Setting Powder vs Setting Spray

Can I Use Setting Powder and Setting Spray Together in 2023?

Last updated: Dec 2, 2023 at 12:42 am

Your makeup look won’t last just by using high-end products. What keeps your makeup in place for a long time? The answer is: Setting sprays and powders.

What’s the difference between setting spray and setting powder? Do they offer the same purposes? No, there are different purposes for these products.

Here is everything you need to know about setting sprays and powders, their differences, when to use them, and how to extend your makeup with them.

What is Setting Powder & Setting Spray

What is Setting PowderWhat is Setting Spray
Setting powders are finely milled powders that are translucent or tinted to suit your skin tone. Using ingredients such as talc, cornstarch, and silica, it locks in makeup after application.

There are two types of setting powder available – loose and pressed – which need to be applied by brush or puff.

It is mainly used to extend the life of makeup by preventing it from fading over time. In addition to absorbing oils from the skin, the setting powder also reduces humidity.

As a result, moist products are not transferred to your hands, hair, phone, or other surfaces.

Unlike pore-minimizing, skin-perfecting finishing powders, setting powder often provides some final blending and smoothing benefits, creating a soft, airbrushed finish.

You usually use setting powder on the face to finish with a matte finish.
Setting sprays are invisible, fine liquid mists that you apply after applying your entire makeup routine to your skin.

Although there are matte sprays available, setting spray tends to give a natural or dewy look.

You can protect all of your make-up by spraying the spray across your face, your eyes, and your lips.

You can cover it all with eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliners, and lipstick.

In contrast to setting spray, powder only applies to the skin’s surface; lips and eyelashes do not receive it.

Make sure you use waterproof mascara and lipstick when using a setting powder.
What is Setting Powder & Setting Spray

Can I Use Setting Powder and Setting Spray Together?

Yes, both can be used together.

You should apply the powder before the setting spray and foundation. Spray setting spray generously all over your face after applying all your makeup. You need to let it sit for 10-15 seconds until it’s still tacky and damp.

I recommend using both loose powder and setting spray if you wish to set and extend the life of your makeup. Powders generally work better for oily skin and setting sprays work better for dry skin.

The Benefits of Setting Powder and Setting Spray

The Benefits of Setting Powder

Setting Powder Benefits & Insights
Setting Powder Benefits & Insights

You may prefer a powder if you have oily or combination skin, or if your makeup tends to bleed throughout the day.

Your foundation will stay in place better with setting powder because it absorbs excess oil from your skin.

After applying concealer, we usually apply setting powder to keep it in place. This helps to brighten the under-eye area and keep the concealer in place longer.

If your skin is dry, you only need a few swipes of powder (likely where you tend to sweat, such as your nose or t-zone).

Additionally, some powders create a blur effect that reduces the visibility of fine lines and pores. The blush can be made a bit softer if it is too bright.  It can be used to prolong the life of your favorite lipstick.

The Benefits of Setting Spray

Setting Spray Benefits & Insights
Setting Spray Benefits & Insights

1. You Will Get Matte Finish

Oily-skinned girls may have trouble using makeup because it may appear shiny or melt after applying it due to the fact that their skin is oily and they use a lot of make-up.

Use a makeup setting spray if you want your make-up to last longer without melting or becoming shiny. In addition to helping your makeup last longer, it will also give your face a matte finish.

2. Your makeup won’t crack due to lack of moisture all day long

In the winter, you will probably moisturize your face even more, and sometimes when you apply makeup, your face will crack after a while if you have dry skin.

You may feel a little dry after contouring or applying foundation if you used a powder formulation.

Both cases can be solved by using a setting spray to hydrate your skin. As a result, your skin will feel smooth and silky, and your crack makeup will be gone in a matter of days.

3. Makeup setting sprays provide you with a dewy glow look

People’s faces look smooth and glowing when they wear makeup. The secret to their flawless looks is a makeup setting spray. 

After applying your makeup, set it with setting spray to keep your fresh dewy finish. Setting sprays make makeup lines disappear and make your face look smooth and smoother.

4. Maintain the longevity of your makeup with a setting spray

You can use a setting spray if you wear makeup daily and want it to last as long as possible. Even sweat cannot break your makeup. Setting spray will prevent makeup from smudging or creasing.

For Whom Is Setting Powder and Setting Spray Most Effective?

For Whom Is Setting Powder Most Effective?

If you have oily or combination skin, setting powder can be especially helpful. Your look will stay matte or radiant if you use the powder to absorb excess oil around the T-zone.

Furthermore, it’s perfect for those who like to bake their makeup, which involves applying a generous amount of setting powder to the highlights on their faces.

You can achieve a matte finish by allowing the setting powder to “bake” on the skin for 5 to 10 minutes.

For Whom Is Setting Spray Most Effective?

Rather than just setting face makeup, it’s perfect for setting a full face of makeup. Whether it’s mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, or lipstick, it sets everything effectively.

If you have mature or dry skin, setting spray may be a better option because powders sometimes emphasize wrinkles, fine lines, and dry patches. In addition to setting makeup, some setting sprays contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe. 

Those with darker skin tones who struggled to find a setting powder that was truly invisible may also find setting spray useful. A setting spray is truly invisible and can seamlessly blend into any skin tone.

You can use both setting powder and setting spray to finish a look. If you apply translucent or tinted setting powder after your foundation, follow it up with setting spray after you have applied bronzer, blush, and setting powder.

How to Choose the Best Setting Powder vs Setting Spray?

How to Choose a Setting Powder?

There are a few things to consider before choosing a setting powder:

1. Loose Powder or Pressed Powder

A loose setting powder often contains fewer oils than pressed powder, making it a better choice for oily or combination skin. 

