What Are The Differences Between Setting Powder and Setting Spray?

Setting powders and setting sprays serve similar purposes, but they differ in a few key ways:

50. Texture:

Setting powders are—unsurprisingly—powder makeup products (they can come as either loose powders or pressed powders). Setting sprays are lightweight, watery liquids.

Application: Typically, setting powder is used after applying liquid makeup but before layering on powder products, such as blush or bronzer. Most often, it’s applied with a fluffy brush or powder puff. Setting sprays, by contrast, are misted onto the face as the final step in your makeup routine.

50. Finish:

On the whole, setting powders tend to boast a matte finish (though some may offer a slightly more skin-like finish). The finish of setting sprays, meanwhile, can vary from matte to dewy, depending on the formula.

Benefits: Both products will help set and prolong the wear of your makeup. However, setting powders may also help reduce unwanted shine, while setting sprays can help hydrate the skin, add luminosity, or mattify a shiny complexion (again, depending on the formula used).