Beauty review: the best setting sprays for a long, sticky summer
I became a setting spray covert later in life, after trying some in the mid-nineties that gave of a distinctly paint fixative vibe I swore I’d never go near them again. Then Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray arrived in my life via a friend in the UK and I was immediately hooked. In all honesty, how had I lived without it?
What exactly is a setting spray?
A setting spray is a mist that can be applied to your makeup look to protect against creasing, smearing, and fading. There are countless options on the market, many offering additional benefits that may or may not appeal depending on your needs. Depending on the formula, they can provide everything from additional sun protection and hydration to a hit of refreshing vitamins, and even acne treatments.
How do I use it?
Setting spray can be applied to the face via several squirts of direct mist or a light cloud of a fine mist. In fact, if you want to just spray it and walk into it you can, but I like to target the area I want really to preserve and even go in with one or two passes.
Setting sprays are usually applied after a full makeup look is complete—but as social media has shown us, that isn't a hard-and-fast rule. Some creators are spritzing on setting spray before blending their makeup, claiming it can decrease cakiness and improve wear time, then adding another layer to really seal the deal.
Setting spray hacks
Just as there are too many setting sprays to count on the shelves, the ways you can use setting spray go beyond a full mist over—or under—your makeup. For example, if you want to set a specific part of your face, some MUAs recommend taking your Beautyblender and dampening it with setting spray. Then, bounce it on the areas where you want a little more durability, and watch it work its magic.
As aforementioned, you don't have to apply setting spray all over your face to reap its benefits. Some don’t use setting spray until they are completely finished with the makeup application, while others just use it to set their eye look or concealer. One MUA shared a great trick with me if your concealer is creasing a little bit: spray some on a Beautyblender and press that in before deciding to add any powder. It’s a winning combo for mature eyes in particular, where concealer can shift and settle into fine lines.
Ad now for some of my favourite setting sprays, which (conveniently) are all available at MECCA:
NARS Light Reflecting™ Makeup Setting Mist
NARS Light Reflecting™ Makeup Setting Mist is a multitasking, skin-enhancing mist that sets, hydrates, and protects all in one step. It uses what the brand calls ‘Invisible Lock Technology’ to comfortably set and keep makeup in place all day and keep colour true without shifting, and it also locks in hydration for 24 hours.
NARS Light Reflecting™ Makeup Setting Mist
NARS Light Reflecting™ Makeup Setting Mist is a multitasking, skin-enhancing mist that sets, hydrates, and protects all in one step. It uses what the brand calls ‘Invisible Lock Technology’ to comfortably set and keep makeup in place all day and keep colour true without shifting, and it also locks in hydration for 24 hours.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
My personal holy grail of setting sprays, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is an oil-free, lightweight setting spray that helps to both prime and set your makeup for up to 16 hours. The unique formula creates a weightless veil of hydration over the skin for a flawless and smoothing effect, and it can be used over foundation, concealer, bronzer and powder without any creasing, melting or fading.
By Terry Hyaluronic Glow Setting Mist
My second favourite, By Terry Hyaluronic Glow Setting Mist is a multi-functional, very fine mist that hydrates, primes and sets makeup up to 16 hours to be smudge-proof and transfer-resistant. The skincare infused formula includes no less than eight different Hyaluronic Acids with a unique protective complex of Camellia Japonica Flower, Ceramides and Probiotics that help to protect against pollution and free radicals for a healthy barrier and flawless skin.
Smashbox Photo Finish Endurance Setting Spray
Smashbox Photo Finish Endurance Setting Spray creates a lightweight breathable barrier that perfects the canvas by smoothing the look of makeup, strengthening skin against the environment, and boosting hydration. This formula absorbs super quickly and helps keep your makeup waterproof, transfer, sweat and humidity-resistant.
My personal holy grail of setting sprays, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is an oil-free, lightweight setting spray that helps to both prime and set your makeup for up to 16 hours. The unique formula creates a weightless veil of hydration over the skin for a flawless and smoothing effect, and it can be used over foundation, concealer, bronzer and powder without any creasing, melting or fading.
By Terry Hyaluronic Glow Setting Mist
My second favourite, By Terry Hyaluronic Glow Setting Mist is a multi-functional, very fine mist that hydrates, primes and sets makeup up to 16 hours to be smudge-proof and transfer-resistant. The skincare infused formula includes no less than eight different Hyaluronic Acids with a unique protective complex of Camellia Japonica Flower, Ceramides and Probiotics that help to protect against pollution and free radicals for a healthy barrier and flawless skin.
Smashbox Photo Finish Endurance Setting Spray
Smashbox Photo Finish Endurance Setting Spray creates a lightweight breathable barrier that perfects the canvas by smoothing the look of makeup, strengthening skin against the environment, and boosting hydration. This formula absorbs super quickly and helps keep your makeup waterproof, transfer, sweat and humidity-resistant.
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