L'Oréal Setting Spray and the Mists and Primers That Hold Makeup

L'Oréal Setting Spray and the Mists and Primers That Hold Makeup

The L'Oréal setting spray is a microfine aerosol mist that sets makeup in about three seconds. Here it sits with the other setting sprays, dewy mists and grippy primers I would use to make a face last the day.

Not that long ago, people who wanted their makeup to last reached for hairspray. Setting spray went mainstream around 2010, when Urban Decay launched All Nighter, and now nearly every brand has one. The newest generation is less about a wet mist and more about a fine film that dries fast.

The L'Oréal setting spray in this edit, the Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, is a good example. L'Oréal describes it as a professional-inspired aerosol with a microfine mist that dries instantly, without droplets. The brand labels it for up to 36 hours of wear, transfer, sweat and smudge resistance, and says it is dermatologist-tested and formulated without oils. You shake it, hold it about 8 to 10 inches from your face, and spray in a circle for 3 to 4 seconds. The rest of grid one covers different finishes. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless is a waterproof, alcohol free spray that the brand says holds makeup for up to 16 hours. ONE/SIZE Powder Melt Glass melts powder layers into a radiant finish. The All Day Makeup Setting Spray is vegan and labeled for up to 16 hours. MAC Fix+ is a hydrating, alcohol free spray for a dewy glow. Saie CitySet is a natural-dewy 16-hour formula. ONE/SIZE On Til Dawn Bronze Veil in Caramel Glow adds a soft bronze glow, and rhode Glazing Mist is a hydrating mist with ceramides.

A quick test: set half your face and leave the other half alone. Check the difference after a coffee and a walk.

Big numbers collage for L'Oréal Setting Spray: six products from L'Oréal Paris, Charlotte Tilbury, ONE/SIZE, Caudalie and Milk Makeup, each set beside a large numeral
L'Oréal Setting Spray

Setting sprays that lock makeup in

Mists for a dewy finish

Some of the best finishing mists are really skincare in a spray bottle, and they can be used over makeup to soften powder. Caudalie Grape Water is 100 percent grape water and a good pick for dry or redness-prone skin, per the brand. Summer Fridays Jet Lag is a fragrance free mist for skin barrier support. EADEM Mami Wata is a barrier-strengthening mist with cica, panthenol and ectoin. The INKEY List Hydro-Surge Dewy Face Mist is labeled for up to 12 hours of hydration that will not disrupt makeup or SPF. Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist can go under or over makeup. Yepoda The Mist Have is a K-beauty mist and toner with hyaluronic acid. DIOR Backstage Airflash Mist is a natural-finish setting spray that is waterproof and smudgeproof, and Urban Decay All Nighter is the waterproof glowy setting spray with up to 24 hours of wear and niacinamide.

How to use them: hold the bottle at arm's length, close your eyes, and let a fine mist fall on the face. Pat gently with clean fingers if you see a bead of water.

What I would skip: a plain hydrating mist as your only setting step on a hot, humid day. It refreshes, but a waterproof formula like the Dior or Urban Decay one is built to hold color.

Dewy face and setting mists

Primers that grip from the start

A setting spray works best when the base is ready for it, and that is the job of a primer. MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip is a gel primer with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that grips makeup for up to 12 hours. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base is a moisturizer and primer with vitamin C. Fenty Beauty Grip Trip comes in a hydrating version and a mattifying and blurring version, each labeled for up to 12 hours of wear. ONE/SIZE Secure The Sweat is a waterproof mattifying primer for oily skin. point of view. glaze it glazey tack primer has a glassy, gripping finish with niacinamide. Benefit The POREfessional minimizes the look of pores. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen is an SPF 50 sunscreen, moisturizer and primer in one.

Pairing tip: pick the primer to match your skin and the spray to match your finish. Dry skin with a hydrating primer and a dewy mist, oily skin with a mattifying primer and a waterproof spray.

What I would skip: a mattifying primer on very dry skin. It can leave makeup looking patchy, and the spray on top will not fix that.

Primers to wear underneath

Setting your face for the day

Start from the skin. Prep with a primer that fits your skin type, apply base makeup in thin layers, then finish with a spray that matches the finish you want. If you want a quick, fine, no-fuss set, the L'Oréal aerosol is a simple one to try, and if you want a dewy look, use a mist.

Keep the spray at the same distance every time, and let it dry before you touch your face. Add one more light pass only where your makeup tends to move, like the T-zone.