The best setting spray is absolutely essential during party season—these 5 won't let you down this December

For make-up that lasts

Chriselle Lim walking across a street in New York - gettyimages 1370947031
(Image credit: Getty Images)

I’m all for a little make-up top-up, but if you want it to really last through the day or night, one of the best setting sprays is an absolute must. Great ones will not only lock down your best foundation and keep your make-up look fresh through dinner, drinks or a party, but they’ll also limit any transfer. In my many years of beauty testing as a beauty editor, I've found that these are the ones you can really rely on. But first…  

Primer vs setting spray: what's the difference? 

These product categories are two go-tos for keeping your make-up in place, but they work a little differently. Primer is applied after your skincare routine but before any other make-up, and those that improve the longevity of make-up usually have grip or a very slightly sticky consistency. Setting spray, on the other hand, goes on as the last step once you’ve finished applying your make-up, layering a kind of shield over the top of your finished look.

You can of course use both, or just the one—it may take a little trial and error to learn which one works best for you. As my skin is quite oily, I tend to use setting spray more often as it's lightweight, and save primer for those occasions that I really need my make-up to last. 

The best setting sprays to keep make-up in place

1. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

best setting spray - Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

(Image credit: Charlotte Tilbury)

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

Best setting spray overall

Specifications

Key ingredients : Aloe vera, Japanese green tea, aromatic resin

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Doesn't feel too sticky
+
Lasts for up to 16 hours

Reasons to avoid

-
Contains fragrance, which won't suit everyone

I love this setting spray. It’s lightweight and works brilliantly at locking in make-up for all-day wear—what really impressed me was how well it limits any transfer. It's also not noticeably sticky, which some setting sprays can be. However, it does contain some fragrance, which won’t suit those who find this irritating in make-up or skincare.

2. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

best setting spray - Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

(Image credit: Urban Decay)

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Best setting spray for the summer

Specifications

Key ingredients: Patented temperature control technology

Reasons to buy

+
Technology lowers the temperature of make-up to set it in place
+
Lasts for up to 16 hours

Reasons to avoid

-
On the expensive side 

This really was the original go-to setting spray. The unique feature here is that it reacts to the temperature to keep your make-up in place, and is particularly good in very hot or humid environments. True story: I took a mini version with me to a wedding back in the summer so that my friends could set their make-up in the cab en route. Worked like a dream. 

3. e.l.f. Stay All Night Micro Fine Setting Mist

best setting spray - e.l.f. Stay All Night Micro Fine Setting Mist

(Image credit: e.l.f. Cosmetics)

e.l.f. Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist

Best setting spray with a fine mist

Specifications

Key ingredients : Cucumber extract, green tea leaf extract, aloe

Reasons to buy

+
Seriously fine mist, doesn't disturb make-up
+
Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Hard to fault, but may not last quite as long as some others

I love this brand and the Stay All Night Micro Fine Setting Mist is definitely one of the best e.l.f. products. The texture is ultra-fine and doesn’t disturb your make-up when you spritz it all-over your finished look and it really helps to keep things in place. Plus it’s packed with soothing ingredients (namely cucumber, green tea leaf and aloe) so it feels great on the skin.

4. Sculpted by Aimee Hydrate & Hold Setting Spray

best setting spray - Sculpted by Aimee Hydrate & Hold Setting Spray

(Image credit: Sculpted by Aimee)

Sculpted by Aimee Hydrate & Hold Setting Spray

Best hydrating setting spray

Specifications

Key ingredients : Hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, lemon extract

Reasons to buy

+
Nice and hydrating, leaves skin dewy
+
Great for refreshing skin
+
Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
May not be quite as long-lasting as others

I don’t think it’s possible for Aimee Connolly to create a product that I don’t like. It’s particularly good for dehydrated and dry skin because it’s so hydrating and, as well as its setting properties, it’s designed to refresh the skin throughout the day, too. There are heavier-duty setting sprays, but this is great for keeping skin looking dewy and fresh. 

5. Nyx Professional Makeup Matte Makeup Setting Spray

Nyx Professional Makeup Matte Makeup Setting Spray

(Image credit: Nyx Professional Makeup)

Nyx Professional Makeup Matte Makeup Setting Spray

Best affordable make-up setting spray

Specifications

Key ingredients : Plantago lanceolata leaf extract

Reasons to buy

+
Very affordable
+
Doesn't disturb make-up
+
Promises up to 16 hours of wear

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as matte as you'd expect

Another one of my favourite high street make-up brands, Nyx Professional Makeup's Matte Setting Spray is a good choice if you're worried about developing shine throughout the day. My only tiny critique is that you might expect it to have more of a matte finish than it actually does, but it's ideal if you don't have much budget to work with. 

Lucy Abbersteen
Beauty Contributor

Lucy is a freelance beauty editor and contributor at Marie Claire, and has written for titles including Glamour, Refinery29, Popsugar, woman&home and more. She was previously Marie Claire’s junior beauty editor. During her career, she’s covered everything from backstage beauty at fashion week to interviews with famous faces like Drag Race royalty and Little Mix. As for her beauty ethos, she’s a big advocate for not having to spend a fortune on beauty products to get good results, and when she’s not got beauty on the brain you’ll find her reading or hanging out with dogs.