Longevity: Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, setting spray should set your makeup to keep it looking as fresh as possible in the hours after application. You’ll find sprays that claim to keep makeup in place for up to 16 hours on this list. Your makeup most likely will wear away as you go about your day, but selecting a formula that’s waterproof or smudge-proof, like our Best Overall, and re-applying it every few hours may swing the odds in your favor. use of the content you supply does not violate these Terms of Use and will not cause injury to any person or entity. On the other hand, our Best Value—and most others on this list—fell flat with preventing my makeup from fading or creasing; instead, the best part was the hydrating feel it provided and the overall healthier appearance I saw on my skin. Charlotte Tilbury's setting spray offers an incredibly dewy, glowy effect. While many people like this look, it wasn't ideal for oily skin. It's also scented. We like the smell but realize that added fragrance can be hit or miss.

Using a setting spray may seem pretty simple — just spray it all over your face when you're done with your makeup, and you're done, right? Well, if you want to take your makeup application expertise to the next level, New York City-based makeup artist Tommy suggests applying setting spray in a zig-zag motion, starting on the forehead and moving down to the chin. "I spritz it on the skin from a distance to help rehydrate the face after applying makeup," he says.

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Often labeled the MVP of setting sprays, this Urban Decay option remains a favorite among makeup artists and beauty lovers alike for a number of reasons. First, it's water-resistant — meaning it stands up to unexpected rainstorms, midday sweat and even romcom-induced tears for up to 16 hours. Our tester shares that even after splashing water on her face, her makeup barely moved. Second, those with oily skin will appreciate that the lightweight formula is infused with kaolin clay to absorb excess oil and control shine throughout the day. Lastly, the setting spray imparts a satin finish on the skin that isn't too dewy or too matte, but rather falls somewhere in between. How it’s held up: As we got into the colder months, we became very appreciative of this spray’s glow-boosting qualities. Not only does our skin feel more quenched after a few sprays, but our visages look a little more alive despite the dreary weather. A spray so popular it’s available in most retail stores, the pore-minimizing spray from Benefit Cosmetics was a hit with us, too. This truly was a microfine mist that felt nearly weightless on top of our makeup, and we loved how cooling it felt as it touched our skin. Edging near a perfect score, this spray earned high marks in feel, performance, and water-resistance during testing. It set our makeup without smudging or running down our faces, and during the water test, it proved mostly waterproof. Though it wasn't fast-drying, this reasonably priced option from L'Oréal passed our splash test and definitely helped our makeup stay intact. Unfortunately, one of our testers experienced a burning sensation and found the smell unpleasant.

There's a whole sea of formulas out there. And we’ve tried and tested them all. To figure out which one should you choose, make sure to consider both your preferred finish (matte or dewy) as well as your skin type (are you team oily, dry or combination?).How it’s held up: Even after months of use, we’re still finding ourselves reaching for this bottle multiple times throughout the week. We still recommend it for days when you’re not wearing a lot of makeup, because while it is very hydrating, it won’t keep your makeup from smudging all day long. On the face, a good setting spray can keep your makeup in place for up to 16 hours. On the shelf, setting spray has a lifespan of anywhere from 12 to 18 months. A good setting spray doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and the E.l.f. Micro-Setting Mist offers solid makeup protection and a refreshing layer of hydration for a budget-friendly price. We were skeptical at first, but later found that it was surprisingly comfortable and lightweight on our skin. Once the spray was applied, we thought it almost felt too hydrating at first, but once it dried, our skin and makeup looked incredibly smooth without feeling cakey. You agree to indemnify and hold Space NK (and its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, joint ventures, employees and third-party service providers, including but not limited to Bazaarvoice, Inc.), harmless from all claims, demands, and damages (actual and consequential) of every kind and nature, known and unknown including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of a breach of your representations and warranties set forth above, or your violation of any law or the rights of a third party.