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The Best Setting Spray: 3 Picks to Lock In Your Makeup

A matte classic, a dewy bi-phase mist and a shine-control spray for oily skin. Pick the finish you want and you are done.

By BeautyFounded Editorial Team · Updated · 6 min read

The best setting spray for you comes down to finish more than brand. Our three picks split that way: NYX's matte spray says it reduces shine, e.l.f.'s dewy spray promises a hydrated-looking finish, and Milani's targets oil.

All three have more than ten thousand Amazon ratings, and we show each score next to its count.

Our 3 picks at a glance

  1. Best OverallNYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray, Matte Finish, jumbo size

    NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray, Matte Finish (Jumbo)

    4.5 out of 5 · 120,144 ratings

    Check price on Amazon for NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray, Matte Finish (Jumbo) (opens in a new tab)
  2. Best Dewy Finishe.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray

    e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray

    4.6 out of 5 · 10,673 ratings

    Check price on Amazon for e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray (opens in a new tab)
  3. Best for Oily SkinTwo bottles of Milani Make It Last Matte Setting Spray

    Milani Make It Last Matte Setting Spray (2-Pack)

    4.4 out of 5 · 55,409 ratings

    Check price on Amazon for Milani Make It Last Matte Setting Spray (2-Pack) (opens in a new tab)

How we picked

We combed Amazon's Beauty department for setting sprays, left out sponsored results, and opened the most-rated listings from established makeup brands. We picked by finish so each spray has a distinct job, and we required a named seller on every listing.

Pair it with the rest of your base: see our concealer picks and our lipstick picks. Styling your hair for the same occasion? Our curling iron guide compares three irons.

NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray, Matte Finish, jumbo size
1. Best Overall

NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray, Matte Finish (Jumbo)

4.5 out of 5 from 120,144 Amazon ratings (as of October 1, 2026)

Shipped and sold by Amazon.com

With 4.5 stars from more than 120,000 ratings, this is the most-rated setting spray we found (the count covers the listing's finish options together). NYX describes a lightweight spray that reduces shine and leaves a fresh, just-applied look all day, and says it works over foundation, eyeshadow and powder.

This listing is the jumbo version, which NYX labels "3x The Fill." The title claims up to 16 hours of wear. NYX directs you to shake the bottle and spray from 6 inches away.

What the listing says

  • Matte finish NYX says reduces shine
  • Up to 16 hours of wear, per the title
  • Jumbo size, labeled "3x The Fill" by NYX
  • Works over foundation, eyeshadow and powder, says NYX

Keep in mind

  • This is the matte option; NYX's description says a dewy finish is also available
  • The rating count is shared across finish options
  • Wear time is the brand's claim

Best for: a matte finish NYX says reduces shine and lasts up to 16 hours.

Check price on Amazon for NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray, Matte Finish (Jumbo) (opens in a new tab)
e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray
2. Best Dewy Finish

e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray

4.6 out of 5 from 10,673 Amazon ratings (as of October 1, 2026)

Shipped and sold by Amazon.com

The highest-rated spray in this guide at 4.6 stars from more than ten thousand ratings. It is a bi-phase formula — a water-based phase and an oil-based phase you shake together — designed to grip makeup while leaving a hydrated-looking, dewy finish, according to e.l.f.

e.l.f. says it is infused with 5% aloe, hyaluronic acid and squalane, and that it can be used before makeup to prep skin or after to set it.

What the listing says

  • Bi-phase formula: shake to activate
  • 5% aloe, hyaluronic acid and squalane, per e.l.f.
  • Use before or after makeup, says the listing
  • Non-sticky feel, according to the brand

Keep in mind

  • The listing does not state a wear time in hours
  • e.l.f. pitches it for a dewy finish, not shine control
  • Mist with eyes and lips closed, the brand advises

Best for: a fresh, hydrated-looking finish, by e.l.f.'s description.

Check price on Amazon for e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray (opens in a new tab)
Two bottles of Milani Make It Last Matte Setting Spray
3. Best for Oily Skin

Milani Make It Last Matte Setting Spray (2-Pack)

4.4 out of 5 from 55,409 Amazon ratings (as of October 1, 2026)

Shipped by Amazon, sold by Milani Cosmetics

Milani's listing is the most explicit about shine control: it says the spray is infused with micro-fine charcoal and silica powders to help absorb excess oil, and promises up to 16 hours of oil and shine control with a natural matte finish.

The brand says you can mist it after makeup or throughout the day to reduce shine, and that it is clinically tested for longwear performance — though the listing gives no study details.

What the listing says

  • Charcoal and silica powders to absorb oil, per Milani
  • Up to 16 hours of oil and shine control, brand claim
  • Can be re-misted during the day, says Milani
  • Two bottles in the listing

Keep in mind

  • One bullet says "for oily skin"; another says "for all skin types"
  • "Clinically tested" comes with no study details on the listing
  • Wear and oil-control figures are Milani's

Best for: oily or shine-prone skin, the skin type Milani names first.

Check price on Amazon for Milani Make It Last Matte Setting Spray (2-Pack) (opens in a new tab)

Side by side

Setting sprayOur pick forAmazon ratingFinish (per listing)Sold by
NYX Matte Finish (Jumbo)Overall4.5 (120,144 ratings)MatteAmazon.com
e.l.f. Power Grip DewyDewy finish4.6 (10,673 ratings)DewyAmazon.com
Milani Make It Last Matte (2-Pack)Oily skin4.4 (55,409 ratings)Natural matteMilani Cosmetics

Figures are taken from each Amazon listing on October 1, 2026. Ratings change over time.

What to look for

Finish first

Matte sprays are pitched at cutting shine; dewy sprays at adding glow. Choose the finish you want, then compare the rest.

Oil control

If shine is your main concern, look for a listing that names oil-absorbing ingredients, as Milani's does with charcoal and silica.

Directions

Both NYX and e.l.f. say to mist from 6 inches away; e.l.f. adds that you should keep your eyes and lips closed.

Returns

The NYX and Milani listings are marked non-returnable because shipping them is subject to hazardous materials regulation. Check before you order.

The bottom line

  • