Just a few years ago, makeup didn’t seem as important, as we would only be seen by our coworkers or the people at the grocery store. Now, with the social media takeover of Instagram, Snapchat, and more, every single moment in our lives becomes a photo-op.
If you don’t want to worry about that huge pimple or dark circles on your face showing up in someone else’s photo, then you may want to try out some of the best powder foundations, to give you that airbrushed look 24/7!
The 6 Best Powder Foundations For 2022
Here’s a quick overview of the highest ranked powder foundation available on the market:
| Powder Foundation | Type | At a Glance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airspun Loose Face Powder | Loose Powder | Hides fine lines and wrinkles/acne/bumps/blemishes, softens and smooths skin appearance, lightweight feel, long-lasting coverage | |
| Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte | Compact | Comes in 11 different shades, ultra-lightweight feel, great for normal-to-oily skin, texture-adjusting foundation, erases pores and blemishes, helps match natural tone | |
| Younique Touch Mineral | Compact | Ultra-fine powder, long-wearing, very lightweight and breathable, gives a touchable/smooth look, non-comedogenic, very durable, great for all-day use | |
| MAC Studio Fix Powder (Editor's Pick) | Compact | Long-lasting, flawless matte/velvety finish, great travel-ready product, layers well with other makeup products, water-based, great for sensitive skin, comes in wide variety of shades | |
| Dolce and Gabbana Perfect Matte | Compact | Comes in 18 different shades, great for all skin types, works well with oily skin, matte/silky finish, wet or dry formulation, buildable coverage, sponge application, fragrance-free | |
| Smashbox Halo Hydrating | Loose Powder | Comes in 8 different shades, radiant/healthy complexion, works to hydrate skin, one of the few anti-aging powders on the market, contains various minerals and amino acids, won’t accentuate lines and wrinkles |
Now that you’ve had the chance to take a look at each of the best powder foundations, you probably want to read more in-depth about each one you have your eyes on! Scroll down a bit further to find detailed reviews of each one!
Airspun Loose Face Powder – Most Long Lasting Product
What did we love about it?
A whole lot, to be honest. To sum up, the foundation is an amazing budget-friendly product at a surprisingly high level of quality, that lasts all day long.
To apply the mineral powder foundation, you’ll want to tap out a bit of the loose powder into the lid. After that, you’ll want to tap a bit of the excess back into the container. As it’s so finely-milled, you can actually hold it upside-down without all of the powder coming out. This is a true testament to just how light it is.
Loose powders often get a bad rap for being so messy, however, this one transfers perfectly from lid-to-brush-to-face with no issues!
You’ll find that upon applying this foundation powder, that it goes on very smoothly. It sets very evenly, and once it’s on, you can tell immediately that your skin has an almost a glow to it, and an overall much more even complexion. This is because of the particles in the powder which work to diffuse light, thus detracting from any fine lines you may have.
If you need an all-day powder or don’t have time to touch up yours throughout the day, then you can wear this one with confidence, knowing it is going to stay on all day.
How do you apply it?
Well, it does come with a powder puff pad. We have to say that it works well for the first few uses, but after that, it begins to get caked-up, which will give you a less perfect finish than a fine-bristled powder brush.
What We Loved
- Lasts all day; very long wear-time
- Very lightweight feeling
- Works to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and more
- Very affordable price
.
What We Didn’t Like
- Could come in a wider variety of colors
Maybelline New York Fit – Best Budget Product
This powder is great if you need an all-day wear, have trouble finding your shade normally, and/or have a shiny t-zone that needs some matte to calm it down!
We’ll say right off the bat that we weren’t huge fans of the packaging.
Why?
It just looks and feels a little bit cheap. You can tell that if you dropped it on the floor or accidentally bumped it too hard against the bathroom counter, that it would probably crack or break. It also comes with a sponge applicator that we weren’t huge fans of, but we just used a powder brush in place of it.
The texture of the package is smooth, and also feels surprisingly smooth on the skin, as well. Both the look and feel are kind of velvety, and while it’s not the softest, it’s definitely up there.
As it is so soft, however, this makes it pretty easy to blend and manipulate how you’d like. It doesn’t stick to the skin or become cakey like some powder foundations tend to do. We really loved how it eliminates oily shine right away and gives a more natural, matte finish.
Once on, you can tell it smooths out visible pores, as well.
Did we mention it stays on for a good amount of time?
The package claims that it stays on for an impressive 16 hours. While we didn’t find it lasted that long, it did last at least 10 hours, which is still very impressive, especially considering the price of the product.
Now, let’s move onto the “cons”.
The only real complaint we had, was that the coverage may not be enough for some. It’s more of a medium coverage, which is great for many people, but not all.
What We Loved
- Very affordable product
- 11 different shades available
- Very lightweight; blends easily and doesn’t cake
- Great for those with oily skin who need shine minimization
What We Didn’t Like
- The coverage is medium, which may not be enough for some consumers
Younique Touch Mineral Powder – Editor’s Pick
Younique Mineral Foundation is definitely a name many people have heard before, and the reason is simple: it works.
