Trust us on this, a top-notch setting powder is a must-have in any makeup kit. Especially in a hot country like Malaysia where heat and humidity can ruin a makeup look even before it is done. That is why it is so important to let your makeup set to give it more longevity. Even if you prefer a dewy or more natural finish over a matte finish, the setting powder can help lock in the look to create a smoother, poreless and refined surface. It can also absorb excess oil and keep products intact longer. With all these boast talks of setting powders, below we present you with the best setting powders in Malaysia, all of which are our editors’ favourites.

Before we get to any of that, remember when it comes to setting powders, the less is more. Setting powders are not your compacts so they do not brighten up your face instead just helps to lock in the makeup and gives more control of the product. To use a setting powder is pretty easy. Just place your brush in the powder and brush it on your forehead, nose, chin, and the sides of the mouth to remove excess oil. Now, that you know the basics of setting powders, let’s look into Beauty Insider Malaysia approved setting powders in Malaysia.

Benefits Of Setting Powders

You may choose a powder if you have oily or mixed skin or if your makeup bleeds during the day. Setting powders can be used to absorb oil in specific areas rather than all over. It may help absorb excess oil on the skin while also keeping makeup in place. 

Setting powder is commonly used after concealer application to help keep it in place. This helps to brighten the under-eye area while also keeping the concealer in place for longer. Only a few swipes of powder are needed for persons with dry skin where most people are prone to oil, such as the nose or t-zone.

Which Type Works Best For Me?

The best powder for staying powder and oil-absorbing mechanisms is talc or mineral-based powder. It’s also ideal for achieving a no-makeup makeup appearance. Powders including silica, mica, and cornstarch, are excellent for generating a silky, texture-free finish on the skin that is translucent and nearly unnoticeable. There are other brands that provide a variety of skin-tinted setting powders, such as banana powder and cherry powder, both of which are glowy tones that won’t leave you looking ashy or washed-out.

Setting Vs Finishing Powder

Setting powder is meant to be used in conjunction with foundation. It keeps your foundation in place by setting it and preventing it from rubbing off. Setting powder may also assist with the sticky texture and sheen that the foundation might have after application.

Setting powder is used by some women to absorb excess oil and to touch up their makeup throughout the day. Others choose to use setting powder instead of powder foundation since it is sheerer and natural-looking.

Finishing powder, on the other hand, is meant to be used over setting powder and any other makeup. Finishing powder is popular among women and makeup artists because it makes the skin appear smoother by covering pores and small wrinkles, especially when photographed. 

You’ve probably seen photos of celebrities with white, spotty skin. This is a common scenario in which a finishing powder is used to set makeup rather than as an all-over finish. Finishing powder is often not used on a daily basis, but rather for exceptional events when a large number of photographs will be shot.

Best Setting Powders In Malaysia

1. BNB Fine To Refine Compact Powder

Looking for a compact powder that’s suitable for hot and humid weather? Well, this Fine To Refine Compact Powder is waterproof and sweatproof, which means even when you’re outdoors, your makeup will not fade off. Other than that, it’s also a super weightless and long-wearing product with SPF 25 PA+++. It also helps to absorb excess sebum, giving your face a beautiful matte finish. But not only is it a compact powder but can be used as a setting powder too. And because it’s sweatproof and waterproof, you can wear a mask with no worries! Last but not least, this flawless compact powder will not harm your skin as it’s infused with skincare ingredients like the Korean Miracle Bloom, which features the infusion of five flowers.

Why we love it:

  • Waterproof
  • Features SPF 25 PA+++
  • Versatile 

Cons:

  • It contains fragrance

Price: RM45.90

Where to buy: Shopee

2. Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

One of the most popular setting powders in Malaysia, Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder has a luxurious formula that blends effortlessly. It can adjust to any sources of light and gives your skin a perfect camera-ready finish. It can also fade fine lines, wrinkles, and pores which make it ideal for all skin types. 

