Keep Your Makeup Hydrated AND in Place With the Best Setting Sprays for Dry Skin
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
The forecast is in: this summer is set to be HOT.
And not just hot girl summer hot (she’s always in season). Hot hot.
It’s out with La Niña and in with El Niño.
And while my inner reptilian has been loving all the sunshine we’ve been unseasonally blessed with lately, in beauty speak, sun-soaked days = messy makeup.
Aka, the archnemesis of a booked and busy schedule.
We’ve all been there. When a quick wee break turns into a full-blown meltdown after catching a glimpse of your once-perfect beat in the mirror falling off in front of your eyes. Not cute.
But no more! Because this is exactly why setting sprays exist.
These little miracle workers can do far more than simply keep your face (and feelings) in one piece.
Some can make your face glow. Others can help keep your pores at bay.
There are those infused with vitamins and antioxidants. And then, my friends, are those *extra* special ones that do all of the above AND keep your skin hydrated – a dry-skinned girlies’ dream!
Below, you’ll find six–from bargain to bougie– more than worthy of a place in your kit, so you can two-step your way through summer with makeup that stays where it should.
1. elf Makeup Mist & Set Clear, $9.
It's giving: a little dewy, a little matte; just right.
Star ingredients: vitamins A, C, and E, plus aloe, green tea, and cucumber.
Other things worth noting:
- Alcohol-free formula.
- Smaller 60ml bottle that’s ideal for travel.
- Enriched with vitamins that care for the skin while keeping makeup in place.
- Nourishes the skin while protecting it from free radical damage (e.g. sun damage).
- To apply, hold at arm's length and spray a light layer, letting the formula dry naturally.
My mini elf Makeup Mist & Set review:
Considering its wallet-friendly price, this setting spray performs pretty well!
The mist itself is super fine, making it easy to apply without feeling like you're drowning.
It feels quite cool and refreshing on the skin, and does a decent job of melding makeup together for a seamless, non-sticky finish.
Formulation aside, the elf setting mist comes in a compact, handbag-sized bottle. The ideal travel companion, fitting snugly into your handbag for a quick refresh on-the-go.
Here’s what one AB customer thought of it:
“I have never used a setting spray before so wanted to start with something cheap. Am impressed.
Normally my foundation rubs away around my chin and has some level of black smudge under my eyes by the end of the day. My foundation is noticeably more present after a full work day and the smudging is less.
Also feels like a hydrating spritz going on. Not sticky. Would buy again.”
2. MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix 100ml Spray, $48.
It's giving: au naturel.
Star ingredients: hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
Other things worth noting:
- Alcohol-free formula.
- Boosts skin’s radiance and hydration.
- Promises up to 24-hour undisturbed makeup wear.
- To apply, spray in an ‘M’ shape for maximum effect.
- Pump has undergone a renovation to deliver an ultra-fine mist.
- Made from 93% natural origin ingredients and a recyclable bottle.
My mini MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix review:
This setting spray takes the cake as my favourite.
From its refreshing, subtly scented mist to its impressive staying power, it's a bit of a no-brainer for those hot summer sessions that call for a little extra TLC.
Here’s what one MAKE UP FOR EVER customer thought of it:
“This is the only product that has worked as a primer for my dry, dehydrated, sensitive skin. Every other primer hasn't been hydrating enough.
The best thing about this product is that it can be used in more than one way.
As I mentioned, I use it as a hydrating primer and it leaves a beautiful dewy smooth canvas for my foundation to glide across. After foundation, I also use it as a setting spray. Plus there is no alcohol in this product.”
3. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Setting Spray, $50.
It's giving: glazed donut.
Star ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and coconut water.
Other things worth noting:
- Tropical coconut scent that gives sunshine in a bottle.
- A little goes a long way – initially a lil’ wet, but dries down.
- Controls shine and extends makeup wear for up to 16 hours.
- Formulated with long-wear polymers and mattifying powders.
- To apply, gently press down and mist onto the skin four times, making ‘+’ and ‘x’ shapes.
My mini IT Cosmetics Setting Spray review:
Out of all the setting sprays mentioned in this article, this one makes its mark for its mist intensity.
A tad longer and stronger, two spritzes are all I need to secure my makeup.
Plus, it leaves it looking fresh and glowy for HOURS. Seriously, this spray is supreme when it comes to longevity.
While scents are subjective, the tropical aroma of this setting spray adds a summery touch. It might not suit everyone's taste, but to me, it's akin to sipping Pina Coladas by the seaside.
Here’s what one AB customer thought of it:
“This setting spray has surpassed my expectations - not only does it give superior staying power to my makeup, but it also leaves my dry skin lovely and hydrated all day and well into the evening. I love the tropical coconut scent too.”
4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set, $50.
It's giving: lit-from-within radiance.
Star ingredients: glycerin and panthenol.
Other things worth noting:
- Cruelty-free and vegan.
- Alcohol-free and mineral oil-free.
- Light coconut-vanilla scent that feels summery.
- Can be used before, during or after makeup application.
- Despite its sparkly bottle, the formula is free from glitter/shimmer.
- Helps remove the overdone powdery look for a seamless, natural finish.
- To apply, mist the face in a ‘T’ and ‘X’ shape to set makeup or refresh throughout the day.
My mini Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set review:
If it's glow you're after, add this setting spray to cart ASAP.
Dubbed the Dewy Set, this spray lives up to its name, leaving my makeup not just looking dewy but feeling fresh and comfortable.
It delivers an even and decent volume of product, and has a subtle coconut scent to it.
While it may not last quite as long as the aforementioned setting sprays, it's excellent at blending everything together for a seamless finish.
That said, if you generally go for lighter, skin-like coverage, this setting spray may very well be your new BFF.
These AB customer reviews say it all:
“I love this setting spray. I use a lot of matte/powder products and this works well to blend and melt all of my products together to create a skin-like, less cakey texture.” - Jess.
“It is such a nice dewy spray that makes my makeup look smooth and sets natural.” - Mani.
5. M.A.C Cosmetics FIX+ STAY OVER 100ml, $54.
It's giving: smooth skin that got its full 8 hours.
Star ingredients: glycerin, cucumber, green tea, caffeine and vitamin E.
Other things worth noting:
- Alcohol-free.
- Weightless, fine mist that feels hydrating and is transfer-resistant.
- Promises to keep makeup in place and looking vibrant for up to 16 hours.
- If you’re looking for a setting spray with serious staying power, this is *IT!*.
- Infused with antioxidants to help protect against environmental pollution and blue light.
- To apply, hold bottle 30cm away from your face and press the pump firmly to evenly mist face.
We’ve reviewed M.A.C FIX+ STAY OVER in a previous Beauty IQ here.
Here's a little preview:
“If you’re looking for a setting spray that hydrates and helps lock makeup in place, without making skin look flat or dull, this MAC Fix setting spray delivers.
I love the packaging and find the bottle super travel-friendly. I've even purchased another bottle for my professional kit.
If you’re a first-time setting spray user or don’t want to commit to the full size, the 30ml travel-size bottle is a no-brainer.
Now when people ask me about setting sprays, I can tell them about this one.” - Megan, Adore Beauty's Social Media Manager.
6. Lancôme Fix It Forget It Setting Spray, $62.
It's giving: hydrated, healthy-looking skin.
Star ingredients: hyaluronic acid and plant extracts including kiwi, moringa seed and witch hazel.
Other things worth noting:
- Enhances makeup colour and wear time.
- Weightless formula free from any tackiness.
- Hydrates and sets the skin for up to 24 hours.
- Doesn’t settle into fine lines, wrinkles or pores.
- Free from oil, silicone, parabens and fragrance.
- Plant extracts work to protect and refine the skin while keeping shine at bay.
- To apply, simply spray after makeup application to set or as desired throughout the day to refresh and hydrate.
For everything else, I’ll let this AB customer review do the talking:
“A nice setting spray, I have noticed it helps everything stay in place for a considerable amount of time compared to when not using it.
Its lightweight, non-sticky and fragrance is to a minimum. Also helps when my powder is a bit cakey, really smooths out everything after a few sprays. I recommend. 5/5” - Harmony.
After more helpful makeup advice and recommendations? Check out these BIQs:
