How and When to Use Setting Spray, Plus Our Favorite Long-Lasting Formulas

August 26, 2024

By: Makeup.com | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

setting sprays collaged onto a pinkish white background

When you want your makeup to last all day (or night), there’s no better insurance than a good setting spray. But learning how to use setting spray properly is key to setting your makeup so it can last and look freshly applied for longer. Depending on the formula you choose, it can extend your makeup’s wear-time and make it transfer-proof, waterproof, and sweat-proof. Some setting sprays are designed to mattify your face, while others give your skin a dewy glow. Keep reading to find out how to apply setting spray, when to apply it, and shop some of our editors’ favorite formulas.

What Is Setting Spray?

A setting spray is a formula that you apply on top of your makeup to lock it in and help it last for hours. Typically in a spray bottle, formulas can vary to help you achieve different finishes ranging from glowy to matte. You’ll want to choose your setting spray based on the type of look you’re going for as well as your specific skin type. Adding a setting spray to your makeup routine is an essential, and often overlooked, step. But, the benefits of knowing how to use setting spray are numerous, including the following:

Helps prevent makeup melting, smudging, and fading
Fewer makeup reapplications
Enhances the appearance of your makeup

When To Use Setting Spray

Now that we’ve covered why you should make using setting spray a daily practice, it’s equally important to understand how to best apply it. Though it may seem straightforward, there are a few common misconceptions regarding when to use setting spray. For example, does setting spray go on before or after powder? Can you apply it multiple times as you layer makeup?

In general, setting spray should be used as the final step of your makeup routine. When you spray it on last, it locks in the makeup you’re wearing underneath. However, if you want to give your makeup even more staying power, you can apply it in between every step of your base makeup—after foundation, then again after concealer, blush, contour, bronzer, and setting powder. If you’re using powder products, a setting spray will help them appear more natural in addition to making them last longer.

How To Use Setting Spray

How to best use setting spray can differ depending on the formula. For aerosol setting mists, hold the bottle five to six inches away from your face and spray a generous amount across the entire face for three to four seconds. For non-aerosol setting sprays, you’ll want to shake the bottle first to ensure the formula is sufficiently mixed. Hold the bottle about ten inches from your face and apply in X- or T-shaped motions across your face. One thing you should remember is to avoid spraying the formula directly in your eyes. This applies to both types of formulations. Keep your eyes closed and spritz over the entire area to help lock in eye makeup.

For the most part, you don’t need to reapply setting spray, but you can if you touch up your powder at any point and want it to appear more seamless.

Setting Spray vs. Setting Powder

If you’re trying to decide between setting spray and setting powder, it’s necessary to take your skin type into consideration. In general, setting powders are best for oily skin, because they are typically more mattifying.

If you really want to make your makeup last, no matter your skin type, use a setting powder first, then a setting spray as the final step of your makeup routine. Together, the two can lock in your makeup all day.

The Best Makeup Setting Sprays

Urban Decay All Nighter Hyaluronic Acid Dewy Setting Spray

This waterproof fixing mist with hyaluronic acid and watermelon extract gives your visage a luminous, glowy finish. The longwear formula hydrates the skin and keeps makeup looking fresh for up to 16 hours. Plus, as an added bonus, it has a refreshing watermelon scent.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

This award-winning setting spray is a staple for a reason. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and extends the wear of your makeup for up to 16 hours, no touch-ups necessary. In addition to using this spray as the final step of your makeup routine, you can also mist it onto your foundation brush or makeup sponge before you apply foundation for extra staying power.

L'Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray

Keep your makeup intact for up to 36 hours with this pro-inspired aerosol setter that instantly dries. The microfine, breathable mist works on all skin types and applies evenly for transfer-resistant wear.

NYX Professional Makeup Matte Setting Spray

Control shine with this mattifying setting spray. The lightweight, breathable formula keeps makeup in place without fading or settling into fine lines. One reviewer noted that it prevented her makeup from smearing during not one, but two, crying sessions—which is the ultimate test, if you ask us.

NYX Professional Makeup Dewy Setting Spray

If you have dry skin, you’ll love this setting spray’s smooth, glowy finish. It also keeps makeup on for up to 16 hours and prevents it from caking, creasing, or drying out as you wear it.

NYX Professional Makeup Marshmellow Setting Spray

For a matte finish setting spray with up to 16 hours of makeup wear, reach for this confection with 10-in-1 makeup extending benefits. Come for the smudge, fading, and transfer-resistant formula, stay for the amazingly sweet marshmallow scent.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Setting Spray+

Another hydrating option, this setting spray contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, coconut water, and aloe vera and helps refresh skin. If your skin tends to look dull, patchy, or powdery by midday, this might be the formula for you.

ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Setting Spray

This waterproof setting spray works best for oily, combination, and normal skin types. It’s formulated with witch hazel and green tea extract and helps blur your skin, tamp down shine, and make pores appear smaller. The ultra-fine mist keeps makeup on for up to 16 hours.