Have you ever wondered what is setting powder? Here is all you need to know about setting powder so your makeup looks great all day!
FAQs
- What is setting powder? Setting powder is a makeup powder that helps absorb excess oil to keep the shine at bay so your makeup looks fresh all day!
- Is setting powder necessary? Setting powder is only necessary if you have normal to oily skin and you want a more matte look to your makeup.
- What is the best setting powder to help makeup last all day? These are the best setting powders: Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder, Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder, Laura Mercier Translucent Powder, Makeup Forever Loose Powder
- Does setting powder cause acne? No. Setting powder does not cause acne. There are other factors that can cause acne: a poor skin care routine, dirty makeup brushes/applicators, or touching your face.
- Does setting powder cause oily skin? No. Setting powder does not cause oily skin but can actually help your skin look less shiny and greasy.
What Does Setting Powder Do?
Setting powder is meant to help your makeup stay all day and to help your face from looking shiny and greasy. If you have oily skin, then you definitely want to set your makeup with powder! Setting powder helps absorb excess oil on your face, helping you keep the shine at bay all day!
What is Setting Powder Made Out Of?
There are a lot of setting powders on the market, so each setting spray ingredients will differ. These are the ingredients of some of my favorite setting powders:
Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder: Talc, Boron Nitride, Bismuth Oxychloride, Zinc Stearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Isopropyl Lanolate, Cetyl Acetate & Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Phenoxythenol, Sodium Benzoate, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines
Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder: Calcium Silicate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Acetate, Zinc Stearate, Fragrances, Stearyl Acetate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Oleyl Acetate, Propylparaben, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Zinc Oxide
Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder: TALC, MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE, NYLON-12, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ZEA MAYS (CORN) STARCH, METHICONE, LAUROYL LYSINE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, TOCOPHEROL, METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM DEHYDROACETATE, PROPYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN. MAY CONTAIN/PEUT CONTENIR/(+/-): IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007)
Makeup Forever Loose Powder Ingredients
Here are the ingredients in the Makeup Forever Loose Powder: Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer.
Is Setting Powder Necessary?
Setting powder is only necessary if you have normal to oily skin and if you want your makeup to stay all day. If you have dry to normal skin and don’t have a problem with your face getting shiny throughout the day, then you can just use setting spray to help your makeup last all day.
If you have oily skin, then setting powder is necessary to help you look fresh and matte all day. Setting powder will help absorb excess oil so you don’t look like a greasy mess by midday.
How to Use Setting Powder
There are a few ways to use setting powder:
- Lightly dust your face with a fluffy brush
- Press the powder with a dense brush
- Pat the powder with a makeup sponge
- Baking method
Lightly dust your face with a fluffy brush
If you want a light coverage of powder, then take a fluffy makeup brush and setting powder and lightly brush your face with the product.
Press the powder with a dense brush
If you want a fuller coverage and more matte look, then take a dense powder brush and powder and press the powder on the spots on your face that you want more staying power. Focus on your forehead, nose, and chin.
Pat the powder with a makeup sponge
You can also use a makeup sponge to apply the powder. Use dabbing and patting motions to apply the powder on the areas of your face where you want more staying power.
Baking method
If you have very oily skin, then you will love this baking method! Once you’ve applied your makeup, apply a heavy layer (and I mean heavy!) of powder using a powder brush or makeup sponge. The powder will be visible. Let the powder sit for 5 minutes. Then take a fluffy brush and lightly brush away the excess powder.
Letting the powder bake and sit for a few minutes will help it absorb excess oil and adhere to your face better.
MAKEUP SPONGE | POWDER BRUSH | FLUFFY BRUSH
The Best Setting Powder to Help Makeup Last All Day
I have very oily skin, so it’s crucial I use a good setting powder to help my makeup look fresh all day! I’ve tried a ton and read lots of reviews. Here are the best setting powders to help your makeup last all day:
Seint Vanilla Dust Setting Powder
Coty Airspun Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Does Setting Powder Cause Acne?
Setting powder does not cause acne. It is made for the face and is non-comedogenic. There may be other factors that are causing acne:
- A poor skin care routine
- Dirty makeup brushes/applicators
- Touching your face
A poor skin care routine
Having a good skin care routine is crucial to healthy, happy, and clear skin! Commit to cleansing, toning, and moisturizing your skin daily and exfoliating your skin a few times a week. It will help your skin glow!
Dirty makeup brushes/applicators
Using dirty makeup brushes or applicators will spread bacteria on your face and cause breakouts. Clean your makeup brushes weekly to keep the germs at bay!
Touching your face
It’s easy to get in the habit of touching your face throughout the day. You may rub your eyes, scratch your face, or lean your chin on your fist. All of these things are spreading germs, dirt, and oily on your face which can cause breakouts. Commit to not touching your face so your skin can remain clear.
Does Setting Powder Cause Oily Skin?
Setting powder does not cause oily skin. In fact, it helps keep your skin from looking oily! When you have a good skin care routine and you use good makeup, setting powder can help keep your skin looking less shiny.
Hopefully those tips about what is setting powder answers your questions. Knowledge is power! Play around with different products and techniques to see what works best for you.
Here are other blog posts you might enjoy:
How to Color Match Yourself with Seint Makeup
Eyeshadow Tips for Hooded Eyes
About the Author
JoEllen is a licensed aesthetician, makeup mentor, and certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. She has been working with women for 18 years helping them look and feel confident. She loves teaching women simple beauty techniques so they can feel empowered to try it at home. She believes that when you look and feel good, you do good!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item featured in this post, I get a small portion from the sale. Thank you! It does not affect you at all.
