The best setting sprays lock in your look for flawless makeup all day. Below, we list our top picks.
In a perfect world, our gorgeous makeup looks would stay exactly how we want them to all day long. Unfortunately, it’s not a perfect world; there is some good news though. Some tools can keep your look as fresh as when you first put it on.
Primers help, but our faces often need as much help as they can get. That’s where makeup setting sprays come in. Setting sprays act as a protective coat for your makeup so that nothing smudges or melts.
We’ve compiled a list of the 14 best setting sprays of all time. Here are the top-rated setting sprays that makeup artists swear by.
Best Setting Sprays
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray
This setting spray is the definition of a cult classic. When you think of setting sprays, Urban Decay immediately comes to mind. In a clinical 7-day study, 88% of participants found that this spray was the best option for long-lasting makeup.
The All-Nighter spray uses temperature control technology to lower the temperature of the makeup applied, to reduce melting or smudging. The spray sets your look for 16+ hours in a transfer-resistant formula. It works on all skin types and is formulated without oil.
If you don’t have much time for research, this is the holy grail of setting sprays. You can’t go wrong with this option.
Maybelline Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray
This drugstore option from Maybelline gives your look a matte finish with a 16-hour wear. It controls shine, as well as protects against melting and fading makeup.
Plus, this spray is particularly good for sensitive skin as it is both dermatologist and allergy–tested. The lightweight matte finish works well with oily skin types.
NYX Matte Finish Face Setting Spray
The setting spray is the elite choice for those with oily skin. It’s the top-selling setting spray at Target. Customers love the matte, shine-free finish of this product.
The formula is made with clean, vegan ingredients. Reviews rave about how long-lasting this spray lasts to absorb excess oils. To top things off, it’s super affordable and accessible.
MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix + Makeup Setting Spray
This MAC product is an OG in the world of setting sprays. The alcohol-free formula creates a natural-looking finish.
Known as a multitasking spray, it hydrates, primes refreshes, and sets your skin. Both dermatologists and ophthalmologists tested, it doesn’t create acne. We also love the long list of toxic ingredients it’s doesn’t contain.
E.l.f. Makeup Mist and Set
This mist is great for all skin types, including mature and sensitive types. It’s a super cheap option that still does the job well. The formula is infused with aloe, green tea, cucumber, and vitamins to hydrate the skin.
It does a great job smoothing the skin and reviving any dull makeup color.
MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray
This setting spray leans on the more expensive side at $36, but we think it’s worth every penny. The spray works in dual phases, which are the blue agave grip phase and the green cannabis glow phase. They activate when mixed to create an invisible gripping layer for the makeup.
Not only is the concept so unique, but it’s effective. The product sets, hydrates, and brightens the skin for up to 12 hours. The alcohol-free formula gives a radiant finished look. It’s an approved “clean” product at Sephora.
Milani Make It Last Prime + Correct + Set Spray
Another long-lasting option, the Milani spray lasts up to 16 hours with a matte finish. The product hydrates illuminate and sets as a 3-in-1 product.
It’s a great option for those with oily or combination skin. The formula works to refresh and cool skin while reducing the look of imperfections. This setting spray has hundreds of fantastic reviews.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
This alcohol and oil-free formula set makeup for up to 16 hours. The formula is special as it uses film-former polymers that form an invisible film barrier to keep everything in place.
This option is especially useful in blurring pores. Clinical study results back up the praise about this product. The list of harmful ingredients not used in the formula is long, but it also uses Japanese Green Tea and Aromatic Resin to do its job.
Benefit POREfessional Super Setter Spray
Another fan-favorite, the POREfessional Setting Spray is waterproof and smudge-proof. The water-based formula includes small powders that blur pores and diffuse light.
This setting spray is quick-acting and immediately locks on makeup for 16+ hours. If you specifically struggle with your makeup fading, POREfessional actively fights against this. In addition, it instantly mattifies the skin and feels weightless.
Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
Morphe’s setting spray is powered by air to provide a precise and controlled application. The finish from the mist is radiant rather than matte.
The formula is infused with vitamin E, vitamin B5, and fruit extracts to keep your skin hydrated. The air-powered bottle creates a microfine mist. The reviews on this product are impressive, even going as far as being compared to the best-selling Urban Decay All Nighter spray.
Cover FX Mattifying Setting Spray
Kaolin Clay is the active ingredient in this setting spray that offers an immediate matte finish. The clay helps to absorb oils and minimize shine all day.
The formula is completely vegan and alcohol-free. Many of the customer reviews mention that it’s an awesome choice for oily skin.
Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix Hydrating Setting Spray
This rejuvenating setting spray is said to boost hydration by 63%. The formula is rich in water and free from any alcohol. Clinical studies proved that the spray extends makeup wear time to 12 hours.
Their O2 Skin Complex is used to give the skin a radiant glow and aids natural skin oxygenation.
Hourglass Veil Setting Spray
Another spray with a radiant finish, this setting spray provides an ultra-fine mist that sets makeup for up to 24 hours. That’s the most impressive longevity out of all of our picks.
The spray is water-resistant and free of a long list of harmful ingredients, even mineral oil. It’s great at blurring pores and enhancing foundation. The Veil Setting Spray is also a winner of the Allure Best of Beauty award.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
Tatcha is one of the most popular brands when it comes to skincare. This skin mist is specifically formulated to combat the dryness and dullness of the skin. It’s one of the only setting sprays we listed that gives a dewy finish. It’s a clean formula that is non-irritating and formulated without DEA or TEA.
There are a couple of special ingredients used to hydrate the skin, such as Okinawa red algae and hyaluronic acid. Green tea, algae, and rice make up the Tadashi-3 anti-aging complex, a Japanese formula to restore radiant youth.
To Wrap It Up
If you’ve never tried using a setting spray, this is the perfect time to start. They drastically improve your makeup wear-time, and most of them also provide extra skin benefits in their formulas.
Try any of these best setting sprays on the market for melt-proof makeup!
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