There are a lot of factors that go into creating a long-lasting makeup look, like your skin type, prep, and base products. But, one thing that can turn a two-hour look into a 12-hour look is a good quality setting spray.
Gone are the days of using hairspray to set your makeup (well, almost), with plenty of incredible setting sprays on the market for all skin types and desired finishes. I’ve spent the last few weeks trialling some of the most popular options, and here are my thoughts.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Super Setter Makeup Setting Spray
Retailing for $63 for 120mL of product, Benefit Cosmetics’ The POREfessional Super Setter Makeup Setting Spray is the latest addition to their POREfessional range, made popular by the iconic POREfessional Face Primer.
The product is advertised as being a long-lasting setting spray with a mess-free applicator, resulting in a blurred and hydrated finish.
THE VERDICT: Having now gone through two of these, I can well and truly say it’s one of my favourites. It helps my makeup last through a normal day of work, but the best part about it in my opinion is the applicator, which I can always rely on for a soft spritz that dries quickly.
Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
A classic in the setting spray game, the Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray retails for $64 for 118mL.
It’s advertised as being able to hold makeup together for 16 hours, no matter the climate.
THE VERDICT: This one is a classic for a reason. I’ve gone through a couple of these over the years, as I’ve found it to be helpful for particularly long and sweaty days – especially things like dance competitions!
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Makeup Setting Spray
The most expensive of the bunch, the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Makeup Setting Spray retails for $66 for 100mL. It adds to Milk’s existing Hydro Grip range, which includes their Hydro Grip Primer.
Unlike the others, this one claims to set makeup for 12 hours, whilst maintaining a hydrated, glassy glow.
THE VERDICT: Unfortunately, this one is my least favourite of the bunch. Though it might be good for dry skin, it’s just too hydrating for my oily skin, and the spray on this one feels way too heavy and leaves my skin looking visibly damp after use.
Morphe Continuous Setting Mist
On the cheaper end of the spectrum, the Morphe Continuous Setting Mist is $28 for 82.8mL. Though it doesn’t have a specific time claim, it also aims to lock down makeup for extended wear.
THE VERDICT: This is another favourite of mine – but not for the reasons you might think. I really feel as though this should be marketed as a finishing spray as opposed to a setting spray, given it does nothing for makeup longevity for me personally. However, the spray on this is so thin and beautiful, and melts your makeup together perfectly, leaving a flawless finish!
ONE/SIZE On Til Dawn Setting Spray
ONE/SIZE’s On Til Dawn Setting Spray retails for $58 for 143mL, making it one of the most cost effective of the bunch.
It promises to be a waterproof, transfer-proof, 16-hour mattifying performance setting spray, resulting in a matte finish all day with no touch ups necessary.
THE VERDICT: This is the setting spray I chose for The Eras Tour, and I think that really says something. For me, this has become a setting spray for extreme circumstances only. I can attest to the fact that its claims are true, but the application just isn’t worth it for me every day – it truly smells and feels like you’re spraying your face with hairspray!
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.
