How it’s held up: We’re still using this every day six months and two bottles later. We trust that it will keep our makeup in place and appreciate its non-oiliness without being drying. We’re devotees! Powder and setting sprays both have their place at the table,” says Utting. “Most powders also add a fine veil of colour and coverage, as well as ‘set’ a makeup, so you have the benefit of adding an extra layer of smoothness to the skin.” An alcohol-free formula to set your make up masterpiece, Milk Makeups Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray behaves like a featherweight seal between skin and the elements. Vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without any fillers, this forms an invisible shield that will flex with your face and is perfect for sandwiching under and over your make up. The fragrance, although addictive, is not for everyone. Our tester loved how subtle the scent was and noted that it didn't irritate her skin at all. However, those with sensitive skin might want to steer clear, especially if they have a tendency to react badly to fragrances. Despite the rave review, there is one con: The nozzle. It broke for some users, causing either too much product to come out or none at all. "The mist came out a little aggressively, so you need to be careful with the nozzle," our tester shares.

On the face, a good setting spray can keep your makeup in place for up to 16 hours. On the shelf, setting spray has a lifespan of anywhere from 12 to 18 months. Though hypochlorous acid is the hero ingredient, it gives the spray a chlorine-like fragrance — but that disappears as it dries. However, because of how effective this spray is at calming and refreshing angry skin, chances are, you'll be willing to overlook it. Nydia Figueroa is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty director at Miss New Jersey Earth and Fashion Gxd Magazine. She has been featured on various outlets, including Nylon, Allure, and The Dr. Oz Show. How We Tested Suitable for all types of skin, Milk Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray is a vegan and cruelty-free makeup product that contains no parabens, alcohol, fragrance, gluten, sulphate, phthalates or talc. Key Benefits

Setting spray can be used in multiple ways,” explains Carly Utting, National Artist M·A·C Cosmetics UK & Ireland. “I use it as the last step in my makeup application after I have powdered. However, during the warmer months, I like to spritz my makeup sponge with setting spray and use it to apply foundation for added staying power.” This product has many great qualities for hydration, but we do wish it was a little more long-lasting. We noticed that it wasn’t entirely preventing our makeup from smudging through the water and towel test, but it did still make us feel refreshed and beautiful. Perhaps opt for this one if you don’t typically wear a ton of makeup or simply want to freshen up your skin throughout the day. Using a setting spray may seem pretty simple — just spray it all over your face when you're done with your makeup, and you're done, right? Well, if you want to take your makeup application expertise to the next level, New York City-based makeup artist Tommy suggests applying setting spray in a zig-zag motion, starting on the forehead and moving down to the chin. "I spritz it on the skin from a distance to help rehydrate the face after applying makeup," he says. A spray so popular it’s available in most retail stores, the pore-minimizing spray from Benefit Cosmetics was a hit with us, too. This truly was a microfine mist that felt nearly weightless on top of our makeup, and we loved how cooling it felt as it touched our skin. Edging near a perfect score, this spray earned high marks in feel, performance, and water-resistance during testing. It set our makeup without smudging or running down our faces, and during the water test, it proved mostly waterproof.

Everyone wants that supermodel glow, and we’re here to tell you that you don’t need to douse your face in highlighter to achieve it — the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip setting spray will leave you looking luminous with just a few spritzes. This spray had a cooling effect as it hit our skin and left us feeling refreshed without being overly-moisturized or dried out. Our makeup set beautifully as the spray sunk into the surface, keeping our foundation in place even as we splashed water on our face and dabbed it with a towel. The spray bottle's nozzle is powerful and each spritz is pretty potent, especially when used up close. To avoid an uneven application, hold the bottle eight to 10 inches away from your face and spray it a couple times in an X and T formation.Those with oily skin can benefit the most from a good setting spray, given that they're most prone to a makeup meltdown. This one, which testers said was like "spraying air," is the key to a matte finish and makeup that stays where it's supposed to for up to 16 hours.

How it’s held up: Even after six months, we are still loving this spray. We’re thankful that it comes in a big bottle (4 oz .version), because we still haven't run out and feel like we’re getting our money’s worth. How it’s held up: After a few months of use, we’ve actually come to like this spray more now than when we first used it. It definitely made us look dewier in the warmer months, but once the temperatures dropped and our skin dulled, we found ourselves reaching for this spray for its instant moisture and glowy results.But what actually is setting spray? According to Los Angeles-based cosmetic chemist Victoria Vohland, setting spray is made up of three parts: water, alcohol, and a film former. Together, these create a barrier to prevent makeup from slipping. Fun fact: It's the same chemical formula that's used in hair gel, but it's tweaked to be safer and gentle enough to use on the face. "These are very much used in long-wear makeup, especially when [brands] make claims like '12-hour-wear,'" she previously told Allure . This spray is unique among competitors because it applies almost like a burst of damp air, rather than a moist spray where you feel the hydration instantly. It almost felt like there was nothing on our face, but we felt the effects when our skin tightened ever so slightly. The mist left no residue or moisture on our faces, but completely blurred out our makeup to create a smooth surface. As a matte-finish product, it also reduces the shine effect — a bonus for those with naturally oily skin. After the splash test, we did notice that some makeup had transferred to the towel when drying off, but the appearance of our makeup hadn’t changed, smeared, or run at all. If you're looking for a setting spray that doesn't budge for all day and into the night, this is the one to grab. Ideal for big events, Lawless Beauty's lightweight mist keeps makeup looking freshly applied for hours on end — 16 to be exact. Unlike other sprays, it extends the life of your makeup without causing it to cake, crease, or settle into fine lines, which is great news for those with mature skin. The formula contains spherical elastomer powder, an ingredient known to absorb oil and reduce shine, as well as a blend of essential oils to refresh the skin. Aside from the obvious glam-extending benefits, I wanted to select a variety of makeup setting sprays that would serve different skin types - for example, mattifying ingredients for oily complexions. The actual applicator was also a big consideration for me. Heavy-handed pumps that soaked the face were ruled out, while delicate aerosol mists ranked highly. What is left is a list of the 10 best makeup setting sprays that work for all skin types. Do professional makeup artists use setting spray? Charlotte Tilbury's setting spray offers an incredibly dewy, glowy effect. While many people like this look, it wasn't ideal for oily skin. It's also scented. We like the smell but realize that added fragrance can be hit or miss.