When you live in a country like Malaysia, setting powders are an absolute necessity for makeup users – especially if you have oily or combination skin.
Whether you lean towards a dewy look or a matte finishing, setting powders can help you lock in your look by absorbing any excess oil. Bonus: this means you wouldn’t have to reapply your makeup as much (great news for those seeking ways to extend your product life!).
Having said that, it can get pretty overwhelming to pick out a setting powder that fits you from the sea of products available on our market. If you’re looking for some suggestions, we’ve got you covered right here!
Overview
When it comes to this Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, your skin colour doesn’t matter. This setting powder is perfect for creating a soft-focus finishing that doesn’t settle into even the finest lines. Despite having that oil-blotter effect, the powder doesn’t dry out your skin. What’s even more appealing is the fact that it comes with a no-flashback formula – giving you that photo-ready look, anytime!
Details
- Contains components which help in reducing oil for a long-lasting, natural complexion
- Provides a sheer coverage with a matte finishing that sets makeup flawlessly for up to 12 hours
- Developed with a certain refraction component which minimises pores
- Presents as a finely milled powder that doesn’t add weight or texture to the skin
- Engineered with a no-flashback formula that subtly blurs the look of fine lines and imperfections
Who is this for?
This product is suitable for any makeup user and fits virtually all skin colours – from fair to medium and tan skin tones. With its no photo flashback feature, this setting powder makes it ideal for days or nights where you’ll be in front of cameras, be it in a professional setting or selfie sessions with your best buds.
Overview
Looking for a multitasker setting powder? The Mary Kay Silky Setting Powder is your best bet! This product helps even out skin tone and blur minor imperfections for that matte finish.
Designed with an innovative formula, the setting powder contains a plant-based emollient that adds an element of softness while minimising dryness and flakiness. It also comes with a range of natural-looking shades, allowing you to create an even skin appearance via colour correction.
Details
- Designed to minimise shine for a matte finish
- Able to blur minor skin imperfections and blends effortlessly to enhance your look
- Non-drying formula that helps reduce dryness and flakiness
- Natural-looking shades to avoid that cakey look
Who is this for?
The Mary Kay Silky Setting Powder is ideal for those looking to conceal minor imperfections without using too much product. It fits all skin types, and it’s also suitable for those with sensitive skin as the product has been tested for skin irritancy and allergy.
Overview
Available in a collection of shades, this Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder fits any skin tone. Once you’re satisfied with your makeup base, just lightly dust over your face to achieve that perfect finishing touch.
Also, thanks to its mineral-based formula, the product helps to control shine and smooth skin’s texture for an even appearance. It also has a sheer hint of colour that can give you a subtle glow.
Details
- Mineral-based formula
- Controls shine, resulting in a matte appearance
- Smooths skin’s texture with a hint of colour
- Provides the ideal finishing touch to your makeup base
Who is this for?
The Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder can be considered one of the best drugstore loose powders in Malaysia and is especially effective for those with oily skin. It also helps to control perspiration, extending your makeup wear for longer hours.
As it is developed with a mineral-based formula, the product helps users achieve a smoother skin texture without clogging your pores.
Overview
If you’re seeking sheer coverage without any additional colour, go for the MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Perfecting Powder. Just as the name suggests, this product is a perfecting powder that results in a matter finish to lock your makeup.
Made with nourishing ingredients, the powder wears comfortably without drying out your skin. As it has been dermatologically tested and is non-acnegenic, the product is a great option for those with sensitive skin or prone to breakouts.
Details
- Reduces appearance of pores
- Sets makeup without disturbing colour
- Controls oil without drying skin
Who is this for?
The MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Perfecting Powder is suitable for all skin types: combination, dry, normal and oily. With its sheer coverage and lightweight properties, the product is an excellent addition to your makeup kit – no matter if you’re a beginner or a makeup maven.
Overview
The Sephora Collection Smoothing Translucent Setting Powder is ultra-fine textured that smooths, mattifies and sets face makeup. Even after a long day of wear, the product still maintains a natural, matte finishing.
It can also help turn foundations that aren’t long-lasting into longer-wearing, more matte versions. What’s nice is that the packaging is another plus point – only a small amount comes out when you need it, which helps prolong your makeup shelf life.
Details
- Free from fragrance, oil, paraben, peptides and sulphates
- Blurs skin’s texture without emphasising dry patches
- Adds no colour
- Absorbs oil without drying out skin
Who is this for?
