Beauty | PinkFemme

Getting your makeup perfect takes such a long time and the last thing that you want is for anything to smudge or start fading. Luckily there is a secret to making your makeup stay in place. That magic secret is called setting spray. Setting spray helps your foundation, concealer, eye shadow, and whatever else you have on stay fresh all day long. Long. Makeup finishing spray has a similar purpose to makeup primer, except you use it as the final step in your makeup application. If you’re new to the world of makeup setting spray, this will teach you all you need to know about your new beauty essential. What Is Makeup Setting Spray Exactly? Applying a full face of makeup can be really hard work – even more so when you are just starting out. So it is really disheartening to see all of that hard work you have put in fade away well before lunchtime. Most of your makeup including your mascara once it is dry is powder-based and that powder doesn’t stay in place permanently. Also, many of the colors oxidate and fade from exposure to the air. What would be really useful is to have some sort of clear top-coat over your makeup that can bond all the powder and give a protective layer against oxidation. That is exactly what adding a makeup setting spray into your beauty routine will do. You spritz the setting spray onto your face, over your makeup, as the final step of your makeup routine. If you are wondering if setting spray can really make a difference, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Just like you will use hairspray to enhance and hold your hairstyle for the day, a makeup spray does the same for your makeup. I know that it’s never easy to keep your makeup looking fresh through the end of the day, but using makeup setting sprays will save you needing to re-do your makeup at midday and keep touch-ups to a bare minimum. I still need to touch up my lipstick throughout the day as it tends to “kiss-off” on glasses, cups, and water bottles when eating and drinking. The whole purpose of using a makeup finishing spray is to help prevent your makeup from smudging, creasing, or fading quickly. What Is The Difference Between Setting Spray And Makeup Primer Some girls get a little confused between setting spray and makeup primer because they both help your makeup look last longer. Even though you use them with the same end-goal in mind, they aren’t the same. Makeup primer is the product you use before makeup application to give your skin an even base for your products to lay seamlessly and stay put all day long. Primers are most commonly formulated as creams and gels, though you do get a few as sprays. Where makeup setting spray is different is that it is used as your final step to set or lock in your makeup look. Think of setting spray as a finishing touch. With that said, I have seen makeup setting sprays that have been formulated to be able to double as primer sprays that can be used to both start and end your makeup process. Pay careful attention to the labels on your products to know if you have a double-duty spray to work with or if it is a pure setting spray. Are Makeup Setting Sprays Bad For Your Skin? As young girls we are taught to always remove our makeup before bed so that our skin can breathe. So it is common to fear that specific makeup products might be bad for our skin, and this includes makeup setting sprays. As with any face product, you need to follow the directions for proper usage, or else you may not see the results you’re looking for. Always pay attention to the ingredients in your setting spray to ensure there is nothing that can cause your skin to freak out, especially if you have sensitive skin as I do. For sensitive skin, it would be best to find a makeup spray that’s fragrance-free and formulated with ingredients you know your skin won’t react to, like hyaluronic acid, green tea, or aloe water. Once you find a formula that complements your skin type, stick with it and you should be good to go. What I do is always use a setting spray from the same brand as my makeup. That way I feel confident that there will be nothing in the setting spray that can react chemically with my makeup. Can You Use Finishing Powder Instead Of Setting Spray? Now that you are now well-versed in the exact purpose of your setting spray, you may be wondering if finishing powder is a better option. After all, they are similar products in that they can help to extend the life of your makeup look. However, makeup finishing sprays and finishing powders do have a few differences that you should consider. In some instances, a powder may even be a better pick for you. By way of example, if you have an oily complexion or are looking for a matte finish then a powder will likely work best. These days when so many of our work meetings are done as zoom calls under the glare of some bright lights then a matte finish powder will be a far better choice for you. My setting spray gives me a bit of a glow, but the downside is it looks shiny under a bright circle-light on a Zoom call. If you have dry skin and want a glow, then a spray would be your first choice. Not that I am trying to cause you confusion but you do get setting sprays with a matte finish as well as glow-boosting powders. We are all different as are our needs so it may take some trial and error to find what works for you. How To Use Makeup Setting Spray Your makeup setting spray should always act as the finishing touch to your beauty routine every time you are applying makeup. After you’ve finished applying your foundation, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, and lipstick, shake the bottle, hold it eight to ten inches from your face, and spray it on in an “X” and “T” motion. Please make very sure to avoid spraying it in your eyes. I keep my eyes closed long enough so that the spray can set my eyeshadow properly. However, scrunching your eyes closed can cause the spray to seal in wrinkles in your eyeshadow. It is as simple as that. Just spray it onto your face and you’ll be good to go. Now, you no longer have to constantly check, worried about your makeup fading by midday. It’s safe to say that you can now consider yourself to be a makeup spray expert. Why not expand your knowledge even further by reading another makeup/beauty article here on Pink Femme. You can find them either via the menu at the top of the page or by clicking this link that will take you to the list of all the beauty articles.