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DRUGSTORE POWDERS
DRUGSTORE POWDERS
Powder. Some of us are afraid of it, and some of us are just a teensy bit too attached to the stuff.
I like to think I have a healthy relationship with powder these days. I still use it everyday, but I try to avoid diving in the deep end and going swimming in it. And when it comes to the drugstore powders that I use, I have high expectations.
See, I want my powders to do their jobs in silence. They need to stand up to whatever my skin or the weather throws at them, but they need to remain invisible and not complain. In literal terms, I just want my powders to blend into my skin, avoid looking dry or powdery, and definitely refrain from caking and curdling by the end of the day.
While I have become more of a minimalist when it comes to most makeup products, I find that powder is just too specific to have just one. Depending on what type of look I want, which other products I’m using, and how long I need my makeup to last, I will set my face with different powders. Here are a bunch of my favorite powders and what I use them for.
*UPDATED: New powders have been released since this post was originally published. In order to keep this info current and super helpful, I have changed some of my top drugstore powder picks to keep up with the times. I plan on updating consistently as new products are released!
Table Of Contents
- L’Oreal True Match Powder
- Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder
- Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder
- CoverGirl Clean Fresh Pressed Powder
- Essence Brighten Up Banana Powder
- Pacifica Cherry Velvet Matte Setting Powder
- Pacifica Neutralizing Mattifier Soft Focus Translucent Powder
- Catrice Prime + Fine Waterproof Mattifying Powder
- No7 Lift and Luminate Powder
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder
- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
THE QUICK VERSION
ANCHOR drugstore powders
L’Oreal True Match Powder
A great everyday, all-purpose powder. It comes in a great shade range and provides a bit coverage, which is great considering that L’Oreal doesn’t really claim this products provides any coverage. I use this on medium-coverage days when I want to have a flawless overall look without a ton of liquid foundation. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
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Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder
Maybelline Fit Me Powder also comes in a great shade range, though the coverage is lighter than the L’Oreal mentioned above, IMO. The powder leaves a natural finish on the skin, and does a good job of disguising pores and blurring imperfections. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
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Maybelline Fit Me Loose Powder
Loose powders often come in one or two white and light shades, so this one is unique in that it actually comes in a variety of shades. This powder excels when used as a light setting and finishing powder, rather than a baking powder. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
ANCHOR drugstore powders
CoverGirl Clean Fresh Pressed Powder
This pressed powder is free from talc, mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde and more, and it is also vegan. The main ingredient, mica, is one of my favorites because of its super smooth, silky and skin-blurring finish. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
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Essence Brighten Up Banana Powder
It is quite rare that I use a banana powder, but when I do, I find that this is one of the easiest options. The shade isn’t too yellow and the powder is very finely milled. I like that I can dust it over my concealer for some extra brightness without worrying that it will cake up or make me look like both the cake and the baker simultaneously. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
ANCHOR
Pacifica Cherry Velvet Matte Setting Powder
Pacifica products are 100% Vegan and Cruelty Free, and overall just more natural. I particularly appreciate this fact in a loose powder, which tends to be inhaled more often than other products. The cherry scent is a sweet bonus, too. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
ANCHOR drugstore powders
Pacifica Neutralizing Mattifier Soft Focus Translucent Powder
A Vegan and Cruelty Free mattifying powder that actually mattifies. The powder works well over most foundations to control oil and prevent foundation from breaking down prematurely. Not to mention, isn’t this packaging just something you want to pull out of your makeup bag every day? | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
ANCHOR
Catrice Prime + Fine Waterproof Mattifying Powder
Is it waterproof in the pouring rain? Maybe not. But I think this humble drugstore powder holds its own against my dripping sweat when I decide to work out in public and I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. Hey, I want to look like I have it all together, not like I’m bumping along on the strugglebus. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
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No7 Lift and Luminate Powder
The designation, “finishing powder” is what many powders aspire to be, yet most fail to get anywhere close. This No7 powder is extremely finely-milled and so it blends seamlessly into your skin, rather than sitting on the surface. It works well to lightly set your makeup, though it can also be applied a bit heavier for a redness-reducing effect. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
ANCHOR drugstore powders
e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder
Halo Glow Setting Powder is created by finely milling lab-grown sapphires. This is said to give your skin a glowy, blurred, and soft-focus filtered effect like no other powder. Perfect or people who need a bit more setting powder to combat oiliness, but want to keep as much luminescence as possible. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
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HONORABLE MENTION: Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
This was my OG powder pick. I used this non-stop for years when my skin was on the oilier side of the spectrum. It’s a great all-in-one powder that can be used to mattify the t-zone, yet also buffs into the rest of your face beautifully in order to set your makeup without leaving your skin looking dry. | ⇢ READ REVIEWS
That’s all for today!
If you liked this post, check out this one too >> Top 10 Best Concealers At The Drugstore! | Drugstore Concealer
If you found this post interesting, informative, or just plain entertaining, tell me in the comment section below, and don’t forget to share this post!
Till next time. ♥︎
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FTC- This post is not sponsored by any brands mentioned. I purchased all products myself. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliated.
The Hourglass powders are so pretty but they are so expensive. I’m looking for good dupes. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-Sun Mi
Hi Sun Mi! Trust me, I’m always on the lookout for great dupes too, because yes, the Hourglass powders are very expensive. I don’t have anything right now, but when I do, you will definitely hear about it in a super-excited post! Keep checking back, and thanks for reading! 🙂 xo
This is just what I was looking for. Summer is my favorite time of year. But I have trouble controlling my oily skin while still looking light and fresh. Great suggestions.
–Rain
The Elf cream eyeshadows last forever on my eyes and they are so cheap! I love them!- Rosalie
I love them too! Thanks for reading! 🙂 xo
Hello, I want to subscribe for see all the updates, where
can i do it please help.
Hello Clemmie, you can subscribe via the signup form in the sidebar. Also, you can also find a sign up button in the navigation bar. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Hi, I was wondering what you think about the Hourglass palette? It’s so expensive, do you think it is worth buying? I’ve heard mixed things. ??
Hi Maryann! Personally, I think it is worth it, but not everybody will feel that way. It’s not the most pigmented thing, so if you are looking for strong highlighters, then you’ll be disappointed. However, the powders do give off a beautiful sheen, so if you just want a subtle healthy glow, then these work beautifully for that. Hope this helps! 🙂 xo
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Milani Baked Blushes. I rarely use anything else, and I have almost all of them.
They are awesome blushes, I totally agree! Thanks for reading 🙂 xo
You probably didn’t intend this, but this post gave me an idea. People are super into capsule wardrobes these days, so why not a capsule makeup collection? Use a small group of makeup that’s not overwhelming, and change it seasonally? I’m going to do it!
Actually, I did! I created a free email course on the subject if you’re interested. Check it out here >> Capsule Beauty Challenge
Great suggestion, BTW, and thanks for reading 🙂 xo
I just want to say that I think the photos in this post are gorgeous! Amazing swatches and pretty flat lay. Good job — Pat
Why thank you, Pat! 🙂
Another awesome post!