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Whether you have a long day ahead of you with minimal time for touch ups or you have oily skin that makes it nearly impossible for makeup to stay in place, setting powders were designed to do exactly what their name suggests: set your makeup. Better yet, the best drugstore setting powders are just as effective as their pricey prestige counterparts, which means you don't have to go broke for makeup that stays intact all day.
Before you get to the goods, there are two primary types of setting powders to choose from: loose or pressed. Loose powders are more finely milled, and they tend to be preferred by professional makeup artists for photographs and red carpet events because the smaller particles make it more buildable without any cakey finish.Pressed powders, on the other hand, are preferred for on-the-go touch ups because they don't run the risk of spilling in your bag (just be sure to apply with a lighter hand).
You can also choose between translucent and tinted powders. Translucent setting powders are colorless, so they work well with every skin tone as long as they are properly blended. If you choose a tinted option, you'll need to make the extra effort to color match your setting powder to your foundation, which you might prefer if you're looking for brightening or color-correcting benefits.
When it comes to application, you can use a large brush made with natural hair to sweep the powder over your skin while your foundation and concealer are still wet for long-lasting coverage. You can also follow the baking makeup method for more heavy-duty coverage on targeted areas, which requires you to pack on a thick layer of powder and let it sit for several minutes before dusting it off.