14 Best Setting Sprays That Literally Have You Covered

Why It's Worth It: No need to hit the department store kiosks when the drugstore is stocked with budget-friendly finds, like the e.l.f Cosmetics Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist, for your makeup bag. This featherweight mister locks makeup in place for up to 16 hours without smearing, smudging, or budging throughout the day. As it hold your makeup look in place, its formula soothes and moisturizes skin with a blend of cucumber, aloe vera, and green tea extracts.

Editor Tip: If the spray tip clogs, don't fret. The brand recommends running it under hot water to rinse away build-up, making the mister as good as new.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: Dry skin types, listen up: Milk Makeup's Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray will set makeup without the drying properties of other setting products. On top of preventing issues like smudging, caking, and fading, this mist will also treat your skin to a softening, smoothing blend of hydrating hyaluronic acid, soothing aloe vera, and moisturizing oils derived from hemp and moringa seeds. No wonder Glazer says this is her personal favorite and her final step to her everyday routine. "This product can be used to refresh as well and keeps makeup on for up to 12 hours," she says.

Editor Tip: We love it so much we added it to our January 2024 Allure Beauty Box lineup. Subscribe to the Allure Beauty Box here to start receiving 6+ editor favorites (a $100+ value) every month —  for just $25.

Finish: Dewy | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: The Maybelline New York Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray may only cost $10, but its featherweight, barely-there feel is the real reason why Glazer picks up a bottle of this spray every time she hits up the drugstore aisles. "It's superfine mist is so long-lasting and lightweight, so definitely don’t pass this one by," she says.

Editor Tip: Though it doesn't contain any complexion-enhancing additives worth shouting out, its simple formula provides temporary mattifying benefits (thanks, oil-reducing polymers) as it secures any and all makeup in place for up to 16 hours.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: The Milani Make It Last Original Setting Spray doubles as both as a primer and a finisher. Along with skin-brightening niacinamide, this setting spray is infused with skin-loving ingredients like glycerin, an additive known for its hydrating humectant properties, and antioxidant-rich watermelon fruit extract that'll make skin look luminous while protecting it against environmental aggressors. For an added bonus of sunscreen protection, check out Make it Last Sunscreen Setting Spray SPF 30.

Editor Tip: Allure tester Kat Suico says that this is one of her favorite setting sprays of all time. "I love that I've found a drugstore option that works well for me," she says. "This spray comes out in a fine mist that covers my face in about two to three pumps. I'm convinced it grips and helps makeup last all day."

Finish: Natural | Waterproof: Yes

Why It's Worth It: Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray has a pore-blurring formula that creates an airbrushed, filter-like effect, which is why it's an Allure editor-favorite. On top of its pore-blurring finish, each sprit douses your skin in a soothing blend of aloe vera and green tea extracts to provide a cooling effect while calming redness and irritation.

Editor Tip: When Allure shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis first tried this spray, she was skeptical because setting sprays never really work for her. Luckily, it proved to be the exception. "My makeup lasted all day — even under a mask — and that, my friends, is impressive," she says.

Finish: Demi-matte | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: If you're all about a matte, grease-free finish, One/Size's On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray is your best bet. Alongside polymers that ensure your makeup look doesn't melt off throughout the day, this setting spray is spiked with green tea and witch hazel extracts, two ingredients that oily skin types should be very familiar with. The former is rich in brightening, sebum-balancing antioxidants while the latter is a popular astringent known for its oil-reducing properties.

Editor Tip: Bicoastal makeup artist Ashlee Glazer says this mattifying, waterproof formula is a mainstay in her makeup collection for its impressive staying power, which allows makeup to stay in place for up to 16 hours even when the elements are against you. "Beyoncé's makeup artist Rokael credited this exact setting spray for keeping the makeup perfect during a moment of rain during a Renaissance tour — talk about the ultimate test," she says.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: Yes

Why It's Worth It: As its name suggests, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray will make your complexion look reflective and glowy. The beauty of this formula is that it still somehow ensures makeup stays where it's supposed to, with the added benefits of smelling like a delightful coconut- and vanilla-infused treat. Its water-based formula feels like nothing on skin, but that doesn't mean it isn't working some skin-plumping magic. As this weightless spray sets your makeup, you can expect your skin to be treated with hydrating glycerin and moisturizing castor oil.

Editor Tip: Don't be fooled by it's glitzy bottle, because this fan-favorite setting spray's formula is free of any glitter, sparkle, or shimmer. You can still expect a stunning glow on your complexion from its conditioning ingredients, though.

Finish: Dewy | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: Chances are you've heard of the MAC Fix+ Setting Spray, a fan favorite in this category. Well now, the brand introduced the MAC Fix + Stay Over Setting Spray, an alcohol-free version of the original that's better suited for sensitive skin. This 2022 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner is made with a mix of white cucumber extract and green tea leaf extract that gives you a transfer-free look for up to 16 hours.

Editor Tip: If dullness is a concern of yours, the Magic Radiance Fix+ is also extremely good (it even contains skin-brightening vitamin C!) and won a 2021 Best of Beauty Award.

Finish: Natural | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: Another 2020 Best of Beauty winner, the Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray is a longtime favorite of Allure editors and makeup artists alike (even Glazer says she's a fan). The microfine mist is totally sweat and waterproof and is guaranteed to lock makeup in place for up to 16 hours, so you dance the night away without worrying about your foundation melting off or your shadow creasing.

Editor Tip: "It’s a soft, scentless lightweight setting spray that keeps your makeup looking perfect for any occasion," says Glazer. "This is a must have if you are a special occasion artist or if you have a special event."

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: Yes

Why It's Worth It: The Nyx Professional Makeup Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray is great if you're looking for more of a glowy, dewy finish, rather than matte. This drugstore find leaves skin looking luminous but never oily, all due to its main ingredient, niacinamide. This antioxidant is a popular skin-care ingredient known for its oil-controlling and complexion-brightening properties.

Editor Tip: This setting spray ensures a 16-hour hold on your makeup, so feel free to dance the day (or night) away after spritzing it.

Finish: Dewy | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: The way Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray is part makeup lock, part skin moisturizer, all with lots of staying power. The Allure Best of Beauty Award winner creates an invisible shield over skin to give it a dewy finish and it has a blurring effect, in case you have any blemishes or enlarged pores you'd like to conceal, while keeping your makeup in place for the day.

Editor Tip: Former Allure contributor Audrey Noble previously reported that this radiance-boosting mist immediately became a staple in her everyday makeup routine after her first spritz. "An extension of the popular Veil line, it's perfect for those of us who don't want to deal with powder and are looking for something that blurs the appearance of pores and uneven skin texture," she says. "It contains glycerin to hydrate skin and is made of an intensive shield of polymers that prevent sweat and water from ruining makeup without any drying effects."

Finish: Dewy | Waterproof: No

Why It's Worth It: According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, dimethicone, which you can find in Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Super Setter Pore-Minimizing Setting Spray, "gives a blurring effect to the skin." The microfine mist minimizes the appearance of pores, all while maximizing the wear time of makeup for up to 16 hours.

Editor Tip: This pick has a mattifying hold on makeup that won't allow any cosmetics to budge or fade throughout the day, so it's especially great for full-glam makeup looks.

Finish: Matte | Waterproof: Yes