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Loose powder foundations have been around for a long time and might not be talked about enough. Although you may equate powder foundations with cakey, chalky, and heavy-looking, these latest formulas are the exact opposite. They are all finely-milled, powder formulations designed to blend seamlessly into the skin and come in a few different iterations depending on your skin type and needs.
Featured below are some of these great loose powder foundations in 2024 worthy of a try. These options are available in powder and mineral-based, powder formulations that make application fast and easy. They are also super-blendable and can be applied with a sponge-type applicator or your favorite dense kabuki brush.
The mineral foundation options are even more incredible. These powders not only give off a naturally luminous finish, but they are also created with all-natural ingredients, are made to cover skin conditions including rosacea and melasma, and have added skincare benefits including naturally occurring SPF for the ultimate in protection.
Premier Loose Powder Foundation in Detail
Coty Airspun Face Powder – Extra Coverage — Best Overall
Coty’s Air Spun Face powder has been around since 1935 and is a staple in many aficionados' makeup bags. Their famous powder is available in a few different iterations and their extra coverage version in translucent is one of their latest. This is a finely milled, loose setting powder that helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and blemishes and can be used for baking, highlighting, and setting your makeup. This extra coverage version can even be used as a lightweight, yet buildable coverage foundation.
Pros
- Airspun features an exclusive micro spun formula where their loose powder particles are spun to a cloudlike softness
Cons
- Use this sparingly and build up as needed
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder — Runner Up
Maybelline’s Fit Me line of makeup is their natural-looking line with a focus on tone and texture for the most natural-looking coverage. Their Matte + Poreless Powder is a mattifying powder that fits skin tone and texture issues, making your pores virtually disappear due to its blurring micro-powders while its mineral technology absorbs oil, leaving you perfectly shine-free for up to 16 hours. Wear this powder alone or on top of your foundation to set it and ultimately forget it.
Pros
- This powder comes with a provided applicator to help spread the product evenly
Cons
- This powder is ideal for normal to oily skin types
Jung Saem Mool Skin Nuder Cushion Powde — Honorable Mention
The Jung Saem Mool Skin Nuder Cushion Powder is a perfect buildable foundation for those looking to achieve a natural finish to their makeup. With over 30 years of experience, this brand brings a groundbreaking product to the market that enhances and boosts a lasting natural glow. Plus, the cushion contains a Hue Balancing Powder that brightens skin complexion and expresses a youthful skin tone with fade-proof wear. Moreover, the innovative texture of the cushion provides perfect coverage and creates a flawless look.
Pros
- Available in a wide range of shades for different complexions
Cons
- The cushion pad's ribbon can detach if not handled carefully
L'Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder — Most Notable
L’Oreal’s True Match Compact Makeup is meant to precisely match your skin’s tone and texture, similar to the Fit Me powder above. It has Precise Match Technology in a wide range of warm, neutral, and cool tones to help you easily find your shade. This powder provides the flawless, natural coverage you desire along with the weightless feel and blend-ability you don’t always get with a powder and contains a hint of pearl pigments to help enhance your skin’s tone. Use this powder to blot your face throughout the day, blend all over the face for a natural finish and build fuller coverage for an all-over flawless look.
Pros
- This compact comes with a convenient mirror and applicator
Cons
- This powder contains talc
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder Foundation — Contender
The Lightweight Loose Powder Foundation by Neutrogena is a mineral-based makeup that is clinically proven to reduce skin redness while working to improve skin clarity, tone, and texture. Made from naturally derived minerals, this foundation has included Vitamins A, C, and E for a natural-looking, flawless finish and to help improve skin health and complexion. This mineral formula is also lightweight, breathable, and contains no talc, fragrances, or dyes.
Pros
- This makeup is specially formulated for all skin types and is safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- An applicator brush is not included
jane iredale PurePressed Mineral Base Mineral Foundation — Also Consider
Another great mineral-based powder foundation is jane iredale’s PurePressed option. At a slightly higher price point than our other options, this luxury, mineral-based powder foundation is a highly-rated and beloved product containing all-natural ingredients with skincare benefits. This is a weightless, sheer matte foundation powder that is a foundation, concealer, SPF, and skincare all in one and contains antioxidants to aid in minimizing UV damage. Apply this with your favorite dense kabuki brush, blending well, and finish with a hydration spray to set and melt the powder into your skin.
Pros
- This mineral-based powder contains naturally occurring broad-spectrum sun protection in SPF 15 or 20 depending on the shade
Cons
- This is a refill only and the compact is sold separately for less waste
bareMinerals Original Foundation — Editor's Pick
bareMinerals is the award-winning, OG of mineral powder-based foundation and is known for its natural-looking coverage. This is a clean, loose powder foundation that is made with just five mineral ingredients to give you breathable, buildable, sheer-to-full coverage that is naturally luminous. This formula also feels weightless, wears all day, and won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts, plus natural mineral sunscreens give you safe, chemical-free protection from damaging UVA/UVB rays. This foundation also has a very specific application method to ensure you are getting the full benefits.
