Setting Powder Showdown: Get That Blur Without Breaking the Bank

Because your under-eyes deserve luxury—even if your wallet says CVS.

Let’s talk finish. The smooth, the airbrush, the “damn, is that a filter?” finish. High-end setting powders like Laura Mercier and Huda Beauty know what they’re doing—but $40+ a jar, you need options bestie.

Luckily, the internet has been loud about the dupes that deliver the same locked-in, blurred-out glam for way less. No ghost face. No flashback. Just vibes.

The OGs That Run the Luxury Game

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
The Vibe: Silky, blurring, photo-ready.
The Catch: Can lean dry on deeper skin and costs way too much to play around with.

Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
The Vibe: Color options that work across skin tones, strong set, and filter-worthy finish.
The Catch: Fragranced, pricey, and can be a little much for everyday wear.

No shade to the OGs, but these prices hit different in today’s economy.

Your Dupe Lineup

RCMA No-Color Powder
OG YouTube fave for a reason. Flashback-free, melts into the skin, and works on all tones without altering your base. Makeup artists swear by it.
e.l.f. Halo Glow Setting Powder
Glow and control? It’s giving angel skin. This one doesn’t mattify you into the void—just soft-focus perfection with a little light bounce.
Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder
She’s always sold out: Smooth, blurring, and comes in real shades—so your undertone is actually respected.

Quick Picks If You're Pressed for Time

Want that flawless blur → RCMA or Fit Me
Going for soft glam with glow → e.l.f. Halo Glow
Shade range → Maybelline

TL;DR
Setting powder might be the most important step in the whole beat. And with these dupes? You don’t need a Sephora receipt to look red carpet ready. There are dupes that work—and the price tags are giving “add to cart.”