The best drugstore setting sprays: dewy or matte finish

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you!)

The best drugstore setting sprays that will keep your makeup locked in place all day, my favorite setting sprays suited to all skin types.

Although I run a beauty blog, when it comes to my daily routine I can be kind of lazy. If there are any steps that aren’t strictly necessary, there’s no way I’m going to do it.

Setting sprays was one of those steps, I’d never really properly used setting sprays and didn’t have any serious issues with the longevity of my makeup so I didn’t feel a need to add this step to my routine.

But curiosity got the better of me and I started using some of the best drugstore setting sprays in my daily routine…

I couldn’t believe how much better my makeup looked and how much longer it lasted.

Now setting spray is a step that I don’t go a day without, it really does make such a difference.

There are 2 different types of setting sprays that I use when I’m doing my makeup; dewy setting sprays and mattifying setting sprays.

Whether you’re looking for the best finishing spray to see you through a long day of work or a long night of partying, this post will cover all the best makeup setting sprays. No matter where you stand on the dewy skin vs matte skin debate, we’re here to help you find the best drugstore setting spray for you.

Mattifying setting sprays

If you have oily skin, this is the kind of makeup setting spray that you’re going to prefer.

The best drug store setting spray products aim to control the amount of oil your skin produces so that you can stay looking matte and flawless all day long. It helps to really lock your makeup in and ensures that it won’t budge throughout the day.

Dewy setting sprays

If you have normal to dry skin, a dewy setting spray is probably the one you’ll want to go for. These help to keep your makeup in place but also refresh the skin to look glowy and radiant.

Pair the best drugstore hydrating setting spray with the best drugstore primer for dewy look and even the driest, most sensitive skin will look glowy and hydrated.

If your skin is dry and you worry about your making starting to look patchy throughout the day, a dewy setting spray will help to prevent that,

I tend to mix up my setting sprays depending on the day and how I’m feeling, sometimes I want a matte look and sometimes I want a glow – whatever you prefer, I’ve got the setting spray for you.

How to use the best drugstore setting sprays?

A setting spray, as the name would suggest, is intended to set the makeup – so you want to use them after you’ve applied your makeup.

For me I will usually spray my setting sprays after I’ve finished my base – so after foundation, concealer, powder foundation, bronzer, blush, and highlight. These are the parts of my routine that I really want to stay in place and look flawless.

To apply the product you want to hold the bottle away from your face, about half your arm’s width away, and then spray around 5 pumps – 1 for your forehead, 1 for each cheek, 1 for your chin, and 1 for around your nose.

You don’t want your face to be dripping with the product, you want to aim for a thin mist that covers your face. Then you can use a fan, or anything that you have to hand to dry the product (e.g. a book, piece of paper, eyeshadow palette etc.)

Should you use setting spray before foundation?

You may have seen some people recently using their setting sprays before foundation or blending it in with foundation (as I mentioned in my recent beauty tips post) and this is a good hack to improve the longevity of your foundation.

It’s a trick that I love doing as it helps your foundation to apply more flawlessly – it makes your skin look airbrushed.

If you do want to do this kind of trick, I’d recommend doing so with a mattifying setting spray so that you can replicate the effect that you’ve seen other people achieve on social media. You can then always go in with a dewy spray after you’ve finished your base to add some moisture back in if you need it!

It’s good to play around with setting spray in your routine and find the best place to fit it in – whether that be before your foundation, right after applying foundation and concealer, or after you’ve applied all of your makeup.

After trialing a lot of different setting sprays, I have narrowed my favorites down to 5 mattifying sprays and 5 illuminating sprays, so whatever kind of product you prefer – I’ve got the perfect one for you! Keep reading to find out more about the best drugstore setting sprays.

The best drugstore setting sprays for dewy skin

Illamasqua Hydra Setting Spray* (PR-gifted item) / £20

Illamsqua sent this over to me and it quickly became my go-to setting spray as it’s such a fine mist that instantly hydrates the skin – it’s perfect for dry skin.

Not only does it make your skin look super dewy and glossy, it really sets your makeup in place so that it lasts all day long. I love the way my skin looks after using this product.

Cover FX Illuminating Setting Spray / £23

A beautifully fine mist that contains light-reflecting particles that illuminate dull skin straight away and help to make makeup look refreshed.

I also love to use sprays like this throughout the day when my skin starts to look a little dry. The best thing about this spray is that it comes in a smaller size too that only costs £9 and is perfect to throw into your handbag for use throughout the day.

NYX Professional Makeup Make Up Setting Spray Dewy Finish / £8

I’ve spoken about my love for NYX so many times on my blog so it’s no surprise that their setting spray is among my favorites.

They have 3 different setting sprays, and I love the dewy finish version as it does what it says on the tin – makes your face look super dewy!

I find that it doesn’t make my makeup as long-lasting as the other sprays I’ve mentioned, but for days when I’m not wearing too much makeup – it’s great.

Collection Primed & Ready Dewy Makeup Fixing Spray / £5.99

Another of the best drugstore setting sprays that really impressed me is from Collection, this product really illuminates the face and locks in your makeup so that it looks flawless all day.

This is super lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky on the skin once you’ve sprayed it, which makes it a great affordable option.

Essence Keep it PERFECT! Makeup Fixing Spray / £2.99

Speaking of budget options, the essence setting sprays are probably the cheapest that you’ll find. This Keep it Perfect spray is a mix between mattifying and dewy mists – it keeps your makeup in place but doesn’t make you look completely matte.

It keeps your makeup looking perfect all day without looking powdery or too glowy, so if you have oily skin and don’t want to look matte – this is a great option.

The best drugstore setting sprays for a matte finish

e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist & Set Spray / £5.00

Not only does this spray keep your makeup in place all day and control oils, but it’s also formulated with a bunch of great ingredients like green tea, aloe, and Vitamins A, C, and E – so it’s working wonders on your skin too.

I love the way this makes my skin look, it’s not too wet that I look oily and it’s not too matte – it’s another perfect in-between spray.

Revolution Matte Fix Oil Control Setting Spray / £6

Revolution is one of the best brands at the drugstore, they’re so affordable and their products are incredible – this Matte Fix Spray included. This isn’t intensely mattifying so even if you have dry skin, this could work for you.

It leaves you with a natural skin-like finish that offers a very subtle glow while ensuring your makeup doesn’t fade away or budge all day.

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray / £26

Like a lot of people, this is the first setting spray that I used – and it set the bar for every product I used after it. When you really want your makeup to last, this is what you should use – it’s the product I would use when I went out to clubs or bars because it really keeps your makeup in place.

It’s not my favorite for everyday wear as it does make me feel a little dry, but for occasions, it’s absolutely perfect. You can also get it in a smaller size for £12.

L.A. Girl Pro.setting HD high-definition setting spray / £6

If you want to save your money, I would say this is a pretty good dupe for the Urban Decay setting spray. It really locks your makeup in place and makes it last so much longer, without feeling too thick or sticky on the skin.

The one difference I notice is that you don’t get the blurred effect that the more expensive products give, but it still does the job!

Essence Instant Matt Make-Up Setting Spray / £2.99

The final item in this list of the best drugstore setting sprays is this cheap makeup setting spray from Essence. I mentioned another of the Essence setting sprays earlier that were targeted towards illuminating the face, they also have this one which is the mattifying version.

Also coming in at £2.99 it’s a real steal and is comparable to its more pricey counterparts. It mattifies the skin so well and feels extremely lightweight.

This would be a good product to spray on your face before foundation to make sure it lasts, if you have dry skin you can always follow up with a dewy mist after to add some glow back in.

What do you think are the best drugstore setting sprays?