What Does Setting Spray Do For Makeup?
What is setting spray and what does setting spray do? Discover what makes setting spray a non-negotiable makeup step.
- 28th August 2025
- By Charlotte Tilbury
8 minute read
Darlings, setting spray belongs in every beauty bag and makeup routine! A lot of my clients ask me what does setting spray do for makeup? Does it actually work? Well, darlings… Setting spray isn’t a makeup myth! Discover what setting sprays like my legendary AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray and my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte can do for your makeup look.
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What is setting spray?
Setting spray is a makeup product designed to set makeup into place, helping to increase the longevity of your makeup look. They are generally liquid formulas that are applied via an atomising mister, spritzing over your face as a gentle veil to lock in your makeup look. Sometimes, setting sprays are referred to as makeup fixing sprays because they help to fix makeup into place… That’s why I call my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray my ultimate AIRbrush fix!
What does setting spray do?
A setting spray is a versatile makeup tool that belongs in every makeup kit – it’s the secret to long-lasting makeup that looks airbrushed and flawless! Discover what applying setting spray can do for your makeup:
SETS MAKEUP: The main purpose of setting spray is to extend the wear time of your makeup look. My setting spray formulas are proven to help makeup last for up to 16 hours*, creating an ultra-lightweight film that makes makeup waterproof and helps prevents melting, fading or creasing.
MELTS POWDER: Spraying setting spray over makeup can also help powder makeup meld more seamlessly with your skin, eliminating any powdery residue that may emphasise skin texture. Use my sandwich method, darlings – set with powder, spray on setting spray, then tap on finishing powder to get that flawless skin finish!
MATTIFIES + CONTROLS THE LOOK OF SHINE: Setting sprays can also determine the finish of your makeup look; spraying on a matte setting spray like AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte creates a flattering matte skin finish that can blur the appearance of pores and control the appearance of oil and shine.
HYDRATES + BOOSTS RADIANCE: A radiant setting spray like my original AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray boosts hydration and gives skin a natural-looking, radiant glow. If you love to glow, darlings, a dewy setting spray is the perfect finishing touch for your look.
Discover how to use setting spray
How long does setting spray last?
16 hours* - my settings sprays are proven to lock in your makeup for up to 16 hours!* If you want to look flawless all day, darlings, AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray is the solution. My original and matte setting sprays are formulated to make makeup waterproof, keeping makeup in place even when facing the elements. Setting your makeup with setting spray is the secret to makeup that stays lasts all day!
What are the different types of setting spray?
There are different types of setting sprays on the market that offer a diverse set of benefits for your makeup. Some setting sprays have a dewy or natural finish, whereas others have a matte finish like my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte. Matte setting sprays often possess qualities that help to remove shine, blur the appearance of pores and help with oil control, whereas dewy setting sprays are more hydrating and give your complexion a healthy-looking glow.
Discover the differences between dewy vs matte setting spray
What happens if you don’t apply setting spray?
I never do a makeup look without setting spray, darlings – makeup always lasts longer and looks more flawless after a misting of AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray! When you don’t use a setting spray in your makeup routine, you may notice that your foundation tends to not last as long and separates throughout the day; powder makeup becomes cakey and shows signs of creasing; and blush or eyeshadow colours begin to fade and look less vibrant. Darlings, if you are experiencing these makeup faux pas, try adding a setting spray to your makeup routine and get my AIRbrush makeup fix!
Discover how to stop foundation separating
What’s the difference between makeup spray and setting spray?
Makeup sprays and setting sprays are easily confused, darlings. Both come in easy-mist bottles and are designed to be sprayed directly over your face. While setting sprays are formulated to set makeup and boost wear time, makeup sprays are designed as refreshing, hydrating mists that won’t increase makeup longevity, but will give your complexion a fresh and dewy finish.
Discover the differences between face mist and setting spray
Is setting spray just for foundation?
