I Put the Best Setting Sprays to the Test—These 9 Lock in Makeup for 12+ Hours
Your foundation isn't going anywhere.
Setting spray is one of those products people think they can skip—until they realize how much better their makeup looks when they don’t. I can spend time blending foundation, sculpting up my face to the heavens with contour, and baking to lock it all in, but if I don’t finish with one of the best setting sprays, the whole look just doesn’t last the same way. A few spritzes are what keep everything looking fresh and blended hours later.
Makeup artist Corey White tells me the best formulas should do more than just sit on top of your makeup. “A great setting spray should make your makeup feel set without looking heavy or tight,” he says. “It should help everything last longer, keep makeup from separating or fading, and melt powders and creams together so the skin still looks like skin.”
It may sound like an unnecessary addition to your beauty routine, but it's effective because it comes down to chemistry. Most formulas rely on flexible, film-forming polymers that create a breathable veil over makeup, helping it resist sweat, oil, and movement. In practice, that means less creasing, less fading, and a finish that still looks like real skin. So while you may have thought it's just a refreshing step, it's actually got solid science to back up its claims.
Makeup artist Jonet Williamson says that if you want your makeup to last longer than six hours, a setting spray isn’t optional, it’s essential. Ahead, the experts (including me) weigh in on the best setting sprays to add to your routine, plus exactly how to use them.
The Best Setting Sprays
- The Best Setting Spray Overall: Urban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
- The Best Hydrating Setting Spray: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- The Best Long-Wearing Setting Spray: One/Size by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
- The Best Setting Spray Delivery: Saie Cityset Ultra-Fine Mist Setting Spray
- The Best Setting Spray with SPF: Naked Sundays Hydrating Glow Mist Setting Spray SPF 50+
A true classic, Urban Decay's All-Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray was first introduced over a decade ago. These days, it comes in several variations (ultra-matte! extra-glowy! infused with vitamin C for hydration!), but the original is still the brightest star. Waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-resistant, the smooth spray has been proven to keep makeup in place for 16 hours.
Finish: Natural
What I Love: Long-lasting; Cult-favorite; Cooling; Transfer-resistant; Waterproof; Doesn't settle into fine lines
What I Don't: Wish it had a slightly finer mist
Review for MC: "I've tried almost every new launch that's come out since this OG, but I always seem to go back to All-Nighter. I've trusted it since high school and have likely gone through at least 10 bottles since then. It just melts my makeup together and keeps it there, as the name suggests, all night long." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Williamson recommends Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, an alcohol and oil-free spray that provides up to 16 hours of protection. It's ideal for those with dry to normal skin looking for a hydrating finish; it includes moisture barrier-supporting Japanese green tea for that very purpose. It's also celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz's choice to protect clients' face makeup before she applies eye makeup and blush. "It sets everything in place while keeping the face hydrated," she says.
Finish: Natural radiant
What I Love: Long-lasting; Hydrating; Glowy finish
What I Don't: Scent is too fragrant for some customers
Review for MC: "During the winter, harsh weather wreaks havoc on my skin, and there's nothing I want more than a bouncy, radiant finish. While all my thick moisturizers and natural foundations create a great base layer for my intended look, this setting spray seals it all together with its gorgeous glowy—but never oily—finish." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Saie is synonymous with fresh, radiant skin, so it was pretty much a guarantee that its long-awaited setting spray would fall in line. Formulated using water-binding humectants, skin is illuminated and hydrated, while antioxidants support skin barrier function. But the best part? The mist is the finest of any non-aerosol spray on the list, making it the smoothest, lightest delivery for all-day comfort and wear.
Finish: Dewy
What I Love: Features a continuous spray; Never cakes or patches up on skin; Non-aerosol; Comes in a travel-sized version
What I Don't: Oily skin types will not like the dewy aspect
Review for MC: "I've been testing this behind-the-scenes since I got the low-down a few months back (hence the purple "Top Secret" stick that's featured in my video). There's nothing I like more than the Saie bronzers and blushes, so when the makeup artist applied the powders and then topped it off with Cityset during the preview, I audibly gasped at how beautiful my skin looked." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Williamson and Loiz love this pick for those with combination or oily skin who want a matte finish. "Thanks to its waterproof formula, this ensures makeup stays put all day, even under hot lights and cameras," Loiz shares. Light as air thanks to its aerosol formula and oil-absorbing thanks to carefully thought-out ingredients like witch hazel, this holds makeup in place for up to 16 hours and leaves you with a blurred, matte finish.
