Seal your makeup with either setting powder or spray for all-day perfection. You invest time in applying makeup with a high-end primer and foundation, yet it creases and fades before lunch. A true heartbreaker, right? However, keeping your makeup in place doesn’t rely on a primer as you might think. It’s time to add a setting powder or spray to your makeup routine to help your makeup stay on long. These two makeup finishing products keep your look fresh and locked for longer.
According to international makeup artist Kenny Screven, the application of a setting spray differs from that of a setting powder, making them completely unique. This difference is apparent because one is liquid and the other is powder. You can use both at different times in your makeup routine. With their distinct finishes, they are also chosen based on personal preference and lifestyle.
But you really don’t need both; either one is suitable to keep in your makeup pouch. Applying at least one of the setting products on your face is essential to secure your everyday makeup. So, if you love a dewy finish, you must go for setting spray; else, for a mattifying effect, setting powder is the best one. Here, we will tap into the differences between both of them and how to choose the right one for you.
What Is Setting Spray?
Setting spray is a water-infused facial mist that makes your makeup long-lasting. These sprays vary in formula, offering either a dewy or matte finish and can provide added moisture to your skin. Even after painstakingly applying a full face of makeup, if it wears off easily, setting spray can come to the rescue and save your day. As a final step in makeup, spraying some setting spray as a topcoat won’t transfer, crease, or fade the makeup. This allows you to flaunt your makeup throughout the day.
What Is Setting Powder?
A setting powder is finely milled for easy touch-ups that may look the same as classic powder. Compared to classic ones, setting powders are lighter and thicker in texture. There are two categories of setting powder — pressed and loose powder. While pressed powder is available in a compact, loose powder is packaged in a jar. Once you dust one of them over your makeup, it will give a soft matte finish. This step surely helps makeup to extend its longevity.
Benefits Of Setting Spray
Setting sprays complete your entire makeup routine, serving as the final step. They simply adhere your makeup to your skin. But there are more purposes associated with using a setting spray. They are designed to deliver a dewy or matte effect for a natural skin finish. You must not apply it just to elongate the duration of makeup wear, but also to enhance the shine of a highlighter.
To give great color payoff to your eyeshadow, just dampen your makeup brush with some setting spray to apply the eyeshadow on your eyelids. The best thing about setting sprays is that they are lightweight and do not clog your skin pores like setting powders. Mattifying setting sprays may not provide as much of a mattifying effect to your makeup as setting powders do. This makes them a better option for people with dry skin who are in need of hydration.
Benefits Of Setting Powders
Setting powders are formulated to absorb excess moisture and oil from the skin. Specifically, setting powder is best for setting makeup that tends to melt on oily skin, as the surface produces more oil. This not only soaks up the excess oil but also helps your makeup last for more hours. Therefore, you must apply a setting powder on top of your foundation, concealer, any cream, or liquid products to ensure they stick well to your skin.
Setting powder mostly gives an airbrush finish to the skin as it diffuses whatever is underneath it. Do not confuse setting powder with finishing powder, which is applied after the former. The goal of finishing powder is to blur any skin imperfections and control shine. If you experience makeup issues like creasing, caking, or excess oil, setting powder is a great option to prevent them throughout the day.
How Do You Use Setting Spray?
Here’s the secret sauce to ace the application of setting spray for long-lasting makeup.
- If you have finished applying your makeup, it’s time to lock everything in place.
- Hold your setting spray approximately 14 inches away from your face. If held too close to your face, the large droplets from the spray may disrupt your makeup.
- Make sure your eyes are closed while spraying the setting spray. Spritz on the center of your face and across your forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck.
- Finish off by spraying two more times on each side of your face.
- Let it dry for a few minutes before you are good to go.
How Do You Use Setting Powder?
After choosing the right setting powder for your skin, you can apply it sparingly on your face to achieve the desired finish. Let us explain how to do it correctly.
- Take a soft, fluffy powder brush with a tapered end to spread the powder evenly.
