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The power of setting spray should be asked by a makeup artist as he would make you realize the importance of setting spray in professional makeup. Makeup sprays are a must for makeup artists now as the makeup stays for long hours when the face is sprayed with a setting spray. Even if you are not opting for a complete glam look, you must also apply setting spray to make your face look fresh for hour-long periods. The formula of setting spray is, more or less, similar to hair sprays, and as hair spray sets the hair in place, the setting spray fixes the makeup in place. A list of the best setting sprays in 2024 is created by testing many products so that you can choose one of these best products quickly.
We have formed a buying guide that will further ease you in making this purchase. Many frequently asked questions are also answered in the buyer’s guide to make this purchase straightforward for you.
Comparing the Top Setting Sprays of 2024 in Detail
Milani Make It Last Setting Spray — Best Overall
Key Features
- The spray hydrates as well as illuminates the skin
- The makeup can be locked at its place for 16 hours after spraying it
- The spray is cruelty and vegan-free
- Your makeup won’t smudge or crease after applying this setting spray
This spray can be used as a primer as well as a setting spray. You can apply it to your face before or after the makeup. If you apply it before, then it will act as a primer, and if you apply it after the makeup, it will act as a setting spray.
It can reduce the redness of your face or any other imperfection that your skin might have. This setting spray not only sets your makeup but also provides you with a shiny and dewy look that every girl loves. You should hold the bottle 10 inches away while spraying for best results.
NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray — Best for Matte Makeup
Key Features
- The setting spray is quite affordable
- This spray has no smell
- It gives a matte finish to your skin
- It controls shine and oil on the face
This setting spray provides a matte finish to the skin. The lightweight formula helps the makeup stay on your face for hours. Plus, if you are not a fan of the dewy and glowy makeup, you should opt for this setting spray, as it makes a face look matte and not shiny.
It gives you a smooth, long-lasting, and clear finish to your makeup. We love that this spray is both cruelty-free and vegan-free.
Rimmel Stay Matte Primer — Most Affordable
Key Features
- This is affordable and a great alternative to expensive brands
- Even after a long day, your makeup appears fresh
- It acts as an ideal base for even makeup
- It helps the makeup stay on point and also stops the skin from becoming oily
This is a two-in-one product that acts as both a primer and a setting spray. It locks your makeup in and allows it to stay in one place, but it can be worn over or under makeup, which changes up its function.
It reduces the appearance of pores while also controlling oil for nearly eight hours. Your skin will not shine with this spray, which means people who have oily and sensitive skin will find it really beneficial to spray this after applying their makeup.
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Spray — Best for Priming Eyelids
Key Features
- Its formula keeps your look on lock
- The oil is subsided as the spray provides a matte finish
- This is also great for eyeliner and not just for eyeshadows
- The spray dries out quickly and doesn’t leave any color on the face
This spray has a lightweight formula that is easy to use and makes the makeup lock in its place for hours. It is also paraben- and sulfate-free, so it’s great to use without any worries
Many older-aged women also love this product, as it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes. Plus, if you don't like the item for any reason, you can get a refund.
COVERGIRL Active Setting Spray — Most Breathable
Key Features
- The spray blends in perfectly and gives a satin finish
- Because it is lightweight and not heavy, it is quite comfortable to wear
- The setting spray seals the makeup for 12 long hours
- Squeeze tube makes it great for traveling
The Covergirl setting spray seals the makeup in its place. It's smudge- and transfer-resistant, so you don't have to be concerned about your makeup looking bad. The spray is also humidity-proof, which means that people living in humid climates can easily buy this product.
The spray has a lightweight and breathable feel, making it suitable for all types of skin; it has even been dermatologically tested!
How to Find a High-Quality Setting Spray: A Buyer's Guide
The setting spray is one makeup product that will help you in locking your makeup in place. It ends the hassle of doing touch-ups every now and then. I mean, cmon, not everybody has the time to check whether the makeup is in its place or not. Setting spray does the job for those people, and they don’t need to do touch-ups very often. The spray helps the makeup stay on your face freshly anywhere from 8 to 20 hours, depending on the specific product.
This buying guide is specifically created for makeup lovers who want to purchase a great setting spray.
What Are the Key Considerations When Buying the Best Setting Sprays?
Price
The price is the first thing that one looks at while making any purchase. Setting sprays are essential in terms of makeup, but they are not the most important of products.
You should first invest in good makeup products, and when you feel like you have a great collection of makeup, buy a good setting spray. No matter how good a setting spray is, what matters the most is the makeup that you have applied to your face. As far as the price is concerned, you should not break your bank for this purchase and we recommend going for an affordable option.
Fixing time
The fixing time of the setting spray means how much time the makeup will stay in place on the face. The fixing time is different for different setting sprays. Some set the makeup for 8 hours, while others set it for 20 hours.
Always go for the ones that have a longer fixing time. The longer the fixing time, the better the quality.
Smell
The smell is one consideration that needs to be made while making this purchase. The majority of people despise the rancid smell of many setting sprays. To avoid this from happening, buy a spray that has no odor.
Don’t fall for reviews when it comes to the smell, as the other person may like a smell and you don’t. Once again, we recommend buying one that has no smell.
Color
It's also worth noting the color of the setting spray. The best kind of sprays are the ones that have no color and are transparent. Even if a spray has a slight color, it is quite possible that your foundation and skin’s color could clash with that color. If you want to avoid your foundation from getting ruined, purchase a transparent setting spray.
Portable
The setting spray should come in a small portable bottle. Girls need to carry makeup whenever they go sometimes, and setting spray is definitely one of the makeup essentials that would have to go with them.
For it to fit into a travel bag or purse, its size should not be big. Therefore, small-to-medium packaging is desirable.
Which Features to Look For in the Top Setting Sprays
Formulation
The formulation of setting spray is similar to that of hair spray. It consists of water, a film former, and alcohol. These are the ingredients that help the makeup stay in place.
While buying the spray, make sure that the alcohol is not present in large quantities. A tremendous amount of alcohol will make your skin dry and irritated.
Smudge-free
The setting spray should be smudge-free and smear-free. The reasons for you buying a setting spray are pretty obvious: it is that you want your makeup not to move an inch from here or there.
If the setting spray is not smudge-free, then it is practically worthless. The spray shouldn’t make creases on your skin and shouldn’t smudge your makeup.
Texture
The texture of the spray matters a lot. If the spray is too thick, it will not dry up quickly and will not blend easily. We recommend buying a spray that has a thin, water-like consistency.
Matte or glowy
You should also notice whether the spray you are buying gives a matte look or a dewy look. The people who are a fan of matte looks should go for the matte setting spray, and others should opt for glowy sprays. We mentioned both types of sprays on our list.
Drying time
The drying time of a setting spray should be minimal. If you’re in a hurry, you need a spray that sets quickly. Thus, the drying time can matter a lot and should be noted when buying a spray.
What Are the Benefits of Setting Sprays?
Locks in makeup
The setting spray locks the makeup in place. Even if there is extremely humid weather, your makeup will stay on point. Plus, your makeup will stay in its place even if you’ve cried.
Acts as a face primer
The setting spray can be used as a face primer, but just be sure to apply it before putting on your makeup.
Functions as an eyelid primer
Many people use the setting spray as an eyelid primer, which works great for people that have hooded eyes.
What Is the Typical Price of Setting Sprays?
Setting sprays range from $4-$65. The price of a setting spray depends on how long it lasts. If the makeup stays in place for 20 hours with one spray and for 8 hours with another spray, it is evident that the former will cost more. It also depends on the brand and texture of the spray.
