After finishing a makeup look, the last thing you want to do is smear your eyeliner or sweat off your foundation. That's where a spritz of one of the best setting sprays can work some magic. A setting spray sets your makeup helping the makeup stay put throughout the day.
It sounds like a trick, but it's really just science. Setting sprays work by forming a protective layer over your makeup, locking it in place with a flexible, breathable barrier made of film-forming polymers. Besides extending longevity, the best setting sprays can help with oil control, keep your skin hydrated (therefore stopping your makeup from getting dry and cakey), and refresh your overall look.
"If you need your makeup to stay in place over six hours then using a setting spray is a must," notes makeup artist Jonet Williamson. Ahead, experts clue us in on their favorite setting sprays. Plus, how to use them.
What to Look For in a Setting Spray
- Benefits
Aimee Carr, a medical aesthetician and founder of Voodoo Makeup, notes that a setting spray can have a few benefits—depending, of course, on your chosen formula. "Formulations can vary and also give you purposes like smudge-proof, waterproof, and sweat-proof, or desired finishing looks like matte or dewy."
Nearly every setting spray helps your makeup last all day. "It's important to match a setting spray with your intended goal," adds Carr. "This can be based on what activities you are doing that day, how long you anticipate wearing makeup, what final look you are hoping to achieve, etc."
- Ingredients
The primary ingredients in setting sprays are film-forming polymers, which settle into a protective film over your makeup. You can also find setting sprays with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which attract moisture and keep your makeup from getting cakey.
The Best Setting Sprays
- The Best Setting Spray Overall: Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
- The Best Hydrating Setting Spray: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- The Best Setting Spray for a Matte Finish: One/Size by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
- The Best Drugstore Setting Spray: NYX Professional Makeup Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
- The Best Setting Spray for a Glowy Finish: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Dewy Long-Lasting Setting Spray
A true classic, Urban Decay's All-Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray was first introduced over a decade ago. These days, it comes in several variations (ultra matte! extra glowy! infused with vitamin C for hydration!), but the original is still the brightest star. Waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-resistant, the smooth spray has been proven to keep makeup in place for 16 hours.
Pros: Long-lasting; Cult-favorite; Cooling; Transfer-resistant; Waterproof; Doesn't settle into fine lines
Cons: None found
Williamson recommends Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, an alcohol—and oil-free spray that provides up to 16 hours of protection. It's ideal for those with dry to normal skin looking for a hydrating finish; it includes moisture barrier-supporting Japanese green tea for that very purpose. It's also celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz's choice to protect clients' face makeup before she applies eye makeup and blush. "It sets everything in place while keeping the face hydrated," she shares.
Pros: Long-lasting; Hydrating; Glowy finish
Cons: Scent is too fragrant for some customers
Williamson and Loiz love this pick for those with combination or oily skin who want a matte finish. "Thanks to its waterproof formula, this ensures makeup stays put all day, even under hot lights and cameras," Loiz shares. Light as air thanks to its aerosol formula and oil-absorbing thanks to carefully thought-out ingredients like witch hazel, this holds makeup in place for up to 16 hours and leaves you with a blurred, matte finish.
Pros: Long-lasting; Matte Finish; Waterproof
Cons: Some customers don't love the scent
Lightweight and ready to lock in your gorgeous makeup for a long, long time, NYX Professional Makeup's Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray is infused with niacinamide for a little hydrating action. Leaving you with a matte finish, the vegan and cruelty-free misting formula will help your makeup last all day at a price point everyone can appreciate.
Pros: Affordable; Long-lasting; Customers love the non-overpowering fragrance
Cons: Formula isn't waterproof
According to Carr, Milk's Hydro Grip is a consumer and artist favorite. "This one gives you a glow but is not sticky which is ideal when looking for a setting spray," she shares. With a radiant finish, the lightweight spray features skin-loving ingredients like blue agave extract to set makeup (preventing melting, fading, and creasing in the process) and hemp seed extract and aloe to calm, soothe, and impart moisture alongside their also-hydrating friends hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Pros: Skin-loving ingredients; Lasts up to 12 hours; Can also be used as a hydrating mist
Cons: Some customers find the finish too glowy
Also Recommended
If you spend a lot of time in front of your computer, ILIA's Blue Light Protect + Set Mist might be the setting spray for you. "This product not only sets your makeup, but it hydrates and firms the skin. Therefore it's great for those with dry skin or those who may have uneven texture," says Carr. It also protects your skin from pollution, free radicals, and blue light exposure. With a matte finish that helps tackle shine and smooth your look, the product's skin-loving ingredients take care of your complexion from the inside while its lavender scent soothes your mind.
