9 makeup setting products that actually have great skincare benefits
- by Avanti Dalal
These settling products come in all forms—spray, mists and powders—and provide you with a host of skincare benefits
Your entire base-highlight-contour-eyeshadow routine doesn’t count for anything if it’s a goopy mess by the time you get out the door—after all, disappearing bronzer, smudged eyeliner and a runny mascara in a stream down your cheeks isn’t anybody’s best look. Sweat and humidity can wreak havoc on a perfectly placed highlight, whether you’re taking it out for the day or working it for a night about town. Thankfully, these setting powders, sprays, liquids and mists keep makeup in place, so you can be ready for just about anything. Here are our tried-and-tested favourites for a flawless finish.
Our favourite skincare-friendly makeup setting products
Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray
This setting spray delivers broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen with every spritz. The fine mist dries down instantly and sets makeup, reduces shine and mattifies the face. The spray has hyaluronic acid to provide hydration, and a silicone powder that diffuses light to give your skin that soft-glow effect. For those who are looking to follow their dermatologists’ skincare directive—you can now reapply sun protection every three to four hours without messing with your masterpiece below. This is great to stow in your back pocket if you’re going to a music festival too—this way, your skin will stay protected from the dust and the sun, and your makeup, from sweat and movement.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(cover) Coconut Setting Spray
If you close your eyes and spray this product, you can almost spritz your way straight to the beaches of Mexico. This setting spray uses every part of the fruit—coconut alkanes for long-wear stay, milk for deep hydration, water for refreshing electrolytes, coconut polysaccharides to help condition skin, and coconut-derived fragrance for a tropical experience. The milky mist does not feel tacky or filmy on the skin, and it dries down quickly to leave the face looking bright and glowy—it’ll even make your highlighter pop more than usual. Keep this on your desk, and apply whenever your brain is in need of a vacation, or your makeup requires a quick pick-me-up.
Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder
If a cake-y finish and foundation settling into wrinkles are your main concerns, this powder is a must-have in your makeup bag. It is formulated with water and glycerin, so it creates a mist-like sensation on the skin and gives a seamless finish. The glycerin hydrates, and the light-reflecting powders float over the skin to smooth and blur the look of fine lines.
Cover FX Illuminating Setting Spray
If you want a celestial glow, but don’t want to resort to glitter or grease, this setting spray is ideal for you. It even keeps cream formulas from slip-sliding, so blush, highlighter and contour products are safe. Spritz this on for a glow that keeps you illuminated all evening.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Seal
If this is the Olympics of setting products, the Make Up For Ever Aqua Seal is taking the gold medal. Mix this liquid with any powder, and it becomes completely waterproof—you could even swim underwater and your smoky eye wouldn’t budge. Make Up For Ever Aqua Seal has a gel-like consistency, which becomes a thick paste when mixed with a brow powder, eyeshadow or powder highlighter. Apply this wherever desired with a brush quickly, because it dries down almost immediately. The product is ideal for a wedding or an all-day event that needs you to be photo-ready all the time, and can stay through basically anything.
Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder
A favourite of celebrity makeup artists, this powder sets base products and absorbs oil without ever looking cake-y. It applies evenly and blends effortlessly, leaving behind a matte but radiant finish and medium coverage. Buff the powder into the skin after makeup application, and sweep off the excess.
Urban Decay All Nighter Pollution Protection Environmental Defense Makeup Setting Spray
This fail-safe setting spray has a time-release temperature control technology that lowers the temperature of your makeup through the day, so it stays cool and lasts longer. The formula also boasts of a pollution protection blend of minerals like zinc, magnesium and copper, which protect against free radicals. Use this one before a night out at a bar or club—you’ll protect your skin from all the atmospheric pollution like smoke and grime, and flaunt a highlight that stays Insta-ready through it all.
Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist
This mist-on moisturiser is a glow-inducing elixir that replenishes moisture and boosts radiance. The milky emulsion has squalene, red algae and a proprietary anti-ageing complex that leaves the skin supple and luminous. When used over foundation, it never streaks and leaves it looking just like skin. Another tip? Kim Kardashian sprays it on her makeup blender when she’s blending in foundation and contour products for a seriously seamless base.
Kiko Milano Make Up Fixer
This looks a little scary due to its aerosol-style can, but it is a super soft mist on the face. It has cosmetic alcohol to make sure that face makeup stays put, but don’t be alarmed—it evaporates instantly, and you won’t have to reapply anything at that cramped ladies washroom at 2am. The potential drying effect of the alcohol is counteracted by chamomile, which soothes and calms the skin.
Also read:
7 foundations that Bollywood’s best makeup artists can’t get enough of
