The 9 Best Translucent Powders in 2024

Ensure long-lasting makeup and minimise shine with a translucent finishing powder.


Inika Mattifying Setting Powder - woman smiling as hand brushes powder over her face with makeup brush - 600 x 369 Inika Mattifying Setting Powder - woman smiling as hand brushes powder over her face with makeup brush - 600 x 369


Want to banish shine and set your makeup in place all day without disturbing your perfectly blended base? No problem!

Discover our top picks for translucent powders to finish your makeup routine in the best way.


Here Are the 9 Best Translucent Powders

"I spent years searching for a powder that wouldn't turn me orange and full of creases by lunch time and this exceeds my expectations. A great versatile product with such a generous amount. Doesnt move your makeup and is perfect for baking under your eyes." - Ciara ★★★★★

A finely milled setting powder that imparts a silky-smooth finish to your makeup look. RCMA No Colour Powder is a favourite amongst makeup artists, suiting all skin types and skin tones. RCMA uses advanced technology to produce an extremely finely milled formula. RCMA No Colour Powder can be applied over any foundation, tinted moisturiser, BB cream, or CC cream without disrupting makeup texture or colour. Instead, this powder works to smooth the skin and set makeup in place for an airbrushed look. RCMA No Colour Powder contains absolutely no filler or pigment, so you get a truly translucent finish. The product can be applied with a makeup brush or beauty sponge, and despite how heavily you apply it, this powder never looks cakey or overdone. This finishing powder from RCMA is perfect for any daytime or evening occasion and works well on both dry and oily skin.

Awesome for all skin types and tones!


Jasmine ★★★★★


"This product has saved my makeup game. I apply it lightly all over my face in the morning and when I hit the gym at 5pm - my make up is still there!!! It’s so lightweight and soft, doesn’t clump and dissolves/sets your makeup perfectly. I can’t live without it now." - Jessica ★★★★★

Ideal for blurring imperfections and fine lines while imparting a lit-from-within glow. Photoshop aside, elf High Definition Powder is the best perfecting filter for your skin. Delivering a gorgeous, soft-focus glow, this loose powder can be worn alone or over foundation to blur imperfections in real life, minimise fine lines and wrinkles, and control oils. Setting makeup in place for the day, this finely milled translucent powder ensures maximum luminosity and radiance for a healthy and youthful complexion. elf High Definition Powder has been designed to complement all skin types: it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, shine-controlling for oily complexions, and non-drying for dehydrated and dry skin. This loose powder from elf is also perfect for mature and ageing skin, as it will help minimise the appearance of signs of ageing, such as fine lines and loss of lustre.

With its incredibly finely milled formula, this powder can be layered throughout the day without ever looking cakey or overdone.


"Love this already. I've been looking for a powder to set my under eye concealer that doesn't emphasise texture. This is a lot better than other setting powders I've tried and it looks even better with a few sprays of Fix+." - Sel ★★★★★

A versatile translucent powder, designed to be invisible even to a high-definition camera. MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder is a highly advanced setting powder designed with multiple functions in mind. Firstly, this modern loose powder smooths skin with a soft-focus effect, minimising the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores. Secondly, it offers a satin–matte, skin-like finish to control shine. Finally, it sets makeup in place for increased longevity. The powder can be also be applied under makeup to prime the skin for makeup application, or it can be used for baking. No matter how heavy or light you apply the powder, it will always remain undetectable on the skin.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder is suitable for all skin types, as it won’t dehydrate dry skin and helps to control shine on oilier complexions. The finish of skin remains dimensional, without the unnatural mask-like or flattened appearance that powder products often give.


"My daughter put me onto this and I absolutely love it. It leaves my skin looking natural and oil free. I was sceptical at first because I have tried so many different products and this one is definitely the one for me" - Susan ★★★★★

A translucent pressed powder to mattify oily complexions, perfect for touch-ups throughout the day. elf Perfect Finish HD Powder is the perfect addition to your handbag. This travel-friendly translucent pressed setting powder is a whizz at reducing shine and mattifying complexions throughout the day. With its pressed formulation, elf Perfect Finish ensures you can touch up your makeup no matter where you are, with minimal fuss and mess. elf Perfect Finish HD Powder has been developed to evade the all-seeing lens of a high-definition camera, blending seamlessly onto the skin and disappearing before the human eye. Perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions, this translucent powder imparts a soft-focus effect to diffuse imperfections such as fine lines and enlarged pores.

This pressed powder from elf is suitable for all skin types. However, it’s particularly beneficial to oily and combination skin, as it delivers a matte finish and reduces shine from excess oils. elf Perfect Finish HD Powder can be worn alone to perfect skin or on top of your favourite makeup base for long-lasting wear.


"Makes my skin look and feel so smooth - it somehow blurs imperfections like pores and gives a nice matte finish" - Anna ★★★★☆

Blur and smooth imperfections while enhancing the longevity of makeup with this multifunctional finishing powder. Maybelline Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Loose Powder is suitable for all skin types, as it has a non-drying and nourishing formula. Apply Master Fix on top of foundations, tinted moisturisers, BB creams, and CC creams. Alternatively, wear the product alone as a subtle skin-perfector. No matter how heavily you apply this powder, it will never look cakey or overdone on the skin. Boasting 4 uses to perfect your complexion, Maybelline Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Loose Powder works to:

  • Set makeup in place for increased longevity

  • Mattify skin and control shine

  • Blur imperfections such as pores and fine lines

  • Smooth the skin for a soft-to-touch finish

With its ultra-fine, translucent formulation, this loose powder remains undetectable on the skin and won’t alter the colour or texture of any makeup underneath.