Finish: Matte
What I Love: Long-lasting; Matte Finish; Waterproof; Fine mist; Won't dry out skin
What I Don't: Aerosol formula
Review for MC: "I've heard all the hype surrounding this setting spray for quite a while now, so when I had the opportunity to test it, I was all ears. The people weren't lying, the mist locks in my makeup like no other, and I'm set for hours. If I had a big event, I would feel 100 percent confident my face was going nowhere." — Isabelle Adler, Contributing Beauty Writer
If you're looking for a 2-in-1, this double-duty formula serves as both an SPF and a makeup spray. That's right—this mist will keep your makeup in place, add a soft, blurred finish, and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. For the gist: Naked Sundays is an Australian sunscreen brand that features some of MC's favorite, non-greasy formulas. This formula, in particular, has absolutely zero white cast, and makes it incredibly easy to reapply over makeup throughout the day—which you should be doing every two hours!
Finish: Radiant
What I Love: Travel-friendly; Glowy finish; Incredible bottle
What I Don’t: Heavier alcohol content; Some report burning eyes
Review for MC: “Until the TSA decides to approve full-size sunscreen for carry-ons (please, I’m begging you), I’ll be piling as many mini SPFs into my personal item as I can. I plan on bringing approximately three of these with me to Turks and Caicos next month. I do have sensitive eyes and fully acknowledge that this can be irritating. But so long as I close my eyes tightly and let the product dry a bit before opening them, I’m A-Ok.” — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Lightweight and ready to lock in your gorgeous makeup for a long, long time, NYX Professional Makeup's Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray is infused with niacinamide for a little hydration and skin-brightening action. Leaving you with a matte finish, the vegan and cruelty-free misting formula will help your makeup last all day at a price point everyone can appreciate.
Finish: Matte
What I Love: Affordable; Long-lasting; Customers love the non-overpowering fragrance
What I Don't: Formula isn't waterproof
Customer Review: "Hello humidity...You can stay far away from me today! I’m wearing my NYX Matte Fini makeup setting spray, and she doesn’t want to be bothered by you. This setting spray truly makes me feel like it had become a person in an alternate universe, and humidity approached her, she’d just roll her eyes and shoo away humidity alongside humidity's best friends; sweat and oil." — Ulta
According to Aimee Carr, a medical aesthetician and founder of Voodoo Makeup, Milk's Hydro Grip is a consumer and artist favorite. "This one gives you a glow but is not sticky, which is ideal when looking for a setting spray," she shares. With a radiant finish, the lightweight spray features skin-loving ingredients like blue agave extract to set makeup (preventing melting, fading, and creasing in the process) and hemp seed extract and aloe to calm, soothe, and impart moisture alongside their also-hydrating friends hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Finish: Glow
What I Love: Skin-loving ingredients; Lasts up to 12 hours; Can also be used as a hydrating mist
What I Don't: Some customers find the finish too glowy
Customer Review: "The only setting spray I use. Dry skin baddies, you NEED this. The most intense, beautiful glow ever! Cakey makeup? Saved!!! In just a few spirits." — Sephora
The go-to spray in many beauty vlogs, Morphe's beloved Continuous Setting Mist is an aerosol spray engineered to deliver an even application that won't quit until you take your finger off the trigger. Microfine in texture, it was created to work with both liquid and powder makeup. Pros also love using it directly on a makeup sponge to help smooth makeup.
Finish: Natural
What I Love: Cult-favorite; Easy to apply; Lightweight
What I Don't: Some customers find the fragrance too strong
Customer Review: "AMAZING finishing/powder-melting spray. I tend to get creases, smile lines, flaking ... used this, and had ZERO issues. turned my powdery, caked-up base glassy and skinlike." — Ulta
Crafted to be used before, during, and after makeup application, Iconic London's always-glowy, never-greasy Prep-Set-Glow Hydrating Setting Spray features light-reflecting particles for an instant shimmer and bronze. It's also infused with dark circle-fighting caffeine, skin-soothing chamomile and cucumber, antioxidants, green tea, and vitamin E.
