Battle of the brands: Setting powder ranking

For the third post in my battle of the brands series, I’m ranking my setting powder collection to tell you which formula is my all-time fave.

Last month, I introduced the battle of the brands series on my blog. It’s where I rank my entire makeup collection by a specific product type. From foundations and bronzers to lip liners and brow products, battle of the brands is my ultimate makeup collection rating, so you can see my absolute ride-or-die products.

Starting from my least favourite product and working my way up to my number 1 product in any given category, this is the fastest way to see my thoughts on my entire makeup collection.

My first post ranked my concealer collection. Next, I ranked my lip gloss collection. I had so much fun writing these posts that I couldn’t wait to rank my setting powders! Keep reading to see which setting powder is the most lightweight, translucent, and keeps makeup in place all day.

5. RCMA No-Colour Powder 

£13.75

The RCMA No-Colour Powder is a well-known dupe for the OG Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. Honestly, I don’t think the RCMA powder is as good as the original, but it’s damned good and far more affordable.

This translucent powder does a great job of keeping makeup in place all day and prevents my skin from looking shiny or greasy. It’s almost undetectable on the skin. You can still see a very very tiny amount of whiteness from the powder, which gives a brightening effect. On my light skin, this is fine, but on medium-deep complexions, this is probably more noticeable.

Although the RCMA No-Colour Powder isn’t my fave, I’d happily repurchase it because it’s a great basic setting powder that gets the job done.

4. OPV Beauty Translucent Loose Setting Powder

£16

The OPV Beauty Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a great setting powder. It’s invisible on the skin and keeps makeup in place all day. No shiny or greasy skin here!

It’s a little thicker and messier than some of the other loose setting powders I’ve tried, but I still really enjoy it overall. When I’ve got a particularly glowy base, I opt for this powder as it’s fairly mattifying, so it prevents my t-zone from looking crazy shiny.

3. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

£61

I love the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette so much. Although there are 3 different powders in the palette, it’s the shade on the left that’s the setting powder.

This beautiful setting powder not only helps makeup stay put all day, but it also gives my skin this soft-focus and subtle radiance. I don’t own any other setting powders that give my skin a luminosity boost, and it’s so flattering. The powder simply sweeps over my skin for a poreless and healthy look.

The only reason I’ve not ranked the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette second is because the powder doesn’t have the same lasting power as my top 2 picks. My skin will get a bit shinier faster than other powders in this list. However, the powder is so beautiful and luxurious that I simply don’t care.

2. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

£34

Coming in at number 2 is the cult classic Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. This beautiful product started everyone’s obsession with a good setting powder.

It’s incredibly lightweight, undetectable on the skin, doesn’t emphasise texture, and helps makeup stay in place all day without ruining the base makeup. It seriously helps keep any greasiness and shine at bay. I can rely on this luxe powder to keep my base looking flawless. The finish is natural too, rather than flat and matte.

I love this setting powder so much.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

£36

Coming in at number 1 is my holy grail Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish.

To me, this is the perfect setting powder.

It makes my skin look poreless, super smooth, and airbrushed. The powder is so finely milled and buttery soft that it just glides over the skin effortlessly. It feels lightweight and looks invisible on the skin. My makeup stays in place without getting greasy all day. And even if my skin does get a bit shiny, reapplying powder is super easy and never looks cakey.

While all of the setting powders in this post are great, this one offers additional benefits that the others don’t. Especially when it comes to the magical blurring effect. It’s like an Insta filter in a powder. I’m obsessed.

Check out my full review of the Charlotte Tilbury setting powder here.

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 5 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.