There are no rules in makeup. Each one can express how and what it wants to look and feel. Whoever says: “that color goes only with that color”, or “that is too much glitter for this time of the day” is someone who decides to opine on a subjective matter. My blog is not about telling you what to wear, or how to wear, or what to buy, but showing what I found that works great for me and worth spending money on.
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However, there are some confusions in the makeup world that need to be clarified. Otherwise you end up buying and using the wrong product or even using something that is not flattering because you didn’t understand for what is it good for. So lets dive in. I bet some of these products you were using them with another purpose.
Fixing spray vs. setting spray
Let’s start with the brands themselves that “feed” this confusion directly to their customers, by branding their product with the wrong description. You will hear a spray is a setting spray when it does not do what it’s supposed as a setting spray. Why they do this? Because the description term resonates more with the effect in the eye of the buyer. You would think: “setting” sets- final step and “fixing” fixes, can be used before the end of the makeup. NO. It’s actually the other way round and I will show you a simple way to make the difference in order to benefit from the full function of each product. I have found that mst of the fixing sprays, meant to seal the makeup at the end are marketed as SETTING SPRAYS, for the POWER OF THE WORD.
These two sprays are used for different effects and with different purposes and can be used together, they don’t cancel each other out as long as you use them in the right order.
The fixing spray (SHOP HERE) locks your makeup in place for long wear, so it’s main purpose is longevity, keeping your “artwork” protected from heat and humidity. It’s like a sealer or hairspray for the face and the L’Oreal one(shop here) feels just like literally one. Most sprays that appear as “setting” they are actually “fixing”. To know you are buying a fixing spray-to lock your makeup, you will see in the description of the product terms like: “smudge-proof”, “transfer-resistant”, “controls shine”, “waterproof”. Usually, it has as alcohol as an ingredient, so it’s not suitable for sensitive skin.
The setting spray (SHOP HERE) blends and hydrates your makeup for a smooth finish. Can be used throughout the day for refreshing the makeup and can be used between layers of cream/liquid makeup to blend them together for a seamless, natural look.
Fixing sprays
- Used for prolonging the makeup wear time.
- In the description, you will see terms like: smudge-proof, waterproof, controls shine
- Used at the end, to seal the makeup
- Usually contain alcohol.
- Skindinavia (which actually makes also the Urban decay all nighter spray-bet you didn’t know) make the best sprays for lasting event makeup, like bridal makeup, according to the reviews and my personal experience
- Other highly rated fixing sprays: L’Oreal Infallible 3 seconds, One size.
Setting sprays
- Used between layers of makeup
- Adds moisture and hydration to the skin
- Can be used throughout the day to refresh the makeup
- Contain ingredients like: glycerin or dimethicone.
- Can be used on an everyday basis to keep the makeup fresh and put together for longer time.
- There are different types of effects, like glowy or matte.
Contouring vs. Bronzing
While confusing setting sprays with fixing sprays is totally understandable, given even the producers disorient the public, the next one is easy to follow and understand and make light on. Shading and illuminating one’s feature are necessary to bring some life back to the complexion once we have evened it out with foundation/concealer or even on a natural face if we we want to look fresh/rested or chiseled. But not once I’ve seen how somebody mentions contouring/shaping the face and then applies a very warm toned bronzy brown color naming it a CONTOUR.Â
Contouring(shop products here) refers to shaping the face features. Nowadays beauty standards go for a more slim, oval face, slightly elongated, with visible cheekbones and lifted features. Each person’s face is unique and beautiful on it’s own, and with contour we even try to bring the best in us, gravitate towards today’s beauty standards, but in proportion. Heavy contour will not make you look like a different person, it will show artificial and stained in real life, and even muddy. It is perfect for pictures, when it’s discreet, mimicking shadows, making the nose slimmer, giving the illusion of a slender face, higher cheekbones, hiding a double chin or sagging cheeks, but again, it will make you a disfavor if it’s in an exaggerated amount. Giving the fact it mimics a shadow, it must be in a cool/cold tone for very light/light/light-medium skin tones and neutral, slightly warm for medium to dark skin tones. I have a complete article with review and swatches of Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour sticks, which were the only ones I have found to be real cool toned for fair skin; you care READ THE BLOG POST HERE.Â
In my previous life, worked as a beauty advisor. All nighter setting spray was our favorite go to I love the effect,I love the breakdown