This product is ideal for those with combination skin as it mattifies and sets face makeup without drying out skin. It’s also great for those who need to have their makeup on all day due to its mattifying properties that can last for about 6-8 hours. Perfect for daily wear!
Overview
Infused with vitamin C, the Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Pressed Powder offers instant brightening, tone perfecting and conceals imperfections with its matte finishing for up to 16 hours. Great news as you wouldn’t have to reapply your powder throughout the day!
On top of that, the product covers blemishes without looking too cakey on the skin, all with just one single application.
Details
- Light, micro-fine powder that effectively absorbs oil for a more natural, matte finish
- Doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts
- Contains SPF20/PA+++
Who is this for?
If you’re looking for beauty on a budget, this product fits the bill!
Despite its cheaper price tag, the Maybelline Clear Smooth All in One Pressed Powder doesn’t compromise on quality, making it considerably one of the best drugstore compact powders in Malaysia. It’s even suitable for acne-prone skin as it promises not to clog your pores.
Overview
The Clinique Blended Face Powder is developed with a skin-hugging formula that helps conceal pores and other minor imperfections. It promises a silky-smooth finish that reflects light for that added radiance.
This powder effectively absorbs surface oil, giving your skin a fresh, natural look. It also comes with a retractable mini brush which is travel friendly.
That said, you can use Clinique’s Powder Rubdown technique to achieve a more flawless look. Simply pour powder into your palm, coat fingertips with powder then gently pat and smooth your fingertips over the skin. If you’d like, brush off excess for a more natural appearance.
Details
- Allergy tested
- 100% fragrance-free
- Non-acnegenic
- Oil-free
Who is this for?
This product is suitable for mature skin as it feels silky smooth on your face, giving you an even toned and polished look. It also instantly brightens up your skin which helps add a nice glow to tired or dehydrated skin.
Overview
The NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder boasts a weightless finish that is said to be undetectable on skin.
This powder comes with a photo-friendly formula that incorporates Photochromatic technology. Essentially, it helps your skin adjust to new sources of light, making your skin look perfect both on camera and in person. It also helps in creating a soft-focus effect by concealing fine lines, wrinkles and pores.
Details
- Dermatologist tested and non-comedogenic
- Translucent coverage with a luminous finish
- Free from oil, paraben and synthetic fragrance
Who is this for?
As the product has been formulated without parabens, talc, alcohol, fragrance and mineral oil, it is perfectly suited for users with sensitive skin. It’s also great for those always on-the-go as the nifty packaging comes equipped with a compact mirror.
Overview
The NYX Pro Makeup Mineral Matte Finishing Powder is formulated with silica which works effectively to absorb sebum, providing a mattifying action. This powder offers a subtle hint of coverage while setting your makeup to ultimately give the skin a radiant finish throughout the day.
Bonus point: the product is vegan and cruelty-free as the brand doesn’t test their products on animals!
Details
- Sheer colour payoff
- Matte finishing
- Formulated without sulphate and alcohol
- Developed with dimethicone which helps fills fine lines and wrinkles, and silica for great oil absorbing abilities
Who is this for?
This mineral setting powder is suitable for those looking to conceal minor imperfections on skin for a flawless finish.
Offering just a tint of colour, the NYX Pro Makeup Mineral Matte Finishing Powder provides enough coverage to be worn over makeup or on bare, moisturised skin. The product is ideal for both light and natural makeup looks.
FAQ:
- Pressed Powder vs Loose Powder
Although both pressed powders and loose powders can work wonders for a variety of makeup techniques, there are some significant differences between these two product types.
Pressed Powder:
Pressed powders usually come in a compact or powder case. They are often available in many different shades and feature a semi-solid formula – meaning less mess. The main ingredient here is typically talc which helps spread the product evenly on skin.
Loose Powder:
Meanwhile, loose powders are a fine, dry makeup product that usually comes in a jar or tube packaging. Their main ingredient is often Silica; a commonly used ingredient in loose powders. It is this that gives the product better oil control properties.
Which ones?
If you’re looking for more coverage, opt for pressed powders as they are easier to use and can be more pigmented.
However, loose powders can be your go-to if you’re looking to specifically set your makeup and blur skin imperfections with a mattifying finish.
Always bear in mind that loose powders can settle easily into fine lines, which can make your skin look cakey if too much product is applied.