Some of them just don’t seem to do anything at all, while others definitely seem to help lock in makeup, so it can be frustrating figuring out which one works for you. Some spray a nice, fine mist, and others try to ruin your makeup!
— Christine
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I have yet to find the perfect setting spray that makes my makeup last longer, keeps it from being powdery/cakey, doesn’t have a ton of alcohol, and doesn’t leave weird wet marks in my foundation. The Urban Decay All Nighter and Chill setting sprays are probably the closest I’ve found!
Never use them. Makeup should stay put on its own, and if it doesn’t I’m getting other makeup! Waste of time and money as far as I’m concerned.
What I don’t like is the whole eye thing – you have to close your eyes, obviously, but then you can either miss your face entirely or only get part of your face or even get way too much on your closed eyes, causing eye makeup or mascara to run or get messy when you open your eyes again. I do like original Clarins one (since “updated/reformulated) and find it works well without messing with my skin so I do like them generally, when I remember to use them.
I usually just do my mascara after spraying! I’m not a big eyeliner person, so I’m not sure what to do about that!
I hate that they do contain a lot of alcohol which is not good for skin at all. I don’t use them so much because i find that sometimes they don’t work as they claim to . I prefer soft mists that make the makeup look less powdery and more fresh.
Rant! Just tried UD All Nighter (had a deluxe sample in the older packaging) for the first time and – holy breakouts Batman. I’m really scared to try any others now – could it be the glycerin?
This is the only setting spray I’ve ever tried – suggestions for sensitive skin appreciated!
I’d say the high level of alcohol which is drying and irritating to skin. Gylcerin simply softens the skin. And it’s tacky so makeup adheres. But you can break out due to anything. I don’t break out once I eliminated alcohol denat from any skincare product. Why I don’t use most setting sprays. Most contain alcohol denat or SD alcohol
I really like Urban Decay All Nighter, it makes my makeup stay put thru the sweatiest days. But it’s pricy and I would be interested if anyone can recommend a cheaper alternative
I must be on my 10th bottle of Mist & Fix from MUFE. On me, that stuff just works. It makes my makeup last longer without a doubt, and I love the finish it imparts.
I really dislike the UD All-Nighter = just no. All alcohols are not created equal, but that one contains alcohol denat, which is a short chain alcohol and drying as hell. I also do not like the Skindinavia Mist that WG hawks. I think that stuff was terrible — threw it out.
Linda, I agree about the MUFE spray. It’s the best! I think I’m on my 4th bottle…
Dana and Linda – thanks for the endorsement of MUFE Mist&Fix – I’ve never used it and hadn’t really heard anything about it. I think I will pick up a bottle and give it a try.
I’ve been thinking about switching from UD to Mist & Fix because of the alcohols, I’m glad to see someone likes it! I’ll definitely pick up a bottle when I run out of UD.
Yeah and the alcohol denat is pretty high on the ingredients list so there’s a lot of it and nope, terrible for skin. Won’t touch it!
I’ve only used Mac Prep and Prime fix+ in Coconut. I understand it’s only for fixing cakeyness( is that a word). Which I did need badly.
Setting powder over foundation then blush then finishing powder and highlight can make my monster pores look awful! Even with primer.
It’s getting stinking hot here I’d love to find one for sweatiness on the face?
I try to use it before Mascara.
If I remember to use it, I do like the one I have from e.l.f. The thing that makes these work that I tilt my head backwards, and spray it over my face with the nozzle pointing straight ahead instead of pointed at my face, this allows it to land in a more diffused manner.
I think there is a placebo effect with setting sprays. I honestly haven’t tried one that makes a difference.
I agree.. same with primers. You really have to test them on half your face to see the true effect on the same day with the same other products. I stopped wearing primer after testing about a dozen.. my sunscreen performs just as well or better on it’s own.
I think a lot of people and brands confuse people as to what a “setting spray, is. To me, a true setting spray is literally like hairspray for your face so that heat and humidity will not move the makeup (UD All Nighter or Model in a Bottle come to mind) . I only use these for special occasions because I think the ingredients can possibly be harmful if used every day. There are many other “setting sprays” being marketed at the moment, however, they are more like a “refresher spray” not necessarily making your makeup last, but instead relieves dryness and powdery look. These are the Tacha stuff, the Mac Fix Plus amongst many more, currently on the market. I don’t bother with those at all.
Lol yes MAC Fix + is not a setting spray
MAC Fix+ works for me.
I have oily skin and use powered foundation, blush and eyeshadow. The Fix+ helps to “settle” the powdered products and gives me a glow. I use it everyday, it helps my makeup last for 10 hours or more.
I agree, Christine! Once you find the one that works for you, they are amazing! But sometimes, it can take a lot of trial and error.
I mainly use the kind that take away a powdery finish as opposed to those that lock in my makeup, as I find my makeup stays just fine on normal occasions (current favorite is Pixi Glow Mist). They need to have a fine mister, as there’s nothing worse than a setting spray that camel spits and ruins your makeup
Finding the right one can be frustrating, but when you do, I think it’s worth it!
I’ve had good luck with Skindinavia’s Bridal/Satin spray and Urban Decay’s All Nighter (Skindinavia makes this for UD, from what I understand). I love MAC Fix + for using during makeup application for setting, but not as the final setting spray. I have tried MUFE and it did not work well for me, but that was a few years ago. I might pick up a trial size and give it another go because I think my skin is closer to normal than oily and sensitive these days.
