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Byrdie / Brian Kopinski
Some people assume that waterproof makeup is only necessary when heading to the pool or the beach. Those people have never walked four blocks to work in L.A.'s sweltering summer heat with a rising humidity index. I have. In fact, I do so often, which is exactly how I know that waterproof makeup has a role in everyday life. Without it, I'd be crawling into the office with a red, shiny face devoid of makeup because my concealer and mascara would melt off somewhere about two blocks back. That's why, in order to look halfway presentable in heat and humidity, I stock up on all the waterproof basics—including but not limited to mascara, concealer, and lipstick.
But one of the most important products behind a crease-free, smudge-free, and non-melted makeup look has to be setting spray. It keeps the makeup right where it was applied, not smudging down the cheeks or collecting in a dark and streaky mess underneath the eyes. Water-resistant setting sprays work even better (yes, those exist!). Because they're immune to sweat and humidity, they're perfect for people who are prone to melty makeup (like me).
To find the best waterproof setting sprays on the market, we spent hours researching a range of top-selling brands, as well as conducting our own product testing and looking at hundreds of online reviews. We also tapped makeup artist Tony Tulve to get his expert opinion on what makes a setting spray hold, no matter what.
Check out the best waterproof setting sprays, below.
Cruelty free
Provides all-day hold
Absorbs oil and leaves a blurred, matte finish
Has quite a strong smell
Our best overall pick is this mattifying waterproof spray from One/Size by Patrick Starr. Not only does it help to extend the life of your makeup, but it also helps tighten the appearance of pores with Green Tea Extract and Witch Hazel which absorbs oil and gives the skin a blurred, matte finish for up to 16 hours. As such, it’s a great option for oily and combination skin but can also be used on all skin types. It’s also cruelty free which sealed its place as our overall winner.
Size: 1, 3.4 fl oz | Scent: None specified | Finish: Matte | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Leticia Almeida
Best Vegan
Tarte Vegan Setting Spray
Won't settle into fine lines
Made with soothing ingredients
Prevents makeup from smudging
Scent may not be for some
When you really need your makeup to stay put, look no further than this weightless setting spray from Tarte. Its micro-fine mist locks down makeup for an impressive 16 hours, making it waterproof, sweat-proof, and transfer-proof. It’s also great at refreshing and soothing the skin with refreshing cucumber and aloe extracts. Not to mention, it’s also cruelty-free and vegan. What’s not to love?
Size: 4 fl oz | Scent: Cucumber aloe | Finish: Natural | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Lightweight
Makeup looks fresh and doesn't move for hours
Feels comfortable on the skin
Can feel sticky upon the first spray
When it comes to waterproof setting sprays that won’t budge, this is one of the very best out there according to Tulve. “This spray has never let me down,” he says. “Across the board, it’s worked for all of my clients when I can’t travel to their events with them and need to make sure [their makeup] can last all night”. It also boasts temperature-control technology and time-release molecules that burst over time to reduce the skin’s temperature. This process prevents makeup from melting away.
When we tried it ourselves, we found that All Nighter blew past our expectations and our makeup didn’t budge for the entire day. “The spray melts into the skin so wonderfully that if you need to add a little powder or pop of blush or highlight, you can without worry of it picking up the sealed makeup underneath,” Tulve continues.
Size: .25 fl oz | Scent: Original | Finish: Natural | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Read Full Review: Urban Decay's Setting Spray Kept My Makeup Locked in Place for Hours
Byrdie / Khera Alexander
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Leticia Almeida
Best Budget
Covergirl Look Lock Up Setting Spray
Feels cooling on the skin
Inexpensive
Wears comfortably
Contains BHT
Ever since Covergirl went through a huge rebrand, we've been loving the chic black-and-white packaging, like that of this setting spray. It's not necessarily fully waterproof, but it's resistant to sweat, humidity, and heat, meaning it'll still last you throughout the day. The microfine mist feels invisible on the skin and also helps it set makeup without setting it into fine lines. We love that it's also infused with cucumber and chamomile and has a cooling effect on the skin.
Size: 3.4 fl oz | Scent: Cucumber | Finish: Natural | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Skindinavia Oil Control Finishing Spray
Resists heat and humidity
Leaves skin looking refreshed
Light, barely-there scent
Small bottle
One of our favorite waterproof setting sprays that's readily available on Amazon is this product from Skindinavia. In addition to waterproofing your beauty look to outlast the most extreme conditions, it’s resistant to heat and will last up to 16 hours. It does this by cooling the temperature of the skin and reducing sweat and oil production. Reviewers love that the oil-free formula isn’t overly drying and also helps to keep oil and shine at bay throughout the day.
Size: 0.7 fl oz | Scent: Mild | Finish: Radiant | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Liquid
Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Magic Set & Seal
Works well with glitter
Feels light on the skin
Keeps makeup in place
Small bottle
Okay, so this isn't technically a setting spray, but it works to waterproof your makeup all the same. As the name suggests, it's truly magic: “More of a mixing medium, this product is great for turning any loose pigment, glitter, or shadow into a bulletproof liquid formula,” says Tulve. “It makes it easy to create a liquid liner, bold painterly eyes, or a long-wear glitter lip!” Make this your go-to for festivals and parties, and any occasion that calls for your most creative makeup looks. Did we mention it’s also cruelty free?
