KimChi Chic Beauty Set & Bake Loose Setting Powder Review

You set your foundation at 8 a.m. By noon your T-zone is shining and your concealer has slid into your smile lines. That gap between application and midday is exactly where most drugstore powders quit.

KimChi Chic Beauty built the Puff Puff Pass Set & Bake Powder for that problem. It is a finely milled loose powder with rice starch and vitamin E, sold in nine shades, and it has moved over two million units.

I have used it on clients, on my own combination skin, and through a Vancouver summer. Here is my honest read on whether the hype survives real wear.

In a Nutshell

• The formula is talc-based, not talc-free. Talc leads the list, followed by mica, silica, and Oryza Sativa Starch (rice). If you avoid talc for personal or ethical reasons, this one is out immediately.
• Oily and combination skin get the best results. Every long-term fan I spoke to fell into those categories. Very dry skin often reports a flat, powdery look by hour four.
• It sets without weight. The milling is genuinely fine, so a light press does not read as a mask. Under-eye creasing dropped noticeably in my wear tests.
• The heart-shaped sifter is charming and permanent. It controls product waste well, but it will not pop out if you prefer decanting your powders.
• Value is strong at roughly $22 for 20g, and the 80g Giant version exists for professionals and heavy bakers.
• A setting spray is not optional here. Without one, the finish sits on the skin rather than melting into it. That single step changes the entire result.

KimChiChic Beauty Puff Puff Pass Set & Bake Loose Setting Powder

Last update on 2026-06-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

The full name is a mouthful, so most people just call it Puff Puff Pass. It arrives as a 20g (0.70 oz) loose powder in a squat pink jar.

The brand positions it as a dual-purpose product. You can press it lightly to set makeup, or pack it on and let it sit to bake away oil and creasing.

Kim Chi, the drag performer behind the brand, formulated it for stage conditions. That context matters, because stage makeup demands longevity under hot lights and heavy layering.

The claim printed on the site promises “all-day slayage even when you cry.” Translated honestly, that means the powder resists moisture reasonably well and does not immediately break apart around the eyes.

It is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free. PETA approval is listed on the packaging.

The shade I tested most is 03 Translucent, which the brand rates for fair to tan skin. The full lineup runs from 01 Ivander through 08 Chocolate, plus a pink option.

Unboxing, Packaging and the Heart Sifter

The jar arrives shrink-wrapped inside a pink carton. No tissue, no ribbon, no unnecessary inserts.

Twist the lid and you find a white plastic sifter with a heart-shaped opening cut into the centre. Underneath sits a thick velour puff, folded into its own compartment.

That heart sifter is the packaging’s best feature and its biggest limitation. The small aperture releases a controlled amount of powder, so you waste far less than with a full-mesh sifter.

The tradeoff: it is sealed in firmly. Several users have noted it cannot be removed, so decanting into a jumbo jar or a travel tin is not realistic.

The puff itself deserves credit. It is dense, soft, and large enough to cover a full cheek in one press.

One packaging honesty note. The jar is not filled to the brim, and the brand says so on its own product page. Settling during shipping makes it look emptier than it is.

The lid screws on tightly enough for a handbag. I have carried mine loose in a kit bag with no leaking.

Texture, Scent and Skin Feel

Dip a finger in and the powder feels like cornstarch that has been sifted three times. There is no grit at all.

The scent is nonexistent. No fragrance is listed and none is detectable, which is a relief for anyone with reactive skin or sensitivity around the eyes.

On application, it grips fast. The dimethicone in the formula gives it a slight slip, so it glides across the skin instead of dragging on dry patches.

The finish is a soft matte, not a flat chalky matte. Skin still looks like skin under natural light.

Colour payoff in Translucent is close to invisible on fair to medium tones. Push it too hard on deeper skin and you will see a grey cast, which is why the shade range exists.

It does not feel drying in the jar, but it absorbs. Within about ninety seconds, my forehead went from tacky primer finish to touchable.

The velour puff changes the texture experience entirely. A brush disperses it thinly; the puff drives it into the skin for a denser, longer-lasting set.

