Unlock the Secret Weapon Makeup Artists Swear By to Keep Your Look Flawless All Day—You Won’t Believe How Simple It Is!
Ever notice how you can slather on foundation and concealer like a pro in the morning, only to find by lunchtime that your “flawless” look has done a Houdini and vanished? It’s like your makeup has a secret life of its own—melting away to reveal every little imperfection you were desperately trying to hide. So what’s the deal? Is there a magic wand we’re missing here? Well, turns out, there kinda is. Enter the unsung hero of your makeup routine: setting spray. This sneaky little mist locks your foundation and concealer in place so you can strut through your day without worrying about your efforts slipping away. Whether you’re battling acne, hiding dark spots, or just want those fine lines to take a hike, the right setting spray can make all the difference—keeping your face looking fresh from dawn to dusk. Curious how to find your perfect match and use it like a pro? Stick around, because I’m about to spill the tea on these makeup bag MVPs. LEARN MORE
Not everyone wears a full face of foundation and concealer every day. But if you’re struggling with any type of acne, dark spots, or fine lines and you want to cover them up, nothing gets the job done quite like these complexion products. The right shade with the right undertones can make imperfections—poof—disappear.
That is, until lunchtime.
By then, a lot of formulas have melted away, revealing what they were meant to conceal. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a product that could stop this process in its tracks, keeping your makeup where it needs to be so that your skin looks flawless from morning until night? Well, there is—it’s called setting spray.
These formulas—in a variety of formats and finishes—help to lock foundation and concealer in place. Set it and forget it, as the saying goes. “I always keep a variety of different setting sprays in my kit, depending my client’s skin type,” explains celebrity makeup artist and grooming expert Todd Harris Wolf. “For me, it’s a non-negotiable, especially when I know my work needs to last all day.” Getting ready for a special event or a long days in hot, humid weather? Reach for a setting spray.
Meet the experts: Todd Harris Wolf is a makeup artist and grooming expert. Bryan Cantor is a makeup artist and beauty expert.
Another cool thing about these products? You can use them in so many different way (more on that below). Ahead, expert-backed advice for how best to choose—and use—these unsung makeup bag heroes.
What is setting spray?
In the most basic sense, “a setting spray is a mist that’s used to set makeup and extend wear time,” says celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Bryan Cantor. They do this thanks to polymers, molecules that create a fine, flexible film on the face and prevent makeup from moving or fading, he explains. (An important FYI: This only happens once the setting spray itself is fully dry, something to keep in mind during the application process; we’ll get to that.)
Whereas the OG setting sprays were meant to lock in makeup and that’s about it, the latest iterations go above and beyond the call of duty. Many also contain skincare ingredients for added benefits (think hydration, brightening) and come in a wide array of different finishes, from matte to luminous and glowy, Harris Wolf notes.
How to choose a setting spray.
We’re all for choices, but it can make finding the right option slightly overwhelming. Harris Wolf says there are two things to consider: your skin type and your desired makeup look. Always oily? Pick an oil-free, mattifying option, which will help tamp down unwanted shine and sheen, he suggests. Super dry? Hydrating formulas are a nice way add a little more lightweight moisture to your complexion.
As far as the finish goes, matte picks are choice for anyone who doesn’t love very glowy skin. Setting sprays labeled as luminous or radiant often contain a bit of mica for subtle shimmer; Harris Wolf says they’re a nice pick for those who use powder makeup, ensuring it doesn’t look dry or flat. Also worth noting: If you’re going to be sweating or swimming, make sure to choose one that’s labeled specifically as waterproof, Harris Wolf recommends.
5 Setting Spray Pros Love
Harris Wolf likes this option, one of the OG setting sprays, a foolproof pick that remains a staple among pro makeup artists and consumers alike. It’s incredibly long-lasting (your makeup will stay put for up to 12 hours), gentle on skin, and features a very fine mist so your face won’t feel soaked.
Cantor raves that this controls shine and blurs away the look of pores thanks to lentil extract, niacinamide, and bakchiol, all while still feeling weightless on skin. It also promises 16-hour wear and the ability to blur visible pores. Genius.
This spray is perfect for those with a drier complexion who want to add radiance, and works just as well under makeup as it does over it, says Harris Wolf. Coconut water hydrates and vitamin C brightens.
How to use setting spray.
Okay, you’ve found your perfect match, now what? If you’re using it as it’s traditionally meant to be used, make it the absolute last step in your makeup routine. Here’s how to apply it like a pro:
- Start off right. Hold the bottle at least six inches away from your face to guarantee that the mist is dispersed evenly and won’t get over-concentrated in any one area, Harris explains.
- Spritz strategically. Spray moving either clockwise or counterclockwise across the face to ensure even distribution of the product, says Harris Wolf.
- Try this trick. Cantor recommends he calls the ‘five spray method:’ Mist the center of the face, then the upper right quadrant, upper left, lower right and finally the lower left.
- Hands off. Setting spray can’t do its job until it’s completely dry, so don’t touch your face or make any changes to your makeup for at least five minutes, Harris Wolf notes. Most sprays are formulated to dry fairly quickly—within 30 seconds to one minute—but if you’re under the gun, both our experts suggest using a handheld fan to expedite the drying process.
Setting sprays also fall into the ‘less is more’ category. Using coat after coat can end up having the opposite of your desired effect and end up messing with your makeup, Harris Wolf cautions. “A fine layer is all that’s needed in order for the product to work. Too much can both make your makeup run and prevent the spray from working properly,” Cantor adds. If you’re extra concerned about staying power, you can apply a light layer of setting spray in between using different types of products, he says. (For example, spritz it on after concealer and before foundation.) The one caveat: This does tend to work best when you’re using cream or liquid formulas, he points out.
You might also consider using setting spray before you apply your makeup, as Harris Wolf does. He often uses the products as a prep step (insert mind-blown emoji here), which is especially effective when using a mattifying formula for those whose skin skews shiny: “It’s a great way to increase oil control as you’re applying makeup,” he says, adding that it’s a technique commonly used for brides. You can do it if you have dry skin, too. A hydrating setting spray certainly won’t replace moisturizer, but an extra layer underneath makeup can help a drier complexion appear glowier, he says. (And yes, even if you use it to prep your skin, you can still use it to lock in your makeup at the end, too.)
So does a setting spray need to be a part of your regular repertoire? For times when makeup meltdown is not an option, that’d be an emphatic yes.
Turns out, a flawless face is just one spray away.
Melanie Rud is a beauty writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in the industry covering skincare, makeup, hair, and more. Her work has appeared in Shape, Real Simple, Byrdie, In Style, RealSelf, Good Housekeeping, PopSugar, and multiple other print and digital outlets. Additionally, she works as a personal beauty coach and also offers consulting services for beauty companies.
Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.
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