5 Best Pressed Powders - Sept. 2026

BEST OF THE BEST

Charlotte Tilbury

Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

Lightweight Flaw Coverage

A gorgeous pressed powder that looks great by itself or for setting your favorite liquid makeup.

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PROS

Goes on silky smooth and feels lightweight on skin.
Contains both moisturizing and light-reflecting ingredients for a beautiful uniform finish.
Does a good job blotting oil;
doesn't tend to get cakey or settle in fine lines.
No sulfates.

CONS

Expensive, and the product doesn't seem to last very long.
Available in limited shades.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

Clinique

Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder

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PROS

Sets itself apart by offering a choice of 16 shades, so finding one to match your skin tone shouldn't be an issue.
Delivers a soft matte finish and controls oil.
Made without parabens, fragrance, and mineral oil.

CONS

Comes with a subpar sponge.
May require frequent touch-ups, especially if your skin is very oily.

tarte

Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Tinted Pressed Finishing Powder

Made With Minerals

The soft texture and mineral ingredients work well for many consumers, but it may not work for you if you have crepey skin or large pores.

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PROS

A mineral-based powder that's made with skin-nourishing vitamins.
Absorbs oil and sets other makeup products with a lightweight finish.
Made without phthalates, parabens, and sulfates.
Four shades are suitable for most skin tones.

CONS

Some reports of breakouts after using it.
Has the tendency to emphasize lines and pores.

Kat Von D

Lock-It Finishing Powder

Best for Absorbing Oil

If you have oily skin, there's a good chance this powder will impress you. You'll enjoy carrying the detail-rich compact, too.

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PROS

Versatile, as it works well for setting makeup, blotting oil, or by itself.
Great for oily skin.
Vegan and free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
Fans love the pretty compact that it comes in.

CONS

Can be challenging to find the best shade – repeat users with fair-to-medium skin tones find the light shade too pale and the medium too dark.

It Cosmetics

Bye Bye Pores Pressed Poreless Finish Airbrush Pressed Powder

Pore Control

While this unique powder won't work for everyone, it has skin-perfecting ingredients that are great for those who can use it.

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PROS

Offers the brand's award-winning formula, which contains ingredients that blur imperfections, like fine lines and pores.
Works well for all types of skin;
absorbs oil.
Doesn't contain parabens, phthalates, or sulfates.

CONS

Only available in one shade, and although it's translucent, it can look pale or chalky on some skin tones.

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First Reviewed

December 12, 2021

Models
considered

Hours
researched

Written by Jennifer Manfrin

Updated December 2021

No makeup collection is complete without pressed powder. This versatile cosmetic comes in a solid cake-like form and is applied using a puff, brush, or sponge. Pressed powder can be used to set liquid foundation and concealer, blot oil, and touch up your makeup throughout the day. It can also be applied all by itself to reduce shine and provide light coverage. Pressed powder comes in many shades, so you'll need to choose one to match your skin tone. The right shade can help conceal blemishes and give your face a smooth, flawless finish.

Best Pressed Powders

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons

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