Pros: Skin-loving ingredients; Protects against free radicals; Hydrating
Cons: Some customers have trouble with the spray nozzle
Packed with SPF 50, Marie Claire called Kate Somerville's UncompliKated SPF Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray the overall best makeup setting spray with SPF in our roundup of the best spray sunscreens. "If you're looking for a 2-in-1, this double-duty formula acts as a SPF and matte-finishing makeup spray. That's right—this spray will keep your makeup in place and add a soft blurred finish for a long-lasting look," wrote beauty editor Samantha Holender. Scented with lavender essential oil, it also features hyaluronic acid for increased hydration.
Pros: Easy to apply; Innovative; Contains SPF
Totally weightless and wildly dewy, I took to regularly spritzing Tatcha's Luminous Dewy Skin Mist even when I didn't have any makeup on years ago—and I just can't quit. While not technically a setting spray, this fine mist moisturizer does the trick and was created to be worn under or over your makeup to prevent caking, also helping to fight dryness and dullness with a proprietary complex of Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid.
Pros: Moisturizing; Skin-loving ingredients; Leaves you with a glow
Cons: Not waterproof
The go-to spray in many beauty vlogs, Morphe's beloved Continuous Setting Mist is an aerosol spray engineered to deliver an even application that won't quit until you take your finger off the trigger. Microfine in texture, it was created to work with both liquid and powder makeup. Pros also love using it directly on a makeup sponge to help smooth makeup.
Pros: Cult-favorite; Easy to apply; Lightweight
Cons: Some customers find the fragrance too strong
Crafted to be used before, during, and after makeup application, Iconic London's always glowy and never greasy Prep-Set-Glow Hydrating Setting Spray has built-in light-reflecting particles for an instantaneous shimmer (you can get it in two shades, depending how hefty of a glow you want). It's also infused with dark circle-fighting caffeine, skin-soothing chamomile and cucumber, antioxidants, green tea, and vitamin E.
Pros: Luminous finish; Available in two shades; Keeps makeup in place
Cons: Some customers don't love the scent
How to Pick a Setting Spray for Your Skin Type
Williamson notes that some setting sprays may work better than others, depending on your skin type. "I'd suggest a hydrating setting spray like Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray or Milk Hydro Grip Setting Spray for dry to normal skin and a matte finish setting spray like One Size On Til Dawn for combo oily skin," she shares. If your skin is on the dryer side, look for ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, whereas if your skin is oily, look for oil-absorbing ingredients like witch hazel.
Salma Hayek wore Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray at the 2024 Oscars.
When to Use a Setting Spray
Loiz has a secret trick for applying setting spray, and it includes two products. First, you'll use a hydrating setting spray, applying it after your foundation, concealer, and/or setting powder. Then, after completing the rest of your blush, bronzer, and eye makeup, apply a long-wearing spray to ensure your makeup stays in place.
"Applying both these techniques guarantees that makeup will stay put," she shares. "Setting the foundation and concealer initially secures them in place during the rest of the makeup application. Then, a final spritz with a long-wear spray locks in the entire look, ensuring it stays flawless all day without budging!"
How to Use a Setting Spray
As for the actual application, you'll want to close your eyes and hold the bottle eight to 10 inches away from your face. Then, spray in an X-marks-the-spot shape to make sure you get full coverage before allowing the product to dry down.
Meet the Experts
Aimee Carr is an expert medical esthetician, celebrity makeup artist and founder of VooDoo Makeup.
Makeup artist Jonet Williamson discovered her love for art at a very early age. In 2005, Jonet began her journey in beauty working as a makeup artist for M.A.C. Cosmetics. Since then, her work has been featured in commercial campaigns (Dolce & Gabanna, Levis, Shea Moisture), editorials (Essence, L'Officiel), and TV & film productions (CBS, MTV, TNT). Jonet Williamson also works closely with major beauty brands on content creation and product development.
Renée Loiz is a top celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 20 years in the industry. Renée is best known for her work with celebrities including Quinta Brunson, Cynthia Erivo, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Sherry Cola, Adele, Chelsea Peretti, Uzo Aduba, Danai Gurira, Thuso Mbedu, and Jaylon Barron.
When she’s not creating press-worthy red carpet and editorial looks for famous faces, Renee can be found working with renowned international brands such as NARS, Beauty Blender, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Sephora, J.Crew, Disney, Target, BuzzFeed, Adidas, and Warner Brothers.
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