Makeup setting sprays are more popular than ever and you would have seen them all over Instagram and Tik Tok in alllll those makeup tutorials. I’m going to chat everything makeup setting sprays today : what they do, if you need one and some of my top picks to help that makeup look stay all day.
What IS a makeup setting spray?
Makeup setting sprays are a last step that helps keep your makeup on for longer. They are quick and easy to use, they can be a game-changer if you need longevity in your makeup and a lot of makeup artist’s use them so they are a great thing to have in your makeup arsenal.
A lot of traditional makeup setting sprays contain alcohol, which, while effective at keeping your makeup lewks in place, it can be drying and sometimes irritating if you are on the sensitive side. I am personally fine with setting sprays that contain alcohol and dare I say it….they work phenomenally well but l will introduce you to some with and without alcohol.
Are there makeup setting sprays for different skin types?
With so much choice now there are makeup setting sprays for any and every skin type. Some traditional formulas, as I have just said, contain alcohol as this really holds makeup in place so well. Some are alcohol free, more hydrating and sooting formulas and there are some to boost radiance and glow! I do find the makeup settings sprays with alcohol tend to be a little better on an oilier skin type but it’s just trying different formulas to find the one for you. MAC’s Prep + Prime is a great universal one that tends to work on most skin : oily, sensitive and normal!
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is probably the holy grail for that all-day-all-night stay put makeup. This is the one I will always use for special occasions, weddings, festivals, parties etc etc. It works really well.
How and when do you use makeup setting spray?
I always recommend spraying it all over the face (close the eyes!) post makeup application, as your very last step. You can also use it after each layer of makeup for extra longevity : aka after your foundation/concealer is one, after blusher/bronze, after powder etc…so it’s layered up a bit more. Just one fine light mist is good when you are layering it like this!
Urban Decay All Nighter Vitamin C Setting Spray (£27)
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is probably the most famous makeup setting spray in the WHOLE world. I think it needs a nod for getting setting sprays into everyone’s makeup bag tbh – it’s iconic! They now have various versions of their All Nighter Setting Spray and have recently launched this one, the Urban Decay All Night Setting Spray Vitamin C which is a refreshing take on the iconic original formula. This version is infused with cactus flower water, vitamin C and a light citrus scent to give that extra burst of hydration and radiance : perfect if you always love that glowy finish. Contains alcohol.
IT Cosmetics your Skin But Better Setting Spray + (£23)
This is one I don’t think is talked about enough but it is one I have used and loved for many years. This formula is infused with hyaluronic acid, coconut water and aloe vera extract for a lovely hydrating and soothing feel on the skin. Non-drying and it leaves the skin feeling comfortable and gorgeous! The secret to this setting spray’s staying power is a blend of long-wear polymers that provide strong, yet flexible all-day hold and micron-size mattifying powders that transparently coat skin to absorb excess oil and prevent your makeup from melting. Contains alcohol.
Iconic London Prep Set Glow Spray (£24)
This is *the one* for that gorgeous dewy sglowing skin. I love the Iconic London Prep Set Glow spray and the smell is also wonderful. Shake it up to activate the glow before your spray and it simply leaves the skin radiance and bright. Oily skins may want to avoid this, I find this better for a normal to a dry skin. It contains unique light-reflecting particles (the glow!) so you shake up this spray to mix it all together. This can be used both under and over makeup and it contains extracts of cucumber and chamomile, antioxidants, Green Tea and Vitamin E and caffeine. It leaves you revitalised and glowing!
It comes in 2 shades:
ORIGINAL: A perfect champagne glow to make any skin tone radiant and glossy.
GLOW: A beautiful bronze glow to bring a more sun kissed gloss to any skin tone.
MAC Prep + Prime Fix + (£26).
Another icon and a makeup artists’ secret weapon. The MAC Prep + Prime is the spray I have used in my professional makeup kit for over a decade and it’s easy, functional, multi-use and it simply works.
The vitamin-powered formula that hydrates, refreshes and sets makeup. It’s a gorgeous and lightweight mist packed with vitamins and minerals, infused with a blend of green tea, chamomile and cucumber to gently soothe and refresh the skin. Gives an instant boost of hydration while delivering a soft sheen to refresh and finish makeup. You can spritz this under or over makeup to revitalise skin throughout the day. Keeps makeup looking fresh for up to 12 hours. Alcohol free.
Ciate Watermelon Burst Setting Spray (£18)
This is one of the newer makeup setting sprays in my collection and I have really been loving it over the summer. It’s super refreshing and hydrating as well as keeping my makeup looking and feeling fresh and gorgeous I find this one great as well when your makeup looks a little heavy and matte and you just want it to have more bounce and movement if that makes sense. It Contains niacinimide and watermelon extract and is a great handbag refresher and hydration-boosting spray.
Ciate do a few different makeup setting sprays that all seem to be very good. I think I liked the Watermelon scent in the summer as it just gave the senses a boost too!
There are SO many amazing makeup setting sprays around at the moment and it can be hard to choose which one may be right for you and your skin type and also the finish you like. Everyone is different! What works for one may not for another so it is worth doing some trial and error to find your holy grail. I do think there are some great all-rounders that will work for most people such as the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting spray : you can’t *really* go wrong with that.
Also there are many out there I am yet to try which I hear are fab such as the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish makeup setting spray, the Rare Beauty Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Mist and the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray.
I hope that makes things a little easier to help understand all things makeup setting sprays! Please fire me any questions below or leave any of your favourite brands below so I can explore and discover more. I think everyone needs at least one setting sprays in their life even if it’s just for those special occasions.
All of these makeup setting sprays that are available to buy on Look Fantastic (Iconic, MAC & Urban Decay) you can usually get 20% off if you click HERE and use code LAURA_LF. This also gets you 20% off SO MANY products and brands so make the most of it.
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