Setting Sprays Usually Disappoint—Hours of Testing Later, We Found 10 Exceptions

Welcome to Deep Reviews—your one-stop destination to discover the absolute best products and brands the beauty industry has to offer. The Who What Wear staffers you already know and trust will research, test, and review the market's most sought-after and buzzed-about products to see which formulas (of the hundreds up for consideration) are truly worth your hard-earned money and attention. You can expect honest, completely uncensored feedback and no-BS recommendations our hard-to-please testers endorse without reservations.

As a beauty editor, I know that my makeup is only as good as the length of time it lasts. I can't even tell you how many times I've been sabotaged by fleeting foundations, brief blushes, and short-lived lipsticks. It's like my makeup is perfect one minute and gone the next.

Over time, I've learned how to separate the bad products from the good ones and prevent a makeup vanishing act. I've also learned how important it is to prep my complexion with hydrating skincare products and makeup-gripping primers and set everything with an effective setting spray.

The latter sounds simple, but no two setting sprays are the same. With so many options out there, it can be tough to find one that works well for your skin type and preferred makeup aesthetic. Do you have oily skin but want a matte finish? Or vice versa? What if you have combo skin and you only want to control shine in one area of your face? What if you hate the feeling of heavy, tacky sprays and you're looking for a lightweight mist?

To get into the nitty-gritty of setting sprays, we took it upon ourselves to research, test, and record some of the best formulas on the market. First, we spent hours researching different products and assembling them into a color-coded spreadsheet. Then, we chose the 10 best-reviewed ones for our editors to personally test. From there, we were able to name the best setting sprays out of them all. Yep, the very best! Ahead, learn more about our review process, meet our consulting expert, and see which setting sprays passed our test.

Best Overall: One/Size On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray

Average rating: 5/5

Wear time: 10 hours

This setting spray is incredibly popular, and it has been ever since it was rumored it's Beyoncé's go-to product for stage makeup. (If that's not a seal of approval, I don't know what is.) It's a waterproof formula that provides a matte finish and benefits the skin with green tea extract and witch hazel. Together, these ingredients aim to tighten the appearance of pores and absorb excess oil.

What we liked:

"I audibly gasped the first time I used this setting spray. Usually at the end of the night when I remove my makeup, I come to find that a lot of it has already naturally come off. As I wiped a cotton round across my face, it looked as if I had just put my makeup on a few minutes ago. The setting spray gave me a matte finish, and I was obsessed. I've tried it a few times in this testing period, and whether it was a 10-hour day or just dinner with friends, I received almost the same result. The only thing that made it budge was a hot and sweaty night out—it would take a miracle for my makeup to survive that in New York City." — Sierra Mayhew, Associate Editor

What we didn't like:

"The only thing I didn't like about this setting spray was the smell. It smelled like hair spray but directly on my face, which led to some coughs and tearing up after applying it every time. A lot of the other setting sprays on the market have a spa-like scent but don't last as long. If this is a trade-off that I'll have to make, I’ll happily accept it." — Mayhew

Promising customer review: "The one product that is worth writing a review for. I have never had a setting spray work better than this one, and I have tried many. I have jumped in a pool with this and a full face of makeup on and the makeup did not move." — Sephora customer

Best Affordable: Milani Make It Last 

Average rating: 4.5/5

Wear time: 6 hours

For a mere $10, you can't get better than this. The three-in-one formula promises to prep, hydrate, and set the skin, so you can use it before and after makeup application. It also boasts good-for-skin ingredients like hydrating glycerin and antioxidant-rich 2% niacinamide.

What we liked:

"This read as matte on my skin, which I liked, as I tend to get shiny throughout the day. It held up way better than I expected. I'm not sure why I was surprised, but it kept my makeup intact over the course of six hours with no touch-ups. I noticed that my foundation looked almost perfect by the end of the day. There was a small amount of separation, but other than that, it really locked my makeup in place. I could still see my blush and eyeliner by the end of the day, which is a big deal for me because it usually fades or smudges." — Kaitlyn McLintock, Associate Beauty Editor

What we didn't like:

"I only have one complaint, and that's that it didn't prevent all of my foundation separation, which tends to happen from excess oil in my T-zone. Sure, it was minor and easily fixable, but it was still there." — McLintock

Promising customer review: "I love this spray. I work in a restaurant where it's very hot during the summer (in the kitchen). Especially when you're running around, back and forth waitressing. This spray works overtime for me!" — Target customer

Best for Dry Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

Average rating: 5/5

Wear time: 5 hours

This TikTok-viral setting spray is alcohol-free with film-forming polymers, which create a strong but flexible film over makeup; Japanese green tea extract, which supports the skin barrier; and something called aromatic resin, which is supposed to blur the appearance of pores. Reviewers rave about the blurred, natural-looking finish it provides. Translation? It's not too dewy, and it's not too matte. Think of the TikTok "cloud skin" trend.

What we liked:

"The finish held up throughout the day, and I never felt like my skin matted down and got dry, which usually happens for me. (Using this along with the Refy Primer was a match made in heaven. These will now be a part of my everyday routine.) I'm also dealing with some blemishes and scars that usually get patchy throughout the day, and the spray kept the concealer I added on them in place.

"I've tried a ton of setting sprays, and I understand why it comes so highly recommended. I'm a bad skin picker (I'm working on it), but even with that, my makeup didn't budge. It was a light spray and didn't feel heavy on the skin, which I've felt from other setting sprays in the past. It feels very natural and luminous, like I'm using a hydrating mist instead of just a setting spray." — Yusra Siddiqui, Associate Fashion Editor

What we didn't like:

"Honestly, I have no complaints! It got the job done and exceeded my expectations." — Siddiqui

Promising customer review: "After using this spray on my face it immediately gave it a nice glow and it locks in my makeup in place. I will never go back to any other spray again." — Sephora customer

Best for Oily Skin: Nyx Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray

Average rating: 3.5/5

Wear time: 7 hours

A drugstore classic, this setting spray promises to maintain a matte finish on oily skin, no matter what. Like other setting sprays we tested, this one has a vegan formula that's infused with niacinamide.

What we liked:

"Though this spray initially went on a touch shiny, within a few minutes, it dried down super matte. Honestly, my makeup didn't budge all day, and I didn't have to do any touch-ups! I do think this setting spray helped keep my T-zone area, in particular, matte throughout the day. Normally, about two hours after I've applied makeup, even if I set with powder, my T-zone starts to get super oily and the makeup starts to slide off. That didn't happen at all while wearing this! If you're looking for a setting spray to absolutely lock in your makeup with no budging, this is a great one." — Natalie Thurman, Podcast Producer and Editor

What we didn't like:

"While this setting spray worked super well, the experience of applying it and wearing it throughout the day wasn’t my favorite. The spray applicator is pretty intense, and once the product is on, it makes your face quite tight and shiny before drying down to a bit of a sticky, tacky feel. I don't feel like I'd reach for it every day, but if I had a special occasion where I needed my makeup to stay and daily comfort was less of a concern, I would definitely go with this one." — Thurman

Promising customer review: "I have oily skin and always had issues with keeping my makeup intact for a long period of time and let me tell you this setting spray did not fail. My makeup looked amazing after wearing for more than 10 hours." — Amazon customer

Best for Combination Skin: Benefit The Porefessional: Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray

Average rating: 4.5/5

Wear time: 8 hours

Like so many of Benefit's products, this setting spray is specifically formulated to target the appearance of enlarged pores. In other words, it minimizes the look of pores and blurs the skin in general. It has a natural finish, micro-fine mist, and a completely waterproof formula.

What we liked:

"My makeup still looked fresh at the end of the day, and my nose didn't get super oily like it does sometimes. I also was deeply impressed by how it held up in my Pilates class. Normally my makeup is all over the place when I work out (and yes, I know, I should remove my makeup before working out, sorry!), but this really kept it in place.

"I loved that this set my makeup and minimized shine throughout the day but didn't make my skin feel tight. I also really loved the experience of putting it on—it's a super-fine mist, and the spray bottle evenly distributed the product all over my face." — Thurman

What we didn't like:

"While I enjoyed the feel and look of the finish, I did have some creasing around my nose. It was only on the oiliest parts of my face, but if you're looking for a super-matte finish where your makeup won't budge at all, this might not be the one for you." — Thurman

Promising customer review: "Love this setting spray! My makeup actually lasts longer with this spray and I truly do see a difference in my pores after using it." — Sephora customer

Our Feedback on the Other Setting Sprays We Tested

Average rating: 4.5/5

Wear time: 5 hours

Another TikTok-viral product, this one is known for gripping makeup to the skin for long-lasting wear. It provides a dewy finish with an alcohol-free and hydrating formula. It's all thanks to blue agave extract, which sets makeup; hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which hydrate the skin; and aloe and hemp, which soothe the skin.

What we liked:

"Calling all dewy skin lovers and dry-skin people—this setting spray is for you. Instantly after I applied it, my skin looked undeniably dewy (way more than usual) and felt tacky to the touch. This setting spray gives a beautiful glass-like sheen to the skin, which dries down slightly throughout the day. As this setting spray is dewy versus matte, I did need to blot my T-zone midday to reduce excess shine.

"I don't usually wear a setting spray on a daily basis, and I can confidently say that this product made my makeup last much longer than I'm used to. After five-plus hours of wear (including a two-hour shopping excursion), my makeup still looked fairly intact. Even my blush (which is often the first thing to fade) was brighter and more pigmented. I love that this setting spray adds a noticeable boost of hydration and includes skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, aloe, and hemp seed. It also feels super refreshing, which gives me more of an incentive to reapply!" — Emma Hughes, Associate Social Media Editor, Beauty & Wellness

What we didn't like:

"As someone who doesn't use powder on a daily basis, I've learned that I prefer a more mattifying setting spray for my skin type. (I get shiny around my T-zone!) That being said, the extreme sheen I noticed immediately after applying did wear off after a few hours." — Hughes

Promising customer review: "I love the feeling of this product. It doesn't dry out my skin and grips my makeup all day. So good." — Sephora customer

Average rating: 4./5

Wear time: 7 hours

While this isn't a setting spray in the traditional sense (i.e., it's not formulated specifically to keep makeup intact), it can and will extend the wear of your makeup. At its core, it's a spray-on moisturizer that hydrates, soothes, and plumps the skin with botanical oils and extracts. Some of the anti-aging and hydrating ingredients include Okinawa red algae, hyaluronic acid, green tea, and rice. It's basically a tall drink of water for your skin.

What we liked:

"This isn't technically a setting spray—it's more of a hydrating mist. That said, it can prolong the wear of makeup and prevent drying, cracking, and creasing. That's what it did for me. My skin looked fresh and dewy all day long even after I went on a long, sweaty bike ride in 70-degree weather. I was definitely impressed, especially because I have dehydrated, irritation-prone skin. I felt like this really soothed and hydrated my skin even though I had drying makeup on top of it!" — McLintock

What we didn't like:

"I wish it would have gripped my makeup and prolonged its wear a bit better (my lipstick and blush specifically) even though it's not a setting spray in the traditional sense. Still, I was way more impressed than I was disappointed, and I love that this can double as a skin mist and toner." — McLintock

Promising customer review: "I love this dewy mist!! … I like to use this throughout the day to touch up, especially on those hot sunny days when my skin feels so dry. I like the spray of it, it is very strong. Yes, your skin does look dewy afterward. I love the glow look." — Sephora customer

Average rating: 3.5/5

Wear time: 5 hours

Leave it to Selena Gomez to create one of the internet's buzziest setting sprays. This four-in-one product hydrates, refreshes, primes, and sets the skin, so you can use it both before and after makeup application. It includes a bevy of good-for-skin ingredients, including niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, and a botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white water lily. Together, these ingredients promise to hydrate, calm, and generally improve the appearance of skin.

What we liked:

"First and foremost, I liked that it gave my skin a radiant—not shiny—finish. I wore it for five hours on a particularly hot and humid day, and I noticed that the makeup held up better than it would have otherwise. I saw less creasing and smudging, especially in the fine lines around my eyes and nose. However, it didn't keep my eyeliner from transferring." — McLintock

What we didn't like:

"I felt like it didn’t grip my makeup as well as other setting sprays I've tried. However, I absolutely loved its radiant and lightweight finish, which other options lack. I also like that it's more than just a setting spray; it actually benefits my skin." — McLintock

Promising customer review: "I honestly really hate to admit this but this setting spray is ABSOLUTELY amazing! I bought it to help prep my skin but it has MAJORLY helped with oil control and the longevity of my makeup. Now instead of lasting maybe 6-7 hours, I'm able to walk around for 10+ hours without retouching my face." — Sephora customer

Average rating: 3/5

Wear time: 6 hours

Is there any setting spray more iconic than this one from Urban Decay? We don't think so. It's vegan and waterproof and offers a natural finish. What really sets it apart is its so-called temperature-control technology. Time-release molecules burst gradually to lower the temperature of your skin and help keep makeup intact for up to 16 hours.

