The key to an airbrushed look. We've taken the popular loose setting powders, and given you descriptions and prices of each.

Also called setting powder, this is the finishing touch to most makeup applications. The loose powders I've chosen here are translucent - which means you can use them on any complexion color or tone. Although they look light in the container, they don't add color to your face.

What Finishing Powders Do
1. They set your makeup, to make it last. Although you may need touchups during the day (that's where your pressed powder compacts come in), a finishing powder will keep everything in place. I use setting powder over both liquid and mineral foundation.

2. They "mattify" your face. Without finishing powder, some women find their makeup too moist-looking. Powder keeps the shine down.

How to Apply
Use a powder puff - not a brush - to press the powder into your makeup. Do small parts of your face at a time. When you're done, then you can take up a brush full of powder and go over your entire face to smooth out the application. Finally, use a very soft brush to whisk away any excess.

Please remember to use only non-animal hair brushes. See Vegan Makeup Brushes to find out where to get them.

Afterglow Cosmetics Organic Setting Powder: A little goes a long way with this one. Although it looks white in the jar, it's completely colorless. Good for all skin types, but especially good for oily skin. If you have dry skin, a tiny amount will set your makeup for the entire day.

Arbonne Intelligence Personalizer Oil-Absorbing Powder: This pressed powder can be applied under your moisturizer and before makeup - or you can use it as a daytime touch-up compact. It's got a slight mint color, which helps tone down redness. I like it. Tip: A little goes a long way. Don't over-apply.

BareMinerals' Mineral Veil: Although it's designed to set and mattify the BareMinerals foundation, I've found it to be an excellent setting powder for any foundation - liquid, cream, or mineral. It's nicely translucent, and totally natural-looking. The only problem is that if you use a lot of setting powder, like I do, you'll run through the small container very quickly.

Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder: Luxurious and soft. Creates a flawless finish.

Burt's Bees Vanishing Facial Powder: It really does vanish, and seems like it would be good on any skin type. It's not quite as silky as Bobbi's or Laura's. But I plan to keep a tin of it on hand at all times: it's neutral, and it sets foundation really well.

Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Loose Powder: For all skin tones. Free of synthetic preservatives, colors and scents. Ultra-sheer; contains pure silk. Radiant, natural finish; not too matte.

FX Setting FX Translucent Setting Powder: I tried "Light" and found, despite a "color" description, that it did not put any extra color on my face - just a soft, matte finish. The powder if finely milled. I like it a lot, and will definitely get more when this jar runs out.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder: I love it because the color is so neutral. No undertones of pink or gold. It just sets the underlying foundation. Also flawless, like the Bobbi Brown.

MAC Blot Powder / Pressed: Excellent for touch-ups. Totally absorbs excess oil without leaving any color behind.

MAC Powder: Select Sheer / Loose:Translucent - so it's for all skin tones. Very light-weight, with a sheer, "micro-fine," semi-matte finish.

Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder Translucent Natural 12: Although Make Up For Ever offers setting powders with slight tints to them, this one, Translucent Natural 12, is the universal one - meaning it sets your makeup without adding any color at all. It provides a super-matte finish, so it's perfect for oily skin or to matte a foundation that's moist-looking. Yet it will not dry out even the dryest of skins. Another use for Make Up For Ever Powder: apply it over too much blush or shadow, to soften and blend out the mistake.

Paula Dorf Loose Powder: Colorless. Good for all skin tones. "Finely-milled," and especially oil-absorbing.

Sue Devitt Triple C-Weed Loose Powder: Her Triple C-Weed powder contains, as the name implies, seaweed - plus Vitamin C, green tea, and chamomile extract. So this silky blend does more than just set your makeup; it provides antioxidants and nutrients too.

Suncat Natural Mineral Makeup's Mineral Setting Powder: My sample color was labeled "02," and from checking it side by side with the colors on the site, I think it was Sunset Finishing Veil. It gave a soft, semi-matte finish and absorbed oil like crazy. And like the BareMinerals Mineral Veil, it dusts nicely over all kinds of foundations.

Vincent Longo Perfect Canvas Loose Powder: Velvety and rich, Vincent Longo powders set and finish makeup for an airbrushed, flawless look.