We Tested the 12 Best Setting Sprays of 2025, and Some of Them Last Longer Than 16 Hours
"Nevertheless, she persisted," said my makeup with these on.
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I actually don't know what people did before setting spray. Like, was your makeup just cakey as hell after loads of setting powder? Or did you simply let your natural oils do their own damn thing and take over, ensuing greasiness halfway through the day? Actually, don't even tell me, because I don't wanna picture my life without it. I revel in my face misting step—it's therapeutic to just coat myself in a veil of magic liquid, whether it's meant to hydrate, soothe, increase makeup longevity, mattify, or all of the above.
Our top picks for the best setting sprays of 2025:
Best Matte Setting Spray
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
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But let's be real: Some setting sprays are kinda just glorified water. Sure, they'll make my face look a bit more moisturized. But the best setting sprays act as the finishing touch to your makeup—some might even call it the pièce de résistance—melding everything together and locking iton for hours on end.
Don't know how to choose one? We gotchu, considering team Cosmo legit tried every single setting spray out there and have very strong opinions. Keep reading for all of our editor picks:
Pros
- Cosmo Holy Grail Award Winner
- Cosmo Acne Award Winner
- Comes out in a continuous spray
Cons
- Has a slight scent
I’m not usually a full-glam girl, but when I do decide to go all out, I need my makeup to stay put—and L’Oréal’s Infallible Setting Mist never lets me down. It won a Cosmo 2025 Holy Grail Award for its ability to lock everything in place with just a three second spritz. If I’m doing the whole foundation and contour situation, I’m finishing it off with this.
One Cosmo editor says: "I feel like this setting spray has been everywhere the last few months, and it’s honestly so worth the hype. It keeps my face hydrated while locking my makeup in place during 12-hour days. I also love that you can hold it down for a continuous spritz instead of having to unevenly spray across your face. This has def replaced my go-to expensive setting spray.”—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- I love the natural, skin-like finish it leaves on my skin
- Comes in a mini size that's great for travel or using on the go
Cons
- Can be a little bit drying if you have sensitive or dry skin
How could I possibly round up the best setting sprays without this O.G.? This changed the entire game and still holds up as one of the best setting sprays for keeping my makeup in place all damn day. There's a reason brides have been swearing by this for over a decade, because it instantly sets down your powders and extends makeup wear.
It doesn't mattify my makeup per se, but it doesn't add any dewiness either. Instead, it just takes away some of the excess powder on my face and makes my skin look cohesive. The real shining star is how long it makes makeup last.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've been using this since high school—prom, homecoming, graduations, frat parties, concerts, bar crawls, you name it—and it holds my makeup on for every single one of 'em. Typically, with this on top, I get an extra five or six hours of wear out of my products, which is a strong feat."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
Pros
- Helps mattify makeup without making my skin feel dry
- Made my makeup last the longest of anything I've *ever* tried
- Completely sweat and waterproof, per testing and reviews
Cons
- Aerosol can is not *ideal* for the environment, tbh
- Doesn't smell (or taste) very great
Reminder: Beyoncé used this on the Renaissance Tour to lock in her makeup for a full three-hour sesh of performing. And ya know what? After testing it myself, I genuinely believe I also could perform for three hours on a hot stage in the middle of summer and look like Queen Bey, as long as I had this setting spray on. Because the longevity with this sucker is real.
Plus, it now comes in a dewy version, which we raved about here.
One Cosmo editor says: "One/Size's formula comes in an aerosol can with an ultra-fine mister that basically feels like I'm spritzing myself with hairspray. And honestly, maybe I am! Because this makes my makeup last longer than any other setting spray on this list, because it really nixes shine, thanks to a slew of oil-absorbing polymers in the formula. It makes my makeup completely sweat and waterproof."—BG
Pros
- Widely available at most drugstores
- Makes my makeup look so natural while adding longevity
- Comes in original, matte, dewy, and sunscreen formulas
Cons
- Not water or sweat-resistant
I already dedicated an entire review waxing poetic about this affordable setting spray from Milani, but I'll take any excuse to put y'all on once again. This formula is ultra-lightweight, so it just feels like I'm basically spritzing on water. However, it really helps take down a powdery finish if I've overdone it with setting powder, without completely mattifying my skin. It leaves behind a natural, skin-like finish that looks like I didn't even put anything on.
I also often spray it all over before makeup as a primer to help give my skin a juicy, more hydrated look before blending on any products. IMO, using it as both a primer and setting spray definitely increased longevity to about eight hours without touch-ups.
One Cosmo editor says: "I wish I was kidding when I tell you that I wore this setting spray over my makeup during a night out last year in the south of France, then I took a red eye flight, and my makeup was still in tact when I landed. Not my proudest moment, but it really proves the power of this setting spray."—JH
Before I spritzed anything on my skin, then seven hours later with the Milani Setting Spray. Tell me why my makeup looks better at the end of the day?!
Pros
- Gives my skin a radiant, dewy finish
- I love the rosey, floral scent
Cons
- Bottle cap is prone to breaking
Listen to me: If you want your face to look like you just came up for some air after galavanting around the sea like a mermaid, shake this bb up and spray it all over yourself.
Don't worry, it's not filled with chunky glitters. Sure, there are some itsy-bitsy-teeny-tiny shimmers in there, but overall, it offers the most stunning radiant sheen all over my skin (see the pic above of me last summer in Aruba, living my glowiest life). Surprisingly, with all that shine, it actually does extend my makeup a bit too.
One Cosmo editor says: "Iconic London knows a thing or two about making me look glowy as all hell (ahem, their highlighters are my fave), and this setting spray fits the bill. This spray leaves my face illuminated, but still locks down and lasts for a few extra hours than when I don't use any setting spray at all."—BG
Pros
- Hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera
- Reviewers loved how long it made their makeup last (up to 12 hours for most, including me!)
Cons
- Some reviewers said it made their skin look greasy
Using a mix of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and emollients—like moringa, olive, and hemp seed oils—this setting spray is basically the opposite of drying, alcohol-filled formulas. But it also helps your makeup stick on all day, whether you spray it on before your makeup as a primer or afterward to set. And it made my makeup last shockingly well, considering how much it moisturized—I didn't touch up my concealer for a full 12 hours when I used this.
One Cosmo editor says: "I've been a fan of the Milk Hydro Grip Primer since college, so I knew the coinciding setting spray was gonna be great at clinging to all of my makeup. I spritzed this atop my makeup for the office at 9 am and it lasted well beyond a work dinner that ended at 10 pm."—JH
Pros
- Filled with soothing and moisturizing skincare
- I love the ultra-light herbal scent
- Works as a primer
Cons
- Not the best option for extending makeup longevity, IMO
Spritzing this on midday feels straight-up excellent. It has a bi-phase formula (meaning it uses a mix of water- and oil-based ingredients that have to be shaken up before application) filled with skincare that my face drinks the heck up. We're talking hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane, plus soothing niacinamide and allantoin, along with a slew of botanicals to nourish.
One Cosmo editor says: "When my face is looking or feeling a bit dull, I just give it a few sprays of this, and feel a bit more put-together now that my makeup has some extra hydration with less noticeable redness."—BG
Pros
- Leaves a soft, airbrushed, natural finish to skin that isn't overly matte or dewy
- Helps makeup last for 12+ hours (16 for me!)
Cons
- Most expensive setting spray on this list
I know it's a lil on the nose, but this setting spray really does create the illusion that my makeup was airbrushed onto my face like a painting. A couple sprays as the last step of my makeup routine, and it helps blur my pores and make my skin look smoother. And it lives up to those 16-hour longevity claims, FYI. I've tested this in hella conditions, including the day I attempted to see the Miami Open but was rained out. It was hot, humid, and raining the entire day, but my makeup stood up to the challenge.
One Cosmo editor says: "This setting spray is my go-to when I want my makeup to look extra dewy. When I spritz this on, everything somehow looks smoother—like you can't tell where my blush stops and my concealer starts. Plus it's super hydrating and doesn't create any patchiness on my dry skin."—JH
Pros
- Super hydrating
- 2024 Holy Grail Award Winner
Cons
- Might not be the best option for those who want a matte finish
Part setting spray, part skincare boost, this mist helps lock in your look and leaves your skin feeling fresh and hydrated. The formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, squalane, and aloe to help balance and plump the skin while giving makeup a dewy and fresh finish. It’s the epitome of a multitasker for less than $10. It also pairs well with e.l.f.'s iconic Power Grip Setting Spray.
One Cosmo editor says: “My sensitive skin has had bad reactions to setting sprays in the past (think: stickiness, itchiness, and even hives), but this one was so fine that after 10 minutes, I forgot I’d put it on—except for when the mirror confirmed that my makeup was still in place.”—ERIKA SMITH, FORMER SENIOR ASTROLOGY EDITOR
Pros
- Uses soothing ingredients to help calm down inflammation
- Leaves behind a natural finish that reviewers (and myself) loved
Cons
- Mister can get clogged easily and squirt out a lil funky
Fun fact: I gave this setting spray an A+ when we awarded it the best setting spray of 2023 for Cosmo's Acne Awards. And I fully stand by that assessment, especially for anyone with reactive or sensitive skin that's used to sprays being chock-full of irritating ingredients that dry them out. This one, instead, uses a combo of calming cucumber extract, green tea extract, and aloe juice to help bring down any potential redness you could have on your skin.
It's also got a simple natural finish—not too dewy to add extra shine to my already-oily face, but not mattifying either. It just adds a soothing, ~revitalizing~ mist to my face while taking down any excess powder and reducing cakiness.
One Cosmo editor says: “Most setting sprays leave my makeup looking broken up and splotchy on my oily skin, but this one gives me a natural finish (read: not matte nor shiny) and actually uses some soothing ingredients to slightly help reduce irritation on my skin too.” —BG
Pros
- Great for misting even without makeup on
- I love the fresh scent
Cons
- Doesn't make my makeup last as long as other's on this list
A longtime staple for a reason, MAC Fix+ is an alcohol-free mist that does a bit of everything. It preps skin, sets makeup with a subtle tackiness, and refreshes your face throughout the day. The formula is loaded with calming ingredients like chamomile, cucumber, and camellia leaf extract, plus hydrating panthenol and castor oil.
One Cosmo editor says: "I’ve been using MAC Fix+ since middle school (!) as both a primer and a setting spray. It gives my skin that tacky finish makeup grips onto, but honestly? I love it most for the random spritzes throughout the day—it just feels so damn good."—BG
How to choose the best setting spray for you:
Assess your longevity goals.
If you want makeup that won't frickin' budge, choose a setting spray with major claims, like waterproof or sweatproof formulas. These will help seriously lock down your makeup, often using a mix of oil and sweat-absorbing ingredients. (Dw, I noted the best ones for this above.) But if you would prefer a simpler formula that just gently sets down your makeup and removes any powdery excess from your skin, then focus instead on setting sprays that feature skincare ingredients as well. Which brings us to...
Consider your skin type.
Do you want a matte finish or a glowy finish? That's prob gonna be your most important Q when it comes to setting spray, as most formulas will slightly change the look of your makeup (or enhance whatever you have going on). A glowy setting spray will likely be filled with oils and hydrators, making it a great pick for dry skin. Meanwhile, matte formulas are great for keeping shine at bay without having to add layers of powder throughout the day. But if you're not sure, opt for a natural-finish setting spray that'll seal your makeup without changing the look too much.
How we ranked the best setting sprays:
To test the best setting sprays on the market, we coated our faces in our go-to base routine (foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, and powder), then doused ourselves in each of the sprays on this list. We tested some of these mists for the first time, while others were already in our regular rotation. If a formula was new to us, we gave it at least seven full wears before making a final call. We spent months putting these formulas to the test—drawing from years of experience testing setting sprays—to narrow it down to our top 12 picks. We judged each one based on how long it locked in our makeup, how it made our skin look, and how the bottle and mister performed.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing makeup stories that range from testing drugstore mascaras to reviewing the viral Il Makiage foundation. She's an authority in all makeup categories, but is an expert when it comes to setting sprays after trialing every buzzy formula on her skin over a few months. She regularly tests and analyzes makeup for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top makeup artists to assess new formulas and brands.
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about all things makeup and skincare. She's tested dozens of setting sprays in the name of beauty journalism, and for personal reasons to seeing which will last the best for 12+ hour days.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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