Whether performing mid-rainstorm or making a splash at swimsuit shoots, stars regularly push the limits of long-wear makeup.
So when it comes to selecting a setting spray to lock in your look, who better to consult for shopping inspiration?
After all, while there’s no shortage of spritzes that promise to prevent your glam from smudging and smearing, a handful of bestsellers boast Hollywood staying power (in more ways that one).
- Best Overall: Urban Decay All Nighter
- Best Matte Finish: One/Size by Patrick Starr On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray
- Best Drugstore: Physician’s Formula Rosé All Stay Illuminating Setting Spray
- Best Multitasker: Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist
Below, put the finishing touches on your face with the top makeup-setting sprays money can buy, according to pop stars, actresses, athletes and more.
Best Overall: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Pros:
- Made to keep makeup fresh and smudge-free for 16 hours
- Waterproof
- Lightweight feel
Cons:
- May pool on the skin if you spray too close, but dries quickly
- One Page Six staffer noted it’s not always fully transfer-proof
Whether you’re pulling an all-nighter or simply braving a sweaty summer commute, Urban Decay’s setting spray promises to lower the temperature of your makeup while locking it in place for 16 hours. (Plus, it’s billed as both water- and smudge-proof.)
Stars have certainly taken note; Alix Earle spritzed some on while “sweating” in a “Get Ready With Me” TikTok prior to her “Call Her Daddy” podcast interview, while Doja Cat used the formula to lock in her makeup for her Coachella performance.
Should you prefer something with more skincare benefits, the spray also comes in a hydrating Vitamin C version ($36) and a dewy, hyaluronic acid-infused Extra Glow variety ($36).
Page Six Style’s review: Several Page Six staffers swear by Urban Decay — including Senior SEO Manager Meaghan Roche, who’s trusted it as the final step in her makeup routine for years.
“The non-irritating formula is excellent for all skin types and leaves a natural finish that not only makes your makeup look more cohesive, but also holds it in place all day (and night),” she raves. “I love its barely-there, lightweight feel on my face, and that it dries much quicker than competitors.”
Page Six Commerce Writer/Reporter Hannah Southwick has also used the formula for over a year, writing, “I’ve even gotten caught in rainstorms with a full face of makeup before, and Urban Decay’s setting spray did the trick for keeping my foundation intact.”
Best Matte Finish: One/Size by Patrick Starrr On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Setting Spray
Pros:
- Promises to lock in makeup for 16 hours
- Provides a blurred, matte finish
Cons:
- Has a more noticeable scent than other options on this list
Patrick Starrr’s setting spray experienced a renaissance of sorts in August 2023, when Beyoncé used it before a rainy concert on her “Renaissance” world tour — prompting it to fly off the shelves the next day.
The star’s makeup artist Rokael Lizama tagged Starrr after the show, writing on Instagram that the spray “helped us through the show.”
Best Smoothing: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Pros:
- Smells pleasant
- Alcohol-free
Cons:
- Can feel a bit sticky at first until it dries
Game, set, setting spray. Serena Williams spritzed on Charlotte Tilbury’s buzzy Airbrush spray to conclude a recent Vogue “Beauty Secrets” video, saying she uses it post-glam to “lock this all in.”
La La Anthony applied it during her “crease-free concealer” tutorial for the same publication, while Lana Del Rey and Ice Spice put its powers to use before hitting the Grammys 2024 red carpet.
Best Multitasker: Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist
Pros:
- Also works as a primer
- Provides a dewy glow
Cons:
- Not the best choice for those who favor a matte finish
Who says your setting spray can’t double as primer? Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty brand offers a highly-rated formula that can be layered either under or over makeup. Featuring a botanical blend of sweet-smelling lotus, gardenia and waterlily, it’s also made to smooth and calm skin, providing a dewy finish.
Best Hydrating: Milk Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray
Pros:
- Hydrating formula
- Dries quickly
- Alcohol-free
Cons:
- Not designed to be waterproof
- Promises to last for 12 hours, as opposed to 16 like others on this list
Milk’s gripping setting spray hydrates skin while setting makeup for up to 12 hours, making it an ideal choice for late nights on the red carpet. Just ask Keke Palmer, who used the product to lock in her look before the 2024 Met Gala.
Best Glowy: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
Pros:
- Refreshing
- Provides a luminous finish
Cons:
- Not designed to be waterproof
While not specifically advertised as a setting spray, plenty of stars use Tatcha’s popular mist to put the finishing touches on their makeup looks. Kathy Hilton pulled a bottle out of her purse mid-conversation on an episode of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” while Drew Barrymore raved about it in a 2014 Vogue interview.
“[It] totally reinvigorates your makeup. It’s incredible,” the talk show host said. “If you’re stuck at work for several hours a day — and I tend to get stuck at work for several, several, several hours a day — this spray is a game-changer.”
Best Drugstore: Physician’s Formula Rosé All Stay Illuminating Setting Spray
Pros:
- More budget-friendly than most on this list
- Offers an illuminating finish
Cons:
- Some Amazon reviewers reported the sprayer got clogged
While Bethenny Frankel’s famous for her candid reviews of drugstore beauty buys, few make the cut for her personal makeup “collection.” When she put Physician’s Formula setting sprays to the test, however, she told TikTok followers they immediately landed spots in her coveted beauty drawer.
“It illuminates your face,” she raved. “This is amazing … next level for that setting-spray glow.”
Best Scented: Morphe Luminous Setting Spray
Pros:
- Infused with hydrating coconut water
- Glowy finish
- Super-fine mist
Cons:
- Not the best choice for those who prefer a fragrance-free product
Looking for another budget-friendly favorite? At just $18, Morphe’s setting spray is a hit with celebs and editors alike.
Madison Beer’s such a fan, she teamed up with the brand to create her own version of the product, raving in a YouTube video that it “just gives you an extra added glow” and “makes you feel refreshed.”
Page Six Style’s Review: “I was dedicated to Urban Decay’s All Nighter spray for years, but recently got the urge to try out something different,” says Page Six Style Senior Writer/Editor Melissa Minton. “The Morphe Luminous spray has a super-fine mist and a really nice coconut scent, making the last step of my makeup routine really enjoyable. It’s definitely lived up to its name, both helping my makeup stick and adding a little extra radiance that will likely have me repurchasing.”
How to use setting spray
Locking in your look in for up to 16 hours only takes a few seconds with the above sprays. For the recommended number of spritzes for best results, be sure to consult the instructions on your specific pick.
Not set on a specific setting spray yet? When picking the perfect product, keep in mind how long you need your makeup to last, whether you prefer a dewy or matte finish and whether you want a formula that features skincare ingredients (or one that doesn’t include ingredients like alcohol, which can sometimes be drying).
Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping
This article was written by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Page Six Style. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles, puts Hollywood’s favorite labels to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.
Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping
This article was written by Hannah Southwick, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Page Six Style. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles, puts Hollywood’s favorite labels to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.