Pressed powder is the workhorse of the makeup world, with a wide range of uses. It’s essential in every purse and makeup drawer. No matter where you might be or what kind of look you like, it’s the convenient little item that’ll help keep your face looking perfect. There are hundreds of fantastic pressed powders out there, so we reviewed the best of the best for every skin type!
- The Perks of Pressed Powder
- Top 10 Best Pressed Powders 2026
- 1. Best Overall Pressed Powder: L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder
- 2. Best Premium Pressed Powder: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
- 3. Best Mattifying Pressed Powder: Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder
- 4. Best Budget Pressed Powder: Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder
- 5. Best Pressed Powder Foundation: bareMinerals Barepro Performance Wear Powder Foundation
- 6. Best Pressed Powder for Setting: Revlon Colorstay Pressed Powder
- 7. Best Pressed Powder for Dry Skin: PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup
- 8. Best Dewy Pressed Powder: COVERGIRL Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder
- 9. Best Pressed Powder With SPF: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Pressed Powder
- 10. Best HD Pressed Powder: e.l.f. Perfect Finish HD Powder
- How to Choose the Right Pressed Powder
- Get Pressed
The Perks of Pressed Powder
Not sure what pressed powder is all about? This section is for you! We explain all the basic details you need to know about it.
What Is Pressed Powder For?
Pressed powder is most commonly used to lock foundation into place and mattify the skin, which guarantees that makeup will look fabulous for long periods of time. Some pressed powders can even replace foundation altogether!
Must-Have Pressed Powder Features
Some of the features you should look for in a pressed powder are universal while others depend on your preferences and individual needs. We go through them in this section, so you can keep them in mind when reading our reviews.
The Right Coverage Level
From the sheerest dusting to the most pigmented foundation-replacement, pressed powders offer a wide range of coverages. The coverage level that’s right for you might not be what’s best for someone else. If you’re not sure what’s right for you, read our detailed explanation of coverage levels. Then, in each review, we’ll let you know the exact level of coverage you can expect out of each pressed powder.
Inclusive Shade Range
A large shade range is important to inclusivity. People of color often struggle to find makeup because so many brands don’t offer enough shades. With pressed powder, the more coverage it provides, the larger its shade range should be; with light coverage, one product can often suit multiple skin tones. We’ll let you know how many shades are available for each powder we review and also discuss how inclusive the shade range is in practice.
The Right Finish
When selecting a pressed powder, you should pay attention to its finish (i.e. how reflective it is). Most powders are quite matte but others are downright radiant! Skin type and personal taste both impact which finishes will be best for you, which is why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to finish types. In each review, we’ll let you know what finish each powder has.
Photographable
Some powders have a “flashback” effect when they’re photographed with a flash, so the face ends up looking ghostly in photos. That’s why we made sure that the powders on our list look good in photos (and in real life!).
Lightweight
Most people don’t enjoy feeling their makeup weigh down their skin. That’s why we prioritized selecting finely-milled powders that don’t sit on top of the skin. Their particles are small so they’re largely unfelt once applied, and they also look very natural. We don’t discuss this aspect in much detail in our reviews since most of the powders we selected measure up to this requirement.
Good Value
A basic, mattifying powder shouldn’t be too expensive, but sometimes we’re willing to pay more for added features. Most of the powders we review cost around $10-$15, but when the price deviates from that, we discuss the value of each powder in more detail. To determine value, we take into account factors like product quantity and unique added features.
Now, let’s discuss the most pressing matter–all of the best pressed powders for every skin type, style, and budget!
Top 10 Best Pressed Powders 2026
1. Best Overall Pressed Powder: L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Powder
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Coverage Level: Medium
- Shade Range: 30 Shades
- Finish: Demi-Matte
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No
- Quantity: 0.33 Oz
We can always rely on L’Oreal to make decent products, but even by their standards, this pressed powder is impressive. It gives us everything we want out of a pressed powder at a reasonable price. It wins our top spot easily because it’s so versatile. We can recommend it to nearly every person out there, no matter their style or skin type.
The finish is demi-matte, so it lightly mattifies the skin without making it look dry or cakey. If you have oily skin, it’ll look velvety-smooth and natural. If you prefer more intense oil-control then you can get the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Powder, instead.
Those with dry skin can use it sparingly over a creamy base layer of foundation and it will set it down and reduce some of the shine. Because of its medium coverage level, you can play around with it quite a bit. It’ll look sheer if you apply it with a fluffy brush, but if you use a sponge or flat brush it’ll have more coverage.
The shade range is not only fantastically large, but it’s also very well organized! L’Oreal has this great system of classifying their shades by undertones (W for warm, N for neutral, and C for cool), so finding a shade match is really easy. You can use this table to help guide you.
The powder is pressed with a bit of dimethicone, which adds a pore-blurring effect that looks really nice in photos, and there are no flashback-causing minerals.
Lastly, we appreciate the super-durable and protective packaging. This powder even has a bottom compartment with a mirror and a sponge, which is nice, although we generally prefer the mirrors to be part of the top compact, which makes touching up on-the-go easier.