Why we love it:

  • Radiant finish
  • Weightless
  • Regulate shine 

Cons:

  • Slightly pricey

Price: RM180.00

Where to Buy: Nars

3. Koh Gen Do Face Powder

Some setting powders can be too drying but not this one! Koh Gen Do’s face powder contains hyaluronic acid for a velvety natural finish. It’s finely milled transluscent powder that has light-diffusing technology for a flawless finish. This one is must-have to get if you know you’re going to get pictured (with flash mostly!) since this has no flashback or white casts. Plus, it contains no artificial colors, fragrance, mineral oil, or parabens.

Why we love it:

  • Keeps skin hydrated
  • Velvety natural finish
  • Clean formulation

Cons:

  • It is difficult to find online for purchase

Price: RM135

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4. Emina Bright Stuff Loose Face Powder

Achieve a bright, smooth complexion with just a dab of Emina Bright Stuff Loose Face Powder. As the winner of Beauty Insider Malaysia’s Beauty and Wellness Awards 2024 for Best Setting Powder and Readers’ Choice Award, this product is a testament to its top-notch efficacy, loved by many. It features micro-smooth particles along with a touch of glitter that enhances your complexion with a natural, radiant-matte finish. Infused with niacinamide, it also offers sun protection benefits with SPF 20. Simply pour a suitable amount onto the applicator or your palm, then gently blend it across your face. Trust us, this product will be a game-changer in your makeup routine!

Why we love it:

  • Ideal for oily skin
  • Delivers a radiant, matte finish
  • Seamlessly blends into the skin
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • The packaging can be slightly inconvenient when used on the go

Price: RM9.20

Where to buy: Watsons

5. Privia Skin Recovery Face Powder

For those with Fair to light skin tones, the Privia Skin Recovery Face Powder is a great finishing powder with a bit extra coverage. Aside from that, if you’ve been shying away from powders that can be drying for dry-sensitive skin types, you won’t have to worry about that with this one. Formulated with hydrating and soothing properties to keep your skin clear and healthy. It also made with SPF22 for an extra protection from the sun! Its built-in portable puff is handy for when you need to touch up on-the-go.

Why we love it:

  • It provides extra coverage
  • Soothing properties
  • Stunning packaging 

Cons:

  • The packaging is quite bulky

Price: RM146.00

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6. Y.O.U Beauty Crystal Loose Setting Powder Loose Powder 

One of the affordable options on this list is YOU Beauty’s setting powder. It has great oil controlling functions and your makeup won’t easily slide off once in contact with water. It’s fine and lightweight finish that keeps your face matte without caking. There are three shades available to match different skin tones!

Why we love it:

  • Affordable
  • Controls oil
  • Lightweight 

Cons:

  • Limited shades available

Price: RM27.90

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7. Holika Holika Puripore Powder

For an airbrushed-like finish, you can’t go wrong with Holika Holika’s Purepore powder! Once you brush this on at the end of your makeup, your visible pores will look non-existent! It’s made with plant-based ingredients that contains no talc that helps prevent excess sebum to keep your face looking flawless all-throughout the day.

Why we love it:

  • Airbrushed-like finish
  • Minimises the appearance of pores
  • Talc-free

Cons:

  • It is not extensively available online for purchase

Price: RM42.90

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8. MKUP Air Veil Mineral Fixing Powder

This setting powder by MKUP is a great luminous and mattifying setting powder if you want a oil-controlling and radiant finish. It’s also great for baking on the face, as it gives the selected areas on your face a subtle brightening finish! It has SPF30 for an added protection against the sun. If you need a mid-day touch up, it’s easy to do so with the fiber puff that comes with it!

Why we love it:

  • Suitable for baking makeup technique
  • Oil-controlling 
  • Radiant finish

Cons:

  • Limited shades

Price: RM85.00

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9. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder

This superfine, weightless loose setting powder is without a doubt a game-changer. It is insanely silky soft in texture and can help set and extend your makeup’s longevity. It can also blur the look of pores, fines lines, and imperfections. The best part is the Pro Filt’r comes in eight versatile shades that can fit all skin tones.  And with its light-as-air blend formula, this powder won’t give you a cakey or clotted finish.

