The 6 best translucent setting powders for humid weather and zero flashback (2026)

RCMA is a film and television brand, and its No-Color Powder is famous among working makeup artists for one technical reason: it contains no silica and no pigment, the two usual culprits behind flashback. It is literally a colorless powder that sets every skin tone, from the fairest to the deepest, without shifting it a single degree. In Medellín's humidity it has held liquid foundations through entire events for me, and on flash photography jobs it is the powder I trust the most.

The honest part: the packaging is ugly and impractical — a plain pro-style tub with no modern sifter, made for kits, not handbags. It does not blur pores or aggressively mattify like silica powders; it is a pure setting product, so if you want that 'blurred skin' effect, this will not give it to you. And in Colombia you will not find it in mall displays — it is sold through professional makeup supply stores online. For anyone who prioritizes flawless photos, worth every peso.

If shine is your main battle, this Fenty powder is a gem. Its blurring finish softens pores and fine lines instantly, and on my oily-skinned clients it keeps the T-zone in check for hours in full humid heat. The universal Butter shade works on most medium and golden Colombian skin tones, and the Lavender version is great on very fair skin. In photos it gives a polished, editorial-style finish that my quinceañera clients absolutely love.

The cons: applied with a heavy hand it can produce a touch of flashback because of its mattifying content, so thin layers with a fluffy brush — never generous baking. On dry or mature skin it can cling to texture by the end of the night. And getting it in Medellín takes patience: there is no physical Fenty store, so it is Falabella online or asking a traveling friend. If your skin runs normal to dry, the Laura Mercier or the RCMA will treat you better.

When a client asks me for an affordable powder she can grab at any Éxito or drugstore, this is my answer. The loose version of Fit Me is finely milled, sets foundation well and controls shine for a solid 5 to 6 hours in Medellín's climate before asking for a touch-up. I have used it on productions where I had to make up many faces on a limited budget, and in photos it performs far above its price. For the office, a lunch or a daytime event, it simply delivers.

Its limits: longevity does not compete with the professional powders — for a 10 hour wedding it falls short — and the sifter jar spills extra product if you do not close it properly, a well-known handbag disaster. The shades available in Colombia are few, so very deep skin tones may notice a slight light cast. It is the perfect entry point, not the final destination.

This NYX powder is a mid-range classic that is easy to find at Cromantic and Falabella, and I understand why it sells so well: the texture is silky, it softens small imperfections and leaves a smooth finish that is very flattering to the naked eye and on video. I use it for content shoots and daytime events where there will be no direct flash, and on combination skin it handles the city's humidity with dignity through a full working day.

Here comes the warning almost nobody gives: its formula is high in silica, the number one flashback ingredient. With a generous amount or baking, flash photos can show white patches under the eyes — I have seen it in photos of clients who touched up on their own. If your event has a photographer using flash, apply the thinnest possible layer or choose the RCMA instead. For daily wear and for video, an excellent buy.

Ben Nye comes from the world of theater and television, where makeup has to survive sweat under stage lights, and that heritage shows. Neutral Set is colorless, locks foundation down with a firmness few consumer powders match, and it is my ace up the sleeve for events with heavy dancing or outdoor afternoons in the heat. The tub holds an enormous amount of product — for personal use it easily lasts a year, making its cost per gram one of the best on this list.

The cons: it is a utilitarian powder with no pore-blurring effect and no 'pretty' finish — it sets, period. The texture is slightly heavier than Laura Mercier's, so dry skin needs thorough moisturizing first or it can feel parching. And like the RCMA, you will not find it in mall displays; it is sold through professional makeup supply stores. For nervous brides with sweaty palms and a long night ahead, a hidden gem.