Should You Use Setting Powder or Setting Spray?

What Is Setting Spray?

Setting spray is a liquid makeup product that, like setting powder, helps makeup in place. The main difference—aside from one being a powder and the other liquid—is that setting spray is applied at the very end of your makeup routine, while setting powders are used after liquid makeup but before powder makeup.

As with setting powders, setting sprays come in various formats. Natural-finish formulas, like the Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray, help seal in all types of makeup while protecting against smudging, fading, and transferring. But there are also setting sprays that can help enhance your makeup look. The Urban Decay All Nighter Hyaluronic Acid Dewy Setting Spray, for example, gives the skin a luminous-looking finish, while the Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray helps minimize unwanted shine for a velvety, matte look. Choosing the right formula is ultimately a matter of personal preference—though if you ask us, it never hurts to have a couple of different setting sprays on hand.

What does setting spray do?

Setting sprays are, in many ways, multi-purpose. As mentioned, their primary purpose is to help set your makeup in place at the end of your routine. But you can also use them to help set your makeup between steps or amplify your eyeshadow (just spritz a bit onto your eyeshadow brush before picking up the pigment for added “pop”).

Many setting sprays also boast skincare benefits. Some help reduce unwanted shine, while others help illuminate and hydrate the skin (the aforementioned hyaluronic acid-infused setting spray is one such example). When selecting a setting spray, take your skin type, concerns, and desired end result into consideration—these factors can help narrow down which formula is best for you.

What Are The Differences Between Setting Powder and Setting Spray?

Setting powders and setting sprays serve similar purposes, but they differ in a few key ways:

• Texture: Setting powders are—unsurprisingly—powder makeup products (they can come as either loose powders or pressed powders). Setting sprays are lightweight, watery liquids.
• Application: Typically, setting powder is used after applying liquid makeup but before layering on powder products, such as blush or bronzer. Most often, it’s applied with a fluffy brush or powder puff. Setting sprays, by contrast, are misted onto the face as the final step in your makeup routine.
• Finish: On the whole, setting powders tend to boast a matte finish (though some may offer a slightly more skin-like finish). The finish of setting sprays, meanwhile, can vary from matte to dewy, depending on the formula.
• Benefits: Both products will help set and prolong the wear of your makeup. However, setting powders may also help reduce unwanted shine, while setting sprays can help hydrate the skin, add luminosity, or mattify a shiny complexion (again, depending on the formula used).

Should You Use a Setting Spray or a Setting Powder?

When deciding whether to use setting powder vs. setting spray, there are a few things you’ll want to consider, including your skin type, desired end result, and personal preferences.

When to use setting powder

You can use setting powder to lock in nearly any makeup look, but it’s particularly beneficial for those seeking a smooth, velvety-looking makeup finish.

After applying your liquid makeup products (such as foundation, concealer, and liquid blush or bronzer), use a fluffy brush to lightly sweep the powder over your face.

We recommend focusing on the areas of your face that tend to be prone to shine, such as the nose, forehead, and chin. Start with a light layer—you can always add more powder to especially shiny areas later if needed. Once you’re done applying your setting powder, you can layer on your other powder makeup products and complete your routine as usual.

If you’re looking to bake your makeup, the process is a bit different. We suggest using a small powder puff to apply a thick layer of loose setting powder to the areas you want to bake. Then, wait a few minutes to let the product “melt” into your skin, and buff off the excess with a clean, fluffy brush. You’ll be left with a smooth, matte finish, sans creasing or caking.

When to use setting spray

Because you can apply setting spray over both powder and liquid makeup products, it’s incredibly versatile—this easy-to-use staple can make for a helpful addition to any makeup routine. However, it’s especially useful for anyone seeking to lock in their makeup and give their skin an extra dose of hydration.

Using setting spray is very straightforward. Do your makeup as usual, then grab your chosen formula. Shake the bottle, then hold it approximately eight to 10 inches away from your face. Spritz the product onto your skin, taking care to cover your entire face (but not saturate it). Then, allow the setting spray to dry. Once it does, you’ll be left with fresh-feeling makeup that stays in place for longer than it otherwise would.

As mentioned, you can also use setting spray to lock in each layer of makeup. The process for this is mostly the same—just mist it into your face between makeup steps. If you opt for this approach, take care to ensure each layer of setting spray is dry before adding more makeup.

Can you use setting powder and spray together?

Yes, you can use setting powder and setting spray within the same routine—in fact, many do to help ensure their makeup lasts as long as possible. If you want to use both, here’s how we recommend doing so:

1. After applying your liquid makeup or cream products (for example, foundation, concealer, and blush), apply a light layer of setting powder to your T-zone, as needed. Brush off any excess powder with a clean, fluffy brush.
2. Complete your makeup routine as usual.
3. Mist your face with setting spray to help lock in your makeup. Allow the spray to dry completely. If you plan to be out for a long period of time, consider stashing a pressed setting powder in your bag for touch-ups as needed.

Next Up: Which Urban Decay Setting Spray Is for You?