The best makeup setting sprays for an all-day hold
While setting spray is usually a step that's forgotten in the makeup routine, we'd happily make the case that it's essential. Not only does it lock your makeup in place for the hours ahead, but it can also act as a hydrating salve for the skin when it's full of product.
Setting sprays are becoming increasingly advanced, with a range of options catering to different needs. There are different options for a dewy or matte finish, ones that are infused with nourishing skincare ingredients, and others that double as primers, too.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Best overall setting spray
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Super Setter
Why we love it: This setting spray is expelled as a fine mist that absorbs quickly, giving makeup a very natural finish. We also love the pore-blurring effect mastered by Benefit.
This one wins as our overall best pick for a few reasons. It gives a great natural finish, it's odourless, and weightless – coming out of the bottle as an ultra-fine mist that doesn't leave droplets on the face. It also has a pore-blurring effect that's unique to Benefit, which reduces shine on the skin and gives your makeup an overall soft look. It's perfect for daily use and light makeup wearers, while also giving hold to more high-glamour looks.
Best affordable setting sprays
NYX NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray in Matte or Dewy
Why we love it: These setting sprays are both highly-rated, but come in under $11.
Both around the $10 mark, these setting sprays by NYX allow you to choose between a matte or dewy finish according to preference. Promising to set both liquid or powder foundations, you can trust the hold for up to 16 hours with either spray. They're also very compact in their 60mL bottles, perfect for slipping into your handbag for further touch-ups.
Best hydrating setting sprays
Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix Setting Spray
Why we love it: With a reported wear time of up to 24 hours, this setting spray is alcohol-free and very hydrating.
This setting spray contains two very hydrating products: hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, so you can trust it won't dry out your skin. The lack of alcohol amongst its ingredients means it doesn't sting when it goes on, and Make Up For Ever has also nailed the ultra-fine mist we love to see in a setting spray, as well as an added level of radiance to your overall look.
Lancôme Fix It Forget It Makeup Setting Spray
Why we love it: This setting spray is infused with lovely skincare ingredients, meaning your skin can get some love even with a full makeup look on.
A nourishing face mist, the Lancôme Fix It Forget It Setting Spray might sit on the pricier side of setting sprays, but it's definitely worth it. Not only does it enhance wear time by locking your makeup in place, but it also includes hyaluronic acid, kiwi, moringa seed and witch hazel among its ingredients, all of which lovingly hydrate the skin.
Best matte finish setting spray
Maybelline Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray
Why we love it: It gives a matte finish at a very affordable price.
For those who prefer a tight, matte finish to their makeup looks, this affordable Maybelline mist comes very highly recommended. With 16 hours of hold on your makeup, you can get through an entire day with just a few pumps. Quick-drying, it will keep your makeup fresh and the colours of your look much more enhanced.
Best hybrid setting spray
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Why we love it: This setting spray doubles as a primer, so you can use it before and after applying your makeup. So convenient!
Charlotte Tilbury has become a fast favourite in the beauty community, with beauty editors singing the praises of her various products. Her setting spray is no exception – it doubles as a primer and is recommended to use before you apply your makeup to ready the skin. After application, finish it off with another spritz to lock everything in place.
Our tip: For extra staying power, you can use a few spritzes to dampen your Beauty Blender or makeup sponge instead of water.
Best-lasting setting spray
Milani Make It Last Setting Spray
Why we love it: While all setting sprays have varying degrees of hold, the Make it Last Setting Spray from Milani is particularly good when it comes to creating a lasting face of makeup.
A lot of loyal customers seem to have heard about this spray and bought it based on reviews, which claim that it has excellent hold, even on lipsticks and mascara, which are always the first products to smudge. "It works wonderfully," one reviewer shared on Amazon. "Nice even mist, my powder locks in place all day, and I get the perfect natural finish without it drying me out or making me look greasy."
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