Ihave never known a category soar as suddenly as setting spray. It existed for aeons, with the best of them (Urban Decay’sAll Nighter, £29.50, which still has second-to-none longevity) rarely threatened by anything new. But countless sprays have launched in the past year, all of them promising to significantly increase the lifespan of makeup.
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There’s an argument that “fixing sprays” and “setting sprays” have different purposes (locking down makeup versus providing a more unified, less powdery finish, respectively), but I dismiss it because it’s based on the generous assumption that the marketeers who name products according to popular Google search terms give a hoot for semantic nuance. Here, I mean sprays that do all of the above, drastically reducing makeup fade and wear, even during dancing, hot flushing or perspiring.
My favourite in recent years is Charlotte Tilbury’sAirbrush FlawlessSettingSpray(£32), since it best combines staying power with a natural, complexion-enhancing look. It scores extra points for its ability to stay smooth when powder or an evening makeup change is later applied over the top.
But giving it a run for its money is Fenty Beauty’s newYou Mist(£28). This has a finer spray, no fragrance and comparable staying power. It doesn’t have the same satiny look, but is similar in that it doesn’t alter the texture of makeup. It’s a fantastic product upon which I’ve become so dependent that last month, when I arrived in London for a 16-hour day and realised I’d forgotten to apply it, I went straight to Boots to buy one.
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The best setting spray on the high street is Milani’sMake It Last(£14.50). It is an excellent performer at a fair price that keeps makeup fast without dryness, itchiness, tightness or colour changing. However, I specifically mean the spray marked “Original”. I recently bought the SPF version in the US and my eyes streamed profusely until I washed it off. The lasting effect of L’Oreal’sInfallible 3-SecondSettingMist(£9.99) is phenomenal, but it is pipped by the Milani because it smells a bit too much like hairspray.
If you find setting sprays feel too wet upon application, Kosas’s newCloud Set AirySetting+SmoothingMist(£32), does exactly what it says on the pack. The unfragranced, monsoon-like mist coats evenly, coolly and comfortably, and gives a smooth, slightly blurry finish. It’s ideal for those who want their lighter, more natural-looking makeup to last as long as a face full.
Stylist: Yvonne Achato. Lighting assistant: Declan Slattery