Best Talc-Free Setting Powders

Best Translucent Talc-Free Setting Powder (For Dry Skin): bareMinerals “Hydrating” Mineral Veil, .21 oz, $21.

If you have dry skin and you want a talc-free, translucent finishing powder, this is the best that I have tried. It is very difficult to find talc-free powders, so the selection is not super amazing. All bareMinerals powders are talc-free, so you’re safe in that category. This stuff is perfect if your foundation already looks great but you just need to set it so it doesn’t just fall off your face or transfer everywhere. If I could, I would choose to not wear powder at all.  It doesn’t dry out your face and make all the dry patches appear (NOTE: if you use too much, it will). Just like with all powders, use them sparingly. I use the side of a big, poofy brush and gently press/tap all over my face. It gives a gentle luminosity but without the sparkle. I think the goal here was to keep that dewy look of foundation but the setting power of a powder. The reason I gave this first place and not the MUFE pressed powder is because the better price and the glowier finish.

Tip: you may want to stray away from this setting powder if you are going out at night or will be photographed since it does contain minerals.

Second Place: Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder, .21 oz., $36.

I almost think these two deserve to be tied because they both work well for dry skin and are talc-free. This formula even has sodium hyaluronate , which is believed to have hydrating properties. If you don’t mind the price tag, this may be a better buy solely based on ingredients. It sets foundation well and is invisible, as long as you use it correctly (a little goes a long way). I apply it the same way as the bareMinerals hydrating veil.

Best Talc-Free Setting Powder: Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, .50 oz., $49.

This is classified as a “perfecting powder”, so it will set your makeup and add a little color as well. There are 8 shades, which I think cover the spectrum pretty well. I find that a lot of my foundations pull pink and my skin tone is on the yellow side, so I’ve been looking for a talc-free setting powder that will correct the color a bit and work well on my dry skin…this is IT! It is pretty expensive but it is worth it if you have a similar situation. But, if you don’t have dry skin, and you don’t mind talc, there are a lot more powders to choose from. As far as coverage solo, I have not tried using it on its own, mostly because I try to avoid powders all together, so I only want to use a little to set & correct my foundation. I think on it’s own, it could provide light to medium coverage. Oh, and I love the packaging! As many of you know, loose powders are sooo messy. This guy has a shaver that you twist and only a little at a time comes up. This could possibly create some problems when you’re down to the very last bit, but I will let you know when I get there (which will probably be a long time from now since half an ounce is a lot when it comes to powder. If you need a color match, swing by Sephora.

I hope I have helped my fellow dry skin peeps on finding the best powders to set your foundation.

<3 Emily