A setting spray can be the difference between your carefully applied makeup look lasting all day, and it slipping off your face the second you step outside.
No matter the weather, rain or shine, these formulas should be an essential part of your get-ready regime as the finishing touch to fix your face in place. When the heatwave hits or the British winter serves thunderstorms, this product will make all the difference to bring real staying power to your look and be sure your face looks flawless throughout.
A few spritzes on your face is all it takes to make your look stand the test of the time - through sweaty commutes, 9 to 5s, and all evening long. No more mascara flaking onto your face or lipstick everywhere but your lips.
To give real longevity to your look, these products work wonders but they can do far more than just that. They are generally formulated with supercharged ingredients that are kind to the skin. The likes of hyaluronic acid and aloe vera inject moisture and provide hydrating effects, while antioxidants give a radiance boost and dewy glow. Some products have a mattifying effect that will be welcomed by those with oily skin types.
Shop the best setting sprays below
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Urban Decay’s setting spray has stood the test of time over the years and is the product of choice for effectively sealing your base textures onto your skin until the removal process, up to 16 hours later.
The staying power is superior to most other products on the market and will be able to withstand melting, fading and the like. There’s a travel-sized option that makes it easy to slip into your carry-on for city breaks, beach vacays or when you’re heading for an all-day party, but it also comes in a larger 118ml option (£28).
Buy now £12.40, Boots
MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Mattifying Mist
This lightweight mist acts as a glue-like veil on the skin and yet surprisingly doesn’t feel sticky or tacky. It is instead weightless and can be used as a setting spray as well as in advance of your makeup application to prime and further encourage your base products to stay firmly on your face where they belong.
The mist is also formulated with oil-absorbing ingredients and is non-comedogenic so shouldn’t lead to breakouts. Be sure to shake before you spray.
Buy now £29.00, lookfantastic
Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Primer & Setting Spray
Too Faced has formulated its setting spray with deliciously scented coconut water so that each spritz feels like an ultra-hydrating treat to the skin.
It’s a three-in-one product that primes, preps and fixes and you can apply throughout the day when you need a moisture hit - and it really works. While imparting glow, it brings a featherweight, barely-there finish to your look that holds it in place.
It is free from nasties and the larger volume bottle lasts for a really long time.
Buy now £30.00, lookfantastic
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
You can count on Charlotte Tilbury, the artist behind A-listers red carpet makeup looks the world over - to create a product that will ensure your look will stay firmly in place throughout the night.
Boasting 16 hours of unmoveable makeup, you will notice that just a few spritzes stop the likes of your foundation and concealer from flaking, creasing or disappearing into thin air. It has been formulated with soothing aloe vera, Japanese green tea and aromatic resin that work in combination to hydrate, soften and leave a dewy radiance too.
Buy now £32.00, Space NK
Coola Makeup Setting Spray Organic Sunscreen SPF 30
Coola has changed the suncream game by making the typically arduous task of application a breeze, while also offering products with deliciously-scented mojito aromas.
The brand has taken this and brought it to the makeup sphere where its setting spray has SPF30 so it’s easier than ever to ensure daily application and top-ups when needed.
The product comes complete with powerhouse hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber and hyaluronic acid, which makes it a real pleasure to apply to dry and dehydrated complexions. The ingredients are also 70 per cent organic.
Buy now £39.00, Naturisimo
Ciaté London Everyday Vacay Coconut Setting Spray
This is a beautifully scented setting spray that will transport you to warmer climes with a Pina Colada in hand. It is enriched with a coconut scent that will make you want to keep it on you at all times, just for the soothing effect that it brings. The Micro Peals work to set your look in place with no tacky texture included. There’s a radiance boost too.
Buy now £18.00, lookfantastic
ICONIC London Prep-Set-Glow
As you can probably tell from the look of this mist, it brings radiance in spades. Just a few spritzes of this product and you will be treating your complexion to a glowy finish - but importantly, it does not appear glittery despite the look of the bottle. This is achieved through light-reflecting particles contained within the formula. These are combined with green tea, vitamin E and invigorating caffeine. There are three shades available; Gold, the champagne-hued Original and bronze Glow.
Buy now £24.00, Cult Beauty
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray
Professional makeup artists consider this to be a cult product and from the first spritz, you will see why. It is paired alongside the Primer of the same name (its predecessor) and the two work in tandem to give your makeup look staying power and the ability to go from day to night without touch-ups.
You will notice that there are blue and green layers that work together to grip and impart glow respectively. Shake to combine and treat the complexion to the benefits of hemp-derived cannabis seed extract, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and niacinamide that revitalises the skin. It will give 12 hours of sealant to your look.
Buy now £20.00, Cult Beauty
Morphe Luminous Setting Mist
Professional products at affordable products are Morphe’s MO - and this setting mist is no different. It is a very effective product that is designed to affix your face for up to 16 hours.
Whether you are shielding against sweat, and rain, or just have a jam-packed day, it combines a cocktail of coconut water, glycerin and apple extract to make sure your makeup stays right where you want it.
Buy now £14.40, Boots
Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist
air-conInfused with rose water, this product feels immediately calming and soothing on the complexion. You can use before, after or at any point in the day to set your makeup look or just give a hit of hydration when it’s lacking. We keep one on our desk and when the air con or central heating of the office makes our skin feel dry, this offers a pick-me-up with a hydrating and balancing effect.
Buy now £16.00, Sephora
