logo
  • Beauty & Personal Care
  • Fitness
  • Gadgets
  • Health & Wellness
  • Home
  • Lifestyle
  • Pet
  • Travel
  • Reviews
  • Beauty & Personal Care
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

The Best Setting Sprays to Lock In Your Makeup

Last updated: 5 Sep 2023
Do you have excessively oily skin and need multiple touch-ups to achieve the desired makeup look? Does your makeup often bleed and get smudged when you sweat? Although most cosmetic products are long-lasting, they need a barrier like a setting spray to lock in the makeup and prevent it from smudging, fading, and creasing. You also get to choose between matte and dewy finishes according to the look you want to achieve. In this guide, check out the leading setting sprays of 2023 to hold your makeup in place for a long time, and make you look super cute and matte all day.
image
Best Overall
Buy on Amazon
image
Excellent Performance
Buy on Amazon
image
Most Versatile
Buy on Amazon
image
Most Affordable
Buy on Amazon
image
Longest Lasting
Buy on Amazon
Show Contents
Reviewing the Top-rated Setting Sprays of 2023 in Detail
  • 1 Best Overall
  • 2 Excellent Performance
  • 3 Most Versatile
  • 4 Most Affordable
  • 5 Longest Lasting

Finding a High-quality Setting Spray: A Buying Guide

With so many setting sprays on the market, finding the right product is not a piece of cake. There are so many aspects to consider before selecting one. Read this informative buyer’s guide to take away some tips and tricks for finding the right setting spray for your needs and skin type.

Setting Spray Versus Setting Powder

  1. A setting spray is applied over your entire face as a fine mist, while a setting powder comes as a loose, soft powder that can’t be applied evenly.
  2. Setting sprays offer full coverage, but the setting powder is ideal for specific areas of your face only.
  3. You can use a setting spray regardless of your skin type, but setting powders are best for people with oily skin.
  4. Setting sprays can be used before or after applying all makeup products. But a setting powder can be used after foundation and contouring.
  5. You can find setting sprays in different finishes. Setting powders are mostly available in matte finish.

How To Choose a Setting Spray

Functions

A few setting sprays have multiple functions other than locking in your makeup for a long time. For example, a 2-in-1 setting spray allows you to prepare your face first for the makeup and then prolong its life, while a 3-in-1 product prepares the face, masks all imperfections, and locks in the makeup. These products are ideal when you don’t want to apply a primer, a concealer, or both.

Performance

You should choose a setting spray that keeps the makeup placed for at least 16 hours straight. It reduces the hassle of re-application and multiple touch ups to achieve the desired finishing look. Some products can even extend the makeup’s life for over 16 hours, ensuring you can carry on with your activities without worrying about your appearance.

To extend the lifetime of your daily makeup, you must choose a water-resistant product as it allows you to walk in light drizzle or wipe your face with wet tissue. One of the main features you must look for in a setting spray is transfer-proof because no one likes to leave lipstick marks on glasses or foundation on a tissue.

Finish and looks

Matte finish setting sprays control shine and establish a proper balance between different makeup products. You can easily achieve a natural look with a subtle sheen and almost no texture. But if you choose a setting spray with a dewy finish, it will brighten up your makeup and give you a cool, refreshed look.

Temperature control

Some setting sprays work based on temperature control technology. Once you spray the micro-fine mist, it lowers your skin’s temperature and prevents makeup meltdown. So, no cosmetic product used will bleed from different areas of your face.

Price Range of a Setting Spray

As setting sprays come with different compositions, textures, longevity, and finishes, their prices vary a lot. The price range of premium products varies between $6 and $26.40 because of multiple reasons, like:

  1. Setting sprays with more liquid are costlier than products with low fluid volume.
  2. If it has the potential to prevent melting, its price will be much higher than regular sprays.
  3. Quick drying setting sprays are costlier than products that take some time to dry.
  4. If you want to have a setting spray for different makeup types, ‌keep your budget higher. Setting sprays meant for a particular makeup style are cheaper.

How To Use a Setting Spray

  • You need to hold the setting spray bottle at a distance of 6 inches to 14 inches from your face
  • Close your eyes and keep the face straight for even application
  • Bring your hand at front and spray the liquid in X and T patterns
  • Wait for at least two minutes to let it dry completely

Reviewing the Top-rated Setting Sprays of 2023 in Detail

Best Overall

1
image

This setting spray holds your makeup for 16 hours straight with no fading, smudging, or forming fine lines. Its micro-fine oil-free mist coats your face evenly while keeping all skin pores open to let them breathe, leading to a natural, smooth skin with dazzling makeup. Its non-drying formula makes it compatible with all skin types, from oily to dry. It also features a temperature control technology to lower your skin’s heat and prevent a makeup meltdown.

Even if you sweat, its waterproof formula prevents your makeup from getting ruined. Whether you’re drinking out of a clear glass or dabbing your cheeks softly, this setting spray won’t let your makeup transfer onto other surfaces. This product has achieved the best position on this list because of its vegan, paraben-free, and waterproof composition.

