The 10 Best Setting Sprays for a Flawless Finish

When you spend the better part of your morning on flawless foundation, perfectly blended eyeshadow, and the best winged-eye in your office, the last thing you’d want is for all your effort to slide off your face by midday. You might consider adding a makeup setting spray to your repertoire to keep everything where you left it.

Typically formulated with water, alcohol, and film formers, setting sprays do the heavy lifting to help your makeup stay put. Not only can they stop the oils in your face from taking over, but the best setting spray can help you maintain Insta-worthy makeup through heat, humidity, workouts, and rain. 

The best setting spray for makeup gives you the finish you prefer (matte, dewy, or natural), complements your skin type, and does so without irritating your skin, drying it out, or annoying your olfactory senses. Here are our top picks for the best setting sprays so your makeup stays flawless all day and all night.

Best setting spray overview:

Best overall: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Best budget: E.l.f.Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist
Best oil-free: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Best for oily skin: Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Super Setter
Best for dry skin: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray
Best for sensitive skin: MAC Fix + Stay Over Alcohol-Free 16Hr Setting Spray
Best value: Pixi Beauty Makeup Fixing Mist
Best splurge: Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF 50 Setting Spray
Best radiant finish: Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray
Best matte finish: NYX Professional Makeup Matte Setting Spray 

How we chose the best setting spray

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including ingredients, setting power, finish, and more, to create a short list of the top setting sprays. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best setting spray for each category.

Our picks for the best setting spray

Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray uses the brand’s patented Temperature Control Technology to lower the temperature of your makeup and lock it in place. This may sound a little high-tech for makeup, but thousands of five-star reviews corroborate the claim. 

Spritz a little of this spray on, and every layer of your makeup, from concealer to foundation, stays right where you left it for up to 16 hours. Not only does this setting spray keep your makeup looking 7 a.m. fresh, but it also leaves your skin looking vibrant.

Plus, it does an excellent job of not settling into fine lines and wrinkles. All things considered; we named Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray as the Best Overall setting spray for makeup. We should note, however, that while some reviewers called this setting spray “fire” and some elevated it to “G.O.A.T” status, others noted some oily breakthroughs.

Finish: Natural | Waterproof: Yes | Scented: Yes | Skin type: Normal, oily

Makeup (and all that goes with it) can be a pricey proposition, so if you’re looking for a setting spray that keeps your budget on track without skipping a beat on performance, try E.l.f.’s Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist. 

Not only does this setting spray keep your makeup in place, but it’s also infused with glucosylrutin. Never heard of it? We haven’t either, but according to E.l.f., it does the heavy lifting to protect your skin from the ravages of blue light. Formulated with aloe and elderflower extract, E.l.f.’s Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist is a lightweight facial mist that soothes, refreshes, and hydrates your skin while imparting a little TLC. 

While this setting spray has hundreds of five-star reviews from chuffed users that praise it for its incredible staying power and exceptional overall performance, some indicated that the formula could be a little drying, others weren’t too happy with the smell, and a few noted that it didn’t last all day.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No | Scented: Yes | Skin type: Normal, dry, oily, combination

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is a lightweight, oil-free formula that pulls double duty as a primer and setting spray. It’s formulated with Japanese green tea, aloe vera, and aromatic resins and gives your complexion a little boost as it smooths and blurs. Plus, it sets your makeup in place for up to 16 hours. 

If you need a little more convincing, this spray hydrates your skin with what the brand likes to call “a weightless veil of hydration.” It’s delicately scented and locks your makeup in place without melting, fading, or settling into fine lines and wrinkles.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No | Scented: Yes | Skin type: Normal, oily, sensitive

Benefit’s POREfessional Face Primer proves that alcohol isn’t necessary for keeping oily skin in check. This water-based setting sprays a fine mist that blurs like a finishing powder. Plus, it hydrates your skin and locks your makeup in place for up to 16 hours. And if that weren’t plenty, this setting spray softly scatters light and visibly reduces shine. 

The POREfessional Face Primer is waterproof, smudge-proof, and alcohol-free. While it has plenty of great reviews supporting its staying power and pore-minimizing prowess, some users noted that it was too drying, and its staying power had a little more bark than bite.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: Yes | Scented: Yes | Skin type: Normal, oily

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray is an alcohol-free makeup setting spray that not only prevents slippage for up to 12 hours but also hydrates your skin and imparts a dewy finish, making it ideal for dry skin. 

As you navigate the ingredient list, you won’t find the usual suspects for setting sprays. Instead, Milk Makeup leans on unique ingredients to grip, hydrate, and refresh your skin, including blue agave extract, hemp-derived cannabis seed extract, and moringa seed oils. 

This setting spray is alcohol-free and fragrance-free. And while it has plenty of great reviews, some users noted a sticky feel, while others were displeased that it didn’t prevent transfer.

Finish: Dewy | Waterproof: No | Scented: No | Skin type: All

MAC’s Fix + Stay Over Setting Spray is a blend of glycerin, cucumber extract, and green tea extract, all of which make for a soothing setting spray that’s an excellent option for sensitive skin. 

This hydrating formula contains zero alcohol and is teeming with antioxidants, so it protects your skin from environmental pollution and blue light while keeping your makeup in place for up to 16 hours.

The film formers in Mac’s setting spray are microscopic and weightless, the formula promises not to oxidize, and it hits your face in a fine refreshing mist with a light, fresh scent.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No | Scented: Yes | Skin type: All

Pixi Beauty could possibly be the best-kept secret in the makeup industry — but if you know, you know. And we know that Pixi’s Makeup Fixing Mist locks your makeup in place so it doesn’t move, melt, fade, or settle into fine lines. At $15, it’s not rocking any budgets, making it an incredible value and possibly the best drugstore setting spray around. 

Pixie’s Makeup Fixing Mist is also formulated with good-for-your-skin ingredients like rose water, willow bark extract, and green tea — a powerhouse combination that soothes, hydrates, and protects your skin from environmental damage. This setting spray is suitable for all skin types and leaves your skin with a soft-focus finish. 

Pixi’s Makeup Fixing Mist is backed by plenty of great reviews, and in addition to multiple requests for supersized bottles, long-time users noted that it works best when layered before your makeup, too.

Finish: Dewy | Waterproof: No | Scented: Yes | Skin type: All

Rain or shine, SPF is a must, and getting the coverage you need in a setting spray is a pretty clever idea — well played, Kate Somerville. Like most setting sprays, Kate Somerville’s Uncomplikated Setting Spray sets your makeup with a matte finish and minimizes oil breakthroughs by midday. Unlike other setting sprays, this one adds some powerful sun protection to the mix with broad spectrum SPF 50. 

But the goodness of this setting spray doesn’t end there. It’s also infused with hyaluronic acid, rhodiola rosea root extract, and lavender oil to hydrate your skin and give it a healthy boost. Users will find that Uncomplikated delivers a soft-focus effect without the sticky feel that most sunscreens are known for. 

Kate Somerville’s Uncomplikated Setting Spray has plenty of five-star ratings. Some users said it feels like silk on their face instead of an oily slick, while others noted that this is the best delivery system for their sunscreen.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No | Scented: Yes | Skin type: All, oily

Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Dewy Set Setting Spray sets your makeup with a dewy, radiant finish, dazzling your senses with a captivating coconut-vanilla scent. Designed specifically for dry skin, this professional-quality setting mist is water-based, so it’s lightweight and works equally well for all skin types. 

While users can certainly use Dewy Set as a makeup setting spray, it can also be used alone on a bare face or as a primer. And if you’re wondering how shimmer factors into that — it doesn’t. The bottle is a little deceiving, but the formula goes on clear; there’s zero glitter, shimmer, or sparkle. 

Like most products, Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Dewy Set Setting Spray is a holy grail for some and nothing earth-shattering for others. The spray’s atomizer was custom designed to emit an ultra-fine mist for maximum output with minimal waste. And while that may sound great, some users indicated that something got lost in translation.

Finish: Dewy | Waterproof: No | Scented: Yes | Skin type: All, dry

When you’re looking for a flawless face, a matte finish can really bring it home. The problem is it won’t be so matte after a few hours. But you can certainly keep things locked in place with a matte finish setting spray a la NYX’s Matte Makeup Setting Spray. 

This breathable formula effectively controls shine and locks in your makeup for up to 16 hours. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and stops transfer in its tracks. NYX’s Matte Makeup Setting Spray is also water-based, so while it does wonders for oily skin, it’s suitable for all skin types and won’t settle into fine lines or creases. 

Users have shared that NYX’s Matte Makeup Setting Spray also scores top marks for real-world performance. It instantly absorbs oil and tames shine, and in case you were wondering, it keeps your makeup in place whether you’re running through a downpour, crying for a spell, or sitting through therapy in a hot car.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No | Scented: Yes | Skin type: All

Keep your makeup flawless all day and night

If you find that your face isn’t where you left it come midday, your beauty routine may be in dire need of a setting spray — the glue that holds everything together. These beauty bag must-haves are usually a combination of alcohol, water, and film formers that work in concert to stop oil breakthroughs and prevent slippage.

The best setting sprays give you the natural, dewy, or matte finish you prefer, don’t irritate your skin, and work with your budget. But most importantly, they keep your makeup flawlessly in place. If you’re looking for a good place to start, try Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray, our pick for the Best Overall setting spray. 

How to pick the right setting spray for you

When shopping for a setting spray, it’s important to consider the finish, your skin type, and, of course, the ingredients. 

Finish

Like your foundation, blushes, and eyeshadows, setting sprays are available in a variety of finishes. So be sure to note whether the one you have your eye on will produce a natural, matte, dewy, or radiant finish. 

Those with dry skin should opt for a setting spray that offers a dewy or even radiant finish for optimal results, while anyone with oily skin may want to look for setting sprays with a matte finish to prevent oil breakthroughs and keep the shine in check. 

Skin type

Your skin type will always play a key role in your choices for any beauty product you choose, including setting sprays. Make sure to consider how the product will perform with your specific skin type. Matte finishes can be too drying for dry or mature skin, while dewy finishes can amplify oily t-zones. 

Ingredients

Ingredients matter when you’re talking about skincare and makeup products. In fact, more often than not, the ingredient list is make or break. Ideally, you should opt for the ingredients that best suit your end goals for your skin. If keeping oil in check is on your radar, look for setting sprays with alcohol. Similarly, if something like sun care is important, opt for SPF.

FAQ

Which setting spray lasts the longest? 

Setting sprays don’t exist in a vacuum, so wear time often varies from person to person. And while product descriptions may say 16 or 12-hour wear, that may vary due to differences in skin type and the products used underneath your setting spray.

That said, it looks like 16 hours is where most setting sprays max out. Users can find that kind of wear length with Urban Decay’s All Nighter Setting Spray, MAC’s Fix + Stay Over Alcohol-Free 16Hr Setting Spray, and Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, just to name a few. 

Does makeup setting spray actually work?

Makeup setting sprays typically use a combination of water, alcohol, and a film former, all of which work together to create a barrier that prevents your makeup from slipping. 

What’s the best fixing spray for dry skin?

The best fixing spray for dry skin is Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray. Instead of using alcohol, this spray uses blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, and extract moringa seed oils to hydrate your skin and lock in moisture.