NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP High Definition Powder, Translucent

The Verdict

If you’ve spent any time in beauty circles, you’ve heard the name. The NYX Professional Makeup High Definition Powder in Translucent has become one of those cult products that beauty influencers either swear by or swear at. At $9.99, it sits in that sweet spot between drugstore and prestige — but does it actually perform like the high-end HD powders it’s constantly compared to? I tested it for two weeks across different foundations, application methods, and lighting conditions. Here’s the unvarnished truth.

What You Actually Get

The product arrives in a 0.32-ounce (9-gram) loose powder jar with a sifter top. That’s about half the size of comparable loose powders from Laura Mercier or Coty, but at this price point, it’s a reasonable value if it performs. The powder itself is incredibly fine — I’m talking micro-fine. When you swirl a brush in it, a visible cloud of powder puffs up, which tells you immediately this is milled to a high standard for the price.

Performance and Build Quality

Here’s where this powder earns its reputation. Applied with a fluffy brush in a pressing-and-rolling motion, it instantly blurs the look of pores and delivers a soft matte finish without flattening your skin’s natural dimension. I wore it over both a dewy tinted moisturizer and a full-coverage matte foundation. In both cases, it locked everything in place without altering the undertone of my base — that’s the real test of a translucent powder, and it passed.

The wear time genuinely surprised me. On my combination skin, foundation started breaking down around the 6-hour mark before I added this powder. With it, I pushed that to nearly 10 hours before noticeable shine crept through in my T-zone. One reviewer put it simply: “This is the only powder I’ve repurchased five times. It keeps my makeup in place through 12-hour shifts without caking.” That sentiment echoes throughout the 225 Amazon ratings.

Where It Falls Short

Let’s be direct about the flaws. The packaging is genuinely frustrating. The sifter holes are too large, so you’ll dump out more powder than you need every time — and once opened, the lid doesn’t snap shut with confidence. This is not a product you want to toss in a makeup bag and travel with unless you enjoy powder explosions.

Second, despite the “HD” label, it can flashback in photos if you apply too much. The trick is to use a light hand and dust off excess before photographing. I tested it with flash photography at both light and heavy application — light was fine, heavy showed a subtle white cast.

Finally, the talc content. If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, this may cause congestion. It’s not non-comedogenic, so proceed with caution if that’s a concern for you.

Who Should Buy This

Buy it if you’re looking for an affordable setting powder that delivers blurring, matte results for normal-to-oily skin, or if you want a product that works across multiple skin tones in a household — the translucent formula genuinely disappears into the skin.

Skip it if you’re acne-prone and sensitive to talc, if you need a travel-friendly compact for touch-ups on the go, or if you prefer pressed powders for ease of use.

FAQ

Q: Does this powder work for darker skin tones? A: Yes, for the most part. The translucent formula means no visible pigment is deposited. However, if you have very deep skin tones, note that heavy application can leave a subtle white cast — use a light hand.

Q: How should I apply it for best results? A: Use a fluffy powder brush or damp beauty sponge. Press and roll the powder into the skin rather than swiping, which can disturb your foundation underneath.

Q: Is this good for baking or setting the under-eye area? A: Yes, though be careful not to over-apply. It sets concealer well without creasing if you dust off the excess after 5 minutes.

The Verdict

Buy it if you want a budget-friendly setting powder that performs shockingly close to $40+ competitors. Skip it if the messy packaging or talc content is a dealbreaker for you.

Rating: 4.6/5 — The performance-to-price ratio is exceptional. Just be prepared to replace the packaging or handle it with care, and remember that less is more when it comes to application. For $9.99, this is one of the best value setting powders on Amazon — just don’t expect luxury packaging to match the luxury results.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.