- Sweep your brush through your powder, then apply it in circular strokes by focusing carefully on your oily T-zone, forehead, and chin. Also, apply the powder under your eyes, cheeks, and neck.
- For applying it to your full face, you can also go for a flat brush.
- Instead of rubbing aggressively on your skin, just tap gently with the brush.
- Once you’re done with setting powder, you can dust some finishing powder if necessary.
What’s The Right One For You? — A Setting Spray Or Setting Powder
Whether you go for a soft glam or nude look, a setting spray and setting powder are two must-haves. They don’t just work to protect your makeup from caking or creasing but are also important for quick touch-ups. Even on days when you don’t feel like wearing makeup, a setting spray can give you a boost of hydration to your skin. Especially if you have dry skin, you may find a few spritzes to be a blessing. But using it every day is not recommended as some setting sprays may contain alcohol. Therefore, use a setting spray with restraint and also choose an alcohol-free one.
While a setting spray is best for dry skin, a setting powder is ideal for oily skin. If you wish to extend the staying power of your makeup, we recommend you use both a loose setting powder and a dewy finish setting spray. A setting powder is to smooth your skin, and a setting spray is to finish the look. There are also many mattifying setting sprays available for a fully matte look.
Best Setting Sprays For Long Wear
You know a setting spray is worth every penny when it doesn’t transfer to clothes or face masks. But how do you know if it is the one without using it? So we have created a list of the best setting sprays that actually prolong the wear of your makeup. Let’s explore all of them below.
Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
There are already many fans of this setting spray, and we are fans too. If you prefer a matte finish, Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray can give you that promptly. It even enhances the longevity of your makeup, ensuring it stays flawless for up to 15 hours. On days when you’re aiming for a full glam or a natural look, don’t hesitate to go for it with your eyes closed.
Benefit Cosmetics Super-Setter Setting Spray
The makeup primer of Benefit Cosmetics is a universal hit. And their setting spray is just as great. This resembles more of a hydrating mist with a lightweight formula. Applying a few spritzes of it gives a seamless and airy finish that lasts all day.
It Cosmetics It’s Your Skin But Better Setting Spray
It Cosmetics It’s Your Skin But Better Setting Spray is infused with aloe vera extract, coconut water, and hyaluronic acid. Spritzing a few splashes can make your skin feel alive. One of the most effective setting sprays for normal to dry skin, and even for sensitive skin. It can quickly provide you with hydration on the go.
Best Setting Powders For Perfect Finish
The best setting powder is not too hard to find. But also, there are primarily two types of powders that offer either a dewy or matte finish. If you desire a matte effect, avoid buying a dewy powder as it can leave you with excessive shine. Thinking that you are picking a powder necessarily doesn’t provide a matte look. Therefore, we are here to talk about some of the best setting powders out there.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Get the perfect matte finish with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. It makes skin smooth and blurred. This powder feels light on the skin because of its lightweight and finely milled formula. It comes in three shades so that it suits a wide number of beauties — honey, translucent, and medium deep can lock your makeup in a legit way.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish is a pressed setting powder to make makeup less cakey. Its feather-like texture makes it a legendary choice for all makeup lovers. This setting powder has an oil-based formula therefore, it provides a dewy finish on the skin.
Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder
Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder is a soft powder that helps in blurring out any kinds of spots on your skin. While it is comfortable to wear, this powder gives plenty of hydration to any dry skin peeps. It keeps a close check on excess oil on your skin, giving a dreamy matte effect.
Final Thoughts On Choosing Setting Powder Or Setting Spray
Both setting spray and setting powders are transformative products. Determining which product is suitable for your skin can make your makeup last a really long time. Some setting sprays keep makeup intact for a whopping 24 hours. Isn’t it incredible? Setting powders are also great for oily skin to tackle the shine on the face. You should use a setting spray on any area of your face, while oily areas needs setting powder. So, picking the right product for your skin can let you enjoy the amazing results.