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When you want to combine your wet and dry makeup together, there is nothing better than dotting your face with a bit of setting powder to ensure that your makeup lasts longer on the face. However, the beauty industry is notorious for testing on animals and using animal-derived ingredients in their product, where the animals are cruelly treated. Nowadays, companies are moving away from such practices and towards a more cruelty-free approach. For that, I have searched the market to find the best cruelty-free setting powder on the market and tested and reviewed the ones below personally for you!
| Image | Product Name | Price On Amazon |
|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall Physicians Formula Setting Powder Palette Multi-Colored Pressed Finishing Powder | Check Price |
 | Best for High-Quality Ingredients Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder – Matte Finishing Makeup Loose Setting Powder | Check Price |
 | Best for Long-Lasting Aesthetica Banana Loose Setting Powder Flash-Friendly Superior Matte Finish | Check Price |
 | Best for Lightness e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder, Silky, Weightless, Blurring | Check Price |
 | Best for Medium Light Setting Powder by Almay, Face Makeup, Matte Loose Powder | Check Price |
 | Best Dermatologist Choice Honest Beauty Invisible Blurring Loose Powder | Check Price |
 | Best for Multi Shade Milani Make It Last Setting Powder – Translucent Medium to Deep | Check Price |
 | Best for Oily Skin Pretty Vulgar The Powder Room Setting Powder, Translucent Loose Finishing Powder | Check Price |
 | Best for Pure Vegan 100% PURE Bamboo Blur Powder Tinted Setting Mattifying Face Makeup | Check Price |
 | Best for Ultra Modern Formula LORAC PRO Loose Flawless Setting Finishing Powder | Check Price |
 | Best for Easy To Use BellaPierre Pressed Banana Setting Powder | Lightweight Color-Correcting Powder | Check Price |
1. Best Overall – Physicians Formula Setting Powder Palette Multi-Colored Pressed Finishing Powder
Specification
- Color: Buff
- Brand: Physicians Formula
- Finish Type: Matte
- Coverage: Lightweight, Sheer, Full
- Item Form: Pressed powder
Description
Get one of the best setting powders on the market with the Physicians Formula Setting Powder Palette Multi-Colored Pressed Finishing Powder!
Features
- Compact and brush: included compact and brush for your convenience
- Multi-colored pressed powder: suitable for all looks and skin tones, providing natural-looking coverage
- Wide range of colors: available in many different colors
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc.
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
What can I say about the Physicians Formula Setting Powder Palette Multi-Colored Pressed Finishing Powder that hasn’t already been said! It is such a great and convenient setting powder that I am still amazed at how well it does. You get the convenience of a powder puff, a brush, and a compact mirror all in one to be able to set your makeup on the go. Then there is the coverage which is truly amazing! It’s lightweight and provides full coverage, a combination I am always looking for in setting powder to ease it into my makeup routine. Not only that, but the matte finish is very natural looking which enhances your makeup even further! Though I would say the coverage is a bit too light for some, it doesn’t take away how amazing this setting powder really is! All of this plus being cruelty-free is why I considered it to be the best overall setting powder for this list!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Convenient packaging with puff, brush, and compact | Coverage might be too light for some |
| Lightweight and full coverage | |
| Natural-looking matte makeup finish | |
| Cruelty-free |
2. Best for High-Quality Ingredients – Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder – Matte Finishing Makeup Loose Setting Powder
Specification
- Color: Translucent
- Brand: Aesthetica
- Finish Type: Matte
- Coverage: Sheer
- Item Form: Loose powder
Description
Get the benefit of high-quality ingredients in the Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder – Matte Finishing Makeup Loose Setting Powder!
Features
- High-quality ingredients: made without testing or harming animals
- Lightweight formula: easily sets and absorbs oil on your face
- Velour puff: for flawless application
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
High-quality ingredients and product quality are what you get with the Aesthetica Translucent Setting Powder – Matte Finishing Makeup Loose Setting Powder without cutting any corners! It is a very good powder that helps to give a flawless application on your face with its brilliant included velour powder puff. It helps to hold your makeup while also being able to hide blemishes on your face all on its own. It provides a light sheer coverage that mattes on your face to makeup look even better than ever. Sadly, I would recommend against using this product for mature skin as it will not be able to reliably hide deep wrinkles and fine lines.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great sheer coverage with high quality-ingredients | Not suitable for mature skin |
| Flawless application with a velour puff | |
| Hides blemishes on your face all on its own |
3. Best for Long-Lasting – Aesthetica Banana Loose Setting Powder Flash-Friendly Superior Matte Finish
Specification
- Color: Banana
- Brand: Aesthetica
- Finish Type: Matte
- Coverage: Full
- Item Form: Powder
Description
Get long-lasting full coverage on your face with the Aesthetica Banana Loose Setting Powder Flash-Friendly Superior Matte Finish!
