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Whether you’re going to work, a wedding, or just a night out, everyone wants their makeup to stay in place all day, and it can, thanks to these fabulous liquid setting sprays.
Setting spray is used after your makeup is applied to keep your makeup from sliding, smudging, or disappearing. Simply spray a few spritzes on your face after makeup is applied, let it sit, and voila – your makeup is set in place.
When it comes to finding the right one for you, that’s difficult. If you have oily skin you want a matte finish or if you have dry skin, you want a dewy finish. Whatever the issue is, we made it easier for you to find the right setting spray for you by rounding up all of our top picks below.
From cruelty-free setting sprays to matte, dewy, and more – there’s something for everyone on our list that works on all skin tones and types! Here are the quality liquid setting sprays of 2024!
Compare the Top Liquid Setting Spray of 2024
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Makeup Setting Spray — Best Overall
Keep your makeup in place all day long while combatting shine with this matte setting spray. This spray works with all makeup to lock it in and prevent it from smudging while keeping your skin grease and oil-free. It’s lightweight and non-sticky, and the best part is, that it’s completely vegan and cruelty-free.
Pros
- It’s vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Less is more when it comes to application
Pure Bliss Makeup Setting Spray with Organic Green Tea — Runner Up
If you have sensitive skin, this is the perfect option for you because it's non-irritating, doesn’t contain parabens, petrochemicals, or artificial fragrances, and is never tested on animals. This makeup setting spray comes out in a fine mist, dries quickly, and is never sticky. Plus, it’s formulated with green tea extracts, DMAE and MSM.
Pros
- Formulated without parabens, petrochemicals, or artificial fragrances
Cons
- It doesn’t last all-day
Milani Make It Dewy 3-In-1 Setting Spray — Honorable Mention
Kill three birds with one stone with this setting spray that hydrates and illuminates your skin, and sets your makeup. It keeps your makeup in place for up to 16 hours and leaves your skin with a gorgeous glowing finish. You don’t have to worry about your makeup drying out or cracking because this setting spray keeps it looking fresh. Not only does it leave your skin looking dewy, but it is also 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Pros
- It locks in makeup for up to 16 hours
Cons
- It can get sticky if you use too much
Skindinavia Makeup Setting Spray — Contender
If you want your makeup to stay in place all day long, then this is the setting spray for you. It uses patented temperature control technology to keep your makeup cool to avoid it from melting or smudging off your face. Even better, it is heat-resistant, oil-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. You can spray it before or after makeup application to give your skin a gorgeous natural finish.
Pros
- It uses technology to keep making from melting off
Cons
- It doesn’t have SPF
Rimmel Stay Matte Fix & Go 2-in-1 Primer & Setting Spray — Also Consider
Now you can save some space in your makeup bag with this setting spray which acts as a primer and a setting spray. Simply spritz it on a cleansed face to prep your makeup application then spray it over a full face of glam to keep it in place all day long. It gives off a matte finish so you don’t have to worry about your face looking oily or greasy throughout the day.
Pros
- It’s a primer and a setting spray in one
Cons
- It doesn’t have SPF
Buying Guide: Liquid Setting Spray
What Does Setting Spray Do For Makeup?
Liquid setting spray refers to a cosmetic product used for preserving the finished makeup look. It is a liquid mist that helps settle your makeup and keep the layers of products intact. The spray doesn't let your makeup smudge, slide, or fade. Hence, you can have flawless makeup for consecutive hours and even the whole day.
There's no need for touch-ups or worrying about anything becoming messy. Besides, the product consists mainly of alcohol and water. These two ingredients combine to make the results efficient and quick. So, when you apply the spray after makeup, it dries within minutes. Also, you must apply only a small amount since setting sprays have a long-lasting performance.
Setting Spray vs Powder: Which One Is Better?
Setting powder is a loose powder form of a liquid setting spray. It comes in small compact cases that require a brush to remove and apply the desired amount. Meanwhile, setting sprays are liquid mists that come in atomizer bottles. You can spray the product directly on the makeup. So, what sets them apart when the function is the same? Here's a detailed comparison:
Results
Setting powder has a dry texture, so it offers a more matte and subtle effect when brushed over key areas. Your skin doesn't pop or look different from the rest of the face.
Comparatively, a setting spray is a liquid mist that hydrates your skin upon contact. It moistens up the makeup before drying to leave a dewy finish. Instead of matte, the makeup appears soft, natural, and textureless.
Application
When using powder, you will require a brush to apply it to the desired areas. Even then, you can only brush the product on to face makeup only. It's not possible to apply the powder on lipstick, mascara, and brows without risking safety. However, a setting spray is a mist that you can spray all over your face without worries.
Skin type
A liquid setting spray is a humectant because it hydrates and moistens your skin. It attracts water molecules and traps them inside the skin so that your makeup appears fresh. Hence, it makes a great choice for dry skin.
However, if you have oily skin, the setting powder might be more appropriate. Powder helps absorb the oil and water, so your skin appears dry while the risk of makeup bleeding reduces significantly. Please note that people with combination skin can choose any type.
Color variants
Unlike setting sprays, setting powder is available in a variety of colors like brown and beige. These tinted shades deepen the foundation and add warmth to your look, but setting sprays are colorless. It makes them universal for all skin tones.
How to Choose the Top Liquid Setting Spray?
There are hundreds of different liquid setting sprays available in the market. The variety leads to confusion and unsatisfactory purchases. It is why we have researched the best features worth considering in a liquid setting spray!
Powerful
A liquid setting spray should have a powerful and efficient formula. Its composition must be strong enough to settle the makeup at once using a minimal amount. You certainly don't want to spray loads of liquid on your makeup.
Quick-drying
Besides being fast-acting, a setting spray should dry quickly to prevent the makeup from becoming too moist. All your hard work can bleed and smudge, which was what you were trying to avoid in the first place. Ideally, setting sprays should not take more than a minute to dry.
Safety
Setting sprays are cosmetic products which means you cannot avoid chemicals and inorganic substances. Harsh and strong chemicals will come in contact with your skin. However, you can ensure minimal damage by evaluating the composition.
Do not opt for sprays that contain chemicals capable of triggering reactions and allergies. Also, consider choosing a setting spray designed for a specific skin type for best results. For example, if your skin reacts quickly to chemicals, opt for a mild setting spray for sensitive skins.
Quantity
Typically, a small quantity of setting spray goes a long time. It is why you will find them in small compact bottles. However, if you're a professional makeup artist and do a lot of makeup, you will require a larger quantity.
Top Liquid Setting Spray Brands
The brand of a liquid setting spray does not merely define its quality and price, but it also highlights the customer service and support you will receive after purchase. So, be it a complaint or question, reputable brands will always ensure you have the best experience possible.
Maybelline
Founded in 1914, Maybelline New York is an American multinational company that sells all types of beauty products. Be it lipsticks or setting sprays - the brand offers you top-notch items to ace the makeup game.
Rimmel
Rimmel London is a highly competitive brand that produces high-quality setting sprays at great prices. You can rely on them for safe and non-toxic items that last long.
NYX
NYX is an American cosmetic company established in 1999 that manufactures lipsticks, sprays, and much more. Since then, the company has risen amongst the leading names.
