We Tested 28 of the Best Setting Sprays, These 11 are Essential for Long-Lasting Makeup

Best Overall

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Setting Spray

View On Nordstrom $16 View On Ulta $16 View On QVC $16

Our Ratings

• Water Resistance
  5/5
• Performance
  4/5

Setting sprays are known to be multi-functional, but this one from Benefit Cosmetics truly does it all. Although the ultra-fine mist feels completely weightless on the face, it shrinks the look of pores, locks makeup in place, and keeps it looking fresh for up to 16 hours. Even after our reviewer put it through extensive waterproof testing, her makeup didn't budge. "It's comparable to a little rain jacket for my makeup," she says. "I was surprised to find that my makeup didn't run, smear, or move at all even after giving it a good splash."

One of the best things about this setting spray is that it blurs enlarged pores — but, in order to do that, it sits on top of the skin. If you, like our tester, are part of the camp of beauty lovers that prefers products that melt into the skin, take note that this one doesn't quite do that.

Size: 4 fl. oz. | Scented: No | Finish: Matte

Best Value

Beauty Bakerie Spray Your Grace Setting Spray

View On Nordstrom

Our Ratings

• Water Resistance
  4.5/5
• Performance
  5/5

When a brand has Beyoncé's stamp of approval, you know it's legit. Like all of Beauty Bakerie's creations, this product has adorable packaging, a sweet treat-inspired scent (vanilla, in this case), skin-loving ingredients, and incredible staying power.

Inside the pink and white spray bottle is a calming blend of aloe and ginger extracts that work to prep the skin for makeup and set everything in place. Although the lightweight mist contains hydrating ingredients, the setting spray doesn't leave skin feeling sticky or wet — rather, according to our tester, it settles into the skin on contact. Despite being splashed with water, she shares that her makeup didn't move or transfer, even when she blotted her face with a towel.

The fragrance, although addictive, is not for everyone. Our tester loved how subtle the scent was and noted that it didn't irritate her skin at all. However, those with sensitive skin might want to steer clear, especially if they have a tendency to react badly to fragrances.

Size: 3.4 fl. oz. | Scented: Yes | Finish: Matte

Best Drugstore

Pixi Beauty Makeup Fixing Mist

View at Ulta View On Amazon $15 View On Target $15

Our Ratings

• Performance
  4/5

We're not the first to say it and we certainly won't be the last: You don't need to spend a ton of money to find beauty products that actually work. Case in point: Kim Kardashian once shared that she swears by Pixi Beauty's glycolic acid toner, proving that the London-based brand doesn't mess around when it comes to high-quality formulations. Unsurprisingly, the line's makeup-fixing mist is stellar — it prolongs makeup wear and keeps it from melting, even when temps reach triple digits.

With ingredients like rose water, willow bark extract, and green tea, this hydrating and balancing pick is a great option for those with dry, flaky skin. "You can feel the refreshing ingredients settling into your skin right away," our tester shares. "It dried on contact and made my makeup look so smooth."

A few reviewers online felt that the spray gave off a strong rose smell. If you're easily bothered by fragrances, this one might not be for you. Rest assured, though, that our tester says the fragrance becomes less noticeable over time.

Size: 2.7 fl. oz. | Scented: Yes | Finish: Soft-focus

Best Hydrating

Rare Beauty Prime & Set Mist

View On Sephora $14 View On Rarebeauty.com View On Kohls.com $14

Our Ratings

• Water Resistance
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5

This multitasking spray from Rare Beauty takes care of your skin during every phase of your glam, starting with prep and carrying you throughout the day. It's formulated with hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate to lock in moisture and make the skin look brighter and more plump.

To ensure skin stays calm through all day wear, the formula features a soothing botanical blend of lotus, gardenia and white water lily. Aside from giving her skin a healthy-looking glow, our tester found that it helped lock her foundation onto her skin. "It gave my makeup a very natural, glowy finish," she said.

Because of its damp texture, the tester says that her makeup transferred a little bit. "All in all, it was waterproof, but I noticed some of my makeup on the towel I used to blot my face during testing," she explains. "My foundation still looked untouched, though, which is all I care about."

Size: 2.87 fl. oz. | Scented: Yes | Finish: Dewy

Best Water Resistant

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

View On Amazon $17 View On Nordstrom $36 View On Sephora $17

Our Ratings

• Water Resistance
  4/5
• Performance
  5/5

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.

The spray bottle's nozzle is powerful and each spritz is pretty potent, especially when used up close. To avoid an uneven application, hold the bottle eight to 10 inches away from your face and spray it a couple times in an X and T formation.

Size: 4 fl oz | Scented: No | Finish: Satin

Best Matte Finish

One/Size by Patrick Starrr On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray

View On Sephora $17 View On Onesizebeauty.com View On Kohls.com $17

Our Ratings

• Water Resistance
  4.5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Wear
  5/5

Those with oily skin can benefit the most from a good setting spray, given that they're most prone to a makeup meltdown. This one, which testers said was like "spraying air," is the key to a matte finish and makeup that stays where it's supposed to for up to 16 hours.

After the spray set, which happens almost instantly, the tester notes that her makeup looked smooth and poreless. Despite wearing a mask all day, she revealed that her skin stayed shine-free, except around her nose. "This worked wonders for my very oily skin, plus my makeup looked the same at the end of the day — still blurred with no creasing or caking," she says.

She also mentions that the spray made her face feel a little tight after application. Though it wasn't uncomfortable, it's something to keep in mind, especially if you have dry or easily irritated skin.

Size: 3.4 fl oz | Scented: No | Finish: Matte

Best Dewy Finish

Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist

View On Amazon $49 View On Sephora $22 View On Kohls.com $22

Our Ratings

• Comfort
  5/5
• Water Resistance
  4.5/5
• Performance
  4/5

After that elusive lit-from-within glow? All you need is a few spritzes of this dewy setting spray. Made with hydrating botanical oils, the formula works as a primer that can be used before applying makeup or as a way to refresh your skin throughout the day. "The mist feels weightless on the skin and gives it a subtle glow," our tester shares. It even helps combat signs of aging with the help of amino acids and other ingredients to increase collagen production — which also makes skin look plumper and more radiant.

It isn't lost on our tester that the price is pretty high, especially given the size of the product. "For $48, I would consider using this for special occasions rather than part of my everyday makeup routine," she explains. "I wish the bottle was bigger for the price, but it has beautiful results nonetheless."

Size: 1.35 fl oz | Scented: Yes | Finish: Dewy

Best for All Day Wear

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray

View On Amazon $26 View On Nordstrom $26 View On Ulta $26

Our Ratings

• Performance
  4.5/5

Anastasia Soare, the genius behind Anastasia Beverly Hills, has quite the extensive list of celebrity clients — Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Victoria Beckham to name a few. So it's only right that her line of beauty products leaves skin red carpet ready. Even our tester found that after a few spritzes, the setting spray helped her foundation sink into her skin and left behind a glowy yet indestructible finish. "This is one of the best setting sprays I've tried," she says. "It made my makeup melt into my skin and gave me a smooth-looking complexion."

The water-based formula can be used both before and after makeup application and goes on clear — which might be surprising given the bottle's shimmery packaging — to seal makeup in place.

Despite the rave review, there is one con: The nozzle. It broke for some users, causing either too much product to come out or none at all. "The mist came out a little aggressively, so you need to be careful with the nozzle," our tester shares.

Best Long-Lasting

LAWLESS Glam Guard Long-Wear Setting Spray

View On Sephora $20 View On Lawlessbeauty.com

Our Ratings

• Water Resistance
  5/5
• Performance
  4/5
• Wear
  5/5

If you're looking for a setting spray that doesn't budge for all day and into the night, this is the one to grab. Ideal for big events, Lawless Beauty's lightweight mist keeps makeup looking freshly applied for hours on end — 16 to be exact. Unlike other sprays, it extends the life of your makeup without causing it to cake, crease, or settle into fine lines, which is great news for those with mature skin. The formula contains spherical elastomer powder, an ingredient known to absorb oil and reduce shine, as well as a blend of essential oils to refresh the skin.

One thing we'd like to call out is that after reading reviews online, a few users noted that their spray bottles leaked product from the pump. "I love the smell, the black bottle and the packaging, but something about my pump doesn't work right," one user writes. "It eventually got stuck and stopped spraying properly." If this happens to you, we recommend transferring the liquid into a separate spray bottle and continuing use as normal.

Size: 1.7 fl oz | Scented: No | Finish: Natural

Best With SPF

Milani Make It Last Setting Spray

View On Ulta $11 View On Walmart $8 View On Ecosmetics.com $11

Our Ratings

• Performance
  4/5

No one wants their makeup to melt off their face, but protecting your skin against sun damage is equally as important as having flawless foundation. Luckily, Milani has combined makeup setting spray and SPF 30 into a single holy grail product. This micro mist acts like a glue to lock makeup in for the long haul (read: 16 hours) while shielding skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. It also features a lightweight feel and glow-boosting formula, making it perfect for daytime use.

Though you can simply spray on most setting sprays, Our tester shares that this one works best when blended into the skin with a makeup sponge, otherwise it felt sticky sitting on top of her skin.

Size: 2.03 fl oz | Scented: Yes | Finish: Dewy