If you’ve ever dealt with makeup melting off in the summer heat or watched your foundation fade after a few hours, you know how frustrating it can be.
Fortunately, setting and fixing sprays have become go-to solutions in the beauty world, offering to lock your look in place. But with all the options out there, it’s easy to wonder: What’s the difference between setting spray and fixing spray? And do you really need both?
As someone who’s tried my fair share of products, I’m here to clear things up. Let’s dive into what makes these sprays different, and by the end, you’ll know which—if any—belongs in your routine.
What is Setting Spray, and Why Might You Need It?
Think of setting spray like the topcoat for your makeup. It’s that final step that keeps everything in place, helping your makeup last longer. After you’ve applied your foundation, bronzer, and perfected your brows, a few spritzes can lock it all in.
Most setting sprays contain polymers, which create a breathable barrier on your skin. This stops your makeup from breaking down, but still allows your skin to move naturally—because no one wants a stiff, mask-like finish.
Key Benefits of Setting Spray:
1. Keeps Your Makeup Fresh Longer
The main purpose of setting spray is to extend the life of your makeup. By forming a protective shield, it helps your foundation stay put, prevents eyeliner from smudging, and stops concealer from creasing. Picture yourself at an outdoor summer wedding—without setting spray, you’d be doing touch-ups all day. With it, you’re good to go.
2. Adds a Hydration Boost
Many setting sprays include ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which are great if you have dry skin. These ingredients give your face a quick hit of hydration, keeping your makeup looking fresh and preventing that dreaded cakey look. If your skin tends to get dry throughout the day, this extra moisture helps maintain a smooth, flawless finish.
3. Blends Makeup for a Natural Look
If your makeup looks too powdery or patchy, a setting spray can fix that. It helps melt powder products—like blush and bronzer—into your skin, giving you a more seamless, natural look. Instead of powders sitting on the surface, they blend in, making your makeup feel like it’s just an extension of your skin.
What’s the Deal with Fixing Spray?
While setting sprays help your makeup look polished, fixing sprays are all about keeping it in place. Think of it as hairspray for your face—it’s designed to hold your makeup in place, even through sweat, humidity, or a long day.
Fixing sprays are great for times when touch-ups aren’t an option, like weddings or long nights out. Their stronger hold makes sure your makeup stays flawless from day to night.
2 Key Differences Between Setting Spray and Fixing Spray:
1. Ingredients:
- Setting Sprays are typically lightweight, often including moisturizing agents like aloe vera or rosewater. Some even contain vitamins and antioxidants, which nourish the skin while keeping your makeup intact.
- Fixing Sprays are more intense. They usually contain alcohol and polymers that create a firm hold, and sometimes ingredients like silica to absorb excess oil. If you have oily skin, or you know you’ll be sweating, fixing spray is your friend.
2. Functionality:
- Setting Sprays are perfect for everyday use, giving your makeup a natural, dewy look. If you’re heading to work or out for lunch with friends, a setting spray is usually all you need.
- Fixing Sprays are built for long wear and special occasions. When you need your makeup to last through a hot day or a big event, this is the spray to reach for.
When to Use Each Type: Setting Spray vs Fixing Spray
Choosing between setting spray vs fixing spray depends on your skin type and the demands of your day. Here’s a guide to help you decide when to use each.
For Dry Skin
If you struggle with dryness, a hydrating setting spray is your best friend. It adds moisture while locking in your makeup without making your skin feel tight or flaky. Look for sprays with skin-loving ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera. These will keep your complexion dewy and comfortable throughout the day.
Pro tip: Avoid fixing sprays with high alcohol content—they can worsen dryness and leave your skin feeling parched.
For Oily Skin or Long Events
Oily skin types or those attending long events (like a wedding or a night out) will benefit most from a fixing spray. These sprays provide a stronger hold, thanks to polymers that help makeup stay in place despite oil, sweat, or humidity. If you’re prone to shine, opt for a mattifying fixing spray to absorb excess oil and keep your makeup from sliding.
Have a big night of dancing or a summer event? A fixing spray will ensure your makeup stays flawless, no matter what.
Lifestyle Considerations
For a casual day or shorter outings, a hydrating setting spray should do the trick. It will give your makeup a fresh, dewy finish without the need for all-day staying power.
But when you’ve got a full-day event, especially one involving heat or humidity, a fixing spray is essential. It will hold your look together, sparing you from frequent touch-ups and potential meltdowns.
Recommended Products for Setting and Fixing Sprays
The beauty world offers a wide variety of setting and fixing sprays. Here are some tried-and-true options:
Fixing Sprays
- Urban Decay All Nighter: This cult-favorite delivers serious staying power. Whether you’re at a festival or dancing the night away, it keeps makeup intact, matte, and smudge-free.
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray: If you want staying power and hydration, this one’s for you. It’s perfect for special events, ensuring your makeup stays flawless without drying out your skin.
- ONE/SIZE Until Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray: Ideal for humid environments, this waterproof, sweat-resistant spray is designed for oil control. It’s perfect for those sticky summer days when you need your makeup to last.
Hydrating Setting Sprays
- Jane Iredale POMMISST™ Hydration Spray: Ideal for dry skin, this spray hydrates while keeping your makeup looking fresh. It prevents that dry, cakey look, ensuring your skin stays comfortable.
- Caudalie Beauty Elixir: This versatile spray can be used before and after makeup, blending essential oils and grape extract to give your skin a natural glow and keep makeup looking radiant all day.
- D’Alba Piedmont White Truffle First Spray Serum: A luxurious hybrid of skincare and setting spray, this product hydrates your skin before makeup and can refresh your look throughout the day. It’s perfect for those who want both skincare and makeup benefits.
DIY Options and Hacks
Not ready to splurge on a store-bought spray? You can create your own with ingredients you might already have at home.
Hydrating Toner as Setting Spray
Repurpose your favorite hydrating toner (like Tatcha’s Milk Skin Toner) by transferring it into a spray bottle. Use it to refresh your skin throughout the day, offering hydration while subtly setting your makeup.
DIY Fixing Spray
For a water-based DIY fixing spray, try mixing water with aloe vera gel for hydration. Add a few drops of essential oils, like lavender or tea tree, for a soothing effect. Need more oil control? Include witch hazel for mattifying properties or green tea extract for antioxidants. Customize it based on your skin’s needs, and you’ve got a personalized spray that fits your routine.
Conclusion: Do You Need Both?
Ultimately, whether you need both a setting and fixing spray depends on your skin type and lifestyle.
If you have dry skin or don’t wear makeup for long periods, a hydrating setting spray might be all you need. However, if you have oily skin or are attending an event where you need long-lasting wear, a fixing spray will provide that extra hold.
Many beauty enthusiasts even layer the two—starting with a hydrating setting spray for a plump, dewy base and finishing with a fixing spray to lock everything in place. This method offers the best of both worlds: long-lasting wear without sacrificing hydration or comfort.
Experiment with different products, find what works best for your skin, and enjoy makeup that stays flawless all day long.