Setting Powder vs. Setting Spray: When to Use Each and How

No one applies makeup with the hope it won't last all day. So, it's only natural we research the longest-lasting products—the ones that will stay on through work, a night out, and perhaps even that impending snowstorm. Through it all, we've realized an absolute truth: For extending your wear, you’ll need a good setting product. But the question remains... which one?

You’ve probably seen the two setting mainstays: setting powder and setting spray. The one you apply depends on your skin type and the finish you're after. 

What Is Setting Powder?
Keri Blair, a senior national artist at MAC Cosmetics, says setting powder is typically used on the face in places where you’d like a matte finish. “Setting powder comes in a loose, generally jet-milled powder form and requires a brush or a puff to be applied,” she says. It essentially does just what it sounds like it does: sets your makeup in place throughout the day. Setting powders are available in tons of shades or as a translucent veil, depending on the look you want. “Colorless versions are universal for all skin tones, while tinted kinds are used to warm up or deepen a foundation,” says Dino Dilio, a makeup instructor at CMU College of Makeup Art & Design.

The Benefits of Setting Powder
If you have oily or combination skin or your makeup tends to bleed throughout the day, you may prefer a powder. Screven says setting powders can be used to zap oil, often just where it's needed instead of all over. “Setting powder can help absorb the extra oil on your skin, and it's perfect for holding foundation in place,” he says. “I generally like applying setting powder after I apply concealer to help keep it in place. This helps to brighten the under-eye and to keep the concealer in place for a longer amount of time.” For people with dry skin, only a few swipes of powder is needed (likely where most people are prone to oil, such as the nose or t-zone).

What Is Setting Spray?
A setting spray is a liquid misted onto the skin through an atomizer. While setting powder is used to absorb oil all over or just in key areas (with a more matte finish), a setting spray, according to Blair, "gives a softer effect with less visible texture." Setting spray is used to keep your whole face of makeup in place —that includes setting powder, mascara, even lipstick. "Setting spray is applied all over the skin, not just your face makeup," Screven says. "And, some offer a more dewy finish, while others keep things matte."

The Benefits of Setting Spray
Different setting sprays work better for various skin conditions. Humectant mists are “ideal for dry skin, as they attract and trap moisture into the skin,” 

​The Final Takeaway
How you choose to set your makeup depends entirely on your skin's needs and the look you're going after. Either way, experts recommend this "invisible" step in your makeup routine to yield long-lasting results from AM to PM.