Features
- Banana color: helps to tone down red and blue undertones
- Flash-friendly: does not show up when taking flash pictures
- Talc-free: get the best of a talc-free setting powder
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
The Aesthetica Banana Loose Setting Powder Flash-Friendly Superior Matte Finish is the setting powder you need to help set your makeup and look flawless for hours on end! It is able to hide pores and blemishes on your face while also being able to hide red and blue undertones on your face. The only problem that I could think of with this product is that it is heavier than what I would have liked for a setting powder. But that heaviness can be negated by how long it will last on your face without making your makeup come off or look cakey.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Long-lasting | On the heavier side |
| Hides red and blue undertones effectively | |
| Hides pores, blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles |
4. Best for Lightness – e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder, Silky, Weightless, Blurring
Specification
- Color: Light
- Brand: e.l.f
- Finish Type: Semi-matte
- Coverage: Light
- Item Form: Powder
Description
Get that light setting powder that you are looking for in the e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder, Silky, Weightless, Blurring!
Features
- Non-drying: doesn’t dry out the face
- Silky and weightless: does not feel heavy on the face
- Cruelty-free: vegan and 100% free from phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol, ethoxylates, triclosan, and triclocarban.
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
When you are in need of a weightless formula that is best for how light it is on your face, then the e.l.f Halo Glow Setting Powder, Silky, Weightless, Blurring is just what you need! It is very light on your face which makes it wearable for hours on end without feeling heavy. It also uses non-drying elements so your face is actually still moisturized for the duration that the setting powder is on your face. It provides great coverage for your face even though it gives a semi-matte finish. However, it works best when you want a shimmery or dewy look on your face because the natural look does not complement it when using this setting powder.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightness and silky | Does not compliment the natural look |
| Non-drying on face | |
| Great coverage for a semi-matte finish | |
| Best for a shimmery or dewy makeup look |
5. Best for Medium Light – Setting Powder by Almay, Face Makeup, Matte Loose Powder
Specification
- Color: 200 Light Medium
- Brand: Almay
- Finish Type: Natural matte
- Coverage: Light to medium coverage
- Item Form: Loose powder
Description
Get that light to medium coverage on your face with the Setting Powder by Almay, Face Makeup, Matte Loose Powder!
Features
- Ultra fine powder: mattify oily areas of your face
- Radiant glow: gives your face a glowing look
- 200 Light/Medium: perfect color for medium coverage
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
For those that need a medium coverage setting powder, the Setting Powder by Almay, Face Makeup, Matte Loose Powder is just what you need! It provides perfect medium coverage while also making the makeup look flawless. This is all done with the help of the ultra-fine setting powder that helps to absorb any oil on your face so that your makeup stays on for longer. While the setting powder absorbs the oil, it is also able to provide a radiant glow on the face effortlessly! However, I did notice that my oily face comes back in about 4 to 5 hours’ time which does affect my makeup so it is not as long-lasting as I would have liked.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Radiant glow to the face | Not as long-lasting |
| Ultra-fine absorbs oil from the face when applied | |
| Perfect medium coverage |
6. Best Dermatologist Choice – Honest Beauty Invisible Blurring Loose Powder
Specification
- Color: White
- Brand: Honest Beauty
- Finish Type: Matte
- Coverage: Light
- Item Form: Pressed powder
Description
Get the dermatologist-tested setting powder in the Honest Beauty Invisible Blurring Loose Powder that is suitable for all skin types and skin tones!
Features
- Dermatologist tested: tested with the help of dermatologists to ensure quality
- Shine minimizer: helps to reduce shine on your face
- Blurry lines: helps to blur fine wrinkles and blemishes on your face
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
There are very good reasons why the Honest Beauty Invisible Blurring Loose Powder is considered such a good setting powder by dermatologists. With how it’s safe for all skin types and being tested by dermatologists, it works great by keeping shine away from your face. However, the only problem I had with this setting powder is how it made the skin under my eyes and other places look dry where it wasn’t oily. So it is great for those with oily faces, but not much for drier skin types.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for all skin types | Can dry up some places on the face |
| Dermatologist tested | |
| Takes away shine from the face with ease |
7. Best for Multi Shade – Milani Make It Last Setting Powder – Translucent Medium to Deep
Specification
- Color: Translucent Medium to Deep
- Brand: Milani
- Finish Type: Sheer
- Coverage: Light to deep
- Item Form: Loose powder
Description
Get one of the best multi-shade setting powders with the Milani Make It Last Setting Powder – Translucent Medium to Deep!
