Q&A for How to Use Makeup Setting Spray

It forms a protective barrier over your makeup, locking it in place. It should hold for at least 8 hours.

I haven't used it personally, but I know professional makeup artists who swear by it, so I'd say yes.

The main ingredients are usually a polymer (a binder) and alcohol, which helps it set.

Makeup setting spray should generally be applied after your makeup application is complete. You can also spray it on before applying for maximum hold on small areas like the eyebrows.

Yes, Kiss Beauty Products are amazing! I'm wearing a pair of their fake nails as I type this. They are an affordable and good brand.

No. This will dilute the spray and defeat the purpose of setting the makeup. Additionally, water will cause smudging and will probably ruin your makeup. Just get a new one or use a setting powder.

Setting spray is used after all your makeup is done or on a brush to intensify metallic, shimmer, or glitter shades. I don't see why you'd need setting spray on a brush for contour.

Any brand is suitable, as long as you use moisturizer day and night and wear an age-free BB, CC, or DD cream under your foundation. For dry skin, I recommend liquid or powder foundation.

No, you don't have to use both at the same time. You can use either or, since they'll have relatively similar effects.

Of course! There's nothing wrong with a man wearing makeup, and nothing wrong with a man using setting spray to keep his makeup in place.

Yes, this is perfectly fine.

Before. Don't rub it in, just squirt the bottle a few times onto your face after completing your desired makeup effect.

Yes, but only do a few sprits and make sure you're holding the spray at least 30 cm away from your face.

Check the bottle. If it say "dewy", then that's why. Look for a matte setting spray if your skin is oily. It may just be that setting spray that makes you look oily, so try different brands.

You can apply immediately after applying your makeup. Just make sure you apply your mascara after setting spray unless it's waterproof, or it'll run down your face.

That would not be wise. There are chemicals and other impurities in it. You should only use water as a refreshing mist.

Yes, but I suggest moisturizing your lips first.

If you run out of setting spray there are an abundance of companies that sell more of it (such as e.l.f who sells a good one for $3). If you are in a pinch just use a setting powder (a translucent powder). Have you heard of the technique called baking? It uses a translucent powder that sets your makeup all day.

Try drugstore mattifying sprays such as the Revolution fixing sprays and make sure to get one that says matte finish.

Yes! Set your face with powder (and bake if you want to), then use a setting spray at the very end of your makeup routine to lock everything in.

You can, but the effect won't be the same as just spraying your face with the setting spray.

Yes, but make sure you're holding it a reasonable distance away from your face, as you don't want your makeup to drip or run.

Yes. Typically setting spray is used as the last step in a makeup routine, however it can help fix makeup products already at an earlier stage. Try out what works best for you and your look.

Setting spray should be a very fine mist, even finer than hairspray. Make sure you shake the bottle first, stretch out your arm for maximum distance and spray the spray in the direction of your face for just 1 or 2 seconds.

Using mattifying powders and setting sprays to set your liquid makeup will help manage the oils. Using products designed for oilier skin types can also help, as these often have mattifying properties alone. Setting liquid makeup with powders helps keep it in place longer and remove the look of oils.

If you want to check how effective a setting spray is, it is best to wear your makeup one day without the spray and one day with the spray and compare how well the foundation and powders last until the night. Ideally, your makeup will look fresher with the setting spray, even after many hours.