If you’ve ever Googled “how to use setting powder,” you know the overwhelming truth: There are more than 300 million websites tryna tell you how to get it done. That’s great! Knowledge is power and all that — but too much knowledge can also be hella confusing.

Here at Beautyblender, we like to keep things simple. So we’ve created Setting Powder 101: a class that will answer all the big Qs, from what is setting powder, how to apply setting powder, when to apply setting powder, and what setting powder does.

Class is in session!

What is setting powder?

Setting powder is a must-have in any makeup routine, acting as the finishing touch to lock your look in place. It sets foundation and concealer while reducing shine, creasing, or smudging. Think of it as the "seal" that ensures your makeup stays fresh and flawless all day long.

Whether you’re aiming for a matte or radiant finish, setting powder keeps your makeup exactly where it belongs—no touch-ups required. This versatile product comes in loose or pressed formulas, making it perfect for busy workdays or late-night outings. It’s the key to a smooth, long-lasting, airbrushed look.

What does setting powder do? 

Setting powder locks your makeup in place by creating a bond between your liquid or cream products (like foundation and concealer) and the powder. When applied after blending your wet products, setting powder “seals” everything into position, preventing creasing, smudging, or fading. The result? A smooth, flawless finish that lasts all day—from morning to midnight.

When to use setting powder

Use setting powder any time you wear makeup and want it to last longer. This essential step locks in your look, ensuring a fresh, flawless finish throughout the day.

Setting powder is especially useful for:

     — Holding foundation in place on your face and neck
     — Helping absorb extra oil, which is ideal for people with oily or combination skin
     — Keeping concealer in place, especially under the eyes where it can help brighten dark circles

How to use setting powder

Using setting powder correctly can make all the difference between a cakey finish and a seamless, airbrushed appearance. Here's how to use setting powder in 5 easy steps, ensuring your skin looks smooth, radiant, and camera-ready.

Step 1: Start by bouncing on your foundation and concealer with a wet Beautyblender — but don’t let it dry! In order to create the proper wet-dry bond, you need to work quickly to apply setting powder to still-sticky foundation and concealer.

Step 2: Press powder onto your skin using a Power Pocket Puff. Pressing instead of brushing prevents wet products from moving or streaking, and it’s better for correcting skin textures, and smoothing over scars or blurring discoloration and blemishes.

Step 3: Press powder under your eyes, along the sides of your nose, and on your forehead and chin, as well as anywhere else that grease tends to gather.

Step 4: For extra-oily spots like the sides of your nose or your T-Zone, grab your BIG BOSS Powder Brush and give those an extra sweep.

Step 5: Do a final check. If you see any stubborn blemishes, red spots, or scars, use the wand tip of your makeup sponge to tap a tiny bit of product on the trouble spot. Blend with your finger or a Micro Mini, and finish with a final layer of powder. This super-cool layering trick will help you build extra coverage only where you need it, which will keep your natural look intact.

How to Apply Setting Powder with Makeup Tools

Applying setting powder with the right tools ensures a smooth, long-lasting finish. Use a fluffy makeup brush or a damp sponge to pick up a small amount of powder, then press it gently onto areas like the T-zone or under the eyes. Avoid sweeping motions to keep your foundation and concealer in place.

Applying setting powder with powder puffs can help you achieve the best results. A powder puff is designed for precise powder application. Beautyblender's Power Pocket Puff™ is dual-sided which allows you to press powder into the skin for a flawless finish that you can blend out effortlessly.

Do You Use Setting Powder Before or After Setting Spray?

Setting powder is typically used before setting spray to lock in your foundation and concealer. It mattifies the skin, reduces shine, and creates a smooth finish, preventing makeup from creasing or smudging. Think of it as the first step in ensuring your makeup stays flawless all day.

After applying setting powder, finish with a light mist of our 18-Hour Setting Spray to lock the powder into your skin for a natural, radiant finish that lasts all day. The combination of powder and setting spray helps ensure your makeup looks fresh and stays put all day. Use a makeup sponge or brushes to blend and perfect any areas after misting, creating a flawless, airbrushed effect.

Different Types of Setting Powders

There are two types of setting powders: translucent and colored.

Colored or tinted powders help brighten or deepen your overall complexion while correcting tone and redness. Colored powders can also be used to warm up or cool down a foundation.

Translucent powders are more universal and may be easier to work with, especially for beginners. They won't change the color of the foundation, but they also won’t add any coverage.

Our setting powder is a bit of a hybrid that comes in five shades:

   1. Buff – An ideal setting powder for light skin tones.

     2. Canary – A universal tone for brightening and color correcting.

     3. Topaz – A perfect setting powder for medium skin tones.

     4. Nutmeg – A setting powder for tan skin tones.

     5. Chocolate – An ideal powder for deep skin tones.

If we had to nail down a percentage, we’d say Bounce™ Soft Focus Gemstone Setting Powder is 75% tinted and 25% translucent, which means it’s easy to work with, and also gives you a headstart in the coverage department.

What is the Best Setting Powder?

We may be a little biased here, but we believe the Bounce™ Soft Focus Gemstone Setting Powder is the best setting powder on the market. It combines advanced skincare benefits with makeup magic to give your skin a flawless, natural finish. With its hydrating formula, light-reflecting gemstones, and commitment to clean, sustainable ingredients, this setting powder is truly in a league of its own. Here's why it deserves a spot in your routine:

• Hydrates your skin using hyaluronic acid, so your face never looks too flat or too dewy

• Is milled super fine so it can soften fine lines and blur uneven textures without dryness or caking

• Uses light-reflecting gemstones that melt into the skin, creating a prism-like effect in all the right places

• Is made with sustainably sourced mica (a naturally occurring mineral dust) to absorb oil and cancel shine

• Is talc- and flashback-free to create a second-skin natural finish

Why does being talc-free matter? The minerals talc and asbestos form together, and sometimes asbestos ends up in makeup made with talc because of poor regulations. 

That’s a problem because asbestos causes lung cancer and mesothelioma, so, yeah, no thanks!

The Secret to a Flawless Makeup Finish Every Time

Setting powder is more than just an optional step—it’s the key to locking in your makeup and ensuring a flawless, long-lasting look. Whether you're using it to control shine, blur imperfections, or enhance your foundation and concealer, the right setting powder and tools can elevate your entire routine.

Whether you're prepping for a busy day or a night out, you can trust that your makeup will stay fresh and radiant, no touch-ups required. So go ahead, make setting powder your makeup must-have and let your beauty shine all day long!