What we liked:

"I'm no stranger to this setting spray—it was my absolute go-to all of high school and college. This setting spray has seen me through many a sweaty summer day, dance rehearsal, and soirée. I can absolutely say that this setting spray makes a difference in how long my makeup lasts—after wearing this for six hours during the work day (albeit I was stationary and inside), nothing has really budged. It's iconic for a reason—it’s proven time and again to do what it says it will do. For any major event where you don't want your makeup to move an inch, this setting spray is going to deliver." — Hughes

What we didn't like:

"Since high school and college, I've begun to prioritize makeup with skincare benefits above all else. I would rather opt for a setting spray that has less staying power and shine control but includes skincare benefits, or at least, doesn't contain any ingredients that have the potential to dry out my skin. Unfortunately, this setting spray doesn't check that box for me." — Hughes

Promising customer review: "I use this for special occasions and find it adds a nice natural finish to my makeup and helps it last longer without creasing." — Sephora customer

Average rating: 3/5

Wear time: 6 hours

I know we just said that the Urban Decay setting spray was the most iconic, but this one gives it a run for its money. For years, customers have stayed loyal to this multipurpose spray that can prep and refresh the skin both pre– and post–makeup application. Thanks to a pearlescent finish, it offers a dewy, radiant glow to the complexion.

What we liked:

"I have tried a lot of setting sprays where the product is applied a little bit too aggressively with just one spray. This spray bottle lightly misted my face, letting me control just how much product I wanted to use for a more lightweight finish." — Mayhew

What we didn't like:

"It could’ve had more hold, but overall I still liked it." — Mayhew

Promising customer review: "This is by far my favorite setting spray I have ever used! I have tried many others and they are good but they don't quite compare." — Ulta customer

Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist and the founder of Blighlighter and Bloss. She says setting spray is necessary if you want a long-lasting look. "Setting sprays are your makeup's best friend, as typically each is designed for extended wear, and while it's not a required step, it's extremely beneficial for lasting makeup," she says.

Not only do they lock in makeup and keep it where it's supposed to be, but Greenberg says they can keep products from fading on the skin and provide a preferred finish—whether matte, natural, or dewy. "What all setting sprays have in common is extending the longevity of your makeup," she says.

WWW: Are setting sprays or powders better?

Greenberg: I often use both. I start by setting my under-eyes and foundation with powder, then follow up with a spray for extra security and a dewy finish. It's all personal preference and depends on your skin type. If you have naturally oily skin, powders are better suited for you or topped with a mattifying setting spray. If you want a natural skin finish, then a dewier spray should be applied.

When should you use a setting spray?

Some sprays can be used before or after makeup application, depending on your preference. If you want extra-secured coverage, applying in between makeup steps will help to lock each step in place.

Do you have any other tips and tricks for using setting spray correctly?

The beauty of setting sprays is that you don't have to reapply throughout the day—they're designed to keep you lasting all day long! To ensure you're applying properly, spray a few inches away from the face, and go in circular motions making sure to cover the T-zone. Let the product dry before walking out the door; this way the spray is properly set. You can also use powders throughout the day to touch up smudged or creased areas.

Our Deep Reviews Research and Testing Process

This installment of Deep Reviews, like all others, took weeks to complete. Not only do we conduct hours of research, but we also put products through rigorous testing, conducted by our very own editors.

Here's how it went down. We started by looking to other publications—Allure, InStyle, The Cut, and many others—making a master list of all the setting sprays they recommend. We also took into account our own editors' expertise from the past trial and error they've conducted. From there, we compared the lists, color-coded each setting spray, and counted the number of times they were mentioned. Finally, we took overall ratings into account as listed on major beauty retailers.

After all of this, we had our list of setting sprays. All that was left was our own personal testing. We judged them by price, application (whether the mist was fine and lightweight or heavy and wet), and overall efficacy (Did each setting spray really make a difference in the wear and appearance of our makeup?). By the end, we had crowned our overall favorite.