Ask any professional makeup artist, and they'll tell you that a quick sweep of translucent powder can make all the difference. It is the perfect beauty product that will keep your makeup in check and blur your fine lines and wrinkles. Being the hot commodity that it is, you can be sure that all your favorite brands, such as Laura Mercier and Maybelline, carry it.
Shopping for the perfect one may take time since there are a lot of things to considerーdo you get translucent powder for oily skin or translucent powder with SPF? Don't worry as we're here to help you get the best and the right translucent powder for you with our curated list of the top products on the market as well as a buying guide checked by visual and makeup artist Ida Siasoco!
Makeup artist and hairstylist since 2017 and has worked on various commercial and editorial projects. Likes to put glitter on everything and believes that "you can never put too much blush".
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Table of Contents
The best way to mattify your skin and make sure your makeup lasts all day is by using powder. With the many innovations in beauty products in the market nowadays, no two powder formulas are exactly alike. There are some key distinctions though between loose and pressed powders that can impact the choice you make on which one is best for your needs.
Loose powder is made up of finely milled particles that absorb oil throughout the course of the day and will provide you with long-lasting wear. While it may not leave the cleanest of messes considering you usually use it with a brush, this powder gives you a flawless look by setting your base makeup. It is also ideal for baking! They usually come in tubs and have an airbrushed finish that leaves you with a mattified shine-free look.
The best thing about pressed powder is its portability. It comes in a small compact and with a sponge that is great for quick touch-ups or for those who apply makeup while on the go. It usually comes in a wide range of shades as well as compared to the translucent loose powders. It goes on heavier than loose powder, but it still manages to give you that natural finish.
Choosing powder may seem like an easy task, but it's more than a one-dimensional product and it's definitely not one-size-fits-all. The right loose powder on you will work wonders. It is important to consider your skin type and what you'll be using your translucent powder for.
If there is one skin type that is very much suited for loose powders, it is oily skin. Loose powders contain minerals that soak up excess oil and can therefore work wonders by making your face shine-free and extending your makeup wear. Although many users have mixed reviews about talc, it is one of the most common ingredients in loose and baby powders as it is useful in absorbing moisture.
Other minerals include silica, which absorbs oil, does not settle into fine lines, and is completely invisible. Make sure that your translucent powder has mattifying properties and blurring powers for your pores, especially since large pores are one of the concerns of oily skin types.
If you have dry skin you should avoid powders that are too drying, as it can aggravate your skin’s dryness and make you look flaky or chalky. You should look for products infused with moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, coconut oil, or shea butter to nourish your skin.
Go for a translucent powder that has a natural finish because its finely-milled loose powders are ideal for going in between the creases of dry skin. Additionally, people with dry skin should stay away from talc or silica, which are drying ingredients and could exacerbate your skin's dryness.
If you have sensitive skin, avoid products that contain fragrances or alcohol as it could irritate or aggravate your skin, causing redness and itchiness. Try to select products that are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested to ensure they won’t cause an adverse reaction to your skin.
When in doubt, always do a patch test first, so you can see if your skin is compatible with the product before applying it all over your face. Some other harsh ingredients to avoid are parabens, triclosan, phthalates, and any kind of retinol.
Products that are non-comedogenic do not contain pore-clogging ingredients and therefore can prevent breakouts. Non-comedogenic makeup should be a standard when buying makeup products, but it should be most especially considered by people with acne, combination, and oily skin.
Some of the best ingredients for non-comedogenic makeup are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and salicylic acid. You can also determine for yourself the worst non-comedogenic ingredients by avoiding heavy oils, petroleum jelly, and silicone-based ingredients that may cause irritation for acne-prone, combination, and oily skin types.
If you are someone who is diligent about your sunscreen habits, or you know that you get exposed to the sun for the most part of the day, go for products that contain SPF for added protection against harsh UV rays. This doesn't mean that you should forego your usual dose of sunscreen, but a little more help can go a long way.
Prolonged exposure to harsh UV rays can cause premature skin aging as well as wrinkles, so it is highly recommended to go for products with SPF application. Make sure to select products that contain about SPF 30-50 for optimum protection.
From ₱1,450
Have you always wished you could cop Instagram’s filter in real life? With Hourglass’ translucent powder, you can surely achieve that! Their ultra-refined powder is designed to give your skin a flawless and natural-looking finish. The secret behind this product is that it is infused with diamond powder to refract light without any flashback.
This also means its light-reflecting particles can blur imperfections, fine lines, and the appearance of your pores, so you can finally achieve that pore-less appearance celebrities have on Instagram. Their product is also great for baking under eye concealers and preventing any creases for an overall seamless look.
With an innovative and chic signature sifter from Hourglass, this product promises a mess-free session. Its powder’s invisible finish sets your makeup for extended wear, making you look flawless and shine-free for longer.
From ₱1,490
This product is widely known and loved that it even has its own cult following! Laura Mercier has no doubt established itself as a favorite when it comes to translucent powders. The secret is in their powder itself, which is finely milled and has a weightless texture.
Its blurring effect and breathable wear make you look and feel like you’re wearing nothing at all! Professionals and makeup users alike love its super smooth application, which blends evenly and sets your makeup for 16 hours without making your face feel heavy or cakey.
Its 16-hour long wear and its soft-focus effect that blurs fine lines and imperfections in your face make it the perfect powder to use during events, photoshoots, or even for a long day out. On top of all that, it also boasts of no photo flashback, making you look as great in the pictures as you are in real life!
From ₱2,360
This pressed finishing powder gives other translucent powders a run for their money. You'll always put your best face forward because this product is compact and portable, making it your best friend as it conceals imperfections on the go.
It smoothens rough patches, and reduces shine, leaving you with a luminous yet very natural matte finish. The translucent formula of this Make Up For Ever product is formulated with Ultra HD 4K technology, which makes your powdered makeup look invisible on camera and to the naked eye.
You'll also be pleased to know that this powder has a non-drying formula as it is enriched with hyaluronic acid. This leaves you with an optimum level of moisture and keeps your skin from drying. It's a product that truly cares for your skin!
From ₱388
True to its name, this Airspun translucent powder contains finely milled particles that come with a powder puff applicator. You can use this to either set and perfect your makeup or apply it on as a base or foundation.
This beauty product from Coty gives you a healthy look with its silky-soft and ultra-smooth finish. Its cloud-like softness keeps your skin looking and feeling fresh all day while smoothening out the toughest of lines and blemishes.
Are you looking for a makeup product that can keep up with you? This translucent powder’s flawless finish is long-lasting and can survive a long day of activities and events. Its full coverage is also buildable but still manages to feel lightweight.
From ₱3,350
Do you hate it when at the end of the day your face is all dried up and getting flaky patches in rough areas? Having dry skin is tough, and you’d probably use loose powders sparingly, but thankfully we have a product that satisfies your moisturizing needs for you.
By Terry’s setting powder is infused with hyaluronic acid, making it the perfect translucent powder for people with dry skin. This beauty product draws moisture into your skin and helps sustain it at an optimum level.
If you have oily skin, you can also rely on this product. It can mattify shine and blur imperfections and fine lines. It also contains silica, which is a mineral that prevents your makeup from caking up and absorbs excess oil.
From ₱449.75
If you’re someone who takes your SPF protection seriouslyーas we all shouldーthen this may be the ideal translucent powder for you. Its amazing sun protection of SPF 50 and PA++++ and flawless application makes it the perfect product to top off your makeup routine!
This trusty product is dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and most importantly, non-comedogenic, which ticks all of our personal safety boxes.
Something even more impressive is its innovative Tone Adapt Technology that evens out our skin tone and conceals imperfections. It also features a Cell Protect formula that protects you from premature skin aging.
From ₱1,530
Do you hate that oily feeling your skin gets at the end of the day when you have makeup on? This loose powder from Urban Decay makes sure that doesn’t happen as it blocks oil and leaves the skin clean and fresh.
A great product to wear on busy days, this waterproof and super-silky powder evens out your complexion and will last up to 16 hours. It softens and mattifies your skin without flaking or drying.
The best thing about this product is its lightweight and breathable vegan formula that looks completely translucent and delivers a flawlessly natural finish. It also works on a wide range of skin tones and foundations.
From ₱795
This product from Max Factor is the miracle we’ve all been waiting for! This Miracle Veil Loose Powder will set your makeup for all-day glowing wear. Its radiant loose powder helps to control shine, keep oil at bay, and improve skin texture.
Its formula makes an illuminating powder that is perfect for improving the texture without making the skin look flat and dull. It is a lightweight makeup product that prevents the skin from looking dry and chalky.
This product definitely takes it to the max with its complexion-perfecting coverage that minimizes the look of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. Say goodbye to dull-looking days and level up your makeup look by topping it off with this translucent powder!
From ₱2,145
This translucent powder from Shiseido has an innovative formula plus a sleek and compact design. It finishes with a unique powder that coats your skin in a silky-smooth, breathable, and weightless veil.
This product features a Responsive Sensory Technology that allows its formula to apply effortlessly on the skin and adapts to your needs as it smoothens and blurs out any fine lines and imperfections.
Perfect for on-the-go and last-minute touch-ups, this product reduces visible shine and is crease-resistant. It is also sweat-proof, water-resistant, and humidity-resistant, making it the best translucent powder for a working Filipina.
From ₱399
Keep your makeup flawless and your skin fresh for hours. This product from blk cosmetics promises you sheer beauty in a compact tub. Its expert formula, which contains SPF 25, will protect you from the sun while providing sheer coverage for your skin.
It subtly blurs out your wrinkles, lines, and dark spots and leaves you with an au naturel look. One of its many features is its natural matte finish that keeps Filipinas from looking sweaty in this humid weather.
If you love having that weightless feel of makeup on your face, this product is definitely for you. Its light-milled powder works and feels like an invisible veil that keeps you beautiful and fresh for hours.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
If used in moderation, translucent powder is relatively safe but when used a little too much, it may prove drying for your skin and ridding too much of your face's natural oil, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. If you have oily, combination, or acne-prone skin, make sure to go for non-comedogenic products that do not contain pore-clogging ingredients.
Translucent powder is used to set your makeup and is, therefore, one of the last products to go on your skin during the makeup routine. Make sure to apply it on top of your cream-based or liquid-based makeup, such as your foundation, concealer, and contour. This makes sure that your makeup stays on for longer and prevents creasing.
Most translucent powders work on all kinds of skin tones since they promise an invisible finish and disappear once blended into the skin. Make sure to go for products that feature "No Photo Flashback," since flashback is an issue with some formulas, making it seem like you have a white cast on your skin during flash photography.
Having perfectly applied makeup all starts with the right base. Make sure that you have the right routine that helps you achieve that flawless base for your makeup look that looks great on any day. Here are some products that will definitely help you out in creating that flawless canvas.
Author: Justine Cuizon
Re-Editor: Andi Sanchez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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