Do you ever have problems with your making rubbing off or not lasting all day? Learn how setting spray can help your makeup last all day. Read about how to use it, some common concerns, and the best ones to use!
What Does Setting Spray Do?
What is setting spray?? Just like hair spray is meant to help your hair stay all day, setting spray is meant to help your makeup stay all day. It’s like hairspray for your face!
Is Setting Spray Necessary?
Setting spray is a great product to help your makeup stay all day, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have a problem with your makeup lasting. If you notice that your makeup disappears or melts or rubs off during the day, then give setting spray a try.
How Do You Use Setting Spray?
There are a few ways to use setting spray:
- Spray Your Face
- Spray a Makeup Sponge
- Use as Primer
Spray Your Face
This is the simplest way to use setting spray. After you’ve applied your makeup, take your setting spray and position it about 6-10 inches from your face. Then spray several times in different directions, ensuring you spray your entire face, top to bottom and side to side. Usually 4-5 squirts is sufficient. Your face will be moist. Then let it air dry.
Pro tip: To avoid messing up your mascara, wait to apply your mascara AFTER you squirt your face with setting spray.
Spray a Makeup Sponge
You can take a damp makeup sponge and spray the sponge with setting spray. Then take the sponge and pat and dab your face where you want to apply the setting spray for extra staying power.
Use as a Primer
Setting spray is most commonly used as the last step in your makeup routine, but you can also use it as the first step as a primer. Simply hold the bottle 6-10 inches from your face and spray your face several times. Then apply your makeup. You can also end on setting spray or just use it as the first step. Play around with it and see what technique you like best!
The Best Setting Spray to Help Makeup Last All Day
There are a lot of setting sprays out there! I’ve rounded up the setting sprays that are tried and true and have the highest reviews. These all work great with cream makeup too!
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Blue Marble SeLr Spray (not pictured)
You can read all their ingredients below…
My Favorite Setting Sprays
I have really oily skin and my makeup sometimes starts disappearing by the end of the day. My 2 favorite setting sprays that truly work are the All Nighter Setting Spray and the NYX Matte Finish. Let me break these products down for you:
- All Nighter Setting Spray– This is rated 4.6 out of 13k reviews on Amazon. It is $36 for 4 fl oz. It claims to help your makeup stay for 16 hours. And it smells yummy!
- NYX Matte Finish– This is rated 4.5 out of 107k reviews on Amazon. It is $9.50 for 2 fl oz. I like that it has less ingredients than the All Nighter Setting Spray and it’s cheaper.
Does Setting Spray Cause Acne?
Setting spray is specifically formulated to work on your face. It is non comedogenic, meaning that it will not block and clog your pores. It is safe to use on your face =)
Does Setting Spray Cause Oily Skin?
Setting spray does not cause oily skin. But if you naturally have oily skin, you might want to consider setting your makeup with powder. Powder will help absorb the access oil. You can apply setting spray first and then do an additional setting with powder for more staying power.
Common Setting Spray Mistakes
If you use setting spray and you’re just not happy with it, it may just take a few tweaks to get it just right! You may need to try a new application technique or try a new product so you love the results. Keep reading for some common mistakes and how to fix them…
Why Does My Makeup Come Off Even with Setting Spray?
If you are noticing that your makeup is coming off even when you use setting spray, here are a few reasons why and things you can do it avoid it:
- Don’t touch your face. Setting spray is meant to help your makeup stay but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. Touching your face can rub your makeup off, even if you are wearing setting spray. Try to avoid scratching your face, rubbing your eyes, leaning your chin on your fist, etc. This can rub off your makeup and also spread germs on your face…both are no nos.
- Use ear buds or speaker phone. When talking on your phone by holding it up to your ear and mouth, you are resting it on your face. This can rub your makeup off. Instead, opt for speaking with earbuds or on speaker phone.
- Set your makeup with powder. You may need additional staying power, so try also setting your makeup with powder. You can set your makeup with powder before or after you apply your setting spray. Play around with the techniques and see what you like better.
Why Does Setting Spray Make Me Oily?
Setting spray can leave your face looking oily for a few reasons:
- You are applying too much setting spray
- You have oily skin
- The ingredients in the setting spray
You are applying too much
You may be applying too much setting spray. To properly apply setting spray, position the bottle 6-10 inches from your face and spray in a circular motion. You only need to spray your face 3-4 times. Then let it air dry.
Another way you can apply setting spray is by squirting a makeup sponge and then dabbing the makeup sponge on your face. This will help you apply less product and exactly where you want it.
You have oily skin
If you have oily skin, you may need to also set your makeup with powder. Powder will help absorb excess oils on your face and will help you look less shiny.
The ingredients in the setting spray
Every setting spray has different ingredients. If the setting spray you are currently using is leaving you looking shiny, then try a different one out. Not all setting sprays are created equal and work well with makeup.
What is Setting Spray Made Out Of?
There are a lot of setting sprays on the market, so each setting spray ingredients will differ. These are the ingredients of some of my favorite setting sprays:
Seint Stay Setting Spray
Here are the Seint Stay Setting Spray ingredients: Water, Aloe Vera, Denatured Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Green Tea Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Octoxynol-9, Polysorbate-20, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance
NYX Matte Finish
Here are NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray ingredients:
Water, Alcohol, VP/VA Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Sodium Salicylate, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Mahonia Aquifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol
Coola Setting Spray
Here are the Coola Setting Spray ingredients: Avobenzone 2.8%, Homosalate 3.5%, Octisalate 3.9%, Alcohol (ORGANIC), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (ORGANIC), Algae Extract (ORGANIC), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Organic Orange) Fruit Water, Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Diisopropyl Adipate, Ethyl Ferulate, Flavor, Glycerin (ORGANIC), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Juniperus Communis Callus Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Leaf Cell Extract, Phoenix Dactilyfera (Date) Leaf Cell Extract, PVP, Silica Silylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Water
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless
Here are the Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray ingredients: Aqua, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Parfum (Fragrance), Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenethyl Alcohol
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip
Here are the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray ingredients: Blue Agave Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe, Hemp-derived Cannabis Seed Extract, Niacinamide, Water, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Caprylyl Methicone, Octyldodecanol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Prunus Avium (Sweet Cherry) Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Orchis Mascula Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Leaf Extract, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Vegetable Amino Acids, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Maltose, Sodium Phytate, Glycerin, Erythritol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Pentylene Glycol, Polyester-5, PVP, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Amber Powder, Homarine HCl, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1
Urban Decay All Nighter
Here are the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray ingredients: Aqua, Alcohol Denat., PVP, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycereth-5 Lactate, Phenylpropanol, Propanediol, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum/Fragrance, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Poloxamer 407, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.
Why Does Setting Spray Ruin My Makeup?
If you feel like your setting spray is ruining your makeup, then try these tips:
- Try using less product. Less is more! Sometimes using too much product can conflict with other products you are wearing.
- If setting spray is ruining your mascara, apply setting spray BEFORE you apply mascara. Let it air dry and then apply your mascara.
- Try using a different setting spray. Each one has different ingredients. There may be something in the product that doesn’t work with the ingredients of your makeup.
Why Does Setting Spray Burn?
If you setting spray burns your face, then it most likely contains an ingredient that doesn’t work well with your skin. Try using a different one.
Why Does My Setting Spray Go White?
If you are noticing your setting spray applies white, it may be because it’s expired or you just need to shake the bottle to mix the ingredients. You can check if your makeup is expired by looking for the image of a jar with a lid. Setting sprays usually have a shelf life of 6 months. If you’ve had yours for longer than that, it’s time to toss and get a new one.
Hopefully those tips will help with your common setting spray mistakes. Beauty is a bit of trial and error. Play around with techniques and products to see what works best for you!
I hope that answers your question about what is setting spray! Hopefully those tips will help you know why, what, and how to use it! If you’re putting in the effort to apply makeup, make sure it lasts all day with setting spray. And if you want to have a great makeup application, it starts with great skincare! Learn how to get glass skin!
If you need help knowing what your best makeup colors are, then take my quick makeup survey for a FREE personalized makeup color match!
FAQs
- What is setting spray? Setting spray is like hairspray for your face! It helps your makeup last all day.
- What is the best setting spray to use? The top setting sprays to use are: Seint Stay Setting Spray, NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, Coola Setting Spray, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, and Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting Spray.
- How do you use setting spray? After applying your makeup, hold the setting spray bottle 6-10 inches from your face and squirt your face several times in different directions. Your face will be moist. Let it air dry.
- What is setting spray? Setting spray is like hairspray for your face! It helps your makeup last all day.
- How do you use setting spray? After applying your makeup, hold the setting spray bottle 6-10 inches from your face and squirt your face several times in different directions. Your face will be moist. Let it air dry.
- Why does my makeup come off even with setting spray? Your makeup may be coming off because you are touching your face, using your phone on your face, or you may need to also set your makeup with powder.
- Why does setting spray make me oily? Setting spray may be making your face oily because you are applying too much, you have oily skin, or the ingredients in the spray are making you look shiny.
- Why does my setting spray go white? It may be because it’s expired or you just need to shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
- Why does my setting spray burn? It most likely contains an ingredient that doesn’t work well with your skin. Try using a different one.
Here are other blogposts you might enjoy:
Unlock Radiant Skin with Oliveda’s Skincare
How to Get Smooth Skin: Best Exfoliator for Face
How to Color Match Yourself with Seint Makeup
5 Minute Makeup for Women Over 40
Eyeshadow Tips for Hooded Eyes
About the Author
JoEllen is a licensed aesthetician, certified makeup artist, and certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. She works with women helping them look and feel confident. She loves teaching women simple beauty techniques so they can feel empowered to try it at home. Her motto is that when you look and feel good, you do good!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item featured in this post, I get a small portion from the sale. Thank you! It does not affect you at all.
