iman powder foundation

Created by Bridget Clegg using images from Laura Geller

If you're anything like us, you have a product for every time and place. Off to the beach? Grab your BB cream. Hitting the gym? Just a little dab of concealer will do, of course. For special occasions, reach for the heavy-duty stuff with higher coverage. But if heavy creams or liquid foundations are not your vibe, you might be a good candidate for a quality powder foundation.

What to Consider Before Buying a Powder Foundation

Powder foundations are perfect for everyday wear, especially if you struggle with oily skin. However, celebrity makeup artist Laura Geller does want to note that, unfortunately, powder foundations aren't universally flattering on all skin types.

"A traditional powder is typically lighter-weight coverage and not longwear. Typical powders are recommended for normal to oily skin types as they tend to make skin look dry," she says. "Powders have a tendency to amplify the look of fine lines and wrinkles."

Although many powder foundations have been formulated to work on a variety of skin types, dry and mature skin have overall slim pickings. If you'd rather opt for something with a more hydrating feel, Geller recommends grabbing a liquid or cream foundation instead. "Creams provide a heavier coverage and are typically for those with dehydrated skin," she says.

Also, keep in consideration what kind of coverage you're looking for. Most powder foundations are buildable, but Geller says you need the right tools in order to create the truly customized effect you're looking for. "I recommend using a full fluffy brush for light coverage, and for ample coverage, try using a denser brush," she says.

The Best Powder Foundations

Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation
Most Shades to Choose From: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Full-Coverage: KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Powder Foundation
Best for Drier Skin Types: Laura Geller New York Baked Balance-N-Brighten Foundation
Fan-Favorite: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Powder Foundation
Best Luxury: Chanel Le Teint Ultra Tenue Ultrawear Flawless Compact Foundation
Buildable Coverage: Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder
The Pore Minimizer: Wander Beauty Wanderlust Powder Foundation
For Glam on a Budget: Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Powder Foundation
Longest Lasting: Too Faced Born This Way Pressed Powder Foundation

How We Chose

We know investing your pretty pennies in a makeup product that fails is never fun, so our beauty editor hand-selected only the best of the top-setting powders on the market. She's tested out each and every one of these products throughout the years, and says these are the best bang for your buck because they truly provide buildable coverage that will suit a variety of needs. Plus, most of these formulas have a no-budge hold without being harsh on your precious pores.

But don't just take her word for it: many of these powder foundations have been highly praised by reviewers over at Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, and more. Find the best powder foundation for you with our top picks below.

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation

Neutrogena walmart.com

$24.51

As a quality powder foundation that won't break the bank, Neutrogena's Mineral Sheers enhances your skin tone, giving you a natural look. Its lightweight, breathable formula makes it one of our faves for someone who prefers light coverage.

The only downside about this powder foundation is that it only comes in eight shades, making it unable to cater to a majority of skin types.

More:The Best Foundation Brushes to Help You Blend and Buff to Perfection

Most Shades to Choose From

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

There's a reason why MAC's Studio Fix powder foundation has been a cult-classic for years: because it puts in the work of a long-lasting liquid foundation, while having a lightweight feel of a compact.

The plush powder provides an instantly flawless face. It applies quickly and evenly in one swipe, and the coverage is buildable depending on how heavy you prefer your foundation.

You can wear it alone for a sheer look, and this versatile powder even works well as a setting powder if you want a more dramatic look that doesn't budge. Plus, with a grand total of 53 shades to choose from, finding your true match has never been easier.

Full-Coverage

KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Powder Foundation

KVD Vegan Beauty sephora.com

$37.00

KVD Vegan Beauty's Lock-It Powder Foundation quickly earned a spot on our favorites list thanks to its full-coverage finish. It blurs out imperfections instantly, and leaves skin feeling smooth and looking polished to perfection. Plus, there are 26 shades to choose from.

Best for Drier Skin Types

Laura Geller New York Baked Balance-N-Brighten Foundation

Laura Geller New York walmart.com

$46.00

OK, so technically most powder foundations don't work well with dry skin types, but that doesn't meanallof them should be avoided if you have dry skin. This pick from Geller's famed makeup line is actually a baked cream formula.

What does that mean? Its unique formulation actually allows this "powder" foundation to apply like a conventional powder formula, but it's infused with hydrating skincare ingredients like centella asiatica and white tea extract so your skin won't feel (or look) dry and irritated.

Fan-Favorite

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Powder Foundation

Fenty Beauty sephora.com

$36.00

Fenty Beauty proves itself again as the reigning beauty brand of complexion products with this powder foundation. This is the powder foundation on everyone's face: It has a 90% "recommended" rating and over 60 thousand "loves" on Sephora's site alone.

Beauty fanatics all over the globe are loving this foundation for its buildable coverage, long-lasting hold, and its impressive 50-shade range. Even our beauty editor, Jennifer Hussein, admits to using this powder foundation on a near-daily basis.

