17 Setting Powders For Transfer-Proof Makeup All Summer Long

Catie Pusateri

July 12, 2024 at 9:00 PM·4 min read

'Tis the season of breaking into a sweat immediately upon stepping outside. It's hard to escape the sticky heat, but long-lasting setting powders can go a long way toward helping a makeup look remain intact through the swampiest of weather conditions.

"Setting powder is super versatile; [I look for] formulas that are high-performing and flexible — they should lock in my makeup all day and be easy to blend," Tisha Thompson, an Atlanta-based makeup artist and the founder of Lys Beauty, tells Fashionista.

Sure, setting powder may not be the most glamorous product in your makeup stash, but it's easily one of the most effective for securing a transfer-proof base. Look for a translucent formula to seamlessly set makeup all over, or tinted versions to offer additional coverage or color-correcting benefits. These powders can also work in tandem: Toronto-based makeup artist Khera Alexander reaches for loose powder when setting the undereye area, catching eye shadow fallout and defining cheekbones, and then taps on pressed powder to set her complexion application.

A common setting powder gripe is its tendency to appear cake-y, resulting in unwanted flashback in photos or emphasized texture in person. For Alexander, the key to avoiding this pitfall starts with the skin: "Even the thinnest, silkiest powders can exacerbate textured, dry or flaky skin," she notes. Therefore, she ensures her clients' skin is exfoliated and hydrated before applying makeup, and recommends working in thin layers of powder to gradually build up product for the desired payoff. Both she and Thompson recommend choosing finely milled powder to ensure a seamless blend.

"If you're aiming for a long-lasting finish, try using a damp beauty sponge to bake — it's a game-changer," Thompson advises. "For a lighter, more natural look, I like to use a brush to gently dust the powder over any areas where I've used liquid or cream products."

Thompson often reaches for powders with added skin-care ingredients: Lys Beauty Triple Fix Setting Powder (which includes niacinamide to address shine and sodium hyaluronate to plump fine lines), Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder (which is spiked with aloe, bamboo and rosemary leaf for smoothness and a calming effect) and Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder (which relies on squalane to lock in moisture). As for Alexander, some of her setting powder must-haves include Huda Beauty's Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder, Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder and Laura Mercier's Translucent Setting Powder.

"I would encourage anyone looking for a setting powder to factor in their lifestyle and how much time they realistically have to get ready when doing their makeup," Alexander advises. "For example, if you're a person who's on the go or wears very minimal makeup, you may like a pressed setting powder for its ease and convenience. If you wear more makeup or like trying different application methods, you may like a loose setting powder for its versatility."

Ahead, we've rounded up 17 expert-approved setting powders for long-lasting, sweat-resistant makeup looks.