Kosas Cloud Set Is a Beautiful Setting Powder

Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder diffuses skin and keeps the glow.

Kosas has been making waves over the past few years with its unique formulas, its banning of over 2,700 ingredients, and its infusing of skincare with makeup in every product. Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder is one of them. Cloud Set is a skincare-infused, pressed powder that flawlessly sets makeup. This talc free powder hasn’t won any awards yet, but it has been on my radar, Allure‘s radar, and has made a buzz in the beauty community since its early 2021 launch. Let’s dive into its performance.

Quick Rating Rundown

This Product

(4.4)

:Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder

Price: $35.00

0.33 oz

Value

(4.4)

Application

(4.8)

Finish

(4.3)

Longevity

(4)

Extra Benefits

(4.5)

Similar Product

(4.3)

:Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

Price: $46.00

0.28 oz

Value

(3.7)

Application

(5)

Finish

(4.6)

Longevity

(4.3)

Extra Benefits

(4)

Milabu Picks

(4.5+)

:Best Sprays and Setting Powders

Price: $8 – $58

Various

Value

(4.5+)

Application

(4.5+)

Finish

(4.5+)

Longevity

(4.5+)

Extra Benefits

(4.5+)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

Promises vs. Performance: Just how can a powder have skincare benefits?

Kosas is a unique brand that infuses the majority of their products with skincare benefits. Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder is no different. According to their website, this formula starts as a mousse filled with active liquid, skincare ingredients. These ingredients work to reduce oil (bamboo stem extract), smooth fine lines (passionfruit leaf extract) and minimize pores (Chinese peony). Cloud Set is a baked powder that is soft, sheer, and lightweight. And, of course, Kosas is a clean brand that is cruelty free with no use of ingredients such as talc, PEGS, or undisclosed fragrances.

Let me start out by saying expressing just how stunning this powder is! It gives you a beautiful airbrushed, diffused look. It removes excess shine and oil, without removing the glow of the products underneath. Kosas setting powder flawlessly sets just about every product I have tried it with (yep, even Estée Lauder Double Wear). I do find that I have to powder or blot my face throughout the day to control oil on hotter days, but that is normal for me with any setting powder I use. What’s nice about Kosas setting powder specifically, is it doesn’t look cakey or powdery the more product you add. You can even bake with it, which I find unique for a pressed powder!

Performance Rating

This Product

(4.4)

:Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder

Price: $35.00

Application

(4.8)

Finish – blurring

(4.2)

Finish – texture

(4.5)

Finish – Shine Control

(4.1)

Longevity

(4)

Similar Product

(4.6)

:Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish

Price: $46.00

Application

(5)

Finish – Blurring

(4.5)

Finish – Texture

(4.8)

Finish – Shine Control

(4.5)

Longevity

(4.3)

^{Our Rating Criteria}

How It Compares: Kosas Setting Powder is a beautiful, talc free formula.

Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder has become one of my favorite powders. It’s a stunning formula that is lightweight and beautifully sets makeup. It provides a really nice, natural finish. My pores vanish, my fine lines are smoothed, and my skin looks airbrushed, all of which I just love. The one thing I will say is that it isn’t the most mattifying powder out there. If your skin does lean more oily, you may find you need to touch up with this powder throughout the day with a blotting sheet. Or, layer a setting spray on top for even more longevity!

But, I must say: I haven’t met a complexion combination that doesn’t play well with this powder. Even if I add more when I touch-up, it doesn’t look cakey or powdery.

Milabu Beauty Method: Use setting powder for anything cream.

1. First apply all cream products (foundation, concealer, cream blush/bronzer/highlight).
2. I like to set my under eye area first. Take a small, fluffy brush that fits easily in this area. One of my favorites is this one from Real Techniques ($7.99).
3. Next, set the rest of your face. I tend to concentrate setting powder in my T-zone then lightly dust it over the rest of my face. A good brush for this is the Ultra Plush Powder Brush from Real Techniques ($9.99).
4. Toss it in your purse for easy, on-the-go touchups!

Tip: If there’s an area where makeup tends to budge most, take a puff (the BeautyBlender one is amazing) to really press the powder into your skin. I find this technique works really well for setting the under eye area!