Powder Foundation Is Our Go-To For Summer, Here Are Some Our Faves
Powder foundation is making its way back to our beauty routines — here’s how to perfect it along with our top recommended picks.
If the heat and humidity have been melting your makeup off this summer, here’s a beauty hack for achieving long-lasting, natural-looking coverage: powder foundation. For those after a soft, silky complexion that still looks effortless and skin-like, it might just be the move for your beauty routine this season.
That said, powder foundation isn’t the most conventional choice, especially since liquid and cream foundations have been the go-to for the past few years. So, how do you know if this form of foundation is the move for you? Here are some quick tips on how to perfect your application, along with recommendations for the best powder foundations to try.
HOW TO USE POWDER FOUNDATION
1. Use a flat, dense foundation brush for application
To really take advantage of powder foundation’s buildable coverage, lightly buff it into your skin for a soft, blurred finish. It also gives you more control over how much product you’re packing onto your skin, so you don’t end up with a chalky complexion.
If you want something with more coverage though, using a powder puff instead would give you more precision and coverage, while still being buildable. It’s also best for touching up your makeup while on-the-go to reduce oil and shine, and restore coverage.
2. Don’t skimp on hydrating skin prep
Whether you have oily or dry skin, hydration is key to keeping your base bulletproof. Make sure to moisturise your skin to make sure that your foundation stays in place. Hydration mists are great too, especially for melting away any excess powder, leaving a soft, natural-looking base.
3. Set your wet and dry products in between steps
Contrary to what you might believe, mixing your wet and dry products is perfectly fine — the key is setting your makeup in between steps. The general rule is: set your wet products with setting powder, and use setting spray for your dry products.
For example: if your first step is applying liquid concealer, make sure to set it with some setting powder before tapping your powder foundation into your skin, then setting that with your setting spray.
OUR FIVE FAVOURITE POWDER FOUNDATIONS IN 2026
1. Dior Forever Natural Velvet powder foundation, $122
Why you’d love it: If you want something that smoothens your skin, keeps it feeling hydrated, and is full coverage, Dior’s powder foundation is for you. It’s a matte formula that’s perfect for those who love a soft glam look. It’s also packed with skin-loving ingredients like iris and rose extract to preserve hydration while sitting comfortably on your skin. Bonus: it’s refillable!
2. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear powder foundation, $120
Why you’d love it: Chanel’s powder foundation offers a versatile formula that’s very buildable depending on your skin’s needs, while offering all-day luminous matte perfection. Its long-lasting formula includes moisturisng squalane and Chanel’s light-diffusing complex — basically, it minimises oiliness while still giving a radiant finish throughout the day.
See also: Chanel Beauty’s New Coastal-Inspired Makeup Collection For Summer
3. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte powder foundation, $70
Why you’d love it: For a soft matte lightweight finish, Fenty’s Pro Filt’r powder foundation is perfect for that flawless, airbrushed look. It’s silky and extremely lightweight, and promises resistance against sweat and humidity, so you’ll still look natural and fresh even after a full day out. The best part: with over 50 shades in their range, you’re basically guaranteed to find your perfect match.
See also: Fenty Skin’s Viral Bath And Body Collection Is Finally Launching In Singapore
4. Kylie Cosmetics Natural Blur powder foundation, $51
Why you’d love it: If a breathable, natural-looking foundation is what you need, this Kylie Cosmetics compact is the one for you. This is for those who want something that will even your skin tone, rather than completely blur and cover. It’s perfect for those who lean more Clean Girl, and simply want to reduce shine and smoothen texture out.
5. MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, $72
Why you’d love it: If you’re looking for something high-coverage, this is the foundation for you. While buildable, MAC’s powder foundation offers medium to full coverage goodness — perfect for those who need to smoothen and even out acne-prone complexions, without too much heaviness. With its long-wear formula, this foundation also promises to stay put for over 12 hours, and comes in 53 shades.