These Two Products Are the Secret to Longer-Lasting Makeup
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
If you don't have a setting spray in your makeup arsenal, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, your makeup routine is suffering.
In fact, you may be missing a very important step.
As someone with an oily T-zone who used to battle patchiness, shine and fading makeup by mid-afternoon, primers and more recently, using a makeup setting spray, has changed the makeup game for me.
Some of my favourites? The L'Oréal Infallible Setting Spray (many beauty enthusiasts in my orbit, whom I’ve talked to, are also big fans) or MAC Fix+, which my Beauty IQ co-host Tegan uses more as a "melding spray" than a traditional setting spray.
So where do hydrating sprays fit into the picture? And can they elevate your makeup game even more? Turns out - yes.
Let’s find out more…
Difference Between Setting Spray and Mist
Adore Beauty’s Makeup & Fragrance Merchandise Manager Emma Hogan explains:
“Think of hydration mists and setting sprays as the ultimate power couple. They serve completely different purposes, but they work harmoniously together.
A hydration mist like Clinique Moisture Surge floods the skin with moisture to prep the canvas and acts as a primer, keeping you hydrated and fresh.
A setting spray like Benefit’s POREfessional Super Setter is your final coat of armour; the blurring formula helps to lock your makeup in place so it won't budge.
To get the best of both worlds, use the 'sandwich method.' Start by prepping bare skin with your hydration mist to plump it up, apply your makeup, and then seal the entire look with a setting spray.
By layering them this way, you feed the skin from underneath and protect it from the outside, achieving a finish that looks incredibly juicy but lasts all day”
What’s the Difference Between Setting Spray and Fixing Spray
What’s the difference between a setting and fixing spray?
As Emma says, "Setting and fixing sprays are pretty interchangeable”; however, these are the main differences:
A setting spray helps melt makeup together and refresh the complexion for a more seamless, natural-looking finish, while a fixing spray is designed to lock everything in place, helping your makeup withstand heat, humidity and long days with minimal fading.
Setting Spray: Good for everyday wear, dry, and sensitive skins. When to use a setting spray? Apply before, during or after makeup to refresh the complexion and help seamlessly blend makeup layers together.
The texture and finish is often lightweight and hydrating. Contain skin-loving ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lightweight oils, giving a slightly dewy or natural finish.
Fixing Sprays: Are usually more heavy-duty/stronger and used as a long-lasting product. It creates a barrier over makeup, locking makeup into place, making it resistant to humidity, sweat, and long hours.
The formula usually feels a bit more stiff on the skin and is best used for full-coverage makeup occasions. How to use a fixing spray? You can actually layer it on top of your setting spray or just as a final step in your makeup routine.
How to use a setting spray?
The standard method is to give it a bit of a shake so everything is blended and mixed, then hold the bottle about 8 to 10 inches away from your face and spray in a 'T' and then 'X' motion and let it air-dry for a couple of minutes without touching your face
Hydrating Sprays to Apply Before Makeup
Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray, $55
The lightweight formula leaves skin feeling soft, supple and hydrated in seconds, while helping restore moisture levels throughout the day.
Suitable for all skin types, it's infused with soothing aloe vera to help calm the skin while replenishing lost moisture. A few spritzes later and your complexion looks fresher, feels more comfortable and has that healthy, dewy glow.
Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray review from AB customer:
"This facial mist revived my complexion after a long day indoors. It didn't disturb my makeup, but it softened the entire look with just two sprays." - Yazmine.
Jane Iredale Lavender Calming Hydration Spray, $76
Part setting spray, part soothing skincare mist, this cruelty-free and vegan Jane Iredale Lavender Hydration Spray helps to set makeup while delivering a welcome boost of hydration to the skin.
Infused with calming botanical ingredients including lavender, chamomile and aloe vera extract, it's an especially lovely option for those prone to redness or sensitivity. It’s also made with 100% natural ingredients.
Jane Iredale Lavender Calming Hydration Spray review from AB customer:
"This calming face mist refreshed my skin and made my makeup look more seamless and natural." - Riverina.
Skinstitut Multi-Active Mist, $45
Powered by hardworking ingredients like ginseng and green tea, which provides antioxidant protection, as well as vitamin C and B3 to brighten and strengthen the skin.
A powerhouse mist in a little under $50 bottle, the addition of hyaluronic acid helps deliver a boost of hydration, making it a great option not only as a prep step before makeup but as an everyday skincare staple too.
A great facial mist to take on travel (Europe goers - I’m looking at you).
Designed to help boost radiance while improving the look of skin tone and texture, it's also Australian-made, cruelty-free and vegan - a win on all fronts.
Skinstitut Multi-Active Mist review from AB customer:
"This mist elevates hydration to an art form. The spritz is ultra-fine and the aroma calming. My skin feels refreshed and lightly tightened with every use. It adds a soft dewiness under or over makeup without disturbing any layers." - Lina.
Setting Sprays and Fixing Sprays to Apply After Makeup
L'Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist, $29.99
Like I said in this '3 Beauty Editor-Approved Budget Beauty Buys Under $30' article, To find a setting spray that doesn't spritz into a bunch of uneven splotches on my face or shoot out like a water gun, often catching an eyeball, is a rare find. Then finding a setting spray under $50 that SPREADS EVENLY (like an actual mist?!) - GIVE ME TEN.
