We Tried Shimmering Setting Sprays, And These Are The Best
Setting sprays are the new essential in our makeup kit. If you’re on Instagram, you can’t have missed seeing your fav beauty blogger drenching themselves in it. Remember back in the day before setting sprays when you used to use a spritz of hairspray to set your makeup? Things have come a long way since then. The newest setting sprays also bring a healthy glow with the addition of mica powders and pearls to give you a legit all-day glow in just a couple of spritzes. So seeing as summer is on its way, and you’re definitely gonna need a setting spray to keep your look locked in all day, we’ve tried the best so you don’t have to. Here’s our rundown on the ones that will keep you glowing like Tinkerbell, and the ones you need to avoid.
via Giphy
Best for a natural glow: Too Faced Festival Refresh Spray, $22
This unicorn-style setting and refreshing spray is made with rose quartz powders and witch hazel extract and is alcohol-free. Although we love the packaging, a lot of the shimmer gets stuck to the bottom of the bottle, and it can be a bit tricky to combine. We love the look of the shimmers, but on the skin, the purple opalescent pearls aren’t our fav. Regardless, it still offers a pretty, very subtle glow, and it kept our makeup looking good all day. The 100ml spray has the best nozzle for application and sprays a really nice fine mist. Shop it here.
Best colors: Iconic London Prep-Set-Glow, $26
These are super pretty, and we love the color options. They’re definitely our fav for how they look, plus they’re also formulated with green tea, antioxidants, and vitamin E. The nozzle doesn’t evenly disperse the formula as well as the others, so you can end up with splashes of shimmer on some parts of your face. Our tip is to spray it up into the air and let it fall on your face; this way, you don’t risk getting your face too wet. Containing 120ml, this is the best value for money, and it leaves a stunning glow on our skin. Shop it here.
Winner: Tarte Mer-Mist Shimmer Spray, $22
This is so beautiful, and it has the most gorgeous, white-pink iridescent shimmers in it and smells so good we could eat it. Even though this can be used on the hair and body as well, it sets makeup beautifully all day, and it doesn’t look too glittery; it just gives a lit glow. It also has algae and marine plant extracts to soothe skin, while coconut oil and vitamin E deliver intense moisture and antioxidant protection. The only downside with this is you only get 75ml. Shop it here.
Dew Me Rose Water Priming Setting Mist DIY
This Dew Me shimmering setting spray by Glow Cult Cosmetics is no longer being made, but it’s like the OG of shimmering setting sprays, and it’s actually amazing for your skin. The only ingredients are rose water, witch hazel, aloe vera, and natural mica – it’s perfect for the body. But, even though this priming mist is no longer around, you can easily DIY it. In a setting spray bottle, fill it half full with rose water, then add one or two teaspoons of aloe vera gel. Add witch hazel solution to the bottle until it’s 80% full. Finally, add your iridescent mica powder, you can buy a whole pot for around $10 on Amazon, and you can choose whichever color you prefer. Start with half a teaspoon of mica, shake to mix, and then test it. If you want more shimmer, add another half teaspoon, and continue the process until you’re happy with it.
Stay tuned for our review of Mac’s new Prep + Prime Fix + Shimmer formula in Pinklight and Goldlight.
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