Frequently Asked Questions
How do makeup artists use setting spray?
Setting sprays are surprisingly versatile and can be used from start to finish in your makeup routine, Duncan notes. “They can be used as part of skin prep, to help layer products seamlessly (especially under the eyes), and as the final step in makeup application to ensure makeup stays in place,” she says.
Jones adds that makeup artists tend to switch formulas rather than using the same one for every client, since everyone’s skin type and preferences vary. “A dewy setting spray is lovely for dry skin or someone who would like a glowy finish, whereas for oily skin or a humid climate, a setting spray with some form of alcohol or witch hazel is typically used,” she says.
Which is better for long-wearing makeup: primer or setting spray?
Both Duncan and Jones agree: If you truly want your look to last, both face primer and setting spray are non-negotiable. Jones says to think of your makeup like paint—you want your base to be properly prepped for application to create a glowier, more even result. “A dry base can absorb more liquid and oily skin can lift foundation, causing the skin to become more shiny,” she explains.
That being said, if you don’t have any primer on hand, Duncan notes that setting spray will still help extend the life of your look. “It’s the final step in every makeup application I do to help ensure long-lasting wear,” she says.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best dewy setting spray, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and dermatologists to find the most hydrating, strand-softening formulas out there. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Now, take a look behind-the-scenes of Olandria Carthen’s red carpet facial appointment:
