Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Whether you've spent hours or minutes on your makeup look, the last thing you want is for it to disappear off your face before it's had its moment. Sweat, humidity, tears (hey, no shame)—anything is possible, and not all makeup is built to withstand the elements on its own. That's when a good setting spray is clutch; like a setting powder, a spray will seal everything in place for hours, and all you need is a few spritzes when you're done crafting your look.
Best of all, setting sprays come in just about every finish, from matte to dewy, and some even contain added benefits like sunscreen and blue light protection. Not sure what to try? We've rounded up 15 of the best setting sprays below.
From Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy's line comes this hydrating mist you can use to refresh makeup all day long. We don't know about you, but we're willing to bet the brain behind the show's legendary looks knows a thing or two about how to get makeup to last.
This best-selling spray is alcohol free, yet still manages to keep makeup in place for up to 16 hours. Nearly 1,000 Sephora shoppers swear by it, including one reviewer who writes, "This is hands down the best setting spray ever! It not only keeps your makeup on forever but it gives you a nice airbrush finish. It almost makes your face feel tense and stiff in the first couple of seconds but I love that cause I know its working."
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Editor Favorite
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
"I typically consider myself a powder kind of girl when it comes to setting my makeup, but when I'm in the mood to reach for a spray instead, it's usually this one from Urban Decay. The spray is not only waterproof, but also smudge and transfer proof—which really comes in handy to keep your makeup locked and loaded during super-hot summers." —Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor
Most Luxurious Setting Spray
CAUDALÍE Beauty Elixir
We deemed the Caudalíe Beauty Elixir one of the 100 most iconic beauty products of all time for a reason; simply, it's one of the best toners, face mists, and setting sprays you'll ever use—all in one package (plus, it feels like a mini trip to the spa every time you spritz it on).
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Viral on TikTok
MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray
This might just be social media's favorite setting spray. Instead of alcohol, it features blue agave extract to "grip" makeup, as well as cannabis seed extract, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and niacinamide for that extra dose of dewy hydration.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Multitasking Setting Spray
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist
In addition to setting makeup, this mist can also be used before you apply foundation and as a skin refresher on no-makeup days. Give the "bi-phase" formula a shake to mix up the ingredients, which include lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily to help soothe and calm skin, as well as niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray
Thanks to its pore-blurring properties, this product offers the soft-focus look of a powder with the ease of a setting spray. Plus, it's alcohol free, so it won't dry out skin.
Best Protective Setting Spray
ILIA Blue Light Mist
Another multitasking mist, this formula can be used pre- and post-makeup application. Even better, it has marine actives like algae that add firming benefits and protect against blue light from devices.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
The glow goes on and on thanks to hydrating snow mushroom, cactus water, and goji berry extract in this spray. It even works when you're wearing a mask, one happy Sephora shopper writes: "I wear a mask to school for six hours and after classes there is nothing on my mask!"
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
The cute packaging is inspired by baking spray, but it's actually functional: It helps you continuously spray, rather than using individual bursts of product.
This setting spray has coconut, green tea, and cucumber to nourish skin (and add a tropical vibe). At $10, it's cheaper than a trip to the beach too.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Setting Spray for a Dewy Finish
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Setting Spray
This water-based spray adds a subtle glow, but despite the disco-ball appearance, it goes on totally transparent. Note that it does have a vanilla-coconut scent, if you prefer your products fragrance free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is setting spray, anyway?
Setting spray is an alcohol- or water-based product that prolongs the wear of your makeup for several hours.
How should you use setting spray?
Spray on two to three spritzes, from about six inches away from your face (any closer and you risk messing up your makeup). Then, be sure to let the spray set for about 10 seconds.
Setting spray should be used once all your makeup is on, to ensure the spray can "lock in" all the layers of makeup. However, some formulas also act as priming mists, which can be used before foundation as well—read the instructions to find out if your product does both functions.
Lindy Segal
Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.