Size: 0.2, 0.4 fl oz | Scent: None | Finish: Natural | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Matte Finish
Huda Beauty Resting Boss Face Waterproof Setting Spray
Wears comfortably
Keeps makeup in place
Helps reduce excess oil
Strong scent
This extra-hold mattifying setting spray from Huda Beauty is inspired by a makeup hack used by drag queens—one that involves using hairspray to up the wear of their makeup. Fear not, this formula doesn’t at all feel sticky like hairspray, instead providing a comfortable, non-drying finish that truly lasts. As it has an ultra-matte finish, this pick is particularly good for those with oily and skin that gets super shiny in humidity or with sweat. Plus, unlike most hairsprays, it’s packaged in a non-aerosol bottle.
Size: 3.4 fl oz | Scent: Original | Finish: Matte | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best for Eye Makeup
Trish McEvoy Finish Line
Prevents smudging and transferring
Chic packaging
Easy to blend
Contains parabens
If it's just your eye makeup that gives you trouble, look no further than this transparent waterproofing product from Trish McEvoy. Add a drop or two into your favorite eyeshadow, and it becomes a budge-proof and water-resistant eyeliner–say goodbye to mascara under your eyes, and faded cat-eye flicks by lunchtime. It also means you can turn almost any eyeshadow into a long-wearing eyeliner. Just think about all the possibilities (and money saved from no longer purchasing multiple liners). It gets extra points for being cruelty free, too.
Size: 0.3 fl oz | Scent: None | Finish: Natural | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Lips
Mehron LipStix Lipstick Sealer
Prevents bleeding and feathering
Not sticky
Long-lasting
Can be difficult to remove
Sure, there are plenty of waterproof liquid lipsticks on the market, but sometimes you just need a certain shade of a cream lipstick to withstand the elements—or multiple glasses of wine and a bowl of oily pasta. That’s where Mehron’s Lipstix comes in, which creates a clear, non-sticky barrier over your lip color, preventing it from fading, smudging, and bleeding. It should also help to avoid a lipstick-on-teeth mishap, too. Just apply it over your usual lipstick to seal the colour on.
Size: 0.5 fl oz | Scent: Mint | Finish: Natural | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Our favorite overall pick is One/Size by Patrick Starr’s On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray. It blurs the skin and minmizies the look of pores while setting makeup in place for up to 16 hours. When it comes to setting sprays that will outlast a HIIT class or even a monsoon, we’re looking to the Tarte Shape Tape Stay Spray Vegan Setting Spray (view at Ulta). Its weightless, comfortable formula keeps makeup on lock for an impressive 16 hours and is enriched with cucumber and aloe extracts. When we need to keep oily skin under control, the Huda Beauty Resting Boss Face Waterproof Setting Spray (view at Sephora) is a must for creating a comfortable matte finish that’s never sticky or drying. And finally, our list of top picks wouldn’t be complete without the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, a classic that melts into the skin for an amazing (and secure) finish.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best waterproof setting sprays on the market evaluating their key features—like scent, finish, and longevity of wear—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) on the following criteria:
- Scent
- Finish
- Additional benefits such as oil reduction, mattifying etc
- How long it extends makeup
- Packaging and applicator
What to Look for in a Waterproof Setting Spray
- Finish: One of the first things Tulve recommends looking into when shopping for a setting spray is how the formula dries down—keeping in mind both the overall finish and whether or not it leaves behind a residue. Depending on your skin type or desired finished look, you’ll want to choose between products that provide a matte finish to fight shine or something more natural to avoid looking too flat. And, of course, regardless of finish, you’ll want a formula that dries down comfortably sans sticky residue, especially if you’ll be wearing it for the long haul. As Tulve points out, some waterproof sprays are built for stage makeup and may be too heavy for everyday wear. Those who want a little extra protection might opt for a setting spray with SPF.
- Low Alcohol Content: Tulve also suggests reading into how much alcohol is in a formula before you purchase, as too much alcohol can irritate or dry out the skin over time. While oilier types can get away with a higher alcohol content, he recommends dryer types stick to formulas that are as low in alcohol as possible. “Otherwise it can irritate dry and rough patches on the skin,” he says.
- Low (or No) Fragrance: Another factor Tulve takes into account is whether or not a product has any fragrance, and if it does, how long it lingers after it dries down. Many setting sprays do have added fragrance, so those with sensitive skin will want to opt for fragrance-free formulas, whereas one with a strong, lasting scent may be a dealbreaker depending on your personal preference.
Why Trust Byrdie
Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best drugstore makeup essentials.
To get more insights on the best gels for natural hair we spoke with an expert to get insights for this story:
- Tony Tulve is a professional makeup artist who takes a genderless approach to beauty. Based in New York City, Tulve is a regular at fashion week and his work is featured in a range of publications including Schön, Nylon, Refinery 29 and Allure.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough waterproof setting sprays from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.