"I was a little worried when I opened the product that the rosewater smell would be too much but it’s absolutely beautiful and disappears as it goes on. Talc free is a non-negotiable in powders for me, a tiny amount goes a long way and the powder is super fine giving a lovely blur effect. In combination with alpha-h instant facial and niacinamide in the mornings, my oily skin isn’t ruining my makeup and I’m barely requiring a touch up through the day. Definitely recommended." - Beth ★★★★★

Infused with skin-loving ingredients, this talc-free powder is perfect for leaving skin soft and radiant. Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder is a nourishing face powder infused with botanicals to refine skin and soothe irritation. Reducing shine for a velvety-smooth texture, this powder is suitable for all skin types, including the most sensitive of skin. It’s the perfect way to finish your makeup routine. Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder contains a cocktail of soothing botanicals to nurture vulnerable complexions. Iris, Sage, Rosemary, Daisy, Witch Hazel, and Arnica work together to hydrate and nourish skin while protecting it from free radical damage with antioxidant properties. This Jurlique face powder also contains signature Rosa gallica Extract, which smooths and conditions the skin while imparting a therapeutic fragrance.

Delivering a natural matte finish, this lightweight powder is free of talc, artificial colours, fragrances, sulphates, parabens, synthetic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides. The pure formula is able to reduce the dryness and dehydration often caused by regular face powders.


"This is really amazing over the top of BB cream or even just when you need a touch up but don't want to apply more foundation. Great even cover" - Caity ★★★★★

Perfect for controlling shine and minimising imperfections on oily and problematic skin. Inika Mattifying Setting Powder is the perfect translucent powder for mattifying oily skin types. This vegan loose powder controls shine and absorbs excess oils without causing dryness or congestion. Delivering an instant airbrushed finish, Inika Mattifying Setting Powder also smooths skin to minimise the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores. Inika uses only hypoallergenic, certified-organic, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients. Like all the brand’s products, Inika Mattifying Setting Powder is ideal for sensitive and congested skin or those who are more ingredients-conscious. Rice Powder naturally absorbs excess oils without disrupting the skin’s moisture functionality. Rice Powder also helps to calm inflammation so is perfect during a flare-up of sensitive or acne-prone skin. This product also contains Tapioca Starch, which mattifies the skin and leaves it with a velvet-soft finish.

Worn on top of foundation or on bare skin, Inika Mattifying Setting Powder is the perfect final step in your beauty routine.


"This is the nicest powder I've found for the price. And you get so much in the container! It lasts for ages. I use only a small amount over foundation to give a satiny finish and a larger amount for a beautiful matte finish. It's really breathable and doesn't feel heavy at all. It's also perfect for setting under eyes. This is the only powder I buy anymore unless I'm trying a new product." - Hannah ★★★★★

A lightweight translucent powder designed to refresh and soften complexions. RCMA Translucent Powder is a bestselling loose powder suitable for all skin types and all skin tones. With a subtle flesh-tone tint to enhance vibrancy within the skin, this powder imparts an ultra-natural finish to smooth and perfect skin after makeup application. A favourite amongst makeup artists, Translucent Powder from RCMA can be worn daily or used for special occasions to increase the longevity of makeup and soften the look. No matter how heavy you apply the powder, it remains cake-free on the skin without ever looking overdone or overworked. This professional loose powder can be worn on top of any foundation, tinted moisturiser, BB cream, or CC cream. Even wear it alone to add a soft-focus blur to the skin.


"I have only ever used chemist brand liquid foundation for special occasions but have found the liquid too heavy for daytime use. Switching to this foundation is great for everyday use, including evening occasions. The coverage can be built up over layers but still feels very light on the skin. I have used this foundation in humid SE Asian countries and it has held up very well! The coverage is light, feels breathable and matte. It is easy to layer other products over the top - concealer, eye shadow. I have dry skin so I make sure to put a hydrating serum on underneath. The product does not cause my skin to break out. I won't be going back to liquid!" - Jo ★★★★★

More than just a finishing powder, Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Minerals SPF20is boosted with skin-loving ingredients. This treatment makeup will improve skin tone and texture while offering antioxidant and sunscreen protection against environmental aggressors. This mineral makeup powder is perfect for all skin types but is particularly gentle on sensitive and reactive skin. Packed full of nutrients, Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Minerals SPF20 blurs redness and uneven skin tones with its sheer, lightweight, and natural coverage. This loose translucent powder also helps to diminish the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines, making it perfect for ageing skin. To nourish complexions, this powder from Jane Iredale contains Plankton Extract, a moisturising and antibacterial ingredient that helps tackle acne and dryness. Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Minerals SPF20 also contains antioxidant Pomegranate Extract to protect skin and encourage skin-cell renewal, plus Algae Extract to soften and hydrate the skin.

With its oil-free and lightweight formulation, this mineral powder can either be worn on its own or on top of a liquid foundation, BB cream, or tinted moisturiser to set makeup in place.




So, let's recap the 9 Best Translucent Powders

  1. RCMA No Colour Powder

  2. elf High Definition Powder

  3. MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder

  4. elf Perfect Finish HD Powder

  5. Maybelline Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Loose Powder

  6. Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder

  7. Inika Mattifying Setting Powder

  8. RCMA Translucent Powder

  9. Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Minerals SPF20




Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.




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