Pros

  • Locks makeup for almost the whole day
  • Makes you look vibrant and fresh
  • Suitable for all skin types

Cons

  • Price higher than its counterparts
Buy on Amazon

Excellent Performance

2
image

With a matte finish, this setting spray keeps your makeup fresh as if you have just applied it for the whole day. If you use any glimmering or bright product, it tones down its shine and creates a subtle look. Its long-lasting formula extends the makeup life up to 16 hours, ensuring you can enjoy the party till the end. Its lightweight formula allows your skin pores to breathe fresh air, resulting in a healthier and natural look. It also prevents sweat, a COVID-19 mask, or anything from coming in contact with your face from ruining the makeup.

Infused with niacinamide, this product regulates oil production and minimizes pores. On top of this, it is PETA-certified and cruelty-free. All these features highlight NYX’s setting spray’s excellent performance with your skin.

Pros

  • Small, portable bottle
  • Long-lasting matte finish
  • Compatible with all makeup products

Cons

  • Might not suit all skin types
Buy on Amazon

Most Versatile

3
image

This 3-in-1 setting spray performs three main functions — prime, correct, and set. It prepares your face, hides imperfections like marks and fine lines, and extends your makeup’s life up to 16 hours. It has an illuminating, dewy finish to ensure you look refreshed throughout the day, regardless of your location and activities.

Owing to its hydrating formula, this setting spray makes your skin look more radiant and softer. Its fine mist forms an even coat on your face and prevents smudging. On top of everything, you can apply it before or after you put on makeup, and even with no makeup to achieve a natural matte look.

Pros

  • Adds a natural radiance
  • Does not wear off easily
  • Reduces imperfections and hydrates skin cells

Cons

  • Bottle exterior can chip off on your hands
Buy on Amazon

Most Affordable

4
image

stays put throughout the day. Its matte finish reduces oily shine and gives you a fresh, radiant look. Infused with cucumber, aloe vera, green tea, and vitamins A, C, and E, this product moisturizes and soothes your skin while allowing you to carry your makeup in your bag like a pro.

It’s also completely vegan and has no trace of parabens, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals. To achieve optimum results, spray it on a brush or sponge before applying your makeup.

Pros

  • Suitable for clear skin tone
  • Lightweight spray doesn’t block skin pores
  • Fine mist offers full coverage

Cons

  • Contains alcohol
Buy on Amazon

Longest Lasting

5
image

Being a primer and setting spray hybrid, it prepares your face first and then locks in the makeup for an all-day glam look. It features a shine-control matte finish to help you tone down any bright, overpowering makeup. This way, you can balance different products, from foundation to eyeshadow. Its oil-free formula makes it perfect for all skin types, especially oily skin. Since it comes in a pack of 100 ml, it lasts longer than most of its competitors.

This setting spray dries up quickly, leaving behind a subtle natural appearance. With versatile application, you can use it either before makeup or after you are done with your look. Its fine mist prevents fading and smudging over time, preserving your beauty throughout the day. Plus, it’s water-resistant, allowing your makeup to survive through light rain if needed.

Pros

  • Compact size makes it portable
  • Works in one application only
  • Perfect for daily makeup

Cons

  • Needs added moisturization for dry skin
Buy on Amazon

FAQ

Q: Do I need a touch up after using a setting spray?

A:

If you have excessively oily skin, you can apply finishing powder once the setting spray dries up; otherwise, you are good to go.

Q: What type of setting spray is perfect for a party look?

A: For party makeup, we usually use bright, dazzling products. So, to maintain the shine, go for a setting spray with a dewy finish.

Q: Can I wash my face after applying the setting spray?

A:

Although most setting sprays are water-resistant, it is still not a good idea to wash your face with water after application.

Wendy Lockwood
By Wendy Lockwood
Wendy Lockwood is a journalist based in North Carolina with over 13 years of experience covering parenting, home, kitchen, and cooking. She has two daughters, Jodie and Alexis, and a grandson on the way. When she’s not with her family, Wendy enjoys reading on her porch, cooking for her husband, Mark, and taking long walks out in nature. Even though Wendy is not much of a traveler, she loves taking trips to the ocean where she can read, walk and enjoy the sunshine.
    Related Reviews
    img Best Hairspray
    img Keep Your Hair Protected With the Best Heat Protectant Spray for Hair
    img Best Hair Accessories
    img The Best Keratin Hair Treatment for Instant Straight Hair

    Need more fun?

    Try something from our network...

    The logo of 22words
    Saving the World From Boredom
    7.2 million
    You are here
    The logo of HappinessHeroes
    Stories of Inspirational People
    4.1 million
    Take me there
    The logo of Magiquiz
    Hilariously Illuminating Quizzes
    4 million
    Take me there
    The logo of Bad Parenting Moments
    Bad Parenting Moments
    3 million
    Take me there
    © 2023 Brainjolt
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Settings
    • Sitemap
    logo