Is Finishing Spray The Same As Setting Spray?
The main differences between setting spray and finishing spray are their functions and the type of ingredients that they contain.
Setting sprays usually contain glycerin and botanical oils that help to blend the foundation, concealer, and powders for a smooth and non-cakey look. However, they don’t provide any longevity for the makeup.
Finishing sprays usually contain polymers with alcohol that create a film on the skin and help the makeup last longer and resist sweat and humidity.
Finishing spray is the last step of any makeup routine. It works on the top layer of makeup to create a budge-proof look, so you should apply it after the setting spray.
Here is a comparison table that shows the differences between setting spray and finishing spray:
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What is Setting Spray?
A setting spray is a light mist you apply to your face after finishing your makeup. It helps give the skin a smooth, flawless look by melting the foundation, concealer, and powders together.
A setting spray like this Hydro Grip Spray can also help prevent your makeup from separating and looking patchy or cakey. However, it doesn’t provide any longevity for the makeup.
Setting sprays usually contain glycerin and some botanical oils to help refresh the makeup and eliminate any powdery residue. They don’t contain alcohol, one of the main ingredients of a ‘finishing spray’.
Many brands often label their finishing sprays as ‘setting sprays’ because the term ‘setting spray’ is more commonly used to describe a product that helps makeup look smooth and last longer.
Best Setting Sprays
Now that we know what a setting spray is, let’s take a look at some of the best setting sprays on the market:
This spray contains hyaluronic acid, aloe, and agave extract to help set and refresh the makeup. It’s alcohol-free, and it has Moringa Seed Oil to provide hydration.
A little goes a long way with this spray, so you only need a few spritzes for it to work. It’s best suitable for dry skin as it can cause oily skin to become greasy.
I like to use this spray when my makeup looks dry on winter days. You can also use it before makeup to hydrate and give the skin a healthy glow.
This spray has hyaluronic acid and a botanical blend of Lotus, Gardenia, and White Waterlily to help hydrate and soothe the skin.
I like to use it after makeup to eliminate any powdery residue, which can also help refresh the skin throughout the day.
This spray is most suitable for dry skin as it has a slightly dewy finish.
This mist contains nourishing ingredients such as glycerin and green tea leaf extract to help hydrate and brighten the skin.
I like to use this spray on days when my skin is looking dull and in need of a pick-me-up. It can also help refresh the makeup and give the skin a healthy glow.
It has a very fine mist that doesn’t leave the skin feeling wet or sticky.
This spray has vitamins and minerals to help nourish the skin and contains cucumber extracts to help soothe the skin.
It’s one of the most popular setting sprays on the market, and it’s suitable for all skin types, especially dry skin.
It makes the makeup look more natural and also prevents the makeup from separating or creasing.
What is Finishing Spray?
A finishing spray is a fine mist you apply after you do your makeup, and it’s a fixing spray that helps add a layer of protection, making your makeup last longer.
It usually contains polymers with alcohol that help hold the makeup in place and resist sweat and humidity.
Polyvinylpyrrolidone or PVP is the most common polymer used in finishing sprays. It helps to create a film on the skin that prolongs the wear of makeup.
This long-lasting makeup spray is one of the best finishing sprays on the market. It’s labeled as a setting spray, but it’s a finishing spray that contains Alcohol Denat and PVP at the top of the ingredients list.
This is an excellent fixing spray as it helps to make your makeup transfer-resistant and smudge-proof .
This extreme hold setting spray is also one of the best finishing sprays used by makeup artists for bridals and photo shoots.
It has a lightweight formula that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin and helps the makeup last very long.
Some finishing sprays have mattifying properties, which can help control shine and absorb excess oil throughout the day.
This matte finish spray is a great example. It has a fine mist that helps distribute the product evenly into the skin while providing a matte finish.
It’s best to use a finishing spray on days when you need your makeup to last all day long, such as weddings, parties, or hot summer days.
Some silicone-based finishing sprays can help create a smooth look and prevent makeup from creasing.
This finishing spray is one of the best silicone-based sprays on the market. It contains dimethicone at the top of the ingredients list, which helps to create a smooth look while providing long-lasting wear.
Related: Best Drugstore Setting Sprays
Can Setting Spray Be Used As Finishing Spray?
A setting spray can’t replace a finishing spray as they have different functions.
Setting spray can’t help the makeup resist sweat and humidity like finishing spray, and it can only help give the skin a smooth and non-cakey look by melting all the makeup products together.
