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I never realized how much my makeup routine was missing setting spray until I tried it. This stuff is fantastic!

DIY makeup setting spray in glass spray bottle with applicator brushes on white marble vanity.
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Diy makeup setting spray

It helps your makeup ‘sit’ better on your skin, softening it and making it look better than when it was first applied. 

I find with makeup that it can look a bit heavy when first used, and it takes a while to settle on your skin. 

If youโ€™re the same, you’ll honestly love using a setting spray. 

Basically, you get that perfectly blended appearance right after applying your makeup if you end with a setting spray. And it helps makeup such as DIY blush cream or homemade bronzer last longer, too.ย 

I don’t personally wear a lot of makeup, but when I do, for an evening out, let’s say I want it to look great (or else I don’t see the point in it.)

And this is precisely what setting spray does – it helps makeup look that much better as soon as you put it on. 

I’ll share an excellent recipe for a DIY makeup setting spray in this post. It’s straightforward and fun to make, containing only 4 simple ingredients. 

As with all my makeup recipes, the ingredients are natural, which nurture the skin, allowing it to breathe and helping control the skin’s moisture levels. 

DIY setting spray for makeup with mist nozzle on a white vanity with a wooden backdrop.

Setting spray vs. fixing spray

There’s a product called ‘fixing spray’ which is similar, but not quite the same as setting spray. 

So it’s worth understanding the difference to see which suits you best. Both are good, depending on the finish you want.   

A ‘fixing spray’ literally does what a glue would – it sticks your makeup to your skin. 

Fixing spray usually uses alcohol as its base, which can dry and aggravate the skin if it’s used too often. 

By the end of the day, your makeup will probably still be on if you’ve used a fixing spray, but your skin could feel taut, sticky, and uncomfortable as a result.  

On the other hand, a setting spray uses a combination of oils, glycerine, and water to blend your makeup together into one even layer, so it ‘sits’ better on your skin from the get-go. 

Setting sprays are renowned for being kinder to the skin too and suitable for most skin types, being good for both oily skin and dry skin, depending on the type you use. 

How to use setting spray

Setting spray is the last product to be used in your makeup routine. So, you would apply your DIY primer if using, then your makeup: homemade eye makeup, homemade lipstick, DIY foundation, etc., and follow up with setting spray.

Then, hold the bottle about 8 inches away from your face, and spray evenly to cover all areas, taking care not to overdo it by spraying too much. Less is more with setting spray. 

Leave it to dry naturally for a few minutes to ensure your make-up remains in place and smudge-free. 

Homemade makeup setting spray for dry skin with flower pedals and wooden background.

Setting spray vs. setting powder

The main difference between a setting spray and setting powder is how you apply them. 

You would need a brush or sponge to apply a powder, and usually, it ends up giving a matte finish. 

A spray, on the other hand, is in liquid form and applied through an atomizer. 

Naturally, a spray gives a less matte finish with more of a dewy look that some people prefer. But there are certain setting sprays that can dry to provide a matte look, depending on what you’re after. 

The great thing about a setting spray is that it can act as a humectant, meaning they trap moisture in the skin, preventing dryness. 

So if you’ve got dry or aging skin, a setting spray would be far better for you than a powder. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a makeup setting spray for oily skin, then a DIY setting powder would be better, as this will absorb excess oil.

It’s worthwhile for me to say that making your own setting spray using these simple ingredients is a great money saver. 

Some of the store brought setting sprays can be expensive. Plus, the fact that you can modify the ingredients to suit your skin type gives a greater amount of flexibility. 

How to make setting spray

In preparation for this recipe, you’ll need a spray bottle thatโ€™s been thoroughly cleaned. 

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Ingredients:

Instructions:

Add all the ingredients to your spray bottle. Secure the lid and shake well. 

Hold about 8 inches away from the face and give it one mist with your eyes closed. 

Always remember to give the bottle a good shake before using the setting spray. 

Glass bottle of homemade setting spray on a bathroom vanity.

Why use setting spray?

It may be obvious by now, but I’ll explain anyway. A setting spray is the final touch to your makeup, helping it blend into your skin and keeping it in place. 

It acts as a barrier to anything that could ‘rub off’ your makeup, reducing smudges and prolonging the length of your morning or evening look. 

The setting spray also helps balance the oil in your skin, keeping the skin healthy. 

If you use a homemade setting spray such as the one shared in this post, you can tweak the ingredients further to suit your skin type.

Of course, this recipe is packed full of natural ingredients, which will care for your skin and help keep your makeup looking fresh all day long. 

I hope you love it as much as I do! 

Do comment below and let me know if you try out this DIY make-up setting spray. And, of course, for more fantastic homemade makeup ideas, check out some of the posts below.

4.60 from 15 votes

DIY makeup setting spray

Prep: 2 minutes
Active: 1 minute
Total: 3 minutes
Yield: 1 Spray Bottle
Your skin will love you! This homemade setting spray perfectly evens out the overall appearance and keeps the makeup looking fresh all day long.
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Add all ingredients to the spray bottle, secure the lid and shake well.
  • Hold about 8 inches away from the face, close your eyes, and lightly mist.
  • Remember, less is more with setting spray; 1 mist should be enough.

Notes

Shake bottle well before each use.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.60 from 15 votes (15 ratings without comment)

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7 Comments

  1. Claire says:

    Hi, ive been trying to find a recipe for a setting spray that doesnt include witch hazel as i am allergic. Can you suggest any alternatives?

  2. DeeDee says:

    Does this need to be stored in the refrigerator? I’ve read that rose water can go bad if not stored properly. How long will this spray last if it is not refrigerated?

    1. Amy Spotts says:

      I also would like to know if the vegetable glycerin makes it shelf stable, per say. Should we only bottle up a weeks worth at a time, maybe?

  3. Elfleda Trแบงn says:

    How long does it take to use? hope you reply as soon as possible. ๐Ÿ™ˆ

    1. Laura says:

      It takes only a few minutes to spray and dry.

  4. Kimberly Bray says:

    HI Laura..

    I love your recipes and products! I have made many of them and would now like to try some of your make up recipes. while reading your recipe for setting spray, I saw an ingredient is vegetable glycerin. I have so many other oils at home: olive, avacado, sweet almond, jojoba….can any of those be substituted with the same results? Just trying to save a little money…thank you

    1. Annie says:

      Hi Kimberly! Unfortunately, glycerin is not an oil–kinda an opposite. Glycerin absorbs oil. You could possibly try aloe vera juice–not the same, but the closest thing I know. (Aloe gel is thick and won’t spray, but juice–either fresh or store bought–might work.)
      In another recipe, substituting oil for oil would be fine, as long as it was the same type of oil (dry for dry–absorbs fast, light for light, a thicker oil for another of similar thickness, and, of course, if you are using it on your face and struggle with acne, make sure you use a non-comedogenic oil.)