Pros
- Works for all skin types
- Medium coverage guarantees versatility
- Large, well-organized shade range
- Great for photos
- Durable packaging
Cons
- Bottom-compartment mirror is less convenient
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Coverage Level: Buildable Light
- Shade Range: 4 Shades
- Finish: Natural
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes
- Quantity: 0.28 Oz
If you want to treat yourself, this is the most luxurious pressed powder to buy. It’s expensive, but you’ll feel like royalty when it’s time to use it. It probably won’t require touch-ups throughout the day, but you’ll still want an excuse to pull it out and show off the gorgeous rose gold packaging.
As far as performance, the most stunning thing about this powder is its filter-like effect. It helps camouflage texture issues and even works nicely under the much more wrinkle and dryness-prone under-eye area. This powder is incredibly finely-milled, so it’s very smooth and easy to pick up with a brush. Once applied to the skin, it’s weightless and natural-looking.
This effect makes it similar to the L’Oreal True Match Powder, but with a more natural finish that’s better for dry and normal skin. It doesn’t make the skin look matte, but it still absorbs oils, so it’s even a nice choice for those with combination or oily skin who prefer a glowy look.
This powder comes in 4 neutral shades, but because it has a lighter coverage level, a single shade works well across multiple skin tones. Often, small shade ranges only cover the lighter skin tones, but these 4 shades manage to be relatively inclusive, with the two deeper shades working well for dark and very dark skin.
Since this powder is so expensive, you may choose to use only under the eye area or for special events. This allows it to last for a longer time. If you’re usually a luxury shopper and have dry skin, it’s the best pressed powder to buy, but if you’re on a budget, the slightly more luminescent COVERGIRL Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder is another option.
Pros
- Natural finish excellent for dry skin
- Blurring effect makes skin look smooth
- Looks great under the eyes
- Luxurious packaging
Cons
- Extremely expensive
3. Best Mattifying Pressed Powder: Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Face Powder
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Coverage Level: Medium
- Shade Range: 24 Shades
- Finish: Matte
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No
- Quantity: 0.28 Oz
This great powder is part of Maybelline’s Fit Me line, which also includes a massively popular liquid foundation. Like the L’Oreal True Match Powder, it’s a fantastic do-it-all, but it works even better for those with very oily skin.
It mattifies the skin instantly, but then it keeps absorbing oils throughout the day to keep the skin shine-free. Those with combination skin can use it specifically on the areas where they get shiny. In addition to mattifying, it also has a gorgeous blurring effect that helps to minimize the appearance of large pores. The mineral-based formula perfects the texture of the skin and makes it look smooth and matte, which is especially nice in photos.
Another nice feature is the versatility of the coverage level. It’s perfect when applied lightly as a setting powder, but you can also use it as a foundation-replacement on light makeup days. If you apply it with a flat-topped brush or a sponge it will give decent stand-alone coverage.
The shade range is good, but shopping for your shade online might be difficult. Maybelline doesn’t offer great swatches and the shade names don’t hint at important details like undertones. Still, it’s a solidly affordable drugstore option, and while it comes with a bit less product than the L’Oreal powder, it’s usually also a few dollars cheaper.
The compact is square, so it’s easy to store, although yet again, the mirror is in the bottom compartment which we don’t really enjoy.
Pros
- Versatile coverage level
- Mattifying and pore-blurring effect
- Looks great in photos
- Comprehensive shade range
- Affordable price
Cons
- Mirror hard to access on the go
- Selecting your shade online might be difficult
4. Best Budget Pressed Powder: Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Coverage Level: Light to Medium
- Shade Range: 8 Shades
- Finish: Matte
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No
- Quantity: 0.49 Oz
Rimmel’s Stay Matte powder is an oldie but a goodie. It may not look like much, but it performs impeccably. Best part of all? It costs very little for a ton of product. And not only is it the least expensive option on our list, but a single compact contains 0.49 oz of product, which is about 0.2 oz more than most other pressed powders.
As you can guess from the name, this powder is designed for oil-control, much like the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Pressed Powder. The coverage level is lighter, so it’s an even better setting powder for light looks.
While you can build up its coverage to medium, it might look a little cakey and may have slight flashback in photos. Misting it with some sort of hydrating or setting spray is usually enough to take away the cakiness.
It’s available in 8 shades, which we think is acceptable for light coverage. The range goes from the ultra-light Transparent all the way up to Pecan, with shades like Natural, Deep Beige, and Toffee in between.
Unfortunately, this powder is only suitable for oily skin, and even then you may want to avoid using it under the eyes where the skin is usually drier. If you’re a budget shopper with dry skin we recommend the COVERGIRL Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder, instead.
The one flaw is that the packaging feels cheap, with a screw-top lid that’s less convenient than a typical compact. Considering how little this powder costs and how nice it looks on oily skin, we’re perfectly happy to overlook this flaw.
