These 18 Setting Sprays Will Help Your Makeup Last Through Almost Anything
Do you know what the most important product of your makeup routine is? Hint: it's not foundation or concealer, and it's not even eyeshadow or false lashes. And as important as skincare prep is, we’re not talking about that either. The most important product of them all, if you ask us? Makeup setting spray. No makeup look is complete without spritzing a setting spray over your complexion to lock your makeup in place for the day (or night) ahead. Forget this step, and you’re bound to regret it hours later.
“Setting spray helps your makeup last longer and it also tones down the powdery effect that setting your makeup with a loose or pressed powder will give your skin. It can lock makeup in place for 12-16 hours and you can wear your makeup for a long time knowing it will be set in place until you’re ready to wash it off,” says makeup artist Cristina Montemayor.
Setting sprays are a dime a dozen these days, but there are only a handful we'd dare deem the best in the makeup setting spray game—and we’ve rounded them up for you below. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or combination skin, there's a setting spray for you on this list. If you're looking for something that'll keep your makeup in place all night or a mist that'll deliver a dewy complexion, well, you guessed it—you're sure to find a setting spray below.
Meet the Expert
Alex Levy is a New York–based makeup artist and beauty marketing consultant. You can catch his work behind the scenes at NYFW, at editorial shoots, and on the famous TikTok duo @young_emperors.
Cristina Montemayor is an Austin-based makeup artist who specializes in beauty, bridal, and commercial makeup.
1. BEST ANTI-AGING SETTING SPRAY:
URBAN DECAY All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
We love a two-for-one! Not only does URBAN DECAY’s iconic setting spray keep makeup fresh for up to 16 hours, but this one also helps protect your skin against environmental damage. “URBAN DECAY All Nighter is the OG to me, the best setting spray. It doesn’t give you a super matte or shiny finish. It locks everything in place without changing how your makeup looks,” says Montemayor.
We can thank minerals, including zinc, magnesium, and copper, that protect against free radicals within this formula. These free radicals can lead to signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. It also features temperature control technology so your makeup never melts off. Sweat and humidity is no match for this setting spray.
2. BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK SETTING SPRAY:
E.L.F. Makeup Mist & Set
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find a stellar setting spray. Some of the very best setting sprays can be found at the drugstore and only cost a few dollars. Most are cult-followed and widely popular for the formula in addition to the great price. E.L.F.’s best-selling mist is chock-full of quality ingredients such as aloe, green tea, cucumber, and vitamins A, C, and E, making it rival options twice—or three times—the price. And the largest size is still only $6. We think it's a makeup collection staple.
3. BEST TRIPLE-THREAT SETTING SPRAY:
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Bare With Me Multitasking Spray
You already know NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP has some of the longest-lasting setting sprays around. “While you don’t always need a setting spray for daytime if you wear pretty natural makeup, it’s a good idea to use one if you're going to a special event or have a long day ahead. You’ll want to preserve your look to keep it fresh. If you choose not to use a setting spray, just expect a natural fading or creasing to your makeup as the day goes on. Some imperfections might come through and you may be a little shiny due to oil,” shares Montemayor.
This product isn’t just a finishing spray, though. It also works as a primer and makeup refresher with ultra-nourishing aloe and cucumber extracts. We love that it doubles as both, saving you time (and money) with its multitasking charm.
4. CUTEST TRAVEL SIZE SETTING SPRAY:
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Mini Dewy Set Setting Spray
A ton of setting sprays come in a travel size, but ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS’ just might be the cutest. That’s thanks to its glitter packaging. (But don’t worry—the setting spray formula is free of glitter.) You can also choose from three different fragrances—Coconut-Vanilla, Mango, and Pineapple—making it even more fun to keep in your beauty bag. You won’t want to travel without it!
5. BEST LONG-LASTING SETTING SPRAY:
MORPHE Continuous Setting Mist
Makeup artists rave about this setting spray, and we can understand why. It promises no smudging, creasing, melting, or caking, and the formula seriously delivers. “There are several types of setting sprays, all that will lock in makeup, but some may give a sheen or more matte appearance to the skin. Some can help absorb excess oils throughout the day too,” says Alex Levy, New York–based makeup artist and beauty marketing consultant.
Even better, this product cares for your complexion with antioxidants like vitamins E and B5 that nourish your skin with every spritz.
6. BEST SETTING SPRAY FOR OILY SKIN:
MILANI COSMETICS Make It Last Matte Charcoal Setting Spray
When your complexion’s oil production ramps up, say goodbye to your makeup look staying put. Instead of packing on the powders and creams (which can make oily skin even more temperamental), use this setting spray to make your look last. Made with charcoal as the key ingredient, this matte setting spray works double duty to draw out impurities from your pores and make them look more refined. And did we mention this spray is long-lasting? It'll keep your complexion matte for up to 16 hours, making it a must-have for maximizing the life of your products.
7. BEST PORE-MINIMIZING SETTING SPRAY:
BENEFIT COSMETICS The POREfessional: Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray
Consider this setting spray your secret weapon in the ongoing battle to minimize your pores. This mist offers a matte finish, and you'll notice a huge difference in the appearance of your pores before and after using it. Excess shine won't be a problem either, thanks to the spray's microfine mattifying powders.
8. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT SETTING SPRAY:
CHARLOTTE TILBURY Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
If you wear minimal makeup, chances are you don’t need a heavy setting spray and just need something light and airy. The CHARLOTTE TILBURY Flawless Airbrush Setting Spray is a longtime TikTok FYP favorite. Though it makes makeup last until 16 hours, it feels entirely weightless and gives skin a soft-to-the-touch finish. We love how it combines aloe vera and green tea for extra hydration and pore minimizing.
9. BEST HYDRATING SETTING SPRAY:
AIR REPAIR SKINCARE Complexion Quenching Facial Mist
Don't want your dry skin to cause your makeup to flake off during your night out? This facial mist is so hydrating, it could turn the Sahara Desert into a tropical oasis. “If you have really dry skin look for a hydrating setting spray that will hydrate your skin and give it more of a skin like, natural finish after applying, " adds Montemayor. This formula is with aloe vera gel, calendula, and hyaluronic acid, leaving your complexion moisturized as ever thanks to this setting spray. You can even use it as a facial toner. So really, it's a win-win.
10. BEST SETTING SPRAY FOR SENSITIVE SKIN:
COVER FX High Performance Setting Spray
The COVER FX High Performance Setting Spray isn't just one of our favorites because it lasts for up to 24 hours (yes, you read that right), but also because it's the best one on the market for sensitive skin types. Free of fragrance, parabens, sulfates, and talc, it won't irritate your complexion at all, and your makeup won't budge. Need we say more?
11. BEST SPF-PACKED SETTING SPRAY:
COOLA Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray
There’s nothing worse than finishing a full makeup look on a hot summer day only to realize you forgot to apply sunscreen. Thanks to COOLA's Organic SPF 30 Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray, you can set your makeup and apply sunscreen in one invigorating, green tea-scented spritz. It’s also great for touch-ups while you’re out in the sun.
12. BEST MULTITASKING SETTING SPRAY:
TOO FACED COSMETICS Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer and Setting Spray
This setting spray is so much more than just a setting spray. It also works as a primer and refreshing facial mist, so you can use it before applying your makeup products, after applying your products, and all throughout the day to keep your skin looking and feeling refreshed. Why use three products when one does all the work? Consider your beauty routine simplified.
13. BEST DEWY SETTING SPRAY:
BAREMINERALS Dew Mist Setting Spray
Micro-pearls allow this setting spray to work its magic, leaving you with a dewy finish no other spray can offer. Plus, it's made with clean, natural ingredients so you don't have to worry about what you're putting on your face. “I gravitate towards mists that aren’t necessarily made for makeup longevity, but are more skincare mists to revitalize and bring moisture back to the skin after powdering,” says Levy. This microfine mist delivers a blast of hydration as well. It's best used sparingly since a little goes a long way! That means the bottle lasts a while, too.
14. BEST NOURISHING SETTING SPRAY:
PIXI BEAUTY Hydrating Milk Mist
Black oat is the star of this lightweight mist, offering a blast of hydration that works wonders for all skin types, but especially for those with acne-prone skin. Then, provitamin A and linoleic acid work with the black oat to reduce any redness or inflammation your foundation might not be able to hide. Natural, organic, vegan, and cruelty-free? Just take our money already! The blend of 84% watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and hibiscus AHAs isn't so bad either. Refreshed, glowy skin? Check. Makeup that won't require touch-ups? You bet. This mist does it all.
15. BEST SOOTHING SETTING SPRAY:
ITEM BEAUTY One Hit Triple Action Setting Mist
Whenever, wherever, we and this setting spray are meant to be together. Our skin (much like ourselves) tends to get fairly stressed out from time to time—and makeup doesn't always help that. You know what does? This setting spray from ITEM BEAUTY. Aloe and tiger grass extracts calm and soothe stressed-out skin, lavender and rose waters help tone and brighten, and sodium hyaluronate locks in hydration. We feel relaxed already.
16. BEST SETTING SPRAY FOR MATURE SKIN:
LAURA GELLER Spackle Mist Restore with Coconut Water
Makeup can cover most things, though it always seems to seep into fine lines and wrinkles. To give your complexion an added lift, the LAURA GELLER Spackle Mist Restore With Coconut Water uses probiotics to plump up fine lines and boost radiance levels. Your face will look and feel the smoothest it's ever been.
17. MOST REFRESHING SETTING SPRAY:
KOKIE COSMETICS Refresh Hydrating Setting Spray
KOKIE COSMETICS Refresh Hydrating Setting Spray is incredibly, well, hydrating. You can lock in any look with this face mist, then use it throughout your day or evening to keep your complexion refreshed. It's one of our favorite drugstore setting sprays because it delivers just as well as the more high-end setting sprays, but at a fraction of the price.
18. BEST GLOW-BOOSTING SETTING SPRAY:
CIATÉ LONDON Everyday Vacay Coconut Dewy Setting Mist
Give your skin an extra dose of glow with this CIATÉ LONDON setting mist. We love mixing the spray with a bit of highlighter to amp up the brightness and really enhance our features. And this scent? Don't even get us started. The sweet coconut fragrance wafts through the air after every spritz, making it feel like a vacation for our senses.
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