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Unlike past powders, modern formulas aren’t heavy or cakey, and won’t completely eradicate your glow.
Byrdie / David Hattan
But which ones are best?
We researched andtesteddozens of options and enlisted the help of editors and experts to share their recommendations.
It’s so smooth that it creates an airbrushed effect on the skin.
PHOTO: Sephora
A bonus: it comes with a sponge applicator, making it convenient and travel-friendly.
Take this beloved powder from Mac, for example.
It’s lightweight, formulated with hydrating ingredients such asjojoba oil, and has a very fine luminosity.
Byrdie / Khera Alexander
The texture is incredibly smooth and sets makeup in place without highlighting dry patches or creating a cakey appearance.
We also love that it comes in 14 shades and offers a bit of sheer coverage.
As for its oil-controlling capabilities, we’re seriously impressed.
PHOTO: Amazon
It keeps shine at bay for several hours before needing a touch-up.
“Its weightless and gets rid of shine but not the glow,” says Vargas.
“you might reapply it throughout the day and it wont cake on you.”
Byrdie / Emily Algar
Instead of mattifying, it softens and blurs the skin, reducing shine but keeping radiance intact.
It seriously impressed us when we tested it in our lab.
It blurred the appearance of fine lines and pores but still kept the skin hydrated and plump.
PHOTO: Sephora
And even after applying a few layers, it remained lightweight and skin-like while creating a subtle glow.
We also appreciate that it’s talc-free which is great for those with sensitive skin.
It’s very lightweight and doesn’t create a powdery or cakey finish.
PHOTO: Sephora
We just wish the shade range was a little larger (there are currently just five offerings).
We loved how lightweight and buildable this formula was during our test of thebest full-coverage foundations.
“Pressed powder andloose translucent powderserve the same purpose of setting foundation and controlling shine,” explains Vargas.
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Additionally, pressed powders often offer coverage, while most loose powders do not.
He says that less is more when it comes to pressed powders to avoid a cakey finish.
Apply the powder with your finger to the under-eye area for more of a skin-like finish.
PHOTO: Amazon
Meet Our Experts
Byrdie consulted experts to gain additional insight and recommendations for this story.
She specializes in in-depth product reviews.
Alyssa Kaplanis an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics.
PHOTO: Sephora
She’s been a staff writer at Byrdie since 2022.
PHOTO: Byrdie / Leticia Almeida
PHOTO: Sephora
Byrdie / Leticia Almeida
PHOTO: Sephora
PHOTO: Pat McGrath Labs
PHOTO: Sephora
PHOTO: Byrdie / Jessica Juliao
