17 Setting Powders Are the Portal to Success

We can’t pinpoint the exact moment it happened, but somehow ultra-dewy skin has made way for a soft matte finish. Don’t just take our word for it—top makeup artists predict less of a glowy emphasis in 2025. “Still radiant, but more polished with more coverage,” celebrity makeup artist Nikki DeRoest, co-founder of Ciele Cosmetics, shared with Who What Wear. Think pillowy clouds over glazed doughnuts.

Alas, nailing the soft-matte look can be tricky. It requires the right balance of hydrating and oil-absorbing magic, lest you topple into cakey territory. To avoid tipping the scales, makeup artists say setting powder—a really good setting powder, that is—will be your best bet. “I think we will see powder re-emerge as a makeup bag staple,” adds celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. “This means that dewy skin will be balanced with a matte T-zone.”

Here, we’ve rounded up the best setting powders for every skin type, plus expert tips to use each one to your advantage. Your journey to mastering “soft matte” starts here!

The 17 Best Setting Powders of 2025, Listed

Best for Oily Skin

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Shine-Controlling & Blurring Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder
Polite Society More Than a Pretty Powder Skin-Caring Loose Setting Powder

Best for Dry Skin

Tower 28 Beauty Getset Blur + Set Talc-Free Pressed Setting Powder
Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
Kosas Cloud Set Brightening Powder
Saie Beauty Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder
Haus Labs Bio-Blurring Talc-Free Loose Setting Powder

Best for Combination Skin

Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Talc-Free Soft Blur Setting Powder
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder

Best for Deep Skin Tones

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder
Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Loose Setting Powder
Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Setting and Finishing Powder
Sigma Beauty Soft Focus Setting Powder

Best Setting Powders for Oily Skin

Best Setting Powders for Dry Skin

Best Setting Powders for Combination Skin

Best Setting Powders for Deep Skin Tones

What Is a Setting Powder?

If you’re a total makeup novice, don’t worry—celebrity makeup artists are here to explain exactly what a setting powder is and how it can be beneficial to your makeup routine. “A setting powder does exactly [what it sounds like],” says Gabbay. “It sets foundation into place and locks in your base for all-day wear. It also mattifies and blurs pores, leaving skin looking finished and perfected.”

Talias also says it’s a key player in creating that Instagram-ready look. “Setting powder is the secret to long-lasting makeup looks,” she shares. “The right setting powder will give the perfect finish to the skin and keep makeup in place all day long.” Kaye even adds that setting powder will really keep your cream products in place and keep them from creasing.

How to Choose a Setting Powder

Celebrity makeup artist Elizabeth Seropian has a few tips for choosing a setting powder. “Selecting the right setting powder involves considering your skin type and desired finish,” she says.

Oily skin: “For oily skin, look for oil-absorbing powders with ingredients like silica and rice powder,” she says.
Dry skin: She adds, “Dry skin benefits from hydrating powders containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.”
Sensitive skin: “Avoid powders with heavy fragrances or irritants if you have sensitive skin,” Seropian notes. “Testing a small amount and observing how it reacts to your skin throughout the day can help you find the perfect match.”

How Do You Apply Setting Powder?

Every makeup artist I consulted agreed that the best way to apply powder is with a powder puff or a small/medium powder brush. “After applying and blending all your wet products, such as foundation, concealer, and cream contour, make sure there are no creases. Then gently pat the setting powder into the skin,” Talias explains. “My favorite way to apply setting powder is with a triangle powder puff.”

A few more tips from Gabbay:

“If you’re looking for a light set, try using a small, tapered dome brush and dust powder just in the center of the face. Think center of the forehead, under the eyes, and chin. This technique will leave skin looking as natural as possible, leaving the outer parts of the face dewy,” she says.
“If you tend to get shinier throughout the day and want to lock in your foundation, use a powder puff. This will give you the most coverage and prevent shine from peeking through,” she adds.
“Work your setting powder into your puff, tapping any excess on the back of your hand. Push the powder into the skin in a patting motion, making sure to never drag or pull as it will disturb the product underneath.”

Try:

Is pressed setting powder or loose setting powder better?

It’s ultimately up to personal preference! Loose powders are typically better at blurring pores and setting cream products, while pressed powders are great for finishing touches. Pressed options tend to be best for setting more delicate areas like the under-eyes, as loose powder can potentially settle into any fine lines. Pressed powders are generally better for on-the-go touch-ups too; loose powder can get pretty messy without a steady hand.

What is the difference between translucent powder and setting powder?

Both options help mattify the skin, but setting powders typically come in a few different shades. Translucent powders, on the other hand, work across all skin tones. “Translucent powders work universally, while tinted ones can help with additional coverage,” says Seropian.

Is setting powder or mist better?

One isn’t exactly better than the other. Setting powders are wonderful for keeping makeup in place, while “a setting spray is a mist that encapsulates the makeup on the skin,” makeup artist Tomy Rivero previously told Who What Wear. It’s ultimately up to you, and you can totally use both in the same makeup routine if you please. Simply give your face a spritz, powder the areas where you accrue the most shine (likely in the T-zone), and then apply another layer of setting spray to cement the powder. Voilà!

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

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Source: WhoWhatWear

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