How To Use Makeup Setting Spray 6 Ways

Ever wonder how to use a makeup setting spray and what it can do for your makeup look? Today’s post is all about makeup setting spray and all the benefits you can achieve when you use a setting spray properly.

In the never-ending search for a flawless complexion (I honestly think finding a unicorn is easier…just saying), makeup setting sprays are a great tool that tend to be under-used or misunderstood by a lot of people.

I myself didn’t really start using a makeup setting spray until a few years ago, but I’ve found a good mist and set can really take my makeup look to the next level and help it last longer too. So let’s find out how to use setting spray in your everyday makeup look and all the setting spray tips and hacks to try with one!

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 What Is A Makeup Setting Spray?

A makeup setting spray, a.k.a. a finishing spray or a setting mist, is designed to be applied after you apply all your makeup products to finish and lock-in your makeup for a long-lasting flawless complexion.

Some setting sprays can also be used before you apply your makeup as a skin primer, like MAC’s Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte Mattifying Mist. Most setting sprays contain water and glycerin to moisturize and hydrate the skin and a range of polymers to hold your makeup firmly in place. 

Specialized setting sprays can also contain skin-benefiting ingredients, like niacinamide to minimize oil production or hyaluronic acid to retain moisture in the skin.

Setting spray can be a miracle worker for those who suffer from oily skin and find their makeup breaking down and vanishing by the day’s end and some setting sprays help reduce oil and shine too. Dry skin types will benefit from makeup finishing sprays that help moisturize skin throughout the day and can be reapplied whenever you need some extra hydration.

 

How To Choose The Right Setting Spray For Your Skin

It’s important to pick the right setting spray for your skin type or the finish you want to achieve.

Oily skin types should look for setting sprays that are oil-free and are formulated to mattify the skin and reduce shine. Avoid sprays that have “glow”, “radiant” or “dewy” in the title at all costs! The NYX Matte Finish Setting spray is a personal fave that’s affordable and great for helping makeup last with minimal shine when my skin is oily in the summers.

Have dry skin? You’re going to want a spray that adds moisture and hydration. Look for sprays with “dewy”, “glow” or “radiant” in the title and check the ingredients to ensure the spray contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid to add and retain moisture to your parched skin. 

The Milani Cosmetics Make It Dewy Setting Spray is a great option for dry skin types or anyone looking for some extra glow to finish off their makeup look.

Have normal skin? You can pick whatever spray you like for the look you want to achieve! 

How To Use Makeup Setting Spray 6 Ways

 

1. Use A Setting Spray To Prime Skin Before Makeup

Some setting sprays also make great makeup primers if sprayed onto your face before you apply your foundation. Specifically, setting sprays that contain glycerin (like MAC’s Prep + Prime Fix+) work well to prepare the skin because the glycerin in the spray not only helps hydrate skin, but also helps makeup grip onto the skin like a hydrating makeup magnet.

If you have oily skin, you can try this tip with a matte setting spray instead to avoid excess shine. I like priming my skin with a few pumps of my Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel toner from a misting bottle before I apply my makeup; it helps my foundation blend into my problem areas with less caking and hydrates my drier areas that need the extra lube.

RELATED READING: How To Apply Primer To Minimize Your Pores

2. Use A Setting Spray To Help Blend Powders + Creams

A good spritz of setting spray onto freshly powdered skin is a great way to get rid of the dreaded dry, zombie-matte, powdery look and allows powders to melt into the skin for a more natural, skin-like finish.

You can also use a quick mist of setting spray to help cream products blend out easier; after misting some setting spray onto freshly applied cream blush or bronzer, use a damp makeup sponge to then blend or feather out any heavy spots for a flawless finish.

Dampening a makeup sponge with setting spray can also work to blend creams more easily.

RELATED READING: WHY YOU SHOULD SET YOUR FOUNDATION WITH POWDER

 

3. Help Your Makeup Last Longer

The most common use for setting sprays is to help your makeup last longer. A good misting of setting spray over a finished face of makeup is a great way to create a protective layer over your base and help reduce fading and patchiness throughout the day.

Setting sprays are especially useful on days when you are outdoors in the elements or wearing makeup to an all-day event, like a wedding.

How To Apply Setting Spray: Spray the mist in an X formation across your face and then in a T formation across your face to hit all the key spots you need to set!

A couple cult classic setting sprays known for holding makeup in place through the Apocalypse is the Urban Decay All-Nighter setting spray or the Skindinavia Makeup Setting spray.

 

4. Intensify The Pigment of Your Powdered Products

Applying a spritz of setting spray to your brushes before applying powdered products like eyeshadow or blush can instantly intensify the pigment and also give it a better grip on the skin to help them last longer.

This tip is especially useful when applying shimmery eyeshadows, which usually shine brighter when applied with a dampened eyeshadow brush.

You can also use a spritz of setting spray to dampen an angled eyeliner brush and then use the damp brush to apply a black eyeshadow – or any coloured shadow – as an eyeliner that won’t smudge or budge.

Looking for a more intense glow from your highlighter?

Apply some setting spray onto your skin and then dust a powdered highlighter on top when your skin is still slightly damp for an insane glow you can see for miles!

RELATED READING: 6 Ways To Apply Highlighter For Glowing Goddess Skin

 

5. Hydrate + Refresh (on the go too!)

Prone to dry skin or suffering from winter dry spells? Throw a hydrating setting spray into your handbag to freshen up your look with a quick misting throughout the day.

Look for sprays that have glycerin to help add moisture to the skin and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture. Hydrating mist toners are also great for doing double duty as hydrating setting sprays in a pinch, such as the Pixi Glow Mist.

RELATED READING: Why I Always Apply My Skin Care Products On Damp Skin

 

6. Apply It In Layers For Budge-Proof, Full Coverage Foundation

Have a looooong day of makeup-wear ahead of you, like a wedding? Apply your foundation, then apply a layer of makeup setting spray, let the spray dry and then apply another layer of foundation on top.

This layering method will give you a more full coverage makeup look and will also ensure your foundation stays put all day long for extra flawlessness!

RELATED READING: 9 Ways To Avoid Cakey Foundation

Shop The Best Makeup Setting Sprays

 

Have you tried using a makeup setting spray in your daily makeup routine? How do you use your setting spray for makeup?