In addition, loose powder tends to work better if you’re baking your makeup since it’s easier to apply a lot of product, while pressed powders are more likely to offer a radiant or luminous finish and are also easier to transport. 

2. A Matte or Luminous Finish

A setting powder can have different finishes, just like your foundation. Oil-controlling formulas will likely result in a matte finish. Setting powders aren’t limited to matte finishes. 

You can find formulas designed to enhance your skin’s natural glow as well as set your makeup. There may be illuminating ingredients in these formulas, such as mica or pearl.

3. Translucent or Tinted

The powder you choose can also match your skin tone or be translucent. A translucent powder is very easy to apply, so it is perfect for beginners. 

If you have darker skin tones or if you want to add a touch of warmth to your makeup, skin-toned setting powders are a good option.

Most makeup artists use a translucent setting powder to finish off a look, remove shine, or lock in the foundation and other cream products they use. In some cases, tinted setting powders are used to enhance the color of the foundation.

Even though tinted powder may look like foundation powder, it doesn’t provide the same amount of coverage as foundation powder.

How to Choose a Setting Spray?

Setting sprays are selected based on their skincare benefits and the finish they create. For dry skin, look for formulas that contain hyaluronic acid, aloe, vitamin E, etc. 

There are also setting sprays with ingredients such as niacinamide, which minimizes pores, as well as blue algae and antioxidants, which fight against aging.

Some setting sprays contain light-reflecting particles that can enhance a dewy appearance by illuminating the skin. Other formulas create a matte finish by mattifying the complexion.

Make sure you know what type of finish the setting spray creates to ensure it’s suited to your skin type. For example, oily skin types may find dewy setting sprays too shiny for them.

How to Apply Setting Powder vs Setting Spray

How to Apply Setting Powder

Set powder sets your makeup, so it should be applied last in your routine, after finishing powder if you’re also using that. In addition, it should be applied while the foundation is still slightly tacky. 

  • Be sure to buff setting powder into the skin in circular motions using a large buffing brush.
  • Be sure to pay attention to the areas around your nose and through your t-zone (these areas are oily).
  • Lastly, spray a moisturizing or hydrating toner over buffed setting powder to hide any visible cakiness.

How to Apply Setting Spray

Setting spray is great if you want your makeup routine to be quick and easy.

  • Close your eyes and mouth and mist an even layer all over your face by holding the bottle 8 to 10 inches away.
  • You should spray two more times on the sides of your face and one final time on your neck and chin
  • After it dries, you’re ready to go.

Can I Use Setting Sprays Directly on Top of the Setting Powder?

Yes, you can, because setting sprays are designed to use over-setting powders, specifically to blend makeup layers together.

How to Use Setting Spray Over Powder?

Does your makeup fade around the middle of the day, so you have to retouch it every few hours? There are products available to help overcome all of these issues and more. 

By setting makeup with setting sprays and powders, makeup lasts all day without needing to be reapplied. Your powder can be applied sparingly or based on the finish you desire.

Step 1: Choose a Soft and Fluffy Brush

Make sure your brushes are soft, fluffy, and have a convex tip, like 240 Synthetic Large Tapering Brush.

Step 2: Apply Powder in Circular Motion

Use a circular motion to apply on your nose’s sides and across your T-zone. (these areas get oily soon).

Once you have applied powder, let’s see how to use the setting spray over it.

Step 3: Keep 10 to 14 inches Distance

The spray should be kept at least 10 to 14 inches away from your face in order to avoid large water droplets ruining your makeup

Step 4: Spray Center and Forehead

Close your eyes and spray your face center and forehead.

Step 5: Final Touch

One last time, spray your face, chin, and neck two more times. When it dries, you’ll leave.

Setting sprays are more versatile than setting powders. Sprays can set matte or dewy depending on your needs, but they keep the texture soft both ways.

Setting spray can be used on dry, oily, or combined skin types. Using humectant sprays is recommended for dry skin as it allows your makeup to be set without drying it out. 

Setting sprays are formulated with oil-control ingredients, like lavender/aloe, soothing/headache, and pink water, for oily or combination skin types. On hot, humid, and sweaty days, setting sprays work better!’

You can use Both. Setting sprays remove the powder edge and prevent smoking to some extent when applied. In addition to reducing brightness, the entire setting powder is based. 

Setting Powder vs Setting Spray FAQs

Can I Use Setting Spray and Setting Powder?

Yes, they can be applied together. If you wish, you can even use them at different stages of the makeup process.

Do You Use Setting Spray Before or After Setting Powder?

First, apply the setting powder, and then apply the setting spray.

Is Spray More Effective Than Setting Powder?

Yes. use a settings spray to dampen your skin, including your eyes and lips. Compared to powder, it is smoother, dewier, colorless, and contributes little texture to the skin.

My Favorite Setting Spray

Top Pick

4.8/5

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Makeup looks fresh and last for long
  • Good longevity and Very comfortable.
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Other setting sprays smell better than it.

Bottom Line

Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray is a cult classic because it makes makeup long-lasting for hours.

My Favorite Setting Powder

Top Pick

4.8/5

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Imparts a slight shimmer
  • Blurs pores
  • Cruelty-Free

Cons

  • Packaging could be improved

Bottom Line

The Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder is a Lightweight, 100% vegan loose powder that blurs imperfections while ensuring a seamless and natural look.

Conclusion

The setting spray and setting powder setups can both enhance your makeup, but they differ slightly in their function.

Although they may be used in the same way, they affect your skin differently. They can even be used together since they are applied at different stages. Whatever you prefer, it’s up to you.

Read more

Scroll to Top