It’s every Frenchwoman’s secret weapon and handbag essential – classic French face powders of course! Looking a little shiny after dinner? Don’t sweat it. Need a quick pick-me-up before an impromptu photo session? Say no more. The best French face powders always have our backs.
French women understand the power of presenting their very best selves to the world. When you walk with confidence, you can change the whole tone of the room, or even of the day! French women know how to properly use face powder and tap into its confidence-boosting power. The right face powder upgrades your overall look.
The best face powders can lock in your French makeup for hours, highlight your best features, or simply just smooth over your blemishes and blend out any imperfections. Sounds great, right?
Finding the right fit with the right coverage could take some guesswork if you’re going at it alone. Who has the time for that? Allow me to save you some searching and let’s get to the best French face powders!
Best Face Powders from France
Face powder is the cherry on top of a luscious French foundation, or it’s an entire course of its own. Whatever your powder needs, eliminate the hassle of searching for the right one and invest in one of the very best French powders for the face.
Generally speaking, matte powder foundations are best for dry skin types as they contain more oil. Find your match made in heaven and finish your perfect makeup look with these top French powder foundations. Let’s get started!
Best Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder formula is ideal for oily, combo, or normal skin types. It has a gorgeous matte finish. Plus this French setting powder is oil-free so it’s perfect for sensitive types too. It’s no wonder this powder has such a following; it lasts up to 16 hours so you have to worry about reapplications.
This product is best used as a setting powder or after your foundation and concealer. It can be applied with a dense brush or a puff. If you wish to apply a powder with color, this powder is the perfect step before. Laura Mercier hit it out of the park with this effortless, blendable formula!
Best Loose Powder: Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder
Givenchy’s Prisme Libre loose powder formula offers a number of impressive benefits. This luxury French loose powder mattifies, blurs, color corrects, and illuminates to give you that flawless complexion look. You’ll be looking completely camera-ready. Combining different shades in one palette makes for a powerhouse French powder.
Finding your proper shade will be a breeze with their easy-to-follow color system. This powder is multipurpose and could stand alone or be used to set your foundation. Coverage is also buildable. This pick is perfect for anyone who is looking to even out their skin or take care of any dullness with its matte/radiant finish.
Best Illuminating Powder: Guerlain Météorites Illuminating Powder Pearls
The Guerlain Meteorites Illuminating Powder Pearls loose powder formula uses next-level technology in its light-diffusing, illuminating pearls to give you a halo-like glow. Everyone always knew you were an angel, after all! Made up of multiple shades, each has a specific job to color correct, even out, and perfect your lovely complexion. This French illuminating powder is best for babes who are looking for light coverage and a radiant finish.
Guerlain Meteorites powder takes no shortcuts here as each pearl is hand-crafted by one of only four people in the world. It’s the hand-crafted artisan life for me! Coming in three beautiful shades, these pretty pearls definitely prove it’s the little things that matter.
Best Finishing Powder: Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre
Chanel’s Poudre Universelle Libre formula is the super-soft, sheer final step your makeup routine might be missing. This French finishing powder is best for evening out your skin tone, setting your makeup, and achieving an effortless, luxurious aesthetic. Its coverage is lightweight, and it’ll leave you with a chic matte finish.
Chanel offers 8 beautiful shades and its reviews boast of its long-staying power. The pigments are photo-reflective, and it illuminates without settling into lines. This powder is best applied with a puff lightly all over the face. Let’s get real. Adding more Chanel into your life is always a good idea.
Best Pressed Powder: Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Matte Powder Foundation
Dior’s Forever Perfect Matte pressed foundation formula refines the look of your pores and reduces shine to give you that beautiful, put-together look for hours. This French pressed powder is ultra-absorbent and perfect for oily or combination skin. The texture is very fine, and it offers comfortable coverage all day long.
Dior offers twelve perfect shades with medium to full coverage. This compact is perfect for anyone who is looking for a compact that they can throw into their purse or bag with ease. It has environmentally friendly packaging and takes up a fraction of the space. It is recommended you use a sponge for the best application.
Best Bronzing Powder: Guerlain Terracotta Powder
The Guerlain Terracotta Sunkissed Natural Bronzer Powder formula is the perfect French bronzing powder for getting that sun-kissed, summertime look in a matter of seconds. It adds a natural glow and radiance while ingredients like argan oil preserve your skin’s hydration.
If you have dry skin, this beloved French bronzing powder is ideal. This powder has a beautiful fragrance with notes of ylang-ylang, orange blossom, tonka bean, and vanilla. It has staying power with about 8 hours of wear.
I love this in my makeup toolbox because yes, sometimes I want to feel like I just returned from a Riviera getaway even if it’s the dead of winter. Guerlain offers 6 stunning bronze shades, and there’s one for everybody. Travel without getting up from your vanity mirror.
Best Budget Powder: L’Oréal Paris Hydra Perfect Powder
Affordable French beauty brand L’Oreal offers the Hydra Perfecte Perfecting Loose Face Powder, an impressive French loose powder formula you can find at drugstores. Get seriously glowy with this translucent, silky powder. It’s light-diffusing, minimizes pores, and sets your makeup to give you a smooth, pretty finish. This powder also comes with a puff for easy application.
Over 10,000 women love its convenience! Plus the ingredients are moisturizing and help protect the skin. It’s recommended for use of your typically oily areas including your forehead, chin, nose, and under your eyes. This powder has a luxurious-looking matte finish. This L’Oreal pick is a must-try for any beauty buff on a budget!
I hope this list of the best French powder foundations helped you find your dream Parisian powder!