7 Best Fixing Sprays of 2024 to Seal Your Look for Hours | Allure

Nov 11, 2024

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

You may have heard of (and already own) setting spray, but how about the best fixing sprays? They may sound similar and provide long-lasting results (and many setting sprays also qualify as fixers!), but fixing sprays provide maximum-strength hold to your makeup, according to New York City-based makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran, who also calls them "a makeup artist's secret weapon." You can liken them to an ultra-strong hairspray, but their mists are so lightweight that you'll forget that you spritzed anything on in the first place. Add these makeup artist-approved, long-wearing fixing sprays to your makeup rotation for maximum hold that'll make your glam get through the day (and, possibly, night).

One/Size

Sephora

Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the One/Size On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray.

Why it's worth it: Multiple makeup artists praise One/Size's On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray for its intensive staying power, micro-fine mister, and soft-matte finish. "It's long-lasting and keeps makeup matte all day," says Etienne Ortega, Los Angeles-based makeup artist and founder of Ortega Beauty. As it creates a waterproof veil over your makeup, a duo of anti-inflammatory green tea extract and oil-balancing witch hazel soothe and mattify so your look won't smudge or smear throughout the day.

Tester feedback: Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein says this finishing spray is a staple in her routine for its weightless feel and intensive oil control. "Even on minimal, concealer-only complexion days, my look can easily become oily by hour three, but thanks to this spray's mattifying magic, I was grease-free throughout my first nine hours of wear and even got a few compliments on my makeup from some fellow Allure staffers," she said.

Key ingredients: green tea extract, witch hazel | Finish: soft matte | Hours of wear: 16 | Waterproof: yes

Charlotte Tilbury

Nordstrom

Revolve

Charlotte Tilbury

Allure associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez applying Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

Why it's worth it: According to Ortega, Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray lives up to its skin-smoothing claims. "This fixing spray creates a soft-focus finish and helps makeup stay put for hours," he says. A combination of film-forming polymers and aromatic resin is the key to this formula's pore-blurring effects. Each spritz creates a waterproof barrier to ensure your glam doesn't melt or fade throughout the day. As a bonus, you can use this featherweight formula before applying makeup to create a smooth base.

Tester feedback: "The mini-size of Charlotte Tilbury's Flawless Finish Setting Spray stays in my makeup bag for a reason. The mist is fine enough to never leave a splotchy dot on top of my makeup, even if I spray a little too close," writes associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez. "I'll mist my base makeup before setting my under eyes and forehead with a powder puff and loose powder for an airbrushed-looking complexion—every time."

Key ingredients: film-forming polymers, aromatic resin, Japanese green tea extract | Finish: soft matte | Hours of wear: 16 | Waterproof: yes

Urban Decay

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying Urban Decay’s All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray.

Why it's worth it: Not a fan of mattifying formulas? The tried-and-true Urban Decay All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray will be up your alley. It's one of the most popular fixing sprays for its fine, non-aerosol mist that makes any look sweat- and waterproof for up to 16 hours. Its micro-fine formula contains ale, vitamin E, and glycol to leave your skin feeling moisturized and plump, minimizing the risk of mid-day dryness and cracking of your base makeup.

Tester feedback: “I'm certain I'm not the only one who was first introduced to setting spray via Urban Decay's All Nighter, and I'm even more certain I'm not the only one who still swears by it more than a decade later,” news editor Nicola DAll’Asen says. “That's because, as you can see by the results of my five-hour wear test through a muggy city summer evening, this stuff contains some kind of magic that makes makeup near-invincible. Whether I'm wearing a drag-level full beat or just a little bit here and there, I can (and almost always do) count on All Nighter to keep my makeup fresh at all times.”

Key ingredients: aloe, vitamin E, glycol | Finish: natural, transparent | Hours of wear: 16 | Waterproof: yes

Tirtir

Amazon

YesStyle

Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Tirtir Mask Fit Make Up Fixer

Why it's worth it: With Tirtir's Mask Fit Make Up Fixer, you can have a dewy look that doesn't melt off within an hour. Its unique powder-based formula ever-so-lightly mattifies without dimming your skin's natural radiance, so it's basically a fixing spray and oil-absorbing setting powder combined. Centella asiatica extract (a.k.a. circa) hydrates and soothes the skin while green apple-derived polyphenols curbs excess serum, so it's perfect for oily and combination skin types that usually prefer dewy setting sprays.

