Setting Sprays

If you’re looking for the best setting spray, you’ve come to the right place: Our Matte Finish Setting Spray is America’s #1 best-selling setting spray.* The lightweight, breathable formula sprays on easily and locks your makeup into place while helping to keep unwanted shine to a minimum. That said, the best setting spray is the one you like best—browse our full collection of vegan makeup to find your fave.

*L’Oreal calculation based in part on data reported by NielsenIQ through its Scantrack Service for the Makeup Spray sub segment for the 52-week period ending January 1, 2022, for the US xAOC market according to L’Oreal’s custom product hierarchy. Copyright © 2022, Nielsen Consumer LLC

It’s all in the name: Setting spray sets your makeup in place and keeps it from budging throughout the day. But that’s not all it does. Most sprays also help protect against unwanted fading and enhance the intensity of your pigment. Depending on the formula, makeup setting spray can also help mattify your skin (super helpful if you’re prone to shine), add a fresh, dewy glow (hello, glass skin), or even impart your look with a touch of subtle sparkle. The secret is to find the right formula for your beauty goals.

Makeup setting spray is super easy to use—it doesn’t require any tools (though you can apply it with a sponge if desired). Usually, setting spray is misted directly onto your skin from a distance of about six inches after you finish applying all of your makeup. For even longer hold, you can spritz your setting spray on between layers of makeup to lock them in place before applying the next layer.

Pro Tips: To up the intensity of your statement eyeshadow, spray a small amount of setting spray onto a brush before sweeping your eyeshadow over your lid. This makeup hack will help keep your shadow in place, minimize fallout, and ensure you’re getting maximum color payoff. In the same vein, you can spritz a damp blending sponge with setting spray before using it to apply setting or mattifying powder. This can help further lock in face makeup.

“Necessary” isn’t a word we love to use when it comes to makeup—you should always do what feels right for you. But if you want smudge-proof, budge-proof makeup, yes, setting spray should definitely be part of your routine.

Think of your makeup as a sandwich (weird metaphor, but trust us on this one). The first thing you want to apply is your makeup primer to prep your skin for the rest of your makeup. Then comes your foundation, concealer, eyeshadow—basically everything needed to complete your look. Then, you finish the makeup sandwich with several spritzes of setting spray to seal it all in place. With certain formulas, you can also use setting spray to prime your skin, misting it onto your face before applying foundation for extra hold. In that case, however, you would forgo applying a regular makeup primer.

This is a super-common question, and it’s understandable—both setting powder and setting spray are designed to help set your makeup in place. So we’re here to set the record straight: your setting powder (if you’re using one) should be applied before your setting spray. Once you dust off the excess powder, you can spritz your face with your chosen setting spray to further lock makeup in place and refresh your skin.

You can absolutely spray your brushes with setting spray before using them. When you spray your eyeshadow brushes before applying your shadow, for example, it may help increase the intensity of your pigment and prolong your shadows’ wear. The same principle applies to pretty much any makeup product you want to use—it’s not a must, but it doesn’t hurt. That being said, you don’t want to soak your brush, as that can interfere with a smooth, even application. Simply spritz your makeup brush once or twice to dampen it, then apply your makeup as normal.

Setting spray is certainly useful even if you don’t wear foundation. It doesn’t just help hold your base in place, but also eyeshadow, blush, highlighter, and eyeliner. Ultimately, setting spray can only help your beauty routine—so if you want a budge-proof, long-wear look, setting spray is your friend.