Finish: Bronze or Glowy
What I Love: Luminous finish; Available in two shades; Keeps makeup in place; Fakes a tan
What I Don't: Some customers don't love the scent
Customer Review: "After using this product for the last couple of weeks, it is remarkable. I love using it after I am done with my base, and it refreshes my face after I use powders." — Sephora
What Do I Look For in a Setting Spray?
- Makeup Goals
Not all setting sprays are designed to do the same thing, which is why it’s important to think about what you want your formula to accomplish. “Formulations can vary and also give you purposes like smudge-proof, waterproof, and sweat-proof, or desired finishing looks like matte or dewy,” says Carr. Because of this, she recommends choosing a spray based on your plans for the day, how long you’ll be wearing makeup, and the finish you want.
White also suggests thinking about the specific issue you’re trying to solve. For creasing, opt for formulas designed for long wear and hold. If fading is your biggest concern—especially in heat or humidity—performance-driven sprays tend to hold up best. Those with oily skin may prefer lightweight mattifying options, while hydrating sprays can help keep makeup flexible and comfortable on drier complexions.
- Ingredients
The primary ingredients in setting sprays are film-forming polymers, which settle into a protective film over your makeup. You can also find setting sprays with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which attract moisture and keep your makeup from getting cakey.
- Skin Type
Williamson notes that some setting sprays may work better than others, depending on your skin type. "I'd suggest a hydrating setting spray like Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray or Milk Hydro Grip Setting Spray for dry to normal skin and a matte finish setting spray like One Size On Til Dawn for combo oily skin," she shares. If your skin is on the drier side, look for ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, whereas if your skin is oily, look for oil-absorbing ingredients like witch hazel.
How Do I Use a Setting Spray?
“The biggest mistake I see is people spraying way too much or too close to their face,” says White. “That can actually break makeup apart instead of locking it in.” Instead, he recommends holding the bottle about an arm’s length away and applying a light, even mist. Let the spray settle and dry before touching your face or adding more product.
He also notes that setting spray doesn’t have to be reserved for the very last step. Lightly layering it between makeup steps—or even misting the brush you’re using for cream products—can help improve longevity and keep everything looking seamless.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
Marie Claire Beauty Editor Siena Gagliano underwent a rigorous testing period, reviewing dozens of setting sprays. After consulting makeup artists to determine the top picks, she tested each spray over and throughout her makeup routine. The results, along with the texture, ingredients, and feel, determined this list of the best sprays. She also evaluated customer reviews and best-selling products across our favorite retailers.
Meet the Experts
Corey White is a professional makeup artist based in Houston, Texas, and the founder of Face by Corey. He's loved makeup for as long as he can remember. Even when he was young, he'd always find someone to sit still so he could do their makeup. Today, White's goal is to create polished, long-wear glam that still feels like you, just enhanced. He specializes in bridal, events, and editorial work, focusing on enhancing natural features while making sure makeup holds up all day, in person and on camera. He's incredibly grateful for the opportunities he's been given to live out his dream of doing what he loves, including working with Vogue Weddings, celebrities, reality TV personalities, socialites, and influencers. Most of all, White's grateful for all of his beautiful clients who put a smile on his face every day.
Makeup artist Jonet Williamson discovered her love for art at a very early age. In 2005, Jonet began her journey in beauty working as a makeup artist for M.A.C. Cosmetics. Since then, her work has been featured in commercial campaigns (Dolce & Gabanna, Levis, Shea Moisture), editorials (Essence, L'Officiel), and TV & film productions (CBS, MTV, TNT). Jonet Williamson also works closely with major beauty brands on content creation and product development.
Renée Loiz is a top celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 20 years in the industry. Renée is best known for her work with celebrities including Quinta Brunson, Cynthia Erivo, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Sherry Cola, Adele, Chelsea Peretti, Uzo Aduba, Danai Gurira, Thuso Mbedu, and Jaylon Barron.
When she’s not creating press-worthy red carpet and editorial looks for famous faces, Renee can be found working with renowned international brands such as NARS, Beauty Blender, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Sephora, J.Crew, Disney, Target, BuzzFeed, Adidas, and Warner Brothers.
Aimee Carr is an expert medical esthetician, celebrity makeup artist and founder of VooDoo Makeup.
