How to Use Setting Spray for a Flawless Makeup Look

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Lock your makeup in place with this easy-to-use product

Co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: August 6, 2024 Fact Checked

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How to Apply Setting Spray

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Other Uses for Setting Spray

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Choosing a Setting Spray

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FAQ

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Expert Q&A

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Maybe you’re heading out to a 10-hour workday or a night of dancing. Either way, your makeup’s durability will be put to the test. So, how do you ensure it’ll stay in place? Makeup setting spray! This easy-to-use cosmetic helps keep your makeup from smudging or smearing, all while keeping your skin hydrated. Read on to learn how you can apply and add setting spray to your everyday makeup routine.

The Best Way to Use Setting Spray

Hold the bottle an arm’s length away from your face. Then, spritz the setting spray over your makeup in an “X” or “T” pattern. Once the product air dries, your makeup is set for the day!

Section 1 of 4:

How to Apply Setting Spray

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Different sprays contain different ingredients, many of which can settle to the bottom of the bottle. To make sure you are getting the proper mixture, give your bottle a few gentle shakes. No need to shake it vigorously—just enough to mix it all up.
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Spray your entire, finished face of makeup in an "X" or "T" pattern. Hold the bottle 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) away from your face. Spray the product a few times, making sure you get full, even coverage. Spritzing in an “X” and “T” pattern is a good way to ensure coverage.^{[1]
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- Setting spray works best when applied on top of makeup.
- For additional smudge protection, use a primer before applying your foundation. Primer and setting sprays can be used together to lock your look in place.^{[2]
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Once you’ve sprayed your setting spray, let your face air-dry. It won’t take too long for your skin to absorb the spray. Don’t rub or blend the spray anywhere on your face, or you will risk messing up your makeup.^{[3]
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Reapply your setting spray throughout the day. Throw the setting spray into your purse to use it whenever you want. Depending on the specific setting spray you’ve chosen, it can cool you off, mattify your makeup, and rehydrate your skin throughout the day.
- If you touch up or reapply your makeup, make sure to spray again.

Section 2 of 4:

Other Uses for Setting Spray

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Use a setting spray to dampen your foundation sponge in a pinch. Many people use a Beauty Blender, or a generic version of this well-known makeup sponge, to apply their liquid foundation. Experts recommend dampening the sponge before applying makeup. Instead of using water, try using setting spray.^{[4]
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- This may not work with all sponges. Some brands may deteriorate from a setting spray, so be careful.
- The setting spray can also help prevent foundation from coming off over the course of a long day.
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Spray setting spray on your eyeshadow brush for bolder pigment. Some powder eyeshadows have light pigment, and it seems like you have to pack on multiple coats to get the bold, pigmented color you want. Setting spray can help with this. Take your shadow brush and dip it into your choice of powder eyeshadow. Then, before you apply it to your lid, spray the brush with your setting spray. This can help make the shadow more opaque once it’s applied.^{[5]
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- The eyeshadow will be damp going onto your lid, but it will dry quickly.
- The setting spray can also help your eyeshadow stay in place and last all day without smudging or creasing.
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Spritz your under-eye concealer brush with setting spray for easier blending. To cover dark circles and make your eyes appear brighter, apply concealer under your eyes. Use your finger to dab on a few dots of the product. Then, spray your concealer brush with setting spray before using it to blend in the product. Dampening your brush with setting spray can make the concealer blend more easily.^{[6]
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- The setting spray can also help hydrate the delicate skin under your eyes and keep the concealer from creasing.

Section 3 of 4:

Choosing a Setting Spray

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Look for a setting spray that matches your skin type. As with other facial products, different setting sprays work best on different skin types.^{[7]
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Research source} Here are some things you may want to consider before purchasing a setting spray based on your skin type:
- If you have very dry skin, avoid products with alcohol in them, which can dry out your skin even more. Instead, find alcohol-free setting sprays that have moisturizing and hydrating properties.
- If you have naturally oily skin, use an oil-free setting spray that provides a matte finish.
- If you have combination skin, play around with different setting sprays until you find one you like. Many sprays are marketed for all skin types, so those are a great place to start.
EXPERT TIP

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.

Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Our Expert Agrees: Choose a setting spray based on your skin type and needs. If you have oily skin, for example, look for a mattifying setting spray. For dryer skin, avoid setting spray with alcohol in the ingredient list. If you have normal or combination skin, you can use a regular setting spray, or you can choose based on how you want the finish of your skin to look.
During hot, humid days, makeup tends to “melt” off your face. Find a setting spray that is cooling and sweat-resistant. If you are in a cold climate or dead of winter, try a hydrating setting spray to protect your skin against the harsh, dry air.
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Pick a spray that gives you the finish you want. This is a matter of personal preference. Some people like their finished makeup to be matte and completely shine-free. Others prefer a dewy, glowing look. Make sure you take this into consideration when you are picking a setting spray. Some will mattify your face, and others will give you a bit of a dewy sheen.^{[8]
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- The type of finish will be labeled on the product’s packaging. Look for words such as “matte” and “dewy.”
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Use a setting spray with SPF on sunny days. No matter how great our makeup looks, there is no better beauty hack than protecting your skin from the sun. If you are venturing out into the sunshine, find a setting spray that has SPF in it. Apply it to your face before heading out, and reapply it throughout the day.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} Not only can it help your makeup last flawlessly, but it can also protect you from sunburns and other negative effects of sun exposure.
- While an SPF setting spray can give a little bit of sun protection, you still need to wear sunscreen.

Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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Do you apply setting spray before or after makeup? Setting spray works best when it’s applied after your makeup. Think of setting spray like a top coat of nail polish: it adds a beautiful shine to your look while adding another protective layer. While setting spray can be used on your foundation sponge or makeup brushes, it does its job best when applied over a finished makeup look.
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Do you need setting spray? No, setting spray isn’t necessary in every makeup routine. Setting spray is best for occasions when you want a full face of makeup to stay on for long periods of time (a night out, a date, a theater production, etc.). In other words, use setting spray when you don’t want your makeup to smudge, crease, fade, or slide off easily.
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Is setting spray bad for your skin? Setting spray isn’t bad for your skin. While there is a risk of using any makeup product on your skin, the risk isn’t any higher when using a setting spray. Just be aware of the ingredients in the products you choose. For instance, if you have sensitive skin, look for products that are fragrance- and chemical-free.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

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Question

What does makeup setting spray do?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

It forms a protective barrier over your makeup, locking it in place. It should hold for at least 8 hours.

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Question

Is Mac fix plus a good setting spray?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

I haven't used it personally, but I know professional makeup artists who swear by it, so I'd say yes.

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Question

What are the ingredients in makeup setting spray?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The main ingredients are usually a polymer (a binder) and alcohol, which helps it set.

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