Using hair spray as a substitute for makeup setting spray may sound like a quick fix in a pinch, but it’s important to consider its potential effects on your skin. While hair spray can lock your hairstyle in place, it’s not formulated for use on the delicate skin of your face. Before reaching for that can of hair spray to set your makeup, here’s what you need to know.
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Ingredients Aren’t Skin-Friendly
Hair sprays contain ingredients like alcohol, polymers, and fragrances that can irritate the skin, clog pores, and lead to breakouts. These chemicals are designed to hold hair in place, but when applied to the skin, they can cause dryness, redness, and other irritations, especially for sensitive skin types.
Clogs Pores
The heavy-duty formulas of hair sprays are meant to coat the hair and lock it into place. Applying them to your face can block pores, which can lead to acne and blackheads. Hair sprays aren’t non-comedogenic (meaning they don’t clog pores), unlike makeup setting sprays, which are specifically designed to work well with skin.
Drying Effect
Because hair sprays contain high amounts of alcohol, they can dry the skin. While this might initially create the illusion of a matte finish, over time, it can dehydrate the skin, leading to flakiness and a dull appearance.
Makeup Setting Sprays: The Better Option
Makeup setting sprays are designed to keep makeup in place while being gentle on the skin. They often contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and other skin-nourishing compounds that help hydrate and maintain the integrity of your makeup without causing harm.
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Possible Health Risks
Some hair sprays contain chemicals like formaldehyde and other toxins that are fine for hair but potentially harmful if inhaled or applied to the skin regularly. Long-term use of hair spray on the skin can cause long-term damage, including skin sensitization or allergic reactions.
Stick to Setting Sprays
While using hairspray might be tempting as a last-minute fix, it’s best to avoid it and stick to makeup setting sprays formulated to lock in your makeup safely. Using products designed specifically for your skin can help prevent irritation, dryness, and other issues that may arise from using hair products on your face.
If you don’t have a setting spray, consider using alternatives like a light mist of rose water or a hydrating toner to set your makeup.
Other Makeup Substitutions
You can easily use rose water or a pressed powder in place of setting spray. Long-lasting makeup may last all day without setting spray. There are tons of products you can use in place of other ones when you’re in a bind.
Water To Make Eyeshadow More Pigmented
Before people used setting sprays, we used water to make eyeshadow more pigmented. You simply wet your shadow brush, and apply the wet shadow to your lids. People also use rose water spray to get a more vibrant color.
Lipstick For Blush
There are plenty of other products you can use for blush, including a tube of lipstick. Creamy lipsticks are perfect for targeted application. Most products that are approved for use on your lips will also be fine on your cheeks. Pay attention to the finish and the shade of lipstick to make sure you get the look you want.
Contour For Bronzer
Everyone always wants to know if you can use contour in place of bronzer and vice versa. It makes sense because they’re both brown. You can substitute them for each other as long as you pay attention to the undertones. Bronzer usually has warmer undertones because it’s supposed to add warmth to the face. Contour is known for being cool-toned. If you wind up with a cool-toned bronzer in the right shade, it can easily work as contour.
Eyeshadow Is So Versatile
It’s always important to check ingredients to ensure a product is safe for a specific area before using it, but, for the most part, eyeshadow is pretty versatile. Light, shimmering eyeshadow can double as a highlighter. Brown shades will work as a bronzer or contour as long as the undertone is right. You can even use eyeshadow on your lips to create customized shades and looks.
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