One of the most important parts of your makeup routine is also one of the easiest to overlook: setting your under-eye concealer with powder. It’s so easy to do that you may not think twice about it – and then come time to retouch later in the day, you see that your concealer has melted into an unflattering mess around your eyes, making them look puffy and dry and old. Avoid these problems by setting your under-eye concealer with any one of these high-quality under eye setting powder.
What are You Looking for in an Under Eye Setting Powder?
I think a lot of people look for two main things in an under eye setting powder: one, it needs to be completely translucent, meaning no white cast at all, and two, it has to set my concealer without feeling cakey. Some powders feel like you’re just layering more product on top of your concealer without providing any serious coverage; some are too light or have glitter that doesn’t show up once they’re blended out.
Most of them don’t work well over thick under eye creams—but that could just be my personal experience. In any case, let me know if there is something specific, you’re looking for when shopping for an under eye setting powder!
The Best Under Eye Setting Powder
#1: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Weightless Powder. This finely milled powder glides on smoothly and keeps everything in place all day long. The silky formula contains SPF 15 and leaves no residue under your eyes, while providing a noticeable blurring effect on lines. The result is flawless skin that lasts all day long — no caking here.
#2: NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder. If you’re looking for a powder that won’t settle into fine lines or pores, try NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder. It’s formulated with light-reflecting particles that help smooth out wrinkles without settling into them. It also has antiaging properties and can be used as an overall setting powder for your face if you’re not concerned about undereye circles.
#3: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. This translucent loose setting powder will last you forever because it goes such a long way!
Best Under Eye Setting Powder for Dark Circles
Smash box Step-By-Step Contour Kit: One of my favorite contour kits for dark circles is from Smash box. The kit contains a perfect yellow color that cancels out blue under-eye circles while also adding warmth and depth back into your skin. I’ve applied it wet and dry, both techniques working well.
Sephora Collection Matte Perfecting Powder: This powder can work as a setting powder or an under-eye powder. It comes in 10 different shades so you can always find a match no matter your skin tone, but if you are paler than a paper bag, I’d recommend sticking to one shade lighter than your natural skin tone.
Infallible Loose Face Powder by L’Oreal Paris
This face powder by L’Oreal is great for setting makeup under and around your eyes. It’s extremely affordable, but that doesn’t mean it is cheaply made. In fact, it comes in a wide range of shades so you can find one that matches perfectly to your skin tone. The downside is that some people have said they find it too heavy for daily wear and others have reported having trouble finding a shade match from their local drugstore. Still, if you’re looking for something affordable, check out Ineffable Loose Face Powder by L’Oreal Paris!
Bye-Bye Pores Powder by IT Cosmetics
This setting powder is one I’ve been using for years, but it took me awhile to commit it to memory because of its less-than-memorable name. This translucent setting powder blurs my pores and keeps my concealer looking fresh all day. It also comes in a convenient stick format, so it’s easy to take on-the-go. Another bonus? The Bye Bye Pores Powder contains SPF 50 and is made without parabens, phthalates, fragrance or talc!
Dermablend Professional Illuminating Powder
Dermablend’s under eye setting powder is vegan, talc-free, non-comedogenic and great for all skin types. They have an illuminating formula that gives off a hint of radiance while still offering excellent coverage. It comes in a small jar, which might be difficult for travel, but it’s long lasting and easy to apply. This powder is excellent if you want a natural look that won’t rub off throughout your day. You can set your concealer without looking too made up; it doesn’t crease or cake as it blends into your skin really well. The best part: there is little to no flashback!
Maybelline Lasting Banana Powder
Maybelline has been a major player in beauty for years. When you check out their line of Lasting banana powder, you’ll see one of their best products yet. This setting powder is great for under eyes or anywhere else on your face where you need a bit of extra coverage to hide dark circles, blemishes, etc. It also brightens skin beautifully with no creasing issues at all.
To say I was pleasantly surprised by how well Maybelline products worked would be an understatement! I love trying new things and have often bought different brands when it comes to powders like these but after using Maybelline, there’s no question that they will be my brand of choice from now on.
Revlon Photoready Candid Powder
When it comes to setting powder, everyone has different needs and preferences. And I’m always looking for an affordable option that won’t break out my sensitive skin or settle into fine lines (or worse, leave a crepe-paper texture beneath my eyes). While I don’t mind a matte finish all over, it can be too much for my undereye area.
The Revlon Photoready Candid Powder is a no-fail powder that adds subtle luminosity while still evening out any discoloration on my face. Unlike other translucent powders I’ve used in the past, it doesn’t settle into creases—even after 12 hours of wear.
Best Under-Eye Powders for Oily Skin
When I’m working long hours, I want a powder that won’t emphasize my oily skin or make me look like I haven’t slept in three days. Too Faced Away We Go Smooth and Glowy Loose Finishing Powder is one of my favorite under-eye setting powders because it absorbs excess oil while keeping me from looking tired or cakey. The main ingredients are silica and rice powder, which absorb oil.
A heaping scoop goes on top of your concealer for a luminous finish. Most powders that claim to be translucent actually have a slight tint, but since there isn’t any added color here, your concealer will show through as normal—just smoother and brighter.
Coty Airspun Face Powder
Coty Airspun powder for setting under eye area. It gives a nice coverage, yet is still translucent enough that you can use your regular concealer on top of it. The micro-fine formula provides excellent adhesion and absorbs oil around your under-eye area while setting your concealer into place.
Although I’ve always used Coty Airspun powder in regular skin shades, it also comes in a lighter shade specifically designed for fair complexions and light skin tones! And, if you’re wondering how to cover dark circles or want some suggestions on how best to set your undereye concealer.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Setting Powder
This setting powder does an amazing job of setting makeup under my eyes, especially because it’s only $10. It’s so finely milled that it doesn’t cake up on my skin and helps set everything nicely into place. This is also a great choice for baking, as it’ll make a nice shadow underneath your eyes. Their powders are especially impressive. They’re extremely fine and don’t cake up at all. That makes them great for even those of us who aren’t blessed with flawless skin! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Best Under-Eye Powders for Fine Lines
When you are in a hurry, you just want your under-eye concealer to do one thing: Conceal. On days when my eyes feel sensitive and look slightly puffy, however, I want all that and more—particularly if I’m going out after work or don’t have time for a full face of makeup (which is often).
This lightweight powder has a smooth texture that won’t dry out or cake up around your eye area.. If you have really dark circles, there are some special powders out there for you too, but for those with fine lines that need zapping first, here are a few great options.
Becca Under Eye Setting Powder
I trust Becca’s Powder Lights capade because it glides on easily, doesn’t leave my under-eye area dry and actually works against cakiness. I prefer a translucent powder for setting my under-eyes, so that I can layer concealer without getting a cakey effect. When I’m in a rush in the morning and don’t have time to pack on multiple products, using powder alone gets me out of bed looking presentable. That’s great news if you’re just starting your day or headed out at night—especially if you’re rushing toward an important business meeting!
Hyaluronic Hydra-Power Loose Powder by Terry
The must-have setting powder for a hydrated, youthful look. This loose powder formula is infused with Hyaluronic Acid and Collagen, helping to reduce visible signs of aging around your eyes. It’s lightweight, translucent and blends in flawlessly for a natural finish that will last throughout your day. Plus, it offers SPF 20 protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays! Available in two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Deep.
Best Under Eye Setting Powder for Wrinkles & Mature Skin
Not all are natural in that they don’t have any synthetic ingredients, but all of these powders provide maximum setting capabilities for mature or wrinkled skin and will not cake or settle into fine lines like cheap drugstore powders can. Plus, a few even have skincare benefits! The creamiest powder texture ever, so a little goes a long way and it blends flawlessly into skin.
Veil Translucent Powder
Dermatome offers an exclusive line of skincare products, and Veil Translucent Powder is one of them. This lightweight powder has a smooth texture that won’t dry out or cake up around your eye area. Its formula is silky soft, allowing it to blend seamlessly into skin without leaving behind any telltale sign of its presence—even under intense close-up photography scrutiny.
It doesn’t pull on your sensitive skin and will last all day long without fading or creasing. There are two shades available for different skin tones; choosing between them is easy thanks to its clear shade that leaves a transparent sheen on skin with no noticeable tint or discoloration whatsoever.
Mineral Veil Setting Powder by Bare Minerals
This setting powder is ultra-fine in texture, making it perfect for under-eye application. It has a very subtle tint that adds a hint of color without looking too obviously made u It provides light coverage while simultaneously blurring and softening any imperfections (especially my dark circles!).
The best part is that I have never had a problem with creasing or caking when I use it! Best for comfort and convenience. It’s free of talc, synthetic dyes, and fragrance. If you are looking for a cruelty-free option, Bare Minerals offers vegan formulas as well.
How I Choose Under Eye Setting Powders
When you are looking for a new eye powder, look for three things:
1) A lightweight consistency.
2) A matte or demi-matte finish.
3) At least one shade lighter than your skin tone in case you want to set it with concealer for extra coverage (which is ideal). Most of undereye setting powder pass all three tests—and most are drugstore finds! Since there are so many great options out there, I thought it would be helpful if I shared some of my favorite brands, shades and product offerings.
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