The best setting sprays are an essential part of my makeup routine —and I’d argue, they should be a key part of your routine too, whether you’re a makeup minimalist or maximalist. After all, what’s the point of applying any blush, concealer, or bronzer, just for it to fade or separate a few hours later?
“Setting spray is for anyone who knows that they need extra long wear time or wants their makeup to look perfect in any weather condition,” makeup artist and brand founder Jenny Patinkin tells Vogue. While she tends to reach for setting spray more often in the summer, she also recommends it as a must-have for any special occasions (including brides and bridal parties), to ensure “makeup looks perfect in photos from start to finish.”
Vogue’s Favorite Setting Sprays
And for those who think any hydrating face mist can do the trick of securing makeup—you’re sorely mistaken. “A setting spray prolongs makeup longevity and acts like a sealant,” pro makeup artist Natalie Dresher tells Vogue. “It works by spraying a mixture of polymers and water to the face, preserving the makeup and setting it in place on the face.” In short, a generous spritz of a setting spray is the finishing touch that locks everything in place, ensuring that throughout the day, your makeup stays nearly as fresh as when you first applied it.
I started delving into makeup tutorials on YouTube as a teen in the 2010s. Youtubers like British MUA sister Duo Nicole and Samantha Chapman (AKA Pixiewoo) were my virtual mentors, alongside Desi Perkins, and I was an online apprentice. Back then, Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray reigned supreme for most beauty creators, and I was a loyalist to it from high school and through college. Post-Uni, my makeup exploration expanded, and my eyes were peeled for the many setting spray launches that emerged.
My criteria for a good setting spray are simple. Firstly, my non-negotiable is that the formula has to actually preserve my makeup despite my hyper-oily complexion. Something that’s lightweight, doesn’t have a spritz that feels like it’s attacking me, and ideally won’t cause a breakout. So, how can anyone possibly narrow down the best setting sprays to a top-five starting lineup? Well, I have! Having tested countless options, I finally have a rotation that I not only trust to get the job done, but would recommend to anyone.
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