Features
- Light to deep: versatile coverage for your face
- Cruelty-free beauty: no animals were harmed in the making or testing of the product
- Multiple shades available: gives a sheer and shimmery finish
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
While I only highlighted one of the colors for the Milani Make It Last Setting Powder – Translucent Medium to Deep, it comes in different shades which is what makes this setting powder so great at covering multi-shades! It is able to hold onto makeup for long periods while still looking great. The coverage that it is able to provide is simply outstanding and worked great for all different skin tones that the team had covered in their individual testing. However, the only personal recommendation I would give for this product is that it is not meant for oily skin as the setting powder is not able to quickly absorb the oils on your face and makes it look cakey within a few hours.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Looks great for extended periods | Not recommended for oily skin |
| Comes in multi-shade | |
| Great coverage for all skin tones |
8. Best for Oily Skin – Pretty Vulgar The Powder Room Setting Powder, Translucent Loose Finishing Powder
Specification
- Color: Translucent
- Brand: Pretty Vulgar
- Finish Type: Matte
- Coverage: Sheer
- Item Form: Loose powder
Description
Get the cruelty-free setting powder for your oily skin in the Pretty Vulgar The Powder Room Setting Powder, Translucent Loose Finishing Powder!
Features
- Skin smoothing: with pores also being minimized
- Powderpuff and brush friendly: either one can be used for this setting powder
- Soft focus finish: a matte finish that leaves a soft look on your face
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
Oily skin is probably the worst for most makeup and you will need to get specific makeup products to compensate for it. Just like for my oily skin, the Pretty Vulgar The Powder Room Setting Powder, Translucent Loose Finishing Powder was the exact setting powder I was looking for! Even for oily skin, this setting powder won’t crease or cake up and hides fine lines and wrinkles as well. I would call all that a win but the fact that it was also very easy to use and hypoallergenic makes it safe for oily skin without causing breakouts! The only thing that this product lacks is the puff that is provided with the product, which was not very good at all and left more to be desired for an excellent product.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great for oily skin | Powder puff provided is not the best |
| Hides wrinkles and fine lines for long periods | |
| Safe for all skin | |
| Easy to use for the face |
9. Best for Pure Vegan – 100% PURE Bamboo Blur Powder Tinted Setting Mattifying Face Makeup
Specification
- Color: Translucent
- Brand: 100% Pure
- Finish Type: Matte
- Coverage: Sheer
- Item Form: Pressed powder
Description
The 100% PURE Bamboo Blur Powder Tinted Setting Mattifying Face Makeup is a great setting powder that is made with pure vegan ingredients!
Features
- Vegan ingredients: bamboo silica usable for vegans
- Anti-aging makeup: gives you a youthful look with a soft finish
- Nourishing setting powder: packed with antioxidants and vitamins for skin nourishment
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
The great thing about 100% Pure’s Bamboo Blur Powder Tinted Setting Mattifying Face Makeup is the brand’s drive to not only not test on animals but also care for rescue animals and care for the environment as well! This all comes in the products with pure vegan ingredients with bamboo silica which was an amazing ingredient to try out for the first time with great results. It is also great for oily skin but I did notice that my makeup was wearing out after 3 to 4 hours of using this product which meant it was not as long-lasting as I would have liked.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Brand cares for animals and the environment | Not long-lasting |
| Pure vegan products | |
| Great for oily skin |
10. Best for Ultra Modern Formula – LORAC PRO Loose Flawless Setting Finishing Powder
Specification
- Color: Soft rose
- Brand: LORAC Los Angeles
- Finish Type: Natural
- Coverage: Light
- Item Form: Loose powder
Description
Get the ultra-modern formula in LORAC PRO Loose Flawless Setting Finishing Powder and reap the benefits of a premium setting powder!
Features
- Ultra-blurring: is able to hide pores and wrinkles on your face.
- Smoothening imperfections: smooths over blemishes and scars on your face with ease.
- Natural light diffuser: gives you a flawless looking look from every angle.
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
The ultra-modern formula that the LORAC PRO Loose Flawless Setting Finishing Powder is exactly the premium beauty product you need in your makeup routine! And for a premium label, it helps that it does not mean that you have to break the bank to afford this product. You can last a whole day without needing a retouch of your makeup and gives such a flawless finish that I was not expecting. It made me look even better than I thought I would look! It is the perfect setting powder to seal your makeup in. While I think the setting powder is great, the problem I have is with the filter on the packaging. It made me waste a lot more of the product than I wished I had as it was hard to shake off the excess powder from my puff or brush safely back into the container. But thanks to the great formula, the setting powder is the saving grace for the entire product.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Flawless finish | Packaging needs work to be better |
| Doesn’t need a retouch of makeup all-day | |
| Perfect to seal your makeup |
11. Best for Easy To Use – BellaPierre Pressed Banana Setting Powder | Lightweight Color-Correcting Powder
Specification
- Color: Medium banana
- Brand: BellaPierre
- Finish Type: Matte
- Coverage: Lightweight to medium
- Item Form: Pressed powder
Description
Get the setting powder that is very easy to use on a daily basis and on the go with the BellaPierre Pressed Banana Setting Powder | Lightweight Color-Correcting Powder!
