What does a setting spray do?

A good setting spray (*cough* StandStill®) is honestly life-changing. If you're not using one, it's time to consider adding one to your makeup routine. 

But what exactly does a setting spray do? How does a setting spray work? Why should you use one. Let's break it down.

Setting sprays are made to blend and fix your makeup in place. Whether you're targeting a matte finish or dewy glow, the right setting spray can help keep your look staying fresh from day to night. 

The main purpose of a setting spray is to keep your makeup intact, so that it doesn't slip, fade or smudge. It essentially locks everything in place.

So it makes sense that one of the main benefits of using a setting spray is that it helps your makeup to last longer. This is especially true for people with oily skin. A setting spray specifically formulated to control excess oil (*cough* StandStill®) can be a saviour for oily skin girlies in need of constant touch-ups. Time to bin the blotting paper and powder puff!

A lesser known benefit of setting sprays is that they actually help your makeup look blended and more natural. If you've used a heavy hand with your foundation or applied too much product, a few mists of setting spray can balance things out. The setting spray will help to melt the products into your skin to give you a more seamless finish.

One downside of setting sprays is that many of them contain alcohol. The alcohol in a setting spray serves lots of different purposes including as a preservative and helping to give that "quick drying" feel when you spray a setting spray on your skin. Alcohol can also help to mattify oily skin. Despite all these bonuses, alcohol can be irritating to the skin and cause major dryness. Look for a setting spray with an alcohol-free formula (*cough* StandStill®). 

The key group of ingredients that do the "setting" bit in a setting spray are called film formers. These ingredients effectively create a thin, even and flexible film or layer that coats the makeup and your skin. This layer acts as a barrier to help hold everything in place and prevent makeup from smudging, transfer or slipping throughout the day.

Modern film formers are made to be flexible and breathable (just like the ones you will find in StandStill®). This means that while they provide a strong hold, they wont make your face feel tight or uncomfortable. Instead, modern film formers allow the makeup to move with your skin naturally, without cracking or peeling. 

In essence, setting sprays are like the hairsprays of the makeup work. They help your makeup work harder and ensure that it survives through long hours, challenging temperatures and everything in between.

Ready for your flawless skin days? Check out - StandStill® Oil Balancing Skincare Mist & Setting Spray.  Formulated with film forming ingredients (and zero-alcohol) to help you set and forget, plus skin-loving actives like Seboreductyl Complex (to regulate oil production without disrupting the skin's natural protective barrier), Australian Davidson Plum, Waratah and Red Algae (to soothe inflammation and boost moisture to the skin) and Australian Lemon Myrtle (to tighten pores and uplift your mood). We guarantee it'll be your new skin BFF.