No – setting spray is used to set all types of makeup into place including foundation, makeup powder, cheek products, and even eyeshadows. If you want your foundation to look flawless and stay put all day long, setting spray will help to lock it down and prevent creasing, separating and smudging. If you want your highlighter and blush to pop and last longer, setting spray can intensify their colour payoff and extend their wear time. If your eyeshadow is prone to creasing, fading, and patching, spraying setting spray onto your eye look will help with longevity and opacity.
Do you need makeup primer and setting spray?
Makeup primer and setting spray perform different roles in your beauty routine, however both are intended to improve the wear of makeup. You can use primer and setting spray separately – a smoothing-effect primer like my Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer SPF50 will create a hydrated, perfectly primed canvas for makeup to glide onto, and my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray is perfect for setting makeup into place. I recommend using makeup primer and setting spray together for the most flawless results.
Discover more about makeup primer
Do you need setting powder and setting spray?
Setting powder and setting spray have similarities in your makeup routine – both are intended to set makeup into place – but the two have some key differences. Using only setting powder can create a powdery skin finish, and using only setting spray will bypass the ultra-smooth, blurred look that you get from a setting powder like my AIRbrush Flawless Finish. For maximised wear time, I recommend setting makeup with powder then applying setting spray.
Tilbury Tip: If you love the smoothing, blurring effect of my AIRbrush Flawless Finish powder, discover my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte – it’s the magic of my award-winning powder, bottled!
Discover the differences between setting powder and setting spray
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Frequently Asked Questions: Charlotte Tilbury AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray
Is Charlotte Tilbury setting spray matte or dewy?
My AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray has a natural, radiant finish that makes skin appear fresh and dewy. The formula offers my signature AIRbrush Effect, making skin appear blurred and soft-focused without compromising your glow.
Tilbury Tip: If you prefer a matte setting spray, darling, discover my AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray Matte with an Oil and Shine Control Complex and flattering matte finish.
Does Charlotte Tilbury setting spray work for oily skin?
Yes – AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray can be used by all skin types. People with oily skin can benefit from the waterproofing and fixing capabilities of my setting spray formula. Oily skin is prone to makeup creasing, melting and fading, so my setting spray is a makeup match that helps to prevent these concerns from occurring. I recommend my matte setting spray as a perfect setting spray for oily skin – it’s formulated to control the look of oil and mattify shine to keep your complexion looking blurred and matte while setting makeup into place for up to 16 hours*.
How many sprays of Charlotte Tilbury setting spray should I use?
When applying setting spray, I like to work in layers to give makeup a super-blurred appearance and to set each aspect of the makeup into place. 3 light sprays of AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray should be plenty to coat your entire face in a weightless veil of setting spray. However, I like to apply setting spray before makeup, after powder, and at the end of my makeup look, as well as reapplying throughout the day to freshen up my complexion. I suppose more is more when it comes to setting spray, darlings!
Do I need to shake Charlotte Tilbury setting spray?
Yes – you should always give the bottle a shake before applying setting spray. I always recommend shaking your setting spray because it helps to activate the formula, mixing all of the ingredients and creating a harmonious, highly effective blend. Shake it to wake it, darlings!
Can I use Charlotte Tilbury setting spray before makeup?
Yes – AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray is a triple threat! It primes. It sets. It refreshes. Applying my setting spray before makeup helps to hydrate your complexion and gives it a natural, radiant glow, as well as using Flawless Film Formers to create a film coating that not only sets makeup into place but also primes your skin by creating a smooth canvas for makeup to glide onto.
Can I use Charlotte Tilbury setting spray every day?
Yes – AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray is an every makeup must-have! Whether you’re creating a low-key, everyday makeup look or are going all out with glamorous evening makeup, setting spray is the secret to making your makeup look last!
Tilbury Tip: I always keep a travel-sized AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray in my handbag… It’s my top tip for looking, feeling, and staying flawless on the go!
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AIRBRUSH BRONZER
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$58.00
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Author Details
Charlotte Tilbury
Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.
