I'm so confused.

May 31, 2016

Evelyn S.

Do you absolutely need primer and setting spray?

May 31, 2016

Madison S.

You don't need it but it helps your makeup stay on longer

May 31, 2016

Lara C.

No, but as Madison said, they make makeup stay longer. I wore makeup for years before getting a setting spray.

May 31, 2016

Shengmin L.

I find that it makes my makeup less cakey when I do.

May 31, 2016

Lauren B.

I agree after you put on powder it can look cakey so the spray mist makes it look natural. Also using a primer helps the foundation glide on more smoothly

May 31, 2016

Diana T.

It's not necessary and it doesn't even really help your makeup last longer - primer was made to create a blank canvas for your makeup to sit on - like a paint primer it's used to help the makeup adhere to something but if you wear a good moisturizer that is more than enough and primer is often not needed unless you have some skin issues that a primer could help to address by providing a barrier between the skin and the makeup - setting spray doesn't extend the longevity of makeup all the time - it can if it's more like a fixative type of spray but most of the time they just set any powder products by emulsifying them and that makes it look less powdery and more natural - once again it's not necessary if you don't use any powder products.

May 31, 2016

Roz X.

I'm with Diana. I only spot prime if my pores need it in my T-zone, but even so, most days, I just use a skin-type appropriate moisturizer and sunscreen as my base. I find its my skin's moisture & foundation that truly dictates wear time. As a no powder gal, I do spritz my face to give a fresh feel, but skip the high alcohol sprays, unless it's the rare special occasion where lots of photos will be taken over a long day or night.

Some members love their primer, but I noticed it is often because the primer addresses a specific issue whether it be helping keep oil down, blurring pores, etc. Primers can improve a look if you have a specific concern. You can always use primer on only certain spots that may be issue if you prefer. I do use a lid primer most days to prevent creasing and I find it does help extend wear. I have not personally experienced longer wear from a primer, but I have from being sure skin is properly moisturized.

May 31, 2016

Roz X.

*on my complexion

May 31, 2016

Jacqueline H.

Do you absolutely need primer and setting spray? No. For the most part, if you take care of your skin and you prep it properly, you don't necessarily need a primer. On oilier skin types, I'm of the opinion that a good matting primer is important, as it will will extend the wear of your complexion products by controlling oil secretion.

On other skin types, it can be a toss up and dependent upon the combination areas of concern. Nowadays, foundations can be and are so skin type specific that a primer isn't really needed. There are just different schools of thought when it comes to the absolute need for a primer... some say, yes, a primer is absolutely necessary no matter what the skin type, and one shouldn't even think of applying a foundation to skin that does not have a primer on it. There are some that refuse to use primers at all stating that the cosmetic companies have unnecessarily inundated the marketplace with formulas that aren't much different from the next primer, and I think there is some truth to that. In my opinion, it just depends on your skin type.

I have a truly normal skin type, but like Rozberry mentioned, I use a primer to target certain areas. I dab a bit of the Hourglass or Youngblood Mineral Veil primer (s) on areas on my face that have some fine lines. The silicone in these formulas rest on the top of the skin... kind of acting acting like a lightweight coat of spackle. Silicone fills fine lines and pores so that the actual foundation will not sink into these areas of concern.

Setting spray: A setting spray actually offers little to no 'fixative' value. What these sprays do is take off any hard powder edge to create more of a blend for the other complexion products on the skin. If you use a lot of powder products on your face, they can and do can leave your skin looking dry and powdery powdery... sometimes like you are wearing a mask. No matter how sparingly or how well you blend your products, the powdery mask effect happens, and a final hit with a setting spray helps it all mesh together and not look like the makeup is just sitting on top of your skin.

Longevity wise, all a setting spray does is coat the makeup with a very fine gel film. This film helps the makeup application become more smudge resistant, but it will not necessarily extend the wear time of your application. For that, you would need a finishing or fixative spray, not a setting spray. A fixative/finishing spray actually adheres the makeup to the skin and stops it from slipping, which is great for very hot and humid locations. Some fixative/finishing sprays can help makeup waterproof, or at the very least least water-resistant. These sprays have higher alcohol contents, and most of them are highly scented specifically to disguise the smell of the elevated alcohol in the formula. When you apply them to the skin, some of them sting a bit and give the skin a temporary tightened effect, so if you are dry and/or have a sensitive skin type, I would avoid the use of a fixative/finishing spray. :)

Last but not least.... refresher sprays. A Refresher Spray is just a water-based spray. It really can be nothing more than just a simple spray spray bottle of water. Some refreshing sprays are aerosols, and they may or may not contain some sort of additional infusion of vitamins/minerals. These sprays are good for refreshing the skin and in some cases for adding a little hydration prior to makeup application. They are not setting sprays and they should not be used to set makeup. These types of sprays can and usually do way more damage than good. A mist of water or toner can definitely streak foundation, powder, and mascara. A setting spray will not dissolve makeup, a refreshing spray will.

Are any of these sprays necessary? Depends on who you ask, and what you do. For me, they are all necessary; however, makeup and its application is how I make a living. For others, these 3 sprays aren't necessary a cross the board... only my opinion. Some of my favorite setting sprays: Lise Watier's Magnifix setting spray with White Tea and MUFE's Mist + Fix. I also love Kat Von D.'s Lock & Load Setting Mist, but this spray does have an elevated alcohol content that makes it lean more towards a fixative/finishing spray that a more traditional set spray like MUFE's Mist + Fix. If you need or want a true fixative/finishing spray, Ben Nye's Final Seal and Kryolan's Fixier spray are textbook examples. Hope this helped a bit.  :)

May 31, 2016

Christine L.

Jaqueline what do you like in particular about the Lise watier spray? Is it similar to the MUFE one?

Jun 1, 2016

Jacqueline H.

Are they similar? Somewhat. In most every setting spray you are going to see Acrylates and ingredients that act as skin penetration agents and skin conditioning agents. The reason that I like both of these setting sprays is because they both work on any skin type but they are most beneficial for those that have a dry or combination skin type. I like the Lise Watier because is more suited for sensitive skin types, although if one is super sensitive, the amount of fragrance in this product might be a bit agitating. I've used it on sensitive skin types with no problems, but it's always wise to disclose. The Lise Watier is also formulated with a good amount of white tea extract which has anti inflammatory properties paired with antioxidant capabilities. It just feels so lovely on the skin. :)