This L'Oréal 3-second setting mist has been keeping my base intact for 90% of my day and I truly appreciate that kind of legwork.
The micro-fine mist applies evenly, dries almost instantly (no flapping your hand in your face), and is also transfer-proof and sweat-proof.
L'Oreal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist review from AB customer:
"I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IT LASTED ME THOUGH A 18th BIRTHDAY HOUSE PARTY. I put the elf hyrogrip primer as a starter then locked in with this, I put my make up on at 5pm danced, sweated I ended up taking it off the next day at 7pm and my makeup still looked amazing. Some people dont like aerosole on their face nor do I but this is the only exception. Dont walk, dont run, fight for this it's amazing." - Marley.
M.A.C Cosmetics FIX + ORIGINAL, $54
The OG of setting sprays, the MAC Fix spray shines in its versatility, helping to prime, set and refresh the skin.
This setting spray is one I’ve also personally tried and can confirm it pumps out a fine mist that is weightless and delivers an even application.
It’s also a vegan and alcohol-free setting spray. It’s non-comedogenic; it’s hydrating, and improves make-up finish and keeps it looking fresh for up to 12 hours.
A good, hydrating setting spray, it includes skin-loving ingredients like green tea, camomile and cucumber to also soothe and nourish the skin.
Beauty IQ Expert podcast host Tegan Mac once shared on an episode that a makeup artist applied MAC Fix+ before foundation and then again afterwards to help all the complexion products melt seamlessly together!
Genius, right? (see friends, this is why you need to subscribe to Beauty IQ Expert, we just hand out expert advice and beauty hacks like candy!)
M.A.C Cosmetics FIX + ORIGINAL AB customer review:
"Great everyday setting spray, melts your makeup and makes your skin glow. A tried and true favourite!" - Mon.
NYX Professional Makeup Matte Setting Spray, $17.99
Not all make-up lovers are looking for high shine. Especially oily skins, so for those looking for a matte setting spray, can we direct you to this under NYX setting spray?
This is a cruelty-free and vegan setting spray that helps control oil and shine, all while prolonging your makeup wear time.
It will also work to reduce make-up transfer and smudging.
NYX Professional Makeup Matte Setting Spray review from AB customer:
"Always end up coming back to this setting spray. I've tried many others but I just love the longevity of my makeup and it also helps my makeup not come off when I touch my face etc." - Gab
MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix, $55
Also available in a matte version, this MAKE UP FOR EVER setting spray is ideal for normal to dry skin. It adds radiance and hydration and locks in your makeup for up to 24 hours. It’s also housed in a recyclable bottle and is made from 93% natural origin ingredients. Skin-loving ingredients in the setting spray include hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
Also very versatile, there are many ways to use this setting spray:
- You can use Mist & Fix after applying each makeup product, to set each layer.
- Mix it with eyeshadow to create an intense, long-lasting liner, or with shimmering loose powder for an ultra high-impact highlight.
- Spritz a small amount directly onto your eyeshadow brush before applying to enhance pigmentation and wear time.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix 100ml Spray review from AB customer:
"Absolutely love this makeup setting spray, I use after moisturiser before foundation and it keeps my makeup looking fresh and glowy for hours! I saw this on TikTok and will be purchasing my second bottle now. It's well worth the $$."
Maybelline New York Lasting Fix Setting Spray, $18.99
Another affordable matte setting spray, the Maybelline setting spray, keeps shine under control for up to 16 hours.
There is no risk of makeup slippage with its fast-drying, oil-free formula, which is also transfer-proof and sweat-resistant; this makes it perfect for those living in the northern states, especially in humid conditions.
Maybelline New York Lasting Fix Setting Spray review from AB customer:
"Absolutely awesome, it gives such a smooth, blurred finish. It takes away shine without making my skin look flat or dry, which is rare for a powder on me. My under eyes look more refreshed and less creased when I use it lightly there. It also helps my makeup last longer while keeping everything looking natural. My skin still looks like skin, just more polished and rested." - Rosa.
Rimmel London Multi-Tasker Setting Spray, $22.95
As the name suggests, this Rimmel London setting spray is a multitasker. A three-in-one primer mist and setting spray with soothing cucumber and camomile extract to deliver all-day make-up hold and instantly refreshed skin.
Its oil-free formula revitalises dull and dry skin.
There’s also the Rimmel London Lasting Finish Fix & Go Setting Spray for a slightly more stronger option (without feeling too heavy on the skin).
Rimmel London Multi-Tasker Setting Spray review from AB customer:
"The mist is fine and distributes evenly, leaving a fresh, dewy finish without any stickiness. I've found it does a great job of setting my makeup and keeping it in place for most of the day. It's lightweight and versatile, perfect for setting my makeup, refreshing my skin, or even using as a primer before foundation." - Lisa.
Benefit Porefessional Super Setter Spray, $68
This micro-fine mist works overtime to lock makeup in place for up to 16 hours, while helping to blur the look of pores, control excess shine and leave skin looking smooth and fresh.
The water-based formula feels weightless on the skin and delivers a welcome boost of hydration throughout the day, making it ideal for anyone who wants long-lasting wear without sacrificing comfort.
And yet, there’s MORE setting sprays to explore and shop, discover more here.
Keen for more makeup inspo? Read these next:
