Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Pressed Powder Container

I’ll admit it: I’m an oily skin girl. For years, I tried to straddle the fence, using cleansers for combination skin and claiming that “not all of my face gets super dewy” (a code word that really meant my skin was greasier than the pot I cook my eggs in). Now that I’ve accepted and am living in my truth, I’ve had to make some adjustments, primarily to the products in my makeup bag. My biggest takeaway: the best pressed powders are my best friend.

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Powders get a reputation for being too matte or cakey, but after speaking with professional makeup artists (and testing dozens of options), I've found that the winners in the category help control my oil without making my skin look lifeless. “The pressed powder that works for one person may look completely different on another,” MAC Cosmetics Senior Artist, Michelle Denson, tells me. “The best pressed powder depends on your skin type and makeup goals. For oily skin, look for something lightweight that is oil-absorbing or mattifying. Drier skin types should look for something that's hydrating with skincare ingredients. If you are sensitive, something fragrance-free would be helpful.”

That’s just the start of all the factors that should be considered when on a journey to finding the best pressed powder. Ahead, Denson, and celebrity makeup artists Christian Briceno and T. Cooper, explain what you should be on the lookout for to get the pressed powder that best suits your needs, and I narrow down the list of the best ones readily available on the market.

The Best Pressed Powders

• The Best Pressed Powder Overall:Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
• The Best Radiant Pressed Powder:Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
• The Best Pressed Powder for the Undereyes: Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Blurring Under Eye Powder
• Best Luxury Pressed Powder: Burberry Beyond Wear Setting & Refining Powder
• Best Mineral Pressed Powder: Mineral Fusion Pressed Powder Mineral Foundation

Other Setting Powders I Love

What Is a Pressed Powder?

As with any complexion product, these are essentially pigments encased in different formulations (and in this case, drier ones). “Pressed powder is a compact formula that can be used for setting makeup, adding coverage, or even color-correcting,” Cooper tells me. “Unlike loose powders, it’s less messy and super portable.”

As Denson mentioned, the best pressed powder depends on your personal needs, but generally, they are used to blur, mattify, and even brighten the face. Some can even be used as a bronzer—it’s all about how you want to get creative with integrating the formula into your routine.

What Should I Look for In a Pressed Powder?

Every skin type as different needs, so "what to look for in a pressed powder will depend on each person’s skin type and texture, as well as the finish they want to achieve,” Cooper says. Here's how to know what to look for:

• If you have dry skin, a lightweight, hydrating formula that won’t cling to dry patches will be best. (Some pressed powders are even infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid or jojoba seed oil.)
• If you’re constantly struggling with shine, look for a pressed powder that absorbs oil and keeps your skin matte.
• For a flawless, blurring effect, a finely milled or light-reflecting powder will be your best bet.
• Very sensitive skin types should opt for fragrance-free formulas, just to be on the safe side. (Be sure to also double-check if there’s a specific ingredient that your skin reacts to or causes you to break out.)

What is The Difference Between Setting Powder and Pressed Powder?

While they’re both powders, there are some key differences between setting powder and pressed powders, primarily in the way that each formula is typically packaged. “Pressed and setting powder both lock in your makeup, but there’s a plot twist,” Cooper says. “Pressed powders are typically just that—pressed into compact— and are very travel-friendly for quick touch-ups. On the other hand, setting powder can be both loose and pressed.”

“Setting powder is primarily used to set makeup, especially in areas prone to creasing,” Denson adds. “It’s great for under the eye and for adding longevity. Pressed powders, on the other hand, can also be used for setting, but are typically more portable, less messy, and can also add a bit of coverage—they’re much better for on-the-go touch-ups. They can be applied with a sponge for more coverage or a fluffy brush for a lighter finish.”

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How We Tested

For this story, we sourced editor and makeup artist-beloved pressed powders and tested over 20 top-selling formulas. We evaluated each powder based on finish, pigment, staying power, price, and results.

Meet the Experts

If you're not dusting the best pressed powder over your makeup to set it, you might be missing out on some worthwhile perks. In fact, New York City-based makeup artist Delina Medhin previously told Allure that "setting your makeup is one of the most important steps of your makeup routine." And it's true: Not only can setting powder ensure a long-lasting makeup look, but it can also reduce shine and prevent flashback in photos—giving skin a soft-focus finish at all times. In particular, "pressed powder is one of the true superheroes in my pro kit," says New York City-based makeup artist Sara Talias of the mess-free, travel-friendly formulas. With that, here are the pressed powders that deliver on their promises.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder, $49
• Best for Oily Skin: Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder, $42
• Best Shade Range: Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder, $36
• Best for Dry Skin: Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder, $75
• Best Blurring: Fenty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder, $38
• Best for Redness: Givenchy Prisme Libre Blurring & Color Correcting Matte Pressed Powder, $59
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Lawless Beauty Perfecting Powder Talc-Free Skin-Smoothing Powder, $41
• Best Finish: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder, $69

Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder

Why it’s worth it: The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder is a staple in Talias' kit. The makeup artist notes the powder's "unique formula," which she credits with hydrating and brightening the skin. "I especially love this product under the eyes for keeping creasing to a minimum," she says. This finishing powder, which is also packed with moisturizing, vitamin E-rich almond oil, comes in four shades: Fair, Medium, Tan, and Deep.

Best for Oily Skin: Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

Why it’s worth it: Similar to its loose setting powder sibling, Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder locks in makeup in seconds, complete with a subtly dewy—but not shiny—finish. Its lightweight, blendable formula, which is enriched with moisturizing skin-care staples like glycerin, squalane, and vitamin E, creates a diffused effect. The shade range includes Crystal (very light to light skin), Shore (medium to medium-deep), Mesa (medium-deep), and Sable (deep to very deep).

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Best Shade Range: Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder

Why it’s worth it: For a powder that sounds as airy and wispy as it feels, consider this formula. "The Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder provides a gorgeous sheer coverage, perfectly setting any look while keeping it fresh and natural," says Talias. Its talc-free, cruelty-free, and vegan formula—which contains nourishing glycerin, moisturizing jojoba seed oil, and fatty acid-laden sunflower seed oil—is just a bonus. The formula actually starts as a mousse, which is then baked to transform it into a supremely silky, super-lightweight powder. In our testing, we loved how it let our skin breathe—so your face still looks like real skin, not powdery, chalky, or, the worst offender… dry.

Best Overall: Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder

Why it’s worth it: New York City-based makeup artist Suzy Gerstein credits the Westman Atelier Vital Pressed Skincare Powder with helping blur pores and texture. With its weightless formula, this pressed setting powder is infused with skin-loving ingredients like free-radical-fighting vitamin C, moisturizing jojoba seed oil, and fatty acid-loaded quinoa. The result? Smoother pores, more even skin tone, less shine, and, over time, refined skin texture.

Best Blurring: Fenty Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder

Why it’s worth it: Invisible, matte, instant, setting… we love a product name that makes everything obvious. Fenty’s Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder is exactly what it sounds like: a translucent, no-flashback powder that mattifies shine on contact and keeps your makeup locked in. Whether you’re setting your makeup look or doing a midday touch-up, it blurs pores, smooths texture, and never looks cakey. “This absorbs shine beautifully without making your makeup cakey or disturbing the makeup beneath. I use this on my clients for big events and have seen how it doesn't budge all night,” says Kasey Spickard, a makeup artist based in New York City. Bonus: The universal shade takes the guesswork out of shade matching.

Best for Redness: Givenchy Prisme Libre Blurring & Color Correcting Matte Pressed Powder

Why it’s worth it: Each Givenchy Prisme Libre Blurring & Color Correcting Matte Pressed Powder features a mosaic of four color-correcting tones that blend together to neutralize redness, brighten dullness, and balance uneven skin tone. The silky, microfine texture sets makeup without looking flat or dry, giving your skin a naturally matte (but never lifeless) finish. “This pressed powder version of the beloved Prisme Libre loose powder has become a must-have in my kit,” says Spickard. Like its predecessor, it also includes kaolin, a shine-absorbing ingredient often found in pore-purifying face masks, to help control oil throughout the day so your makeup doesn’t slip and slide. “It really does blur and lock makeup in,” adds Spickard.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Lawless Beauty Perfecting Powder Talc-Free Skin-Smoothing Powder

Why it’s worth it: The Lawless Beauty Perfecting Powder Talc-Free Skin-Smoothing Powder took home a Best of Beauty Award for its velvety feel and non-caking, no-crease wear. (It's also jam-packed with nourishing, soothing ingredients like bisabolol and squalane.) It's the best light-medium powder that senior copy manager Dawn Rebecky has ever tried—not surprising, since it comes in seven shades—and helps beat the heat. "It held up really well in the dog days of summer," Rebecky says.

Best Finish: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder

Why it’s worth it: Those who prefer a more radiant look need not look further than the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder. This long-wearing, Best of Beauty-winning pressed setting powder has a weightless, glycerin-enriched formula that won’t enhance dry skin and provides sheer coverage to blur blemishes—all while offering a gorgeous glowy finish and keeping makeup in place. With nine shade options, it’s easy to find the perfect one based on your undertones.

For one, they lend staying power to cream and liquid foundation formulas. What's more, explains Gerstein, pressed powders are more user-friendly than loose powders since "they're perfect for throwing in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups without the potential mess of loose powder particle spillage." The best pressed setting powders also work by absorbing excess oil (especially in the T-zone) to create a smoother, shine-free complexion.

Gerstein also notes that the best pressed setting powders on the market are "incredibly finely milled and featherlight," which makes them suitable for all skin types. These days, they also offer skin-care benefits—which, in some cases, can help "bind moisture to the skin," she says. This makes them an especially ideal choice for those with dry or mature skin, on whom traditional powders can look cakey.

Remember that less is more when it comes to pressed powder—after all, it's not bronzer or blush. "Place your brush in the powder, then tap it off until it looks like nothing is left on the brush, then keep applying until you get to your desired matte look," Medhin previously said. Similarly, Talias recommends using a small brush and "diffusing the product in certain areas of the face," such as the nose, chin, and forehead, which tend to collect the most shine.

• Delina Medhin, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Sara Talias, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Suzy Gerstein, a makeup artist based in New York City
• Kasey Spickard, a makeup artist based in New York City

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best pressed powders, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

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