Pros
- Long-lasting, very matte finish
- Great for setting foundation
- Extremely affordable
Cons
- Cheap packaging
- Can look cakey or dry if overapplied
5. Best Pressed Powder Foundation: bareMinerals Barepro Performance Wear Powder Foundation
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Coverage Level: Buildable Medium
- Shade Range: 35 Shades
- Finish: Matte
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes
- Quantity: 0.34 Oz
If you like your pressed powder to do all of the heavy lifting, this is a great product to pick up! Made by bareMinerals, the formula is similar to the brand’s iconic loose powder foundation, but in a convenient pressed format.
This means that it’s meant to be used instead of foundation, to even out the skin tone and camouflage imperfections. It has a buildable formula that can go from medium to full coverage. bareMinerals did a great job of offering a wide shade range, which is important considering the high coverage level. These swatches will help you find your shade match, although sadly, not all colors are always in stock.
Powder foundations, in general, are better for those with oily or combination skin. That’s even more true for this powder, which has a matte finish. It does a wonderful job of absorbing oils throughout the day and keeping the skin from looking greasy. If you have dry skin it might emphasize dry patches, so you’ll want to try the PÜR Pressed Mineral Makeup instead.
It comes in a compact that includes a sponge and mirror for touch-ups on-the-go. This portability almost goes to waste, since it has excellent longevity and many shoppers find that they don’t need to touch it up at all throughout the day.
Despite the effects and high coverage, this powder is famously lightweight on the skin. If you don’t like the feel of heavy foundations but still want your skin to look perfected, it’s a fantastic alternative.
Finally, let’s talk a little about value. We’d categorize the price of this powder as being on the more affordable side of high-end, although Amazon often has it on sale.
Pros
- Lightweight foundation replacement
- Excellent longevity
- Provides oil-control
- Great shade range
Cons
- A little expensive
- Some shades not always in stock
6. Best Pressed Powder for Setting: Revlon Colorstay Pressed Powder
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Coverage Level: Translucent/Buildable Light
- Shade Range: 14 Shades
- Finish: Demi-Matte
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: No
- Quantity: 0.3 Oz
From Revlon, this is a simple yet lovely pressed powder for setting foundation across various skin types. It has that perfect demi-matte finish that mattifies lightly without making the skin look parched, and the coverage is ideal for locking foundation in place without adding too much color.
Our favorite thing about this pressed powder is the color selection. Sure, 14 shades is not impressive, but the color selection itself is unique. This powder is primarily intended for setting creams and liquids, so while it does come in typical skin tone shades like Light or Mocha, it also comes in no-coverage translucent shades.
These shades include Translucent, which works across all lighter skin tones without altering the shade of the foundation, and the strongly-yellow Banana, which has a tint that’s perfect for those with strong warm undertones and deeper skin tones. It can even correct the undertone of an overly-neutral foundation!
When purchasing your shade, be a little careful. Revlon provides an excellent shade chart in the photo gallery for this powder, but sometimes the listing and shades don’t quite align. Cross-reference the name of the product in your cart with the main chart to confirm that it’s the shade you want.
Like other drugstore powders, it also comes with a mirror in a bottom compartment. There’s also an included applicator sponge which amps up the coverage of the powder to medium, which is nice for touch-ups.
The powder is very finely-milled, so it goes on the skin smoothly and is quite undetectable. It also feels very light and pleasant. If you want something even more matte but with the same light coverage, the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder is a great choice.
Pros
- Suitable setting powder for all skin types
- Lightweight and smooth on the skin
- Shade range suitable for strong undertones
Cons
- Product listing is a little confusing
- Mirror in bottom compartment
7. Best Pressed Powder for Dry Skin: PÜR 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts:
- Coverage Level: Full
- Shade Range: 22 Shades
- Finish: Natural
- Cruelty-Free/Vegan: Yes/Yes
- Quantity: 0.28 Oz
This vegan, mineral-based pressed powder is highly unusual: it’s a powder foundation made specifically to suit dry skin. There aren’t many of those, so we absolutely had to share it with you, despite its high price tag.
The coverage is phenomenal and it can absolutely replace your foundation, although you may still want to use a concealer for severe discoloration or blemishes. It comes in 22 shades, which is enough for most shoppers. We also love that when you click on a shade on Amazon, you can scroll through the pictures to see women wearing each shade, which will help you find your match.
The reason the formula works so well for dry skin is its satin finish, which comes from a blend of finely-milled reflective pigments and moisturizers like shea butter. These creamy ingredients have a natural-looking sheen and they help to moisturize the skin.
This formula is also one of the few talc-free options on our list. Talc is great for mattifying the skin, but in recent years it’s become a little controversial as an inhalation risk (more so for workers or children than to the average makeup wearer).
If you have oily skin, it might be a little too shiny for you, so the bareMinerals Powder Foundation will be a better choice.
When first applied, it can look a little powdery, but it quickly adapts with the heat of the face to have a glowy, skin-like finish. You can even dust it on as a setting powder, in which case it won’t look powdery at all but will increase your cream foundation’s coverage.
Pros
- Excellent coverage
- Fantastic for dry skin
- Talc-free
- Nice shade range
Cons
- Expensive
- Can look powdery when first applied
8. Best Dewy Pressed Powder: COVERGIRL Advanced Radiance Pressed Powder