Tester feedback: Commerce editor Sarah Han can't recommend Tirtir's fixing spray enough for her combination skin. "I still get a glowy finish—literally instant radiance, as you can see from the clip above—but the sebum-regulation properties keep the pores along my T-zone in check and prevent my makeup from settling into them throughout the day," she attests.

Key ingredients: green apple polyphenols, Centella asiatica extract, polyvinylpyrrolidone (polymer) | Finish: dewy | Hours of wear: 24 | Waterproof: yes

L'Oréal Paris

Amazon

Walmart

Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying L’Oréal Paris’s Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist Spray

Why it's worth it: L'Oréal Paris's Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray Mist may have a 36-hour hold on your makeup like ultra-matte formulas, but it won't mess with the finish of your glowy looks. In fact, this ultra-fine mist is developed to boost the radiance of your look, thanks to its thin, vinyl-like veil of polymers that transparently hold cosmetics in place while still feeling breathable on skin. It's no wonder how it became such a hit on TikTok and in the Allure office.

Tester feedback: "Getting my hands on the spray was the best decision I made going into the summer because my makeup did not budge at all, no matter how intense the summer sun was," says social media manager Bianca Richards. "Even though we are transitioning into the fall, she'll remain a mainstay in my routine—without breaking the bank!"

Key ingredients: polymers, dimethicone | Finish: radiant | Hours of wear: 36 | Waterproof: water-resistant

Revolution Beauty

Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Why it's worth it: Revolution Beauty's Superfix Misting Spray has an ultra-fine aerosol mister that feels like nothing more than a gust of air, but, trust us, its micro-fine formula is certainly working. It provides an ultra-matte finish that doesn't give excess oil and sebum a chance to develop. Along with securing your look post-makeup application, Revolution Beauty's fixing spray is enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E to ensure your conplexion has a plump, dewy look to it all day long.

Key ingredients: aloe vera extract, vitamin E | Finish: matte | Hours of wear: 8 | Waterproof: no

Kryolan

Kryolan

Why it's worth it: Both Jaikaran and Miami-based makeup artist Natalie Dresher shout out Kryolan's Fixing Aerosol Spray as a fan-favorite amongst professionals. Dresher calls this the "O.G. of fixing sprays" because it acts as cellophane for your makeup, leaving an ever-so-slightly shiny finish that won't dare budge. "It's super long-lasting and provides serious hold, so if you're working under hot lights or on an all-day shoot, you can trust your makeup will stay in place," says Jaikaran. "Kryolan's formula is also ideal for special effects or intense makeup looks since it's made to withstand tougher conditions. Personally, it's what I've used for concert and carnival makeup."

Key ingredients: isopropyl alcohol, polymers | Finish: transparent, shiny | Hours of wear: 24 | Waterproof: yes

While some setting sprays also classify as fixing sprays, their formulations and benefits usually differ. According to Miami-based makeup artist Natalie Dresher, you can think of fixing sprays as "a setting spray time ten," in terms of their long-wearing hold. "It usually has alcohol as one of the main ingredients which will make your makeup transfer-proof, in some cases more matte, and last a lot longer than a typical setting spray," she says.

In contrast, New York City-based makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran explains that setting sprays "set and melt" makeup into the skin, often leaving a soft, dewy finish or a matte finish. "Fixing sprays are more way intense," she says. "They're designed to lock your makeup in place, making it resistant to things like sweat, humidity, or long hours." Jaikaran also notes that fixing sprays create a stronger hold and compares it to "hairspray for the face that creates a seal over the makeup, which is especially helpful for events, photoshoots, or any occasion where longevity is essential."

Fixing spray should typically be the last step in your makeup routine. Once you're done applying all of your makeup, Ortega suggests holding the spray bottle eight to ten inches away from your face. "Mist over your face in an 'X' or 'T' shape," he says. Due to their usually strong scent, Jaikaran adds to hold your breath and close your eyes while misting. "After spraying you can then let it air dry or gently fan your face to speed up the drying process," says Jaikaran. "This ensures that all areas are coated evenly, locking everything in without disturbing the makeup underneath."

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best fixing sprays, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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.

Your vanity deserves some new makeup products—get started on your rehaul with these Allure editor-approved cosmetics:

Now, watch Olympian Suni Lee's makeup routine for a gold medal look:

Shop all of our latest obsessions in one place! And don't forget to follow Allure on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty.