Powder foundations are ideal for mornings when you’ve snoozed the alarm one too many times and have no time to prep for your video meetings that require cameras on. They can get you from looking like you just rolled out of bed to work-ready in a minute.
The best part? They blur out pores and leave your skin looking naturally matte so you don’t look like you have light beaming from your forehead during meetings. They are also great for when you need a quick touch-up in between.
If you have oily, textured or combination skin, powder foundations are a godsend for you. But if you have dry skin and are afraid it might go on patchy, apply a thicker moisturiser (and allow it to set) before applying powder foundation, or spray a light coat of hydrating setting mist.
Use a brush to stipple, buff or sweep on the foundation to get the desired coverage. If you want more coverage, use the accompanying (or any) makeup sponge to stamp on the product.
But take note: When it comes to applying powder foundation, less is definitely more. Too much can look heavy and chalky, so start with a little and build it up.
You can also prevent cakey makeup with these four simple steps:
1. Use a hydrating primer as a base.
2. Conceal troubled areas with liquid or cream formula.
3. Buff in the powder foundation.
4. Seal everything in with a setting spray.
For a full list of powder foundations we’re currently obsessed with, keep on scrolling.
Offering matte coverage that blurs and smooths texture and pores, the Make Up For Ever powder foundation provides up to 12 hours of buildable coverage. The lightweight formula is also water-resistant. Available in 28 shades.
Those with oily skin types would love the OG powder foundation from M.A.C. Cosmetics. The matte formula controls oil and shine for up to eight hours and provides medium-to-full coverage that promises to stay true to colour without caking or streaking. Available in 29 shades.
One/Size is a makeup label created by beauty YouTuber Patrick Starrr and this powder foundation is his go-to to create his full-impact glam. It provides a soft matte medium-to-full buildable finish that lasts up to 12 hours. Available in 31 shades.
Part of the L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear line, the powder foundation gives full, natural matte coverage for up to 24 hours. The formula is water-, heat- and sweat-proof, making it especially great for Singapore’s weather. Available in 10 shades.
Those who find it difficult to find their shade can head to Rihanna’s inclusive Fenty Beauty. Her powder foundation promises buildable soft matte coverage that’s non-cakey and sweat-, humidity- and crease-resistant. Available in 50 shades.
The FlexMatte technology ensures that the Sephora Collection powder foundation blends seamlessly into the skin for a natural matte finish while blurring imperfections and smoothing over texture. It has buildable coverage and wears up to eight hours. Available in 21 shades.
The brand’s Camo range of base makeup has become viral for its affordability and high performance. Its long-wearing and lightweight powder foundation is primer-infused and can be built to medium-to-full coverage. Available in 15 shades.
Maybelline’s full-coverage matte powder foundation has been formulated with blurring pigments that blur texture and control sebum. It also provides additional sun protection with its SPF 44 rating. Available in seven shades.
Not only is this highly-pigmented powder foundation designed to provide shine-free coverage without settling into lines and wrinkles, but it’s also long-wearing and delivers light to full coverage.
This powder blends seamlessly into the skin in just one swipe. With a texture that’s as smooth as butter, the Turn Up The Base Versatile Powder Foundation offers medium-to-full coverage leaving a beautiful soft matte finish and lasts for as long as 12 hours on your skin.
For that lit-from-within look, consider the Matte Glow Compact Foundation from Burberry Beauty. Boasting an innovative second-skin formula, the powder foundation feels light on the skin and provides enough coverage to conceal your flaws. Aside from that, the luminous finish it imparts isn’t too shabby, either.
Just because you didn’t catch the ZZZs last night doesn’t mean you have to settle for skin that looks flat. Thanks to its buildable and lightweight formula, you can easily blur out imperfections without worrying about caking up.
This blends effortlessly for a flawless, natural-looking finish and evens out your skin without being traceable to the naked eye. We also like that it’s infused with light-reflecting pearls and powders so that it gives you a beautiful radiant glow.
The Shiseido Synchro Skin line is created for those who don’t want to fuss with touching up as the day goes by. The ActiveForce technology helps the foundation blend into the skin to provide a natural matte finish while the Smart Correcting Powder technology corrects skin tone and texture. It can be applied wet or dry, is sweat-, water- and humidity-resistant and has SPF35/PA++++.
This vegan powder foundation has a buildable formula, which allows you to customise the level of coverage you need. As its name suggests, the foundation leaves a matte yet natural finish in part thanks to the ingredient mica.
Besides being able to control sebum so skin has a velvet matte finish, the Innisfree powder foundation also contains moisturising ingredients and an antioxidating formula to nourish skin and ensure that the makeup stays on all day and looks fresh.
Swipe on this formula to recreate the lit-from-within look in an instant. It glides smoothly onto the skin and evens out your skin tone without looking fake or powdery.
Just like all the products in the Lock-It series, this sweat-proof foundation does not smudge or budge one bit. This vegan formula comes in 26 shades to deliver the full coverage of your dreams and contains rice powder extract and kaolin to soften the appearance of imperfection and give a diffused matte finish.
This top-rated powder foundation not only gives amazing natural-looking coverage and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores, but is also extremely hydrating and lightweight, making it great for any skin type. This handy compact can be applied wet or dry, depending on the level of coverage you prefer.
This cult classic didn’t garner fans for anything—this plush powder takes the prize for its convenient application and staying power as it delivers an instant porcelain-like complexion with only one swipe. This versatile formula also works well as a setting powder if you want your liquid base to stay put, or just wear it alone for a sheer natural look.
This new mattifying powder foundation is high up on our beauty faves list for two reasons. One, the breathable formula helps us conceal blemishes and visible pores like a pro. Two, it’s water-resistant! The line is designed to match 30 skin tones, and each compact comes with a dual-sided sponge – a black side for photo-ready high coverage and a white side for a soft veil of powder.
Use this affordable formula with a damp beauty sponge and it’ll keep shine at bay all day so that your skin looks polished to perfection from morning till night. Wearing a primer underneath will help it last longer as well.
This article was first published in Cleo.