Fixing Sprays Versus Setting Sprays—When to Use Each

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Fixing Sprays Versus Setting Sprays—When to Use Each

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Let me set the scene. You’re planning your makeup look for a black-tie wedding that promises to be an elegant affair with all-night dancing. You’ve got your foundation, full-coverage concealer, powder, and cream blushes (because one is never enough), lash extensions for mega volume, and a long-wearing liquid lipstick that will carry you through rounds of cocktails and champagne. Unfortunately, none of that matters if you don’t lock it in place. So, to finish your look, you reach for some sort of spray and begin misting away. However, not all makeup sprays are created equal. Despite sounding the same, setting sprays and fixing sprays are completely different products and work uniquely in your makeup routine. With searches for these sprays shooting up, we decided to investigate the nuances.

When to Use Fixing versus Setting Spray

If you’re feeling slightly confused, you’re not alone. The debate over the use and benefits of these sprays has recently taken over the internet. On TikTok, the respective hashtags offer advice on the best products for waterproof makeup. But if you simply want to keep your makeup locked in place for a full day of meetings or a wedding event, the guide below may be a better place to start. Ahead, we chatted with two makeup artists to learn all about setting and fixing sprays, including when to use them and the best bottles to buy.

Setting Spray versus Fixing Spray

According to celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray, the biggest difference between these two sprays is the effect they provide. One product is designed to refresh the skin, while the other is made to seal. "Setting sprays tend to be hydrating and add additional moisture to the skin," she says. These sprays are popular for reviving the skin throughout the day but can also be used when you apply your makeup. "Most formulations are designed to meld the products and help blend them seamlessly to give your makeup a more natural, skin-like finish," says makeup artist Tamara Boyd.

A fixing spray, on the other hand, delivers a different kind of effect. Though they may also have hydrating ingredients, their primary function is longevity. "These sprays lock your look in place and keep it fresh all day. Think of it as hairspray or a seal for your face," says Gray. Boyd adds that using a fixing spray ensures your makeup stays intact for long periods and can even help it withstand adverse conditions, such as heat and humidity.

When to Use Each

Setting sprays are ideal for giving your skin a boost of moisture, making them a top choice for makeup application. That said, they can be used throughout your full makeup routine. A light mist of setting spray before makeup helps prep the skin, while a spritz during application will help with blending. Gray notes that setting sprays are also great for reviving powder products on the skin. "After you’ve applied your blush, bronzer, or makeup powder, mist yourself with a hydrating setting spray to bring some life back to the skin," she suggests. As a final step, they often give your makeup a dewy or radiant look.

When you’re headed to a special event or have a full day, a fixing spray is the better choice to finish your look. "Fixing sprays have the ability to make your makeup last for hours and ensure durability," says Boyd. Given that they’re most often used to seal a full-coverage makeup look. After your makeup is complete, Gray recommends spraying your face and then using a hand fan to ensure it dries completely. "This step will make your makeup last longer, and when used with the right formula, it can also help with oil control."

Expert-Approved Sprays

We’ve rounded up some of the best setting and fixing sprays on the market. Check out our top picks below:

• Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Waterproof Setting Spray: Hold your makeup in place like never before with this hydrating setting spray. The oil-free, weightless spray will keep your makeup in place for up to 16 hours. You won’t have to worry about makeup melting, fading, or setting into fine lines.
• ONE:SIZE On Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray: For her iconic Renaissance world tour, Beyoncé relied on this formula to keep her makeup flawless night after night. If that doesn’t prove its durability, just check out the countless waterproof videos on TikTok. The mattifying formula has an impressive wear time and gives you a stunning finish with each use.
• L’Oreal Paris Infallible Setting Spray: Like most of the Infallible products, this setting spray is all about longevity. It sets your makeup, making it sweat-resistant and transfer-proof in seconds. With millions of viral views, it’s become a bit elusive but is worth the hunt.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting and fixing sprays are two distinct products that serve different purposes in your makeup routine. Setting sprays are perfect for adding moisture and reviving the skin, while fixing sprays are designed to lock your look in place for extended periods. By understanding when to use each, you can achieve a flawless and long-lasting makeup look.

FAQs

• What’s the difference between setting and fixing sprays?
  Setting sprays tend to be hydrating and add additional moisture to the skin, while fixing sprays are designed to lock your look in place and keep it fresh all day.
• When should I use setting spray?
  Use setting spray before makeup to prep the skin, during application to help with blending, and after application to revive powder products on the skin.
• What’s the best way to finish my look with a fixing spray?
  Mist your face with a fixing spray, then use a hand fan to ensure it dries completely. This will make your makeup last longer and help with oil control.