Which is Better: Setting Spray or Powder?

This week we’ve been covering how to make your makeup last longer. Of course, that topic has brought us to our two primary products: setting spray and setting powder. But, which one is better? Which one is a must have for your routine? Today, we’ll be going over the benefits of each one, when they should be used, and ultimately, which one is a must-have for your routine.

If you haven’t already, you can read our post on the FAQs on Setting Spray and The Purpose of Setting Powder. These should give you some background on these two products and answer any more in depth questions you have about them.

Which is better: Setting Spray or Powder?

I’m just gonna come right out and say it: BOTH. They both have their own purposes in the makeup world and both bring their own sets of talents to the game. Each also serve a distinct purpose.

Here, we’ll go over the benefits of each, to help me prove why you really need both in your makeup routine.

Benefits of Setting Powder

Setting powder is also going to help your makeup stay all day long. This is because it can reduce the oils on the skin that break down foundation.

It can also help any other powder products blend more flawlessly over the liquid foundation. Have you ever tried blending a blush right on top of your liquid foundation? Its not easy. Setting Powder can help with that!

Setting powder also can keep your skin looking matte throughout the day because it adds an extra layer of powder that soaks up excess oils.

It can also be very brightening if applied directly under the eyes. The extra layer of powder helps brighten the under eyes, making you look more awake and fresh!

Benefits of Setting Spray

The number one benefit to using setting spray is that it will increase the wear time of your makeup. This is because they typically contain alcohol and polymers that bond with the makeup and make it adhere to the skin.

For oily skinned gals, there are setting sprays on the market that contain ingredients that will help keep your skin looking matte all day long.

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The NYX Matte Finish setting spray is one of them. It helps keep makeup lasting all day, while controlling the oils that break down foundation.

For our dry skinned ladies, setting sprays can be made with more hydrating ingredients. This means they not only are going to give you a dewy look, but they will lock your makup into place.

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The Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix is going to deliver a dose of hydration, while also prolonging the wear time of your makeup.

Setting spray also helps reduce the powdery look on the skin you can get from applying blush, bronzer, or setting powder.

To recap:

• Prolongs wear time of makeup
• Reduces oil and keeps skin looking matte
• Delivers a dose of hydration
• Reduces the powdery look on the skin

When to Use Setting Powder

Always use setting powder after you apply your liquid foundation. There are a few nuances to this, like if you go in with a powder foundation, or use a cream blush or bronzer. In general, all liquid products should be applied after powder products.

If you use powder foundation, skip the setting powder. You don’t need it.

If you use cream blush or bronzer, apply those before the setting powder.

If you use powder blush or bronzer, apply foundation, setting powder, then blush and bronzer.

With these tips, watch how easy it is to blend your powder products over the liquid. It will absolutely speed up your application and give you a effortless, blended look.

When to Use Setting Spray

Setting spray is the final step in your makeup routine. It is applied after the entire look has been applied.

Spritz onto the center of the face, forehead, sides, and chin and wait for it to dry.

Your look is complete and won’t be all day long!

Final Thoughts

I hope it is easy to see why I think both products have a special place in a makeup routine. Without setting powder, I find it really difficult to blend powder products over my liquid foundation. Without setting spray, the excess powder does look like too much. Together, they form a team that will keep your makeup flawless the entire day.

Until next time!

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