Brightening, Blurring, and Color-Correcting—Green Setting Powder Is Trending

My first experience with green setting powder was provided by Prada Beauty. At first, I couldn’t tell whether the pistachio tint was a true skin tone corrector or just a clever marketing ploy to make skin look a light matcha tint. Prada’s Reset and Balance Powder passed my non-comedogenic ingredients calculator test with flying colors, so I put it to the test. One application later, I understood what appeal meant. The powder delivers impressive shine control while subtly brightening and blurring the skin. My colleague and friend Fred was equally interested (an added endorsement given our different skin tones and undertones). We’re not alone: Bella Hadid wore the same product to the 2026 Oscars, while Hunter Schafer wore the same product to the 2026 Met Gala last week. Even Dwyane Wade was ahead of the trend the year before, proving that the same products were a win for men’s grooming.

Prada isn’t the only brand to embrace the green-pink phenomenon, however. In March, Laura Mercier launched a mint-green version of its cult-favorite Ultra Blur setting powder, which instantly neutralizes redness and blurs imperfections, and Huda Beauty followed up with a pistachio-hued version of its beloved Easy Bake Loose Powder.

fashion magazine Favorite green setting powder

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Image may contain: face, head, people and cosmetics

Image may contain: face, head, people, cosmetics and makeup

According to professional makeup artist Nicole Bueno, the logic behind the bloom category boils down to basic color theory. Red and green are opposite each other on the color wheel, which means they cancel each other out when paired. “Green correction works best for people who are prone to a lot of redness — whether it’s rosacea or acne,” Bueno tells us Fashion. “Although more intensive spot color correction can be used if needed [with liquids or creams]and apply it more subtly to your face with sheer green setting powder. “

Professional makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre explains that the most important words are subtle. Despite their verdant appearance, today’s formulas are finely milled and blended to be translucent and have skin-correcting properties without flattening or bleaching the skin. “Green setting powder helps subtly neutralize redness while also holding makeup in place,” she tells us Fashion. “It’s very similar to what purple shampoo does for blondes or what professional color theory does for painting. You can gently balance the tones without completely masking them.” Rather than being completely Shrek-adjacent, these powders diffuse visible redness and irritation while maintaining a balanced, soft matte finish. Professional makeup artist Brielle Pollara equates the emerging popular category to this versatile functionality.

However, experts warn that not all green powders are suitable. Pigmentation is important, which is why the type of film matters. On a more sheer note, Prada’s formulas work well with a variety of skin tones. In contrast, more realistic skin tone-correcting formulas (think: Laura Mercier or Huda Beauty’s options) are specifically designed for fair to medium skin tones. For darker skin tones, Bueno often recommends using a yellow-toned powder to brighten to avoid a dull or ashy complexion.

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