The Ultimate Guide to Setting Sprays: Which One is Best for You?
Quick answer: The best setting spray depends on your skin. Matte setting sprays suit oily and combination skin, dewy or hydrating sprays suit dry or dull skin, and long-wear sprays suit long days and special occasions. For makeup that lasts, a setting spray works best as part of a routine: a primer underneath, thin layers of foundation and a light dusting of a fine setting powder such as Thin Lizzy Loose Airbrush Setting Powder where you get shiny.
There's nothing more frustrating than spending time on your makeup, only to find it has faded, slid or settled into lines by lunchtime. Setting sprays promise to keep everything in place, but they come in several different types, and the right one for a friend with oily skin may be the wrong one for you. This guide explains what setting sprays do, the main types, how to use them and how to build a routine that helps your makeup last from morning to night.
What Does a Setting Spray Do?
A setting spray is a fine mist you apply as the very last step of your makeup. It helps the layers of foundation, concealer and powder melt together, so your makeup looks less powdery and more like skin, and it helps everything stay in place for longer. Depending on the formula, a setting spray can also add a fresh, dewy finish or help keep shine under control.
What Are the Different Types of Setting Spray?
- Matte setting sprays: designed for oily and combination skin. They help control shine and keep makeup looking fresh through the day.
- Dewy and hydrating setting sprays: designed for dry or dull skin. They add a fresh, radiant finish and help powder look less obvious, often with hydrating ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
- Long-wear setting sprays: designed for long workdays, weddings and humid weather. They form a light, flexible film over your makeup to help it last.
- Gentle, skincare-style sprays: designed for sensitive skin, with soothing, fragrance-free or minimal formulas. Always patch-test a new product first.
Which Setting Spray Is Best for My Skin Type?
- Oily skin: choose a matte or long-wear spray, and set your T-zone with a light dusting of powder first.
- Dry skin: choose a dewy or hydrating spray, and use powder only where you really need it.
- Combination skin: powder your T-zone, then use a long-wear spray all over.
- Mature skin: a hydrating spray helps powder look softer and less likely to sit in fine lines.
- Sensitive skin: look for a short, simple ingredient list without added fragrance.
Setting Spray vs Setting Powder: Do I Need Both?
They do different jobs, so many people use both. Setting powder absorbs oil and sets liquid and cream products so they don't move or crease. Setting spray goes on last to take away a powdery look and help everything last. If you only use one, choose powder if you get shiny, and a hydrating spray if your skin is dry. For the longest wear, use primer first, powder where you need it and a spray to finish.
Our Picks for Makeup That Lasts
Loose Airbrush Setting Powder
Best for: setting foundation and concealer without adding weight or colour.
A light-as-air, finely milled finishing powder that dusts on weightlessly for a translucent, luminous finish that never looks heavy or cakey. There's no flashback in photos, which makes it a good choice for evening makeup. The formula has a short ingredient list and is free from preservatives, perfumes, waxes and fillers.
- Finely milled, translucent finish
- Light and never cakey
- No flashback in photos
- Free from preservatives and perfumes
Perfectly Primed Primer
Best for: a smooth, radiant base that helps foundation go on evenly.
A champagne-pearl tinted primer that gives skin a subtle, warm glow with a light, hydrating formula that leaves skin soft and smooth, never oily. Light-diffusing particles help the look of fine lines appear softer and help redness look less noticeable. Wear it under foundation, mix it with your foundation or wear it on its own.
- Light, hydrating formula
- Subtle radiant glow, never sparkly
- Colour-neutral, suits every skin tone
- Wear under or mixed with foundation
How to Use a Setting Spray: Step by Step
- Prep and prime: moisturise, let it sink in, then smooth a thin layer of primer over your face.
- Apply makeup in thin layers: two thin layers of foundation last longer than one thick one.
- Powder where you need it: press a light dusting of setting powder onto your T-zone and under the eyes, tapping off the excess first.
- Shake the bottle: this mixes the formula evenly.
- Hold it at arm's length: about 20 to 30 cm from your face, so the mist lands evenly rather than in wet patches.
- Mist in an "X" and a "T": close your eyes and spray in an X shape across your face, then a T across your forehead and down your nose.
- Let it dry naturally: don't touch your face or fan it with your hands until the mist has dried.
If you'll be outdoors, wear a separate sunscreen under your makeup, as a setting spray or powder isn't a substitute. For more tips on a long-lasting base, read our guides to how to apply primer, compact vs translucent powder and choosing foundation for oily skin.
What Customers Say
"Love this, it's so natural and sets the makeup without looking heavy easy to apply with brush. Makeup lasts longer."
Peg M., Thin Lizzy customer (Loose Airbrush Setting Powder)
"I love this product with my oily skin! This is my second pot of setting powder. It's great that it is translucent to go over makeup without colouring it."
Lisa I., Thin Lizzy customer (Loose Airbrush Setting Powder)
"I love the illuminator under foundation it makes my skin glow and foundation hold all day"
Meredith B., verified customer (Perfectly Primed Primer)
Read all Loose Airbrush Setting Powder reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
Does setting spray really make makeup last longer?
Yes, it helps. A setting spray helps the layers of makeup blend together and stay in place, especially when it's used with a primer underneath and a little powder where you get shiny.
Should I use setting spray before or after powder?
Usually after. Apply powder to set liquid and cream products, then finish with setting spray to take away any powdery look.
Can I use setting spray on mature skin?
Yes. A hydrating or dewy spray is a good choice for mature skin, as it helps powder look softer and less likely to settle into fine lines.
How far away should I hold setting spray?
About 20 to 30 cm from your face. Holding it too close can leave wet patches that disturb your makeup.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy setting powder in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
The best setting spray is the one that suits your skin: matte for oily skin, dewy for dry skin and long-wear for big days. Pair it with a good primer and a light touch of setting powder, and your makeup will look fresh for much longer.