Pros
- This foundation is made without talc, parabens, binder, fillers, oils, waxes, fragrances or preservatives
Cons
- This foundation might require a special brush for ideal application
Youngblood Natural Mineral Loose Foundation — Another Option
Youngblood’s Natural Loose Mineral Foundation is another great clean product that was initially invented for patients with severe skin conditions and post-surgical scarring. This is a very lightweight, crushed mineral powder that serves as a concealer, foundation, and powder all-in-one and is formulated with all-natural ingredients that unify the complexion for a soft, luminous, natural look and feel. This is also a buildable formula that can be as sheer or full coverage as you see fit.
Pros
- This formula contains only non-irritating, all-natural ingredients and is paraben and talc-free
Cons
- This foundation has a slightly higher price tag than our other options
Buyer's Guide: Finding Your Elite Loose Powder Foundations
A loose powder foundation is a miraculous makeup product that gives your skin an all-over finish. With a loose powder foundation, you don't have to worry about settling for one shade too dark or too light. It's also great for women who don't want to use concealer, which is often cakey and difficult to blend into the skin properly. However, choosing the right loose powder foundation can be tricky, but don't worry. We've put together this handy guide with all the necessary information that you need to know before buying a loose powder foundation for yourself.
Types of Loose Powder Foundations
There are two basic types of powder foundations: pressed and loose powder. Both types are suitable for beginners because they blend easily and look natural on the skin.
Pressed powder
Pressed powder foundations are very popular because they look great on camera, but they're messy when applied on real skin. Many women find that they've got too much product in their brush and end up causing streaks and clumps around the face. The texture of these foundations also tends to be cakey, so it gives off an unnatural look. These foundations can be used alone or with other makeup products, such as blushes and bronzers.
Loose powder
Loose powder foundations are different as they provide you with a flawless finish with no streaks or visible brush strokes. They're also convenient to use because the powders go on evenly across the face without creating chunks of product or pilling underneath your eyes as pressed powders do. Plus, they are finely milled, so you can easily wear them during hot summer days for a soft, luminous look. The downside to this type of foundation is that it can easily be swept away if you're sweating while wearing it.
How to Choose the Right Loose Powder Foundation?
Formulation
Powder foundations come in three different formulas: matte, satin, and shimmery. Matte-poreless powder is ideal for those with oily complexions as it helps reduce shine throughout the day. Satin is best for those with normal to dry complexions as its dewy finish can help lock in moisture and provide a natural glow. Shimmery powders are best used as highlighters on top of your base foundation, as they're prone to clump up when used all over the face.
Coverage
When buying a powder foundation, always check the coverage it offers. You can usually find powder foundation in sheer to medium coverage levels, depending on the brand and formulation. Choose sheer coverage if you want to even out your complexion or conceal minor blemishes without hiding your natural skin tone. Conversely, opt for medium to full coverage if you have acne scars, age spots, and birthmarks. If you are going for full coverage, then you need to get one with more pigment than usual. This way, the color will be more concentrated and will definitely enhance your skin tone.
Undertones
The days of "one shade fit all" are over. There are many brands that offer different powder foundations, so you can easily pick one according to your skin tone and needs. If your skin tone is neutral, then any translucent powder will look good on you. However, if you've got darker undertones, then you might want to go with a tinted powder to coordinate it with your eyes and cheeks. When choosing a loose powder foundation, always go one shade deeper in color than your complexion because lighter shades of powder will show up on your face as ashy.
Ingredients
The ingredients of the product can make or break your decision. Some loose powder foundations have naturally derived mineral-based ingredients that not only make the application fast and easy but also provide breathable coverage without clogging your pores and causing breakouts. Mineral-based powder foundation also provides other skin benefits like reducing pigmentation and improving skin tone and texture. It should also have SPF so you can have maximum protection from harmful UV rays. Also, ensure it doesn't contain fragrance or parabens as these products can be extremely harmful to the skin.
Why Should You Opt for Loose Powder Foundation?
Loose powder foundation is an innovative product that has gained a lot of popularity recently. Here are some benefits of using a loose powder foundation:
- Gives skin an airbrushed look.
- Glides on seamlessly and works great under makeup.
- Provide natural-looking coverage with a smooth, silky feel.
- Provides all-day hydration, making it perfect for summer days.
- Works best on all skin types, but especially on dry skin, as it gives a flawless finish to the skin.
- Controls oil production by absorbing excess oil and makeup residue on the skin for a long period of time.
Tips for Applying Loose Powder Foundation
Follow these tips to apply your loose powder foundation properly:
- Cover your face with a good primer before applying any kind of makeup. It will prevent the loose powder foundation from settling into fine lines, wrinkles, and creases.
- Use a light touch when applying your loose powder foundation, as too much can create harsh lines and make the complexion look streaky and unnatural.
- Try using circular motions to blend the foundation seamlessly into your skin.
- Make sure to apply with a soft brush and gently dust over your face.
- After that, you can use any of your preferred hydrating mist to create a smooth finish and lock in the makeup.
