The before and after pics don’t lie

We Put 13 Makeup Setting Sprays Through A 'Full Day' Test, Here's How They Scored...
We Put 13 Makeup Setting Sprays Through A 'Full Day' Test, Here's How They Scored...
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Best Makeup Setting Spray: Clarins

They say: “A refreshing mist that sets make-up and prolongs its hold, while providing a feeling of instant freshness and well-being. Also provides continuous hydration and comfort.”

Here’s what we thought…

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Best Makeup Setting Spray: Clarins

Clarins Fix’ Make-Up

SCORE: 7.5/10

Laura Says: “Considering the price, this isn’t the most generously sized bottles I’ve ever seen. That said, it’d be good for sticking in your handbag or taking in your hand luggage. It’s nice to use, feels lovely and refreshing on the skin and it’s really lightweight. I do think it made my makeup last longer than without it, but I did have to touch up my foundation a little sooner than I’d have liked.”

Price: Dhs102

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Best makeup setting spray: Laura Geller

They say: “Prime, hydrate, and set your make-up with just one spray. This multi-tasking mist instantly absorbs into skin to create a perfect canvas for extended make-up wear and can also be used over make-up for a flawless finish. Soothing Aloe Vera Extract and Vitamin B5 help keep skin hydrated, while refreshing Cucumber Extract helps to reduce puffiness. Silicone and oil-free.”

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Best makeup setting spray: Laura Geller

Laura Geller Spackle Mist

SCORE: 6/10

Victoria says: “I found this mist left my face quite damp and it took around a minute or so to dry completely. I enjoyed the way it made my makeup look after I applied it though – very glowy.

Although my bronzer faded substantially (plus I ditched the bold lip after lunch), the majority of my face survived a whole working day. Going forward I’d use it more as a makeup refresher spray, as opposed to a ‘setting’ spray though.”

Price: Dhs122

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Best makeup setting spray: Cover FX (Mattifying)

They say: “This alcohol-free setting spray provides instant mattification while giving your makeup serious staying power. The ultra-fine mist application delivers a weightless, long wearing matte finish while absorbing surface shine and minimising the appearance of pores.”

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Best makeup setting spray: Cover FX (Mattifying)

Cover FX Mattifying Setting Spray

SCORE: 8/10

Victoria says: “Come 2pm my t-zone is usually shine-central, my nose and forehead tend to get dewy and that makes my pores look super obvious. I had high hopes for this mattifying makeup setting spray, but whilst it kept my foundation and bronzer in tact all day, my forehead still got preeeetty shiny.”

Price: Dhs107

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Best Makeup Setting Spray: Cover FX (Illuminating)

They say: “This alcohol-free setting spray provides instant illumination while giving your makeup serious staying power. The ultra-fine mist application delivers an even, luminous finish making this a perfect all-over highlighter for both face and body– and the more you mist, the more intense you glow.”

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Best makeup setting spray: Cover FX (Iluminating)

Cover FX Illuminating Setting Spray

SCORE: 7.5/10

Laura says: “Whilst Vic is all about staying matte, I’m constantly on the hunt for products that’ll make my skin glow. With that in mind I decided to test out the illuminating version of Cover FX’s Setting Spray… As you can see from the before and after pics, my makeup didn’t stay perfect all day, I noticed the shimmer around my eyes faded after a couple of hours – as did my mascara – weird, huh? But one thing I will say, this gave my skin a healthy, fresh glow. I’m keeping it on hand for when my complexion looks a bit meh, and needs perking up.”

Price: Dhs107

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Best Makeup Setting Spray: e.l.f.

They say: “This fine clear setting spray helps makeup stay put, and helps control shine for beautiful-looking skin. Infused with Vitamin B, E, Arctium Majus Root to help hydrate, soothe. The lightweight, comfortable formula helps improve makeup wearability, and prevent colour from running or fading.”

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Best Makeup Setting Spray: e.l.f.

e.l.f. Matte Magic Mist & Set

SCORE: 9.5/10

Victoria says: “I genuinely cannot believe this only costs Dhs24.45. Yep… FIVE. English. Pounds – that is it. I think the before and after pictures speak for themselves (yes, my lip balm is long gone – but that was always going to happen). Most days I end up going home from work a few shades lighter than when I arrived – my face has a tendency to devour my bronzer, but this little mist actually kept my foundation and bronzer in place ALL day. I knocked off half a point because at just 80ml the spray is one of the smallest, but to be fair, it’s also one of the cheapest.”

Price: Dhs25

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Best makeup setting spray: makeup revolution

They say: “Makeup Revolution’s Pro Fix Oil Control Makeup Fixing Spray is a lightweight setting spray that helps deflect surface shine for a natural matte finish. High tech ingredients keep foundation and eye makeup in place, with no smudging and no fading. Get that ‘just-applied’ look for up to 12 hours.”

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Best makeup setting spray: makeup revolution

Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Oil Control Fixing Spray

SCORE: 8/10

Laura says: “I’m not normally a fan of a matte finish, but I wanted to see if this really would keep my makeup on all day for just Dhs24.45, and it did (kind of). By 5pm I definitely had shine in my usual areas, but my foundation hadn’t gone patchy. If you can’t afford an Urban Decay Setting Spray, this is a pretty great dupe.”

Price: Dhs25

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NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray

They say: “For that fresh make up look that lasts NYX Professional Makeup Makeup Setting Sprays are lightweight and comfortable while working hard to make sure your makeup stays put.”

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Best makeup setting spray: NYX

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray

SCORE: 6.5/10

Victoria says: “Compared to other makeup setting sprays, I wouldn’t say this is the best I’ve ever used. Don’t get me wrong, it feels really nice and light on my face and it did mattify my makeup (a look I love), but I don’t think it made my makeup last any longer than if I hadn’t have used it. As you can see from the pictures, my bronzer all but disappeared by 5:30pm. I’d definitely use this in future to get rid of any shine or dewiness though.”

Price: Dhs34

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Best makeup setting spray: Maybelline

They say: “Meet our makeup locking-spray that extends both wear & freshness for a flawless look that lasts as if just applied.”

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Best makeup setting spray: Maybelline

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Makeup-Locking Setting Spray

SCORE: 8.5/10

Laura says: “As you’ve probs noticed from this experiment, my makeup has the tendency to go a little bit patchy by the end of the day. In this instance my bronzer pretty much disappeared, but my foundation and concealer stayed put, so that’s something…

Oh, and full disclosure, this setting spray was put to the test on the hottest day of the year – the fact that it managed to keep my face from completely sliding off means it gets a bonus point.”

Price: Dhs35

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Best makeup setting spray: Rimmel

They say: “This 2 in 1 makeup primer & setting spray that can be applied underneath or over the top of your makeup.”

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Best makeup setting spray: Rimmel

Rimmel Insta Fix & Go Setting Spray

SCORE: 7/10

Victoria says: “Whilst my base makeup faded throughout the day, I was impressed that this setting spray appeared to keep my eye makeup in tact. The bottle’s directions say to use it as both a ‘priming and setting mist’, so that’s exactly what I did. Whilst it felt a little bit OTT using a ‘primer mist’, I can’t deny that it gave my skin a well-hydrated dewiness, and it ensured my makeup applied seamlessly. All in all, I’d probably use this more as a mid-day face freshener, rather than a makeup setting spray.”

Price: Dhs30

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Best makeup setting spray: MAC Cosmetics

They say: “A lightweight mist of water packed with vitamins and minerals, infused with a blend of green tea, chamomile and cucumber to gently soothe and refresh the skin. Gives an instant boost of hydration while delivering a soft sheen to refresh and finish makeup.”

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Best makeup setting spray: MAC Cosmetics

MAC Prep + Prime Fix +

SCORE: 6/10

Laura says: “An oldie but a goodie – yes, MAC’s Fix+ isn’t going to lock down your face for thaaat long, but what it does do is work with the cosmetics on your face to mesh the formulas together and leave everything looking natural and beautifully blended.”

Price: Dhs88

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Best makeup setting spray: Urban Decay

They say: “Is a makeup meltdown ruining your midnight mojo? Mist on this weightless spray to give your makeup serious staying power. All Nighter Setting Spray keeps makeup looking gorgeous for up to 16 hours — without melting, fading or settling into fine lines.”

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Best makeup setting spray: Urban Decay

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Setting Spray

SCORE: 10/10

Victoria says: “I can’t even begin to explain how much this single product has changed my life, honestly it’s beyond amazing. A super lightweight spray that actually does keep makeup in place all day and all night. I doubt any amount of words could do it justice, but it’s definitely worth the pretty hefty price tag (plus one bottle will last a good six months).”

Price: Dhs115

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Best makeup setting spray: Kiko

They say: “Formulated with cosmetic alcohol that evaporates instantaneously, allows for extreme fixing of your make up, without changing it. Imperceptible and non-sticky, Make Up Fixer is mild on the face thanks to the special Chamomile extract formula.”

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Best makeup setting spray: Kiko

KIKO Milano Face Make Up Fixer

SCORE: 9/10

Victoria says: “Yes, I know I look a tad paler by 5:30pm – this experiment has taught me that my bronzer is always the first thing to buckle, but I was impressed by how great this makeup setting mist kept my foundation looking. When it comes to bases I always opt for a lightweight coverage, and that usually means the formula isn’t particularly long-wearing, not today though, my foundation stayed put long past 5:30pm, in fact it stuck around till bedtime.”

Price: Dhs38

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Best makeup setting spray: L.A. Girl

They say: “L.A. Girl PRO.setting HD High Definition Matte Finish Setting Spray is an incredible setting spray that maintains that matte finish you achieve with freshly applied makeup.”

“With the ability to ensure that the makeup stays intact for even longer, this ultra-fine mist coats the skin in non-sticky hydration, whilst ensuring that the effect that has been created with makeup is not lost throughout the day.”

Here’s what we thought…

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Best makeup setting spray: L.A. Girl

L.A. Girl PRO High Definition Matte Finish Setting Spray

SCORE: 7.5/10

Victoria says: “Yes it’s fairly cheap, but with just 30ml in the bottle you don’t get much product for your money. That being said, it’s teeny enough to chuck in your handbag, so if it’s a super-hot humid day and you want to freshen up your face, the compact size comes in quite handy. I like how the spray gives off more of a light mist than a heavy spritz, so there are no blotchy water marks left on the face. My bronzer faded a little, but my foundation and blush seems to stay in tact.”

Price: Dhs30

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