Top 3 Alternatives for KimChiChic Beauty Set & Bake Loose Setting Powder

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Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

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Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder, Translucent Extra Coverage

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RCMA Makeup No Color Powder

The Ingredient List, Decoded

The full list is short: Talc, Mica, Silica, Oryza Sativa Starch, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, plus may-contain pigments.

Talc sits first. In cosmetic grade it is asbestos-free and sterilised, and it delivers the slip and translucency that makes powder blend instead of streak. It is also the single most common reason people skip this product.

Mica adds slip and light diffusion. It is what softens the look of texture without adding visible shimmer.

Silica is the oil absorber. This is the workhorse behind the shine control claim, and it explains why oily skin responds so well.

Oryza Sativa Starch is the rice component the marketing leads with. It absorbs oil and adds a cushiony feel, though it appears fourth, not first.

Dimethicone is the surprise inclusion. It fills fine lines temporarily and stops the powder from catching on flaky areas.

Tocopheryl Acetate is stabilised vitamin E, an antioxidant. In a powder at this position on the list, treat it as a nice extra rather than skincare.

Nothing here is a common irritant. The list is alcohol-free and fragrance-free, which is genuinely good news for sensitive types.

Shade Range and Choosing Your Match

Nine shades is above average for a loose setting powder, and the range is thoughtfully built rather than padded.

01 Ivander blends ivory with lavender for fair, cool undertones. It counteracts sallowness rather than adding warmth.

02 Banana is the brightening yellow that under-eye baking fans reach for. It works best on light to medium skin with warm undertones.

03 Translucent is the safest pick for fair through tan. It is the shade most reviewed and most widely stocked.

04 Peachy neutralises blue-toned darkness under the eyes on light to medium skin.

05 Suntan, 06 Almond, 07 Cocoa and 08 Chocolate carry the range into medium-deep and deep tones. This is where many competitors stop and KimChi Chic does not.

09 Pink is the newest addition, aimed at brightening without the yellow cast.

One caution from real users: the lavender and translucent shades read too light on deeper skin. Order the matched tone rather than assuming translucent means universal.

How to Set and Bake With It Properly

Setting and baking are two different techniques, and this powder handles both differently.

To set, load a small amount onto the puff, fold the puff, and press it against itself to distribute. Then press, do not sweep, across your T-zone and under-eyes.

To bake, pack a visible layer onto the under-eye, chin, and around the nose. Let it sit for three to five minutes while you do brows or eyes.

Dust off the excess with a large fluffy brush, using downward strokes. Rushing this step is what creates that dusty, powdery look people blame on the formula.

Follow with a setting spray. This is the single most repeated tip from long-term users, and it is the difference between a good result and a great one.

Less is more on dry areas. One light press under the eyes outperforms two heavy ones every time.

For touch-ups, blot oil with a tissue first. Powder over fresh oil is how midday cakiness starts.

My Twelve Hour Wear Test

I applied at 7 a.m. over a hydrating primer and a medium-coverage foundation, then baked the under-eyes and chin.

At the four-hour mark, my combination skin showed no shine through the T-zone. Concealer had not migrated into my smile lines.

By hour seven, a faint sheen returned to my nose. One press with the puff fixed it without any visible buildup.

At hour ten, foundation was still intact, though the finish had shifted from soft matte to natural. That is normal and, honestly, more flattering.

The crying test came free of charge during a film. Mascara moved slightly; the powdered areas did not break up.

Feedback from oily skin users is consistently the strongest, with several describing it as their only repurchase in years. Dry skin reports split sharply, with some loving it under-eye and others finding it emphasised dryness by afternoon.

Heat performance is the open question. In extreme humidity above 35°C, expect to touch up rather than trust it blindly.

Flashback, Cakiness and Who Should Skip It

The formula contains CI 77891, which is titanium dioxide. That ingredient is the usual suspect behind white flashback in photos.

In my testing, flashback appeared only when I over-applied and skipped the dust-off step. A light hand plus a proper brush sweep kept flash photos clean.

If you take a lot of flash photography, test it at home first. Deeper skin tones should choose a matched shade rather than Translucent to reduce the risk entirely.