Why we love it:

  • A variety of shades available
  • Matte finish
  • Pleasant scent 

Cons:

  • Quite pricey

Price: RM185.00

Where to buy: Sephora Malaysia

10. Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder

One of the best-selling setting powders in Malaysia, the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder is an easy-to-use loose powder that is perfectly curated for all skin tones. It can help you create an airbrushed, long-lasting complexion as well as hold your makeup in place all day long. This powder is also super easy to use due to its extremely light and silky texture. It can blend seamlessly into the skin and gives you a matte with a hint of sheen finish. The powder is available in whopping eight shades so pick the one that best fits your skin.

Why we love it:

  • 10 shades
  • Radiant and satin finish
  • Finely milled loose powder 

Cons:

  • The packaging is quite bulky

Price: RM207.00

Where to buy: Sephora Malaysia

11. Dior Diorskin Forever Loose Powder

Diorskin Forever & Ever Control loose powder can instantly smooth and mattify your skin. It is formulated to absorb excess sebum and neutralise shine. It is suitable for all skin types especially those with oily skin as it can eliminate excess oil and ensure your makeup is set and lasts throughout the day. Plus, it also won’t dry out your skin instead it will feel super weightless and smooth on the skin.

Why we love it:

  • Mattifies the skin
  • Ideal for all skin types
  • Weightless 

Cons:

  • At the top of the price range

Price: RM295.00

Where to buy: Dior

12. Kat Von D Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder 

One of the most common issues people face with setting powder is the white residues, that is not the case with Kat Von D Beauty Lock-It Setting Powder. This translucent powder can blend seamlessly into any skin tone and type. It can also give you a smooth, non-chalky appearance. In fact, it can keep your makeup locked in for up to 12 hours. While also smoothing out the tiny imperfections for a smooth flawless look all day long.

Why we love it:

  • Diffuses the appearance of pores
  • Suitable for all skin tones
  • Lightweight 

Cons:

  • Some reviewers said that you need to reapply it after a few hours

Price: RM158.00

Where to buy: Sephora Malaysia

13. Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Perfecting Powder

If you have sensitive skin, then the Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Perfecting Powder is perfect for you. It will not dry out or irritate your skin as it is made of ingredients that will keep your skin feeling comfortable and nourished. In fact, it is dermatologically tested and proven to be non-acnegenic, meaning it will likely not trigger any acne breakouts. Besides that, this setting powder can also help control your skin’s oil level and give you a nice matte finish.

Why we love it:

  • It comes in several shades
  • Non-acnegenic
  • It delivers a matte finish 

Cons:

  • It is often sold out

Price: RM142.00

Where to buy: Mac Cosmetics

14. Clarins Mineral Loose Powder

Another of the best-selling setting powders in Malaysia, the Clarins Mineral Loose Powder is something you shouldn’t miss. It is super fine and lightweight in texture. It is infused with minerals that can give you a translucent, radiant finish. The powder can also protect your skin against dehydration and maintains its suppleness all day long. 

Why we love it:

  • Superfine particles
  • Translucent finish
  • Long-wearing 

Cons:

  • It is not widely available for purchase online

Price: RM170.00

Where to buy: Amazon

15. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder 

Infused with ingredients like collagen, and anti-ageing antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E, the Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro-Powder is a hardworking powder that can prevent skin damage and maintain its elasticity. It can settle right into all your fine lines, wrinkles, and pores, giving you an airbrush finish. Besides that, it also contains vitamin K, which can reduce discolouration and diminishes the appearance of pores. It is suitable for everyone and we highly recommend it for those with mature skin.

Why we love it:

  • Minimises the appearance of pores and fine lines
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Buildable formula 

Cons:

  • Reviewers said that it might be unsuitable for people with enlarged pores

Price: RM178.00

Where to buy: Sephora Malaysia

16. Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder

One of the most affordable setting powders in Malaysia, Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder can do wonders for your skin. Firstly, it can keep your makeup in place as well as control the level of oil on your skin by absorbing excess sebum. It is infused with top Korean ingredients like Jeju minerals and mint which also aid in keeping your skin healthy and hydrated. The setting powder is also pretty compact so you can carry it everywhere. 

