The verdict: tarte’s Creaseless Setting Powder does exactly what its name promises — it stops concealer from creasing under the eyes and keeps a soft-focus, blurred finish for hours without looking cakey. At $37 for a small jar (about $154 per ounce), it’s genuinely pricey, but reviewers across a wide age range, including several in their 50s, say a little goes a long way and it outlasts cheaper powders. It’s a finishing step, not a full-coverage product — pair it with concealer or foundation.
Why We Picked It
This is an ultra-fine, translucent loose powder designed to set makeup, absorb oil, and blur the appearance of pores and fine lines without a flat, powdery look. It comes with a puff applicator and is currently an Amazon’s Choice pick with 1,000+ bought in the past month. tarte pairs it in their “complete the look” bundle with their Shape Tape concealer line, which lines up with how most reviewers describe using it.
What Owners Actually Say
Makenzie W. titled her review “OBSESSED – Creases? WHERE”: “As someone who constantly struggles with concealer creasing, this powder absolutely lives up to the hype. It sets my under-eyes beautifully without looking heavy, dry, or cakey… I’ve worn it for long days, and my makeup stays looking fresh with minimal touch-ups.” Gfab, describing herself as over 50: “Soft powder. Looks good on my 50+ year old face. Especially under the eyes and over concealer.” Carlee Hackl: “I swear by this setting powder. It’s the very last product I put on when doing my makeup. Not only does it set my face makeup nicely, it also adds a nice photo finish/polished look.”
One Thing to Check
This listing has 141 ratings — solid for a newer SKU but far smaller than tarte’s biggest sellers like Shape Tape concealer (thousands of ratings). Katie’s review sums up the main tradeoff reviewers mention: “My favorite powder. Doesn’t leave behind a powder look — is very seamless and keeps makeup on. A little pricey but lasts a long time.” At roughly $154 per ounce, this is a premium price for a setting powder — cheaper drugstore options exist, they just don’t get the same “doesn’t settle into lines” praise from reviewers here.
Pros & Cons
Pros: Genuinely stops concealer from creasing, according to multiple independent reviews; soft-focus finish reads natural, not powdery; works well on mature/textured skin; a little product covers a lot of area.
Cons: High price per ounce; smaller review base than tarte’s flagship products; loose powder formula means some fallout/mess during application, which is typical of the category.
FAQ
Does it have a matte finish? It gives a soft-focus, blurred finish rather than a hard matte — reviewers describe it as natural-looking.
Is it good for oily skin? Yes — multiple reviewers with oily and combination skin say it controls shine without flattening their base makeup.
Can you use it alone, without concealer? It’s designed as a setting/finishing powder, so it works best layered over concealer or foundation rather than worn alone.
For Specific Needs
Best for: anyone whose concealer creases under the eyes by midday, or who wants a soft-focus finish that holds up through a long day.
Skip if: you’re on a tight makeup budget — the price per ounce is high relative to drugstore setting powders.
Our Methodology
We only cite verified-purchase reviews pulled directly from the product’s Amazon listing, and we read through both the positive and critical reviews before writing a verdict. Prices and ratings reflect the listing at the time of publishing and can change.
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