The 11 Best Setting Sprays of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Finish: Natural | Amount: 1, 4 oz | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Urban Decay was among the first to launch a setting spray, and not surprisingly, the brand continues to reign supreme in this makeup category. After spritzing on the fan-favorite All Nighter Spray, it absorbed into the skin and we loved the refreshingly lightweight feel. Suitable for all skin types, the nonirritating formula plays well over other products, delivering a natural-looking glow that makes your makeup pop. What’s more, it keeps your glam looking fresh for up to 16 hours.

Thanks to Urban Decay’s patented Temperature Control Technology, this award-winning product actually lowers the temperature of your creams, liquids, and powders to ensure long-lasting, transfer-resistant wear. To investigate the waterproof claims, we splashed water on our faces. Sure enough, our makeup didn’t budge.

Read Full Review: Urban Decay’s Setting Spray Kept My Makeup Locked in Place for Hours

Finish: Dewy | Amount: 2.7 oz | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Setting spray isn’t necessarily a luxury beauty product, even if it makes you feel fancy. Case in point: this budget-friendly, highly effective formula from e.l.f. that feels super lightweight on the skin. The microfine mist leaves a healthy-looking dewy finish in its wake and we appreciated that it didn’t feel wet or look greasy.

This setting spray isn’t billed as waterproof, but it promises to lock in your makeup for up to 16 hours. And while it contains synthetic fragrance, which can be irritating for sensitive skin, we didn’t find the scent to be overwhelming.

Finish: Matte | Amount: 2 oz | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

NYX’s Matte Finish Setting Spray was a hit both in The Lab and when we tested it at home. While it felt slightly sticky at first, we found that it dried immediately and didn’t smear makeup underneath.

As the name suggests, this bestseller provides a mattifying effect while controlling shine and oil production. One thing to note is that it’s not waterproof. During our splash test, splashing water on the face resulted in minor smudging, though we didn’t need to redo our makeup.

Finish: Natural | Amount: 1–4 oz | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Reactive skin? Go with Tower 28’s cult-loved SOS Spray. Not only does it feel lightweight and virtually unnoticeable on the skin, but it also helps to tame redness and irritation and can be used alone as a calming skincare product.

Though this product doesn’t claim to be waterproof, it safeguarded one of our tester’s makeup during the splash test and didn’t smudge when she blotted with a towel. Just a heads-up: It smells like chlorine, but if you don’t mind that, your sensitive complexion will thank you.

Finish: Dewy/radiant | Amount: 0.4–3.4 oz | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It can be hard to avoid a dry finish when you have dry skin, but this multipurpose mist from Anastasia Beverly Hills offers a simple solution. Dewy Set can be used as a first step to prep your skin, then spritzed on again to set your makeup and refresh it throughout the day.

We should note that the nozzle works almost too well in that it’s easy to overdo it with too much product. It leaves the skin feeling pretty wet after just a few spritzes, but it dried quickly and didn’t disrupt our makeup. It feels cooling on the skin, has a nice coconutty-vanilla scent, and leaves a radiant, glowy finish behind.

Finish: Matte | Amount: 1–3.4 oz | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you prefer a matte finish, we recommend One/Size On ‘Til Dawn. The lightweight formula sets makeup instantly, and though it created a minor tightening sensation on the skin, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Beyoncé’s makeup artist even recently shared that this is the setting spray she used on the Renaissance World tour—and it lasted through a rain storm in Washington D.C.

Once dry, it leaves the complexion looking smooth and crease-free with a soft-focus blurred effect that kept our makeup intact all day—even through splashes of water. And while this setting spray is mattifying, it didn’t look flat or feel dry on the skin. It smells kind of perfume-y, which some people don’t mind, but the added fragrance could be irritating.

Finish: Dewy/luminous | Amount: 0.4–1.4 oz | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Going for a dewy finish look? Tatcha is your best bet. The brand’s Luminous Dewy Skin Mist has a light, refreshing feel, and a nice subtle scent. Thanks to a hydrating blend of red algae, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, a few spritzes are all you need to plump up your skin and create a healthy glow.

We found that it felt totally weightless on the skin and worked to set makeup in place while creating a luminous finish. You don’t have to worry about the mist being too aggressive or soaking your face, in fact, we wish it was a bit more powerful as it takes many sprays to evenly coat the face. While Tatcha doesn’t describe this product as waterproof, it definitely passed our splash test. We just wish the bottle were a little bigger, considering the steep price point.

Finish: Radiant | Amount: 1.7–3.4 oz | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Milk’s Hydro Grip Spray really impressed us. It felt cool on the face and dried quickly into a radiant finish. While the lightweight formula is very hydrating, it didn’t feel overly wet or sticky.

Once dry, this skin-friendly setting spray promises to keep your makeup in place for up to 12 hours. A splash of water did result in some slight smudging, but almost nothing transferred when we patted our skin with a towel.

Finish: Natural | Amount: 1–4 oz | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

If you need a waterproof formula, The POREfessional has your name on it. This microfine mist has a virtually weightless, slightly cooling feel. It applies evenly and works beautifully to prevent makeup from smearing.

While this product didn’t really deliver on its pore-blurring claims, it definitely seems to lock in the products underneath. Calling it a “little rain jacket for her makeup,” one tester said that everything stayed intact after giving her face a good splash. With that said, you can count on The POREfessional to make good on its promise of 16-hour wear.

Finish: Natural | Amount: 3.4 oz | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: No

MAC’s Prep + Prime Spray has been a beauty-bag staple for several years—and for good reason. The nozzle was a little finicky at first, but once we got it working, it helped to reduce a powdery finish and set the makeup in place. It’s not dewy or mattifying, it just has a natural finish, which makes it great for all skin types.

This multipurpose mist can also be used to prep and hydrate your skin and refresh your face throughout the day. Though it had a slightly sticky feel, it smoothed the skin and left it looking refreshed. And while it’s not billed as waterproof, it seemed to offer some moisture resistance and promises to help your makeup last for 12 hours.

Finish: Radiant | Amount: 2.9 oz | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rare Beauty’s take on setting spray is this multipurpose mist that not only sets your makeup but also hydrates, primes, and refreshes your skin. After trying it first-hand, we can confirm that it lives up to its claims as a four-in-one formula.

One tester said that it melted her foundation into her face and left her with a “natural, glowy” complexion and smaller-looking pores. This all-star spray is also waterproof and transfer-resistant. Thanks to a blend of niacinamide (vitamin B3) and white water lily, it even helps soothe stressed skin.