I Tried Fenty Beauty’s Reformulated Loose Setting Powder — Here’s the Truth

Okay, let’s talk about this reformulation because I have feelings about it. After years of the Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder being my ride-or-die loose powder, Fenty Beauty decided to completely overhaul the formula for their new Set it Down Superfine Blurring Setting Powder. And honestly? I was terrified they were going to mess with perfection.

For months, the rumor mill was spinning with the news that our beloved Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder was being phased out to make room for this new version. The signs were all there: an aggressive sale on the original formula and shades being out of stock for weeks on end. I was so convinced it was the end of an era that I snatched up a backup of the regular size for the price of a travel size just to survive the transition! However, I recently checked the Fenty Beauty website as of January 2026 and it seems the original Pro Filt’r shades are finally back in stock.

Now that the panic has subsided, is the new Set it Down formula actually an upgrade, or just a smart business move?

Can a “Superfood” Powder Actually Work?

The biggest shift here is the move to a talc-free formulation. In the original Pro Filt’r, talc was the heavy hitter for oil absorption. Fenty Beauty is clearly following the industry trend toward “cleaner” ingredients, which is a smart business move, but talc is hard to replace when it comes to that specific silky-smooth finish we all love.

To make this work, Fenty created an oil-absorbing dream team:

• Silica : This takes the lead to keep the skin matte.
• Mica : This provides the brightening effect so you don’t look casket-ready.
• Chia Seed Extract : This is more than just a trendy superfood marketing point. Chia seed powder actually has natural oil-absorbing properties that contribute to the powder’s performance

While hyaluronic acid in powder form is questionable at best (it needs water to do its hydrating thing), chia seed powder actually has natural oil-absorbing properties. So not only does it give Fenty Beauty those trendy “superfood” marketing points, but it’s legitimately contributing to the mattifying performance. Pretty clever, honestly.

The Shade Situation

This powder comes in 8 color-correcting shades. I picked up the shade Honey, which is recommended for medium to medium-deep skin tones with warm undertones. My personal undertone is somewhere between neutral and warm/golden, and Honey compliments my skin tone beautifully. There is a shade called Cashew for medium to medium-deep skin with warm-neutral undertones, but I knew it would definitely be too light for me.

Does It Actually Work?

Here’s what I really care about: how oily am I going to be in a few hours. The switch from the old talc-based formula to this new multi-ingredient oil-control system had me worried they’d completely change the game. But after putting this through its paces for weeks, I’m relieved to say it still delivers that signature Fenty magic I’ve been addicted to. The oil control is there, the longevity holds up, and it still makes my makeup look flawless hours later. Sure, if you’re really paying attention, you might notice the texture feels slightly different when you first apply it, but the end result? Still that same perfection I’ve been relying on for years.

Is It Worth It ?

The truth is, Fenty managed to pull off something pretty impressive here. They took a cult favorite that nobody wanted them to touch and somehow made it work without the talc, using a smart combination of ingredients that each bring something different to the table. And for that, I’m grateful my powder obsession can continue guilt-free.