There are so many makeup products that get rave reviews from bloggers and YouTubers, but not all of them live up to the high standards that have been set for them. We have to say, this one probably broke through the standards we’d had!
First things first:
What skin type do you have?
This foundation works well for just about every type of skin: dry, sensitive, combination, oily – it doesn’t matter. If you have combination skin, it can be tough to find a powder foundation that works for you, as some parts of your face will end up dry, and others oily and shiny.
You no longer have to fret if this is you!
The packaging is beautiful and you can tell is made with durability in mind; much like the foundation, itself.
The foundation goes on silky-smooth and feels light, and creamy. It looks the same on, too! It gives the skin a silky smooth look and works to cover up any blemishes, redness, wrinkles, and/or acne you may have. We mean, it not only covers it, but it completely transforms the skin. It doesn’t let any redness through, even after just one light application.
Best of all?
It actually feels natural! So many skincare products feel heavy, and like your pores are becoming clogged. We loved that this one actually feels and looks like real skin. It also makes sure your skin doesn’t start feeling oily by the end of the day. You can wear it all day long while you’re at work or traveling, and it still stays put.
Let’s talk a bit about what’s actually in the foundation.
First off, is Mineral Oil. This oil is clear and odorless and is widely considered one of the safest, most gentle moisturizing agents. Squalane is also a natural moisturizer and acts as an emollient with antioxidant, immune-stimulating properties. Mica is also included, which is a mineral that has a reflective property, making the skin shimmer and the powder softer.
While it is an amazing product, we did have one complaint, which was the price.
It is a bit pricey for a powder, however, given the fact that it is so durable, and the wear-time is so long, we felt that the powder is priced pretty well. Remember, don’t just look at the price tag, but rather how long it lasts in relation to the price!
What We Loved
- Amazing, high level of coverage
- Very durable, long-lasting wear-time
- Great for any skin type
- Comes in 11 different shades
What We Didn’t Like
- Relatively expensive
MAC Studio Fix Powder – Best Product for Students
If you’re into face products at all, then you probably already know that the makeup MAC puts out is top-of-the-line.
This one-step powder foundation is no exception.
If you’re in a hurry but still want a smooth, flawless, natural-looking matte finish, then check this one out. It provides medium-to-full coverage, which is enough for most consumers. Despite providing such full coverage, it is surprisingly light, smooth, and velvety.
No pore-clogging involved!
Keeping consistent with the rest of MAC’s makeup products, the powder comes in a whopping 51 different shades, so if you normally have issues finding your perfect shade or color, then you can feel confident you’ll find yours in this product.
Something else we loved about this matte makeup for oily skin?
That you can apply it either wet or dry. The wet process does increase the chances of streaking or blotchiness, however, if blended properly, this will not happen. The talc-based texture overall goes on very easily regardless if applied dry or wet.
Now, let’s get down to what we didn’t like.
Honestly, the only thing we didn’t like was probably the fact that it can be difficult to choose a shade, just because there are so many to choose from. Aside from that, there are no complaints. It was tough choosing between this MAC powder foundation and the Younique. They’re both amazing and are excellent options.
What We Loved
- Goes on super smooth and velvety
- Can be used either wet or dry
- Huge variety of shades to choose from
- Very long-lasting and durable wear-time
What We Didn’t Like
- Can be difficult choosing among so many shades
Dolce and Gabbana Matte – Best High End Product
The Perfect Matte Powder Foundation works perfectly in combination with your skin to create the perfect, smooth look. The powder is one of the best makeup items for flawless coverage and is also quite versatile.
It can be used wet or dry to give either a matte base or a more silky, smooth finish (keep in mind that wet application makes blending a bit more difficult).
Concerned it won’t work for your skin type?
This powder works well with each skin type; from super-dry to oily and shiny. No matter what, you’re going to see a silky, soft finish.
Spherical polymers not only give that smoothness, but also work to help conceal any fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and other blemishes. The compact design is great to take along while traveling, too, so you can toss it into your handbag and take it wherever you go.
What kind of coverage does it provide?
It provides full-to-medium coverage, which works well for the vast majority of consumers. Keep in mind that it also offers buildable coverage, so if you have some trouble areas, you can apply the powder accordingly without worrying about any caking.
The product is also available in a pretty good selection of shades, so you’ll likely find a shade that suits your skin tone.
Now, let’s move on to what we didn’t like:
The price. Really, this is the only complaint we had. While it is quite durable, it is also one of the most expensive on the market.
What We Loved
- Goes on super lightweight and smooth
- Can be applied both wet or dry
- Made with very high-quality, durable products
- Long wear time
What We Didn’t Like
- Relatively expensive
Smashbox Halo Hydrating – Best Product for Dry Skin
The Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder does just that:
Perfect your skin!
One of the first things we liked about this foundation, is the packaging. It’s high-quality, but also features a grinder which allows just the perfect amount of product out for you to use, without wasting excess product.
The foundation easily builds anywhere from a sheer-to-medium coverage, which never looks cakey, nor over-powdery. That’s a common issue, especially when you have dry skin; the look looks rough rather than smooth and natural.
This oil-free foundation is great at not drying out the skin like so many powders tend to do.
The non-drying formula combines the color payoff of your typical pressed powder but also gives that luminous, fine, breathable finish of a loose powder. In fact, we were quite surprised to see how finely-milled and lightweight the powder foundation was.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you have combination or oily skin, this will still work well for you.
It works to keep shininess and oiliness under control without making your skin look dull. Sometimes it can be hard to find a product that gives you that happy medium, but we’ve found it’s easily achieved with the Halo.
Are you trying to conceal fine lines?
Great! That’s no problem with this powder. It actually blurs any imperfections you may like to conceal, as well as smooth the skin, minimize the appearance of pores, and just generally make the skin look more even and smooth. The trouble with many powders is it just settles into fine lines, however, this one actually works to take the attention away from them.
Also, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. These ingredients are all potentially-harmful, so the fact that they’ve thoughtfully made sure to not include these tells us a lot about the company and how high-quality their products are.
In addition, it’s non-comedogenic, cruelty-free, and tested by dermatologists, so you can rest assured it’s not going to aggravate your skin.
The only real “con” we could possibly think of, was the fact that there weren’t that many shades to choose from; only 7. We’d really like to see them improve upon this in the future, but otherwise, we are obsessed with this powder foundation!
What We Loved
- Very lightweight, breathable feel
- Blurs imperfections like fine lines and wrinkles
- Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
What We Didn’t Like
- Not very many shades to choose from
How To Pick The Right Powder Foundation For You
Now that you’ve had the chance to look through each product in-depth, you may have already found the perfect one for you. However, if you haven’t, that’s okay! That’s why we’ve gone ahead and created the buying guide, below. It will make sure that you find exactly the best powder concealer for you and your skin.
Coverage
First of all, you’re going to want to evaluate the level of coverage you and your skin require. Do you need just a light cover or are you trying to cover up more trouble areas like acne breakouts or fine lines/wrinkles?
This is going to be very important in how satisfied you are with the product. If you need something to cover an adequate amount of redness or breakouts, then you’re going to want to go with a powder concealer that’s heavier on the coverage.
If you just want a bit of sheen, then go with a powder that’s lighter and isn’t going to cover as much. These powders will work together with your skin tone and show more of your natural skin tone through the product.
Type
Are you going for a pressed powder or a loose powder? If you want more color payoff mostly, we recommend going with a pressed powder. These are generally going to provide more coverage, as they are more compact and give you more product in a small space. However, there are also many loose powders that can provide great coverage and color payoff, as well.
It’s definitely not a rule, however, it’s something to consider.
Also, think about how messy you are, or how often you’re going to be traveling with your new powder. If you’re messy or going to be taking your powder on trips, you may want to consider a pressed powder. These powders come in more compact containers that are thinner and easier to carry with you in your bag. It also isn’t going to pop open and explode everywhere. Loose powders can go everywhere before you know it.
Application
Are you going to go for a very light, smooth, easy-to-blend product, or do you want something you can use with a wet application? Not every product works well with a wet application; in fact, only about half of the products on our list work well with it.
Wet application is generally going to be a bit more difficult to blend, but it generally offers more color payoff and better coverage. It’s nice to have the flexibility to do both, as sometimes your skin will require more coverage, and other days, not as much.
Price
How much do you want to spend on your new powder concealer makeup product? Think about this before you start shopping. That way you don’t compromise what you initially wanted to spend, and you don’t end up regretting your decision.
With that being said, remember that quality isn’t always equal to how much a product costs.
While this is sometimes the case, it’s definitely not a rule. Also, take into consideration how long the product in question is going to last. There are many products with larger price tags, which will last twice or three times as long as the cheaper product. This means that you’re going to benefit from a higher-quality product, at a similar price.
Durability
How long are you going to need your new powder foundation to last? Some only last a few hours, while others last literally all day. Think about how important durability is to you. If you’re always at work or traveling, or just generally don’t have many chances to touch up your makeup, you’d probably enjoy a long-lasting powder that will stay looking great hours after you first apply it.
Conclusion
Now that you know quite a bit about the best powder foundations on the market today, which one is your favorite? If you’re still having doubts about which one to select, we need to reiterate how much we loved the Younique Powder, as well as the MAC Studio Fix Powder.
Both of them are different, but similar in so many ways.
They’re both very long-lasting which makes them quite affordable, considering how long they last. Aside from that, they’re both very lightweight, breathable, and go on super smooth and silky. The Younique powders come in only 11 shades, while the MAC comes in 51, but we preferred the formula of the Younique to the MAC just a bit.
Know that whichever product you choose, that you’re getting one of the best, highest-performing foundations currently on the market!
So, which one of the best powder foundations will be making its way into your makeup bag?