Why we love it:

  • Compact size
  • Regulates oil production
  • Refreshing feeling

Cons:

  • You need to gently dab it across the skin for optimal results

Price: RM28.00

Where to buy: Innisfree

17. Too Faced Born This Way Setting Powder

Need a lightweight setting powder to ensure your makeup lasts all day? Then, the Too Faced Born This Way Setting Powder is the best fit for you. It can brighten and boost your skin’s radiance with its silky formula. Not only can this setting powder keep your makeup set for the whole day, but it can also craft a matte finish. And don’t worry about oil residues as this powder is grease-free!

Why we love it:

  • Reduces shine
  • Talc-free
  • Non-comedogenic

Cons:

  • Quite pricey

Price: RM194.84

Where to buy: Revolve

18. Anastasia Beverly Hills  Loose Setting Powder

This vegan setting powder is super easy to use and lightweight. It is easily blendable and sets makeup with a smooth, flawless matte finish. It sort of just melts into your skin giving you a brighter and refined look. It is available in four tinted shades ( light, medium, tan and deep). Oh, did we also mention that it is free from gluten and oil so fret not it won’t clog pores!

Why we love it:

  • It comes in four shades
  • Matte finish
  • Suitable for all skin types

Cons:

  • Reviewers said that it can be too drying for some

Price: RM200.00

Where to buy: Sephora Malaysia

19. COVER FX Matte Setting Powder

The COVER FX Matte Setting Powder is a talc-free sheer loose powder. It can set your makeup and impart a matte finish. Infused with Kaolin Clay and other oil-absorbing ingredients, this setting powder can minimize oil and diffuse the appearance of pores. The talc-free formula is also great for baking as it will not give you a chalky or cakey finish on the skin.

Why we love it:

  • Oil-absorbing ingredients
  • Talc-free
  • It does not leave any chalky finish 

Cons:

  • It is not widely available for purchase online

Price: RM145.80

Where to buy: Shopee

20. Tarte Shape Tape Setting Powder

Another vegan-friendly setting powder in the list, the Tarte Shape Tape Setting Powder is perfect for everyone. It can flawlessly blur out visible pores and set your makeup so it lasts all day long. Apart from that, this powder can also mattify and absorb excess oil. It also diffuses light to make your skin look radiant while preventing flashback in photos. It is dermatologically tested to be safe for all skin types!

Why we love it:

  • Vegan
  • Dermatologically tested
  • Blurs the appearance of imperfections 

Cons:

  • Limited shade available

Price: RM160.00

Where to buy: Sephora Malaysia

21. Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder

This weightless powder by Urban Decay can mattify your complexion while blurring out pores and imperfections. It can also block shine, without dulling your inner glow. Oh, the powder is also waterproof so it can stand through sweat, water and everything! Simply buff the powder over your foundation for long-lasting, locked-in coverage for up to 11 hours! It works well for all skin tones and any skin types.

Why we love it:

  • Long-wearing
  • Waterproof
  • Suitable for all skin tones 

Cons:

  • It is difficult to find online for purchase

Price: RM392.40

Where to buy: NinthAvenue

22. Butter London Lumimatte Blurring Finishing & Setting Powder

Last but not least in the best setting powders in Malaysia list is Butter London Lumimatte Blurring Finishing & Setting Powder. This luminous yet mattifying setting powder is super weightless and has a translucent blurring effect that can give you a smoother appearance. Formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients along with super fine pearl, this multitasking powder can also brighten up your appearance while locking in moisture for a flawless finish.

Why we love it:

  • Mattifying finish
  • Long-wearing
  • Multitasking formula  

Cons:

  • A general range of shades that might be suitable for some

Price: RM12.700

Where to buy: Sephora Malaysia