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
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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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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Use Makeup Setting Spray
    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.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Use Makeup Setting Spray
    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]
    • 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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  3. 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]
  4. 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.
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Section 2 of 4:

Other Uses for Setting Spray

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Use Makeup Setting Spray
    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]
    • 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.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Use Makeup Setting Spray
    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]
    • 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.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Use Makeup Setting Spray
    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]
    • The setting spray can also help hydrate the delicate skin under your eyes and keep the concealer from creasing.
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Section 3 of 4:

Choosing a Setting Spray

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  1. As with other facial products, different setting sprays work best on different skin types. [7] 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.

  2. 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.
  3. 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]
    • The type of finish will be labeled on the product’s packaging. Look for words such as “matte” and “dewy.”
  4. 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] 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.
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Section 4 of 4:

FAQ

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  1. 1
    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.
  2. 2
    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.
  3. 3
    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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Expert Q&A

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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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 9
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/vpfugf9QA9Q?t=315
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/04Pv2SkN5zQ?t=57
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/04Pv2SkN5zQ?t=373
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/3r1J7FhZ0PU?t=202
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/3r1J7FhZ0PU?t=35
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/3r1J7FhZ0PU?t=161
      7. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/reviews/g3523/makeup-setting-sprays-tried-and-tested-cosmo-beauty-lab/
      8. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/reviews/g3523/makeup-setting-sprays-tried-and-tested-cosmo-beauty-lab/
      9. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/
      1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-tips-dermatologists-use

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To help your makeup last as long as possible, use a makeup setting spray to add a protective barrier over your face. Apply your makeup as normal, then shake the setting spray bottle a few times to make sure the ingredients are evenly combined. Then, hold the bottle 6 to 8 inches away from your head and spray the product over your face. To ensure you get even coverage, try spraying in an "X" shape over your face, then spray again in a "T" shape. Once you've finished applying the spray, let it dry naturally, since rubbing or blending it can cause you to ruin your makeup. For more advice from our Beauty co-author, including how to choose the right setting spray for your skin type, keep reading!

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      • Janet Adekumola

        Jun 21, 2020

        "I really find this article helpful. When I first applied the setting spray on my make up, I sprayed it too close to ..." more
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