Quick answer: A setting spray is a fine mist you spray over finished makeup to help it look fresh and less powdery. Close your eyes, hold the bottle about an arm’s length away, mist in an X and T shape and let it dry without touching your face. Keep the bottle clean and away from heat, as the FDA advises for all cosmetics (FDA).
Table of Contents
How to use setting spray: 5 steps
- Finish your makeup. Setting spray goes on last.
- Shake the bottle if the label says so.
- Hold it 8 to 12 inches away and close your eyes.
- Mist in an X, then a T. Two or three sprays is usually enough.
- Let it dry. Don’t touch your face for a minute.
Time: about 1 minute.
What does setting spray do?
A good mist melts powders into the skin so they look less dry, and many formulas help makeup stay put a little longer. Some are designed to mattify, some add glow and some simply refresh. It won’t fix a heavy base, but it can make a light one look more like skin.
You can also use it between layers: a quick mist after foundation and before powder can help everything blend.
Setting spray finishes compared
| Finish | Look | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Matte | Less shine | Oily skin, warm days |
| Dewy | Soft glow | Dry skin, glass skin looks |
| Natural | In between | Everyday makeup |
| Long-wear | Helps makeup stay | Long days and events |
We haven’t lab-tested specific sprays. The table compares finishes as they’re usually described.
Tips for a fresh, natural look
- Use less for a natural look. One or two mists is plenty for a natural makeup look.
- Spray a brush to apply eyeshadow for a stronger color.
- Refresh at midday with a single mist over powder.
- Keep it out of your eyes. Always close them when you spray.
How to keep the bottle clean
Wipe the nozzle now and then and keep the cap on. The FDA warns against sharing makeup, since you may be sharing an infection, and says heat, sunlight and air can change a product’s color, texture and smell (FDA). If your spray smells different or sputters, it’s time for a new one.
Common setting spray mistakes
- Spraying too close, which leaves drips.
- Rubbing it in. Let it air dry.
- Using a matte spray on dry skin. Pick a dewy or natural one.
- Leaving it in a hot car.
Matching the mist to your makeup
Think about the rest of your face before you choose. A glowy base and cream blush pair well with a hydrating mist that keeps everything soft. A matte foundation and powder look smoother with a mattifying formula. For a bare, fresh face, a light refreshing mist is plenty. If you wear eye makeup that tends to smudge, a long-wear formula can help it stay neat. Try your choice on a weekend first and check your makeup in daylight a few hours later to see how it has held up.
Store the bottle upright with the cap on so the nozzle stays clean and doesn’t clog.
Using a mist through the day
A mist is handy for touch-ups. Keep a travel size in your bag and use one spritz over powder in the afternoon when your face looks flat. Press a clean tissue lightly on shiny areas first so you’re not adding moisture on top of oil.
On hot days, keep the bottle out of direct sun and your car. On cold, dry days, a dewy mist can make your makeup look softer and less powdery.
If you have sensitive skin, look for a fragrance-free, alcohol-free formula and try it on a small area first. Some people find alcohol-based long-wear mists drying.
Remember that no mist replaces sunscreen. Put your sunscreen on first, let it settle, then do your makeup.
New to makeup? Our step-by-step guide on how to do makeup covers the whole look.
FAQ
Do I really need a setting spray?
No, it’s optional. It helps makeup look less powdery and can help it last.
Can I use setting spray without makeup?
Yes. A light mist can refresh skin, but a face mist made for that job may be nicer.
Setting spray or setting powder?
Powder controls shine; setting spray blends and refreshes. Many people use both.
How many sprays should I use?
Two or three mists is usually enough.
When should I apply setting spray?
Last, after all your makeup. You can also mist between layers.
Written by Mahmoud Abdelmaksoud.
