CLEANSE & CARE
Effortlessly clean, care and extend the life of your makeup brushes with the Cleanse & Care Brush Cleaner Balm.
Set and finish your look for flawless, long-lasting makeup with Mii’s powders and setting sprays. Blur lines, smooth skin and banish shine with Illusionist Translucent Powder or try our setting mists to prep, set and refresh your makeup.
Setting powder is designed to keep your makeup on longer, whereas finishing powder is all about improving the finish of your makeup, whether that is to smooth or blur pores and texture.
Setting spray and setting powder are both products used to help set and prolong the wear of makeup, however, they have different formulations and application methods.
Setting Sprays
Setting sprays are liquid formulas that typically come in a spray bottle and are applied by misting a fine spray of the product over the face after makeup application. They are designed to help set makeup, prevent it from smudging or transferring and increase its longevity. Depending on the formulation they can also provide a natural, dewy finish or can hydrate and refresh the skin. Setting sprays are lightweight, provide a seamless finish and can help keep makeup looking fresh throughout the day.
Setting Powders
Setting powders are a finely milled powder that come in either loose or pressed form and are applied by being gently pressed or swept onto targeted areas using a fluffy brush. They are designed to control shine, help mattify the skin and prevent makeup from creasing or sliding off. Setting powders tend to provide a more matte or semi-matte finish and can also blur imperfections and minimise the appearance of pores.
Choose the right setting powder: Select a setting powder that matches your skin tone or is translucent. Translucent powders like our Illusionist Translucent Powder work well across skin tones as they do not alter the colour of your foundation or base product.
Prep your face: Ensure that your foundation, concealer and any cream or liquid products have been applied and blended smoothly. Allow them to set for a few minutes before moving on to setting powder.
Choose your tool: A fluffy brush like our Dramatic Finish Brush is ideal for applying setting powder. This tool helps to distribute the powder evenly and prevent excess product from settling into fine lines or wrinkles. Dip the brush lightly into the setting powder, tapping off any excess as you want a small amount of product for a controlled application.
Apply to targeted areas: Focus on the areas where you want to set your makeup or control shine, typically the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and under the eyes. Gently press or sweep the powder onto these areas.
Blend and buff: Blend the setting powder into your skin using light sweeping motions or gentle patting. Make sure to blend the powder evenly, ensuring there are no visible lines or patches.
Remove excess powder: If you find that you have applied too much powder or if there is any excess product on your skin, use a clean brush or a fluffy powder puff to lightly sweep away the excess.
If you have mature skin setting powders can actually help blur the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles along with hiding blemishes and absorbing excess oil, but it is important to use them correctly to achieve the desired effect:
Apply sparingly – Use a light hand focussing on areas where you tend to get oily or where your makeup tends to crease, such as the T-zone and under the eyes. Avoid applying too much product, as excess powder can settle into lines and make them more prominent.
Blend well – Use a fluffy powder brush like our Precise Finish Brush to gently blend the powder into your skin. Make sure to blend it evenly, using light sweeping motions as this will help the powder to distribute more evenly and minimise the risk of it settling into lines and wrinkles.
Hydrate your skin – Dry skin can accentuate the appearance of lines and wrinkles, so it’s essential to moisturise your skin properly before applying any makeup or setting powder. Well-hydrated skin provides a smoother canvas for makeup application and helps prevent the powder from clinging to dry patches or settling into lines.
Consider a setting spray – To further enhance the longevity of your makeup and help prevent creasing and settling, you may want to consider using our Supercharged Setting Mist after applying setting powder. A setting spray can help meld the powder with your foundation and create a more natural finish.
Setting spray is typically applied as the final step in your makeup routine, so ensure that your makeup application is complete first. Hold the setting spray bottle at arm’s length, around 15 to 20cm away from your face, and spray in a T or X motion with your eyes and mouth closed, starting from the centre of your face. This technique ensures that the product is evenly spread across your entire face in a fine mist.
Once you have applied, allow the setting spray to dry naturally and avoid touching or rubbing your face until it has completely dried.
The timing of when to apply setting powder or setting spray in your makeup routine will vary depending on personal preference and the desired effect but here are a few common timings and techniques:
Setting Powder
After foundation and concealer – Most apply setting powder immediately after applying foundation and concealer and any other liquid or cream product. This helps to set them in place, prevent creasing and provide a matte or semi-matte finish. Use a fluffy brush such as our Precise Finish Brush and gently press or sweep the setting powder onto the skin, focusing on areas that tend to get oily or where makeup tends to crease, such as the T-zone.
Throughout makeup application – Another technique is to apply setting powder in between layers of makeup. For example, a light dusting of setting powder after foundation, then continue with blush, bronzer, or other powder products, and finish with a final application of setting powder to lock everything in place.
Setting Spray
Setting spray is typically applied as the final step in your makeup routine. Once you have finished applying all your makeup, mist the spray evenly over your face in a T or X motion, holding the bottle about 15 to 20cm away.