A setting spray is an absolute must on Hollywood sets, but why? Are they really worth it? What’s the best one for you?
There are a lot of questions out there when it comes to setting sprays, and there are also a lot of wrong answers. We’re going to debunk some of the most common setting spray myths out there. If you want to learn more about Hollywood’s holy grail makeup essential, keep reading.
Myth #1: Setting Sprays Aren’t Worth It
One of the most common questions about setting sprays is, “Is a setting spray worth it?” Our answer? Yes. If you spend a lot of time or money on your makeup, the last thing you want to see is your makeup smudging or fading after only a couple of hours after application.
Adding a setting spray to your makeup routine makes sure none of your effort goes to waste and locks in your makeup for 16+ hours. Applying a setting spray only requires 1-3 sprays, so one bottle goes a long way.
If you’re wondering when to use setting spray, the answer is whenever you plan on wearing makeup for an extended period of time. Setting sprays are an absolute must for long-duty wear, such as at weddings, on Hollywood sets, for someone always on the go, or even outdoor events like a poolside party. If applied correctly, you will see how a setting spray makes a big difference in the wear of your makeup.
Myth #2: Setting Sprays Aren’t Good for Oily Skin
Spraying something wet on your face to make your makeup last all day sounds counterintuitive. Think of your face and your makeup as a bunch of layers. A fine mist of setting spray melds all those layers together into one. This spray makes sure your liquid and powder makeup doesn’t transfer or smudge and stays in place all day.
If your skin is very oily, there are setting sprays specifically designed to target oil control. Our Skindinavia Oil Control Setting Spray is the best setting spray for oily skin.
Our Oil Control setting spray absorbs excess oil, minimizes shine, and even prevents makeup from settling into your pores. As most of us know, clogged pores lead to breakouts.
Myth #3: Setting Sprays Are Bad for Sensitive Skin
Many setting sprays on the market have high amounts of denatured alcohol, which is the key ingredient to making makeup last all day. Some people with sensitive skin may think this is the culprit of their irritation when using setting sprays, but it’s not always the case.
Parabens, fragrances, or non-hypoallergenic ingredients may be the cause of irritation as well as over-applying. You should hold the bottle 1-2 feet away from your face and spray one to three times max. When you overspray, you are dousing yourself in denatured alcohol, which will then lead to irritation.
Another way to get the best benefits of setting spray for anyone prone to dryness is to moisturize well before applying your makeup. The moisturizer will act as a buffer and protect your sensitive skin from drying out.
Myth #4: A Setting Spray Is the Same as a Hydrating Spray?
A setting spray and a hydrating spray may look the same, but they have two completely different purposes. A hyrdrator or hydrating spray is formulated to hydrate your skin before makeup application. People with dry skin may benefit from using a hydrating spray or anyone who has dry patches.
However, a hydrating spray will not help set your makeup like a setting spray. Setting sprays add a layer of protection to your face after applying makeup and prevents it from transferring. Setting sprays can also tone down the look of a “powdery” finish and give your makeup a more natural look.
There are too many makeup tutorials out there, namely YouTube, where beauty bloggers confuse the two or claim they are the same. If you have followed suit and wondered why your face still ended up looking greasy after an hour of application, now you know why.
While there is a lot of wrong information on the internet when it comes to setting sprays, there is also a lot of helpful information from people who really know what they’re talking about. Wayne Goss is an example of an influential Youtuber who knows what they’re talking about. He even did a video on setting sprays mentioning Skindinavia.
Myth #5: You Can Use Hairspray as a Setting Spray
While it is true hairspray was used as a setting spray in the past, it doesn’t mean it’s what people are using now. More importantly, hairspray shouldn’t be used on your face in the first place. Just because you technically can doesn’t always mean you should.
The trend of using hairspray as a setting spray all started back in the days when setting spray was scarce. It was one of the most common makeup hacks for drag queens and anyone in the pageant community where budge-proof makeup was a necessity.
Fortunately, nowadays, you can find all sorts of setting sprays available on the market. These setting sprays are designed for your face, unlike hairsprays. Hairsprays also contain plenty of toxins and chemicals that aren’t safe to use on skin and can lead to clogged pores, rashes, or irritation.
“Some…will actually hold the makeup in place and set the makeup while other will just remove that kind of powder residue…a good example would be Skindinavia…”
– Wayne Goss –
Setting Spray: Myths Debunked
There are a lot of questions out there when it comes to setting sprays, and there are also a lot of wrong answers. We hope we answered some of your setting spray questions as well as debunked some of the most common myths. We hope you enjoyed this article, and if you did, check out more articles like this one from our blog!