If you live here in Manila, setting sprays are a must bec of the year-round heat and humidity. I need to set my makeup really well or else it will just melt off. Even my hardy Kat Von D Lock-it liquid foundation matched with my Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer and set with either the LM Translucent Powder or RCMA Colorless Powder cannot withstand the high temparatures! I tell you! So setting sprays really work but only if you find the right one. And after trying out a lot, and I mean, a lot, only 1 worked for me – Skindinavia! The trick is to set it first after the foundation and concealer. Then set again after all the powder products. It really works!
The Clarins one was good – I tried some other cheap ones but they don’t seem to be any better than a decent primer at making makeup last longer on my face. I did buy a Mecca “illuminating” one that was TERRIBLE – the mist wasn’t fine enough and it dried in little glittery droplets and specks all over my just done makeup (I had to do some emergency work with a damp beauty blender before I could leave the house without looking like a unicorn has just jizzed on my face ;-)) I have since diluted it with some Mario Badescu facial spray that has a better aerosol spray pump for a finer mist and not quite so much sparkle.
I have tried several sprays and have a couple that I really like. I know that there are some ingredients in MAC Fix Plus that are not great but I rationalize that they are mostly towards the end of the ingredient list. I use Fix Plus several times during my makeup application and will use it again through the day if I feel the need to re-energize my makeup. I am not using the spray to extend my makeup wear, although I do think Fix Plus does for me. I use it before I apply my makeup to add a little more moisture and slip for my application. If I am using a brush or beauty blender to apply my makeup I spray the brush with Fix Plus and it assists in making my application flawless. It also adheres my face fuzz to my cheeks for better looking foundation. It definitely decreases the powdery look of some products. I spray again at the end of my makeup application. I keep a bottle in the refrigerator during the summer purely as a refresher. I love the smell of Fix Plus also. The scent is supposedly attributed to the cucumber but I don’t really get a cucumber hit from it. Finally, with regards to Fix Plus, it has a fine mist (not the finest but doesn’t drip globs on my face) and it doesn’t disturb my makeup, although I do wear waterproof mascara.
I have tried and liked Ilia Setting Spray, Pixi Glow Tonic, MUFE Setting Spray, NYX Setting Spray, Mario Badescu Rose Spray and Cucumber Spray and an Amorepacific spray that I can’t remember the name of. I don’t dislike the Tatcha Spray which is well loved by makeup experts but I don’t really like it. I don’t care for the scent and for the price I don’t see it doing anything more than several others I use. MAC is my favorite and my daughter always tells me I need to step away from the spray, LOL!!
Spraying alcohol on my face to age my skin and destroy the integrity of my skin barrier? Um, NO!
I don’t use setting sprays at all myself and it would be quite expensive to buy a few to figure out which one works the best. Not really a fan.
Most contain alcohol denat and other horrible irritants. No thanks, not putting that on my skin
I’ve stopped using them. While I like what they do for my face makeup they make my hooded eyes crease. Took me quite a while to figure out that was the cause. The damage is not worth the benefit especially when my face makeup looks the same once it settles for an hour or two anyway. I never really saw an improvement in staying power no matter which I used when tested on a half face.. they just settle powder really.
I will use the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water occasionally to combat a powdery look. I enjoy the fine, light mist and it doesn’t leave a shiny residue that I have gotten with so many other setting sprays. Even though it is marketed for use as both a primer water and setting spray I don’t feel that it does anything to prolong my makeup wear. To be honest I will probably try refilling the bottle with the Elf Setting Spray when the Smashbox is gone. It has been awhile since I have used it but from what I remember the only thing I didn’t like about the Elf Setting Spray was that the mechanism spit big uneven droplets.
Mac Fix Plus doesn’t spray just squirts and ruins my makeup. I don’t understand how people spray it…
I love lovee the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, the MAC Fix + not so much because I don’t really like an hydrating spray. I’m super curious about the Kat Von D one and the Cover FX Mattifying Setting Spray!
I do not use a ‘setting spray’, but I do use sprays for misting after acid application (Josh Rosebrook hydration accelerator, or May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden) and then I use Jane Iredale D20 hydration spray for setting my makeup. It’s not a setting spray per se, but it works to tamp down powder and give me the right level of glow. I’m not looking to the product to create greater longevity.
Rave: They are a life-saver for me with my oily skin. They keep my makeup from sliding off, and help my eyeshadow not to crease. I also love some of them for dampening eye shadow for more intense looks, intensifying shimmers and duochromes, or turning a shadow into an eyeliner. There is a good variety available in all price ranges.
I usually use e.l.f. Mist & Set in Original, as it’s alcohol free, inexpensive, and works wonderfully for me. I put it in a better spray bottle, though.
Rant: Too many have fragrances that bother my eyes or skin. Too many of them have awful sprayers. A lot of high end ones are too expensive for what they are and how they perform. Luminizing setting sprays are often too tacky for my oily skin.
I’ve honestly given up on finding a setting spray that makes my makeup last longer. Nowadays, I just look for something that nicely diminishes the powdery look of my face once I’m done doing my makeup. With any spray, I have to be careful to not smudge liner or mascara when I close my eyes. I’ve gotten in the habit of applying mascara after spraying, which actually goes on really smoothly when my lashes are slightly damp anyway.