If you have oily skin or live in a hot and humid climate, then you may need to apply a finishing spray as the last step to help your makeup last longer.
If you have dry skin and are not struggling with makeup budging, you can skip the finishing spray and use a setting spray to help your makeup look smooth.
If you have a wedding or a special occasion, it’s better to use both setting spray and finishing spray to make sure your makeup looks good and lasts all day long.
Is Setting Spray Necessary?
A setting spray is unnecessary, but it can help give your makeup a smooth and non-cakey look by blending all the products.
That being said, if you wear a lightweight foundation, you probably don’t need a setting spray.
If you are creating a full coverage look with primer, concealer, powder, blush, and bronzer, then a setting spray can help keep the makeup from looking cakey.
Heavy makeup looks with contouring and highlighting can also benefit from using a setting spray to help all the products blend seamlessly.
Why Does Setting Spray Make Your Makeup Cakey?
Setting spray can ruin your makeup if you apply too much or don’t use the right product for your skin type.
Applying too much setting spray can cause the makeup to break and melt. This is why it’s essential only to use a small amount of setting spray and hold the bottle about 10 inches away from your face.
If you have oily skin, using a hydrating setting spray that contains oils can make your makeup look greasy.
It’s essential to use a setting spray specifically designed for oily skin or choose one with a lightweight formula like this setting spray with a lightweight water-based formula.
No matter what skin type is, it’s essential to use a good quality setting spray that doesn’t cause the skin to become sticky or wet.
Also, choose a setting spray with a fine mist that helps distribute the product evenly on the face.
I used many setting sprays in the past with a great formula but a bad nozzle that made my face look wet.
A good setting spray will help make your makeup look smooth without ruining it.
Does Setting Spray Work On Lipstick?
A setting spray can give lips a dewy finish, but a finishing spray can help the lipstick stay longer.
When applying the finishing spray on your face, it can also help to set your lipstick.
Make sure to hold the bottle about 10 inches away from your face and spray a light layer on your lips.
However, if you want a long-lasting lip color, it’s better to use a transfer-proof liquid lipstick, as these products are specifically designed to stay on your lips for a long time.
A fixing spray might not be the best option to keep your lipstick in place for a long time.
Can You Use Water As Setting Spray?
I tested the setting spray vs. water experiment to see if using water can help makeup look smooth and less powdery.
I applied this full coverage foundation with concealer, setting powder, blush, bronzer, and highlighter.
Then, I sprayed a small amount of water on my face using a spray bottle, and I held the bottle about 10 inches away from my face.
The water took some extra time to dry, and my face looked a bit wet at first.
After the water dried, my makeup looked smooth and less powdery. The water helped blend all the products and gave my skin a natural but dewy finish.
So, if you don’t have a setting spray, you can try to use water to help your makeup look smooth. Just make sure to hold the spray bottle far away from your face and only use a small amount of water.
This trick might not work with all foundations as water so experiment to see what works best for you.
Setting sprays are typically made of water and oils to help nourish and hydrate the skin while providing a smooth look. That’s why using water can help to achieve a similar goal.
However, finishing sprays contain other ingredients like polymers that help to hold the makeup for a long time which is something that water can’t do.
Is Setting Spray And Face Mist Same?
Setting sprays and face mists can have similar ingredients, and they can help set the makeup and refresh the skin.
The main difference is that a face mist like this is hydrating spray more considered a skincare product that can help hydrate and refresh the skin before makeup.
You can also use it on top of makeup to help refresh the face throughout the day, whereas a setting spray has a lightweight formula designed to work with makeup.
So, if you’re looking for a product to help set your makeup, then a setting spray is a better option. But, if you’re looking for a product to help refresh and hydrate dry skin, a face mist is a better option.
Can You Use Setting Spray Without Foundation?
You can use setting spray on its own to refresh your face or give your skin a boost of hydration.
Just make sure to choose a setting spray suitable for your skin type.
If you have dry skin, choose a setting spray with ingredients like glycerin that can help hydrate and refresh the skin.
For oily skin, choose a setting spray with rose water that helps control excess oil and shine.
Conclusion
Setting and finishing spray can help make your makeup look better.
The main difference is that a setting spray contains mostly water and oils to help set the makeup, while a finishing spray contains polymers that help hold the makeup in place for a long time.
So, a setting spray is a better option if you’re looking for a product to help your makeup look smooth and less powdery.
But, if you’re looking for a product to help make your makeup last longer, a finishing spray is a better choice.
I hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.
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