Best Setting Sprays for Every Makeup Look and Skin Type in 2025
Our 2025 guide covers the best makeup setting sprays for every look, skin type, and longevity need, with expert-tested picks and detailed tips.
Lock in your look, eliminate shine, or dial up the dew—no matter your makeup goals, the right setting spray can be the finishing touch your routine was missing. In 2025, there are setting sprays for every skin type, finish, and longevity demand, tested and loved by beauty editors and makeup lovers alike. This guide breaks down the top setting sprays this year, along with expert-proven tips for choosing the best formula for your needs.
What Does a Setting Spray Do?
Just like hairspray keeps your style in place, makeup setting sprays keep your cosmetics looking fresh for hours. These mists create a protective, often undetectable, layer over your makeup, prolonging wear, melting away powderiness, and sometimes even adding extra skincare benefits. Whether you want a matte finish, a dewy glow, or all-day budge-proof coverage, the right spray can make a dramatic difference in the longevity and appearance of your makeup.
The Top Makeup Setting Sprays of 2025
After extensive testing—from busy workdays to nights out and long commutes—these setting sprays earned high marks among editors for their unique benefits, price points, and user experience.
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
Best Overall Setting Spray
- Pros: Locks makeup in place for up to 16 hours, works for all skin types, soft matte finish that never looks flat.
- Cons: Scent is strong for some, higher price point than drugstore options.
Editors and makeup artists alike have raved about Urban Decay’s cult-favorite All Nighter for years. Its microfine mist ensures even coverage, never disturbing foundation or causing clumps. If you need unbeatable lasting power—think weddings, heat, humidity—this spray is a must-have.
Milani Make It Last 3-in-1 Setting Spray
Best Drugstore Setting Spray
- Pros: Affordable, delivers a natural skin finish, can be used as a primer and refresher, available in matte, dewy, and SPF variations.
- Cons: Not fully sweatproof or waterproof.
Praised for versatility and price, the Milani Make It Last spray bridges the gap between premium performance and budget-friendliness. The original formula stands out for its lightweight feel and natural, undetectable finish, making it easy to use throughout the day. It’s also widely available in drugstores and online.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Longest-Lasting Finish
- Pros: Locks in makeup for 16+ hours, non-sticky, suitable for all skin types.
- Cons: Pricey, fragrance may not suit everyone.
This ultra-light, fine mist formula is a favorite among those who demand red carpet-ready longevity. It blurs imperfections and extends makeup wear throughout the sweatiest days and wildest nights.
MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Primer and Setting Spray
Best for Multi-Use
- Pros: Hydrating, soothing formula (with chamomile, cucumber, aloe vera), can prep skin, set, and refresh makeup. Lovely scent options.
- Cons: Less staying power than other options for very oily or long-wear needs.
An icon in makeup kits everywhere, MAC Fix+ is beloved for its ability to refresh cakey makeup, prep skin, and add a touch of radiance mid-day. The alcohol-free mist is perfect for sensitive skin and versatile enough to be misted on before, after, or during makeup routines.
e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray
Best Affordable Dewy Setting Spray
- Pros: Hydrating, fine bi-phase mist with aloe, hyaluronic acid, and green tea oil; budget-friendly.
- Cons: Not ideal for oily skin types.
For a dewy, fresh finish on a budget, e.l.f.’s Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray offers spa-like hydration and impressive makeup grip that lasts through office days and commutes, all at an unbeatable price.
Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray
Best Luxury Setting Spray
- Pros: Ultra-fine mist, soft-focus effect blurs powderiness, leaves a luminous—but not oily—finish.
- Cons: Expensive, not as hydrating as some dewy sprays.
For a luxury experience, Hourglass delivers a silky fine mist that boosts the look of skin and enhances the soft, blurred finish of setting powders, making it perfect for high-resolution moments.
Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control Setting Spray
Best for Oily Skin
- Pros: Provides mattification without dryness, extends makeup longevity, budget price.
- Cons: Shine may peek through by the end of the day for very oily skin.
This pick boasts powerful shine control, locking in a fresh face for office hours and beyond. The formula absorbs excess oil on contact, keeping makeup fade-free for up to 12 hours.
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Mist
Best for Sensitive Skin
- Pros: Alcohol-free, infused with botanicals, hydrating and calming for reactive skin types.
- Cons: May not provide strong hold for extremely long days or heavy makeup.
L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray
Best for Longevity on a Budget
- Pros: Creates a lightweight, matte finish, budget-friendly.
- Cons: Scent is strong for some, can feel slightly tacky on first application.
Quick Comparison Table: Setting Sprays at a Glance
| Setting Spray | Best For | Finish | Longevity | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Decay All Nighter | Overall | Matte/Natural | ≥16 hrs | $$$ |
| Milani Make It Last | Drugstore | Natural | Up to 8 hrs | $ |
| Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush | Long-lasting | Matte/Skin-like | ≥16 hrs | $$$ |
| MAC Fix+ | Multi-use/Hydration | Dewy/Natural | ≈6-8 hrs | $$ |
| e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy | Dewy Finish | Dewy | ≈8 hrs | $ |
| Hourglass Veil | Luxury/Blurred finish | Soft-focus/Luminous | ≈9 hrs | $$$$ |
| Makeup Revolution Oil Control | Oily Skin | Matte | ≈12 hrs | $ |
How to Choose the Best Setting Spray for Your Needs
Finding your perfect setting spray is about knowing your skin type, desired finish, and when you expect your makeup to shine (or not shine!). Use these expert guidelines to narrow down your choices:
- Consider your skin type.
- Oily: Look for words like “matte,” “oil control,” or “longwear.” Matte-finish sprays help absorb oils and reduce excess shine throughout the day.
- Dry: Reach for “hydrating,” “dewy,” or “moisturizing” setting sprays, which blend in emollients and humectants to keep skin looking fresh and luminous.
- Normal/Combination: Natural-finish sprays will seal your look but won’t alter your preferred finish too much one way or the other.
- Assess your longevity goals.
If you need makeup to last through heat, humidity, events, or a long day, opt for a formula actively marketed as “longwear” or “waterproof” with proven 12+ hour results. For shorter days or lighter looks, a basic setting mist with skincare benefits suffices. - Match the finish to your vibe.
Dewy, glass-skin fans will love luminous sprays, while matte-finish enthusiasts find their match in oil-absorbing mists. If you’re not sure, choose a “natural finish” spray. - Check for added skincare ingredients.
Hydrating, alcohol-free, and antioxidant-rich formulas can double as gentle refreshers and hydration boosters. - Test the mister.
A microfine spray ensures the formula is distributed evenly for the most natural, undisturbed finish.
How We Test and Rank Setting Sprays
Every formula undergoes rigorous testing in real-world scenarios: from 10+ hour workdays to sweaty events and long-haul flights. Editors note texture, mist quality, scent, effect on makeup finish, skin reaction, and value for money. Feedback is tracked across diverse testers with varying skin types and preferences, ensuring only the highest performing sprays make the final list.
Tips for Using Setting Spray Like a Pro
- Hold the bottle 8-10 inches from your face. This helps ensure an even coverage over your makeup.
- Spritz in an X and T pattern. Cover all areas while avoiding excess product buildup in one spot.
- Let it dry naturally. Avoid fanning your face, which can disrupt the distribution.
- Use as a primer mist or makeup refresher. Some sprays work beautifully under makeup for extra grip or mid-day to freshen up cakey foundation.
- Layer for customized results. Dewy sprays can top matte foundation, or mattifying mists can finish glowy looks to control shine just where you need it.
What others are reading
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will setting spray actually make my makeup last longer?
A: Yes, setting sprays are designed to lock in your makeup, preventing it from fading, creasing, or smudging over the course of the day. The formula you choose will determine how much extra longevity you get—some keep makeup flawless for 16+ hours, while others simply freshen and hydrate.
Q: Can I use setting spray as a primer?
A: Some multi-tasking formulas double as both primer and setting spray. Look for labels that mention “3-in-1” or “priming mist.” Spritzing before foundation can hydrate and prep the skin for makeup application.
Q: How is setting spray different from setting powder?
A: Setting powder absorbs surface oils and mattifies, while setting spray creates a flexible, lasting shield over your makeup. Many makeup artists use both: powder to lock in base products and spray to remove powderiness, increase longevity, and add the desired finish.
Q: What ingredients should I look for—or avoid?
A: Those with dry or sensitive skin should choose alcohol-free, hydrating sprays formulated with botanicals or hyaluronic acid. For oilier skin, focus on mattifying agents and avoid sprays heavy in oils. Patch test if you’re sensitive, especially to fragrances or preserved formulations.
Final Thoughts
From long-lasting powerhouses like Urban Decay and Charlotte Tilbury to multitasking icons like MAC Fix+ and wallet-friendly milky mists from e.l.f. and Milani, this year’s best setting sprays offer a solution for every finish, every skin type, and every occasion. Whether you’re headed to a high-stakes event or a casual day out, the right setting spray will keep your look intact, fresh, and fully on vibe.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/g3523/makeup-setting-sprays-tried-and-tested-cosmo-beauty-lab/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g61927648/best-setting-sprays/
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/gallery/best-setting-sprays-for-summer
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/gallery/11411-we-put-13-makeup-setting-sprays-through-a-full-day-test-heres-how-they-scored
- https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/johnny-ross67/episodes/Are-Cosmopolitans-2025-Best-in-Beauty-Awards—-Rigged-or-Real-e33lbt4
- https://www.lauramercier.com/en-pe/blogs/art-of-living-flawlessly/cosmopolitans-holy-grail-awards-best-concealer
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