Features
- Dark circle remover: helps to eliminate dark circles from your face
- Redness reduction: gets rid of redness from your face
- Gentle formula: doesn’t irritate the skin
How to use
For setting powders, here is how you will apply it to your makeup to make it look flawless:
- Moisturizer your face first and then apply your foundation and concealer using a wet beauty blender
- Before it dries, use the powder puff included and press the setting powder over your makeup. Dip the puff into the compact and then shake off any excess
- Then, press powder under your eyes, forehead, chin, cheekbones, etc
- For the extra oily parts of your face like the T-zone and the sides of your nose, use the brush to sweep over these areas so that your makeup sticks
- Do a final check and use the brush to sweep the setting powder over
Expert Verdict
When you need a setting powder that is both easy to use for everyday makeup and for retouches on the go, then you definitely need the BellaPierre Pressed Banana Setting Powder | Lightweight Color-Correcting Powder because it makes all of that convenient! The mineral-based formula does not irritate the skin or clog the pores which is what makes this so great as well. It provides good coverage while also being able to hide dark circles and blemishes on your face. The only downside is that it is not meant for all skin tones, which makes this product usable for a very limited number of people.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Very easy to use on the go | Not for all skin tones |
| Does not irritate or clog pores | |
| Hides blemishes really well |
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What Makes A Face Powder Cruelty Free?
There are a few criteria for a face powder or any beauty product to be cruelty-free. The first and foremost criterion that face powder must comply with is that there should be no animal testing done with the products. The beauty industry’s dark secret for many years has been testing their products on animals which have caused adverse reactions on animal skin and have been deemed cruel. That is why for a brand to remain cruelty-free, it must not test on animals.
Along the lines of not testing on animals, the next criterion is that the face powder should not be using products that are derived from animals. While some companies claim they ethically source animal byproducts like beeswax and silk from silkworms, these still put the insects under non-natural living conditions! That is why animal-derived ingredients are not to be put in face powder.
The next that a company must not do is get their face powders tested from 3rd party laboratories. Some companies in the past used to bypass the cruelty-free label by saying that they do not test on animals but let a 3rd party do it for them. That is not the case anymore and has been seen as a breach of trust between customers and the brands. While it is not necessary for companies to get a certification of cruelty-free from companies like Leaping Bunnies, Beauty Without Bunnies, and PETA, these certifications come with background checks that give a customer the benefit of knowing which face powder is cruelty-free or not.
How Do Companies Test Products If They Are Cruelty-Free?
You might be wondering how the tests are conducted for beauty products to make sure that they are safe for consumers. That is a very legitimate question to ask which has a few easy enough answers. Animal testing has been done for so long that there has been extensive research done with individual ingredients. The scientific literature allows brands to understand how a combination of products could react on the skin.
Other than that, there are many ways that scientists test beauty products, most notably by them making cell cultures and using synthetic skin tissues to determine how the product will react on human skin. And some companies also try to go towards controlled human testing when they know that the product is relatively safe to use to determine how it might react to different skin types to help better the formula. With technology so advanced, computer models have been created to help companies understand how the products react on the skin if there are any.
FAQs
1. Which powder is best for setting makeup?
The best powder for setting makeup are the ones that are lightweight, easy to use, and provides a natural look for your makeup by staying in place for hours.
2. What is the difference between translucent powder and setting powder?
Translucent powders are also called finishing powders. The main difference between that and setting powder is that setting powder helps set the makeup while finishing powder is used to polish the makeup look.
3. Which face powder is best for daily use?
Face powders that are lightweight and easy to remove are the best for daily use because they won’t cakeup the makeup and are easy to remove at the end of the day.
4. Is setting powder better than spray?
Setting powder is better because it uses a matte powder formula that helps to absorb the oil while setting spray adds a dewy look to the makeup but does not absorb the oil from the face.
5. Do you really need a setting powder?
It might not be necessary, but setting powder helps to lock the makeup in and stay looking good for a lot longer because makeup starts to flake and fall if kept on for long time without setting powder.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have the 11 best cruelty-free setting powders that I have tested and reviewed! The beauty industry has come a long way since its early days of testing on animals and has since shifted to more controlled tests to allow for product testing. When it comes to setting powder, I found that these brands upheld cruelty-free standards while also providing good quality setting powder. Most notably, I loved the Physicians Formula Setting Powder Palette Multi-Colored Pressed Finishing Powder and the Pretty Vulgar Powder Room Setting Powder because of how well these products worked for oily skin! I hope that like me you too have found the product that you are looking for and get the classy and flawless makeup look for yourselves with these amazing setting powders!
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