This powder is not for you if your skin is dehydrated or very dry. Multiple users with well-prepped dry skin still found it made them look parched by afternoon.

It is also not for anyone avoiding talc. There is no talc-free version of this specific formula.

Skip it if you want a blurring powder. Reviewers who compare it directly to blurring-focused options consistently say those competitors soften pores more.

Finally, if you decant your powders, the fixed sifter will frustrate you. That is a design decision, not a defect.

Pros and Cons

Here is the honest ledger after extended use.

Pros

• Genuinely finely milled, so it presses into skin without a chalky deposit or visible texture.
• Strong oil control from silica and rice starch, especially through the T-zone.
• Nine shades, including four for medium-deep and deep skin, which is rare at this price.
• Fragrance-free and alcohol-free, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin.
• The included velour puff is high quality and does not shed.
• Vegan, cruelty-free and PETA approved, with no parabens, sulfates or phthalates.
• Excellent cost per gram, particularly in the 80g size.

Cons

• Talc is the first ingredient, which rules it out for a large group of shoppers.
• Dry and dehydrated skin frequently reports a flat, accentuating finish.
• The sifter cannot be removed, so decanting is off the table.
• Titanium dioxide creates flashback risk if you over-apply or mismatch your shade.
• Blurring performance trails dedicated pore-blurring powders.
• Needs a setting spray to look its best, adding a step and a cost.
• Stock has been inconsistent during viral spikes.

Price, Value and My Final Verdict

Last update on 2026-06-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!

The standard 20g jar sits around $22, and the 80g Giant runs closer to $55 to $60. That larger size is three times the product for under three times the price.

For context, comparable prestige setting powders sit in the $40 to $50 range for less product. On cost per gram, this is one of the better deals in the category.

Longevity is real. Using it daily on setting duty, a 20g jar lasted me roughly four months.

My verdict: yes, it is worth baking with, provided your skin is oily, combination or normal. The milling quality, the shade range, and the price are hard to argue with.

If your skin runs dry, treat this as an under-eye and T-zone product rather than a full-face powder. Prep with a rich moisturiser and finish with a hydrating mist.

If you avoid talc, no amount of good performance changes that, and you should look at a talc-free alternative instead.

It has earned its place in my kit. It has not replaced everything else in it.

Expert FAQs

Does the KimChiChic Puff Puff Pass powder cause flashback in photos?

It can, but only under specific conditions. The formula contains titanium dioxide, so heavy application plus direct flash may produce a white cast.

Two habits prevent it. Dust off thoroughly after baking, and choose your matched shade rather than defaulting to Translucent on medium-deep or deep skin.

Is this powder suitable for dry skin?

Partially. Users with combination skin and dry under-eyes consistently report good results, but those with all-over dry skin often find it emphasises texture by afternoon.

If you are dry, apply only where you actually get oil or creasing. Skip the cheeks entirely and always finish with a hydrating setting spray.

Does it contain talc, and is that a problem?

Yes, talc is the first ingredient. Cosmetic-grade talc used in regulated markets is asbestos-free and sterilised.

The decision is personal. Talc gives this powder its slip and translucency, so a talc-free version would not perform identically.

How is Puff Puff Pass different from That White Stuff?

Puff Puff Pass is a standard setting and baking powder. That White Stuff functions more like a brightening powder, closer to a matte highlighter in effect.

Choose Puff Puff Pass for oil control and general setting. Choose the other for targeted brightening.

Can I use it without a setting spray?

You can, but the finish will look more powdery. A setting spray melts the layers together and adds back the natural look.

Nearly every long-term user I found treats the spray as a required final step. It is the cheapest upgrade to your result.

Which shade should I buy first?

If you are fair to tan and want a safe default, start with 03 Translucent. For cool fair skin, 01 Ivander suits better.

For brightening under the eyes, 02 Banana on warm tones or 04 Peachy on cooler ones. Medium-deep to deep skin should match to 05 through 08 rather than using translucent.

Is the Giant size worth it?

Only if you bake daily or work professionally. At three times the volume for under three times the price, the maths favours it.

For casual use, a 20g jar lasts several months. Powder does not expire quickly, but there is no reason to buy 80g of something you use twice a week.

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