Best Luxury

Chanel Le Teint Ultra Tenue Ultrawear Flawless Compact Foundation

Chanel nordstrom.com

$60.00

If you want the kind of flawless coverage that has people stopping you on the street, then this Chanel powder foundation is 100% worth the splurge.

The velvety matte formula feels super lightweight on your skin, and it gives you a totally airbrushed look. Just use the spongy side of the applicator for intense coverage or the velvety side for a sheerer finish, and you're all set to take the day on.

Buildable Coverage

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder

Laura Mercier nordstrom.com

$48.00

While the Laura Mercier powder foundation is on the pricey end, it's worth it because it's like two products in one. The Smooth Finish Foundation can be applied wet or dry, depending on the level of coverage you prefer.

Apply dry for sheer to medium coverage, or with a damp sponge for total coverage. Regardless, you'll be impressed with this powder's finish no matter how you apply it.

The Pore Minimizer

Wander Beauty Wanderlust Powder Foundation

Wander Beauty sephora.com

$40.00

If you have enlarged pores and blackheads that you're trying to cover, then whip out this compact. Not only does it look ultra luxe in its Insta-worthy packaging, but the powder foundation formula also contains aloe leaf and hibiscus flower extracts to moisturize skin while evening out your tone.

And no need to carry this around in your purse all day long: The formula is meant to be worn for hours on end without smudging or budging!

For Glam on a Budget

Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Powder Foundation

SEPHORA COLLECTION amazon.com

$28.00

Need a budget-friendly answer for your skin? Sephora Collection has your $20 fix: this mattifying powder foundation compact is ultra lightweight, buildable, and gives your complexion a naturally clear finish. Plus, it comes in 35 varying shades to choose from.

Longest Lasting

Too Faced Born This Way Pressed Powder Foundation

Too Faced sephora.com

$39.00

If you're worrying about touch-ups throughout the day, then this powder foundation has you covered. Its medium-to-full coverage is meant to work as hard as a liquid foundation, without the weight or suffocating feeling of one.

It's lightweight and delicate on skin, but provides a blemish-free finish for a full 12 hours.

Best Light Coverage

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Pressed Powder

Coming in 15 shades to choose from, this pressed powder foundation is one of the best formulas from Tarte's beloved Shape Tape line. This light-to-medium vegan powder works to blur away every blemish and imperfection lingering on your complexion: redness, excess oil, acne, hyperpigmentation, you name it!

Most Refreshing Formula

Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Custom Finish Powder Foundation

Shiseido sephora.com

$60.00

When we think of powder foundations, we tend to think of dry, mattifying formulas. Well, Shiseido's here to change that with their own creamy powder foundation, which glides on skin and refreshes your pores with a burst of moisture for hours on end. Plus, this long-lasting formula resists heat, humidity, oil, and motion!

The O.G.

BareMinerals Original Foundation SPF 15

bareMinerals sephora.com

$32.00

This mineral formula from bareMinerals is one of the best powder foundations on the market. It's been around for what feels like forever, proving that it stands the test of time.

The line was designed to match 30 skin tones, and it's derived from a basic formula of no more than five key ingredients. It looks like a powder, but it buffs on like a cream and provides a perfectly airbrushed finish for a flawless, illuminated complexion.

Best Multitasker

L'Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Powder Foundation

L'Oréal's drugstore selection stays true to color, with 24 shades to experiment with until you find your perfect match.

The powder foundation is incredibly buildable, offering anywhere from light to full coverage, and it can also be used as a mattifying powder for oily skin. It's a sure bet for looking flawless on a budget.

3-in-1 Formula

PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup

Not a fan of loose powder? Try this powder foundation that offers the same benefits of mineral makeup, but in a pressed-powder compact that's more convenient for on-the-go touch-ups.

It's designed to be your foundation, concealer, setting powder, and SPF 15 all in one. It also comes in 26 skin tone shades.

Best for Oily Skin

Lancôme Dual Finish Multi-Tasking Powder Foundation

LANCOME nordstrom.com

$44.00

This cult-classic, powder foundation from Lancôme has been saving oily skin types for decades. Available in 33 shades, it's a matte-finish, mineral formula that's easy to apply wet or dry, and won't leave a greasy film or oily finish like most liquid formulas.

Most Mattifying

Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation

Cover FX amazon.com

$38.00

If you're looking for themattest of the matte finishes, then this powder foundation is your best bet.

First off, this formula is infused with kaolin clay, which helps regulate and absorb oil for a grease-free finish even during a heat wave. Second, this foundation comes in a whopping 40 shades to choose from, giving you one of the best shade variations you could find in a powder formula.

Jennifer Hussein Beauty Editor Jennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she's testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.

Ashley Phillips Beauty & Style Editor Ashley is the beauty and style editor at BestProducts.com, and her work has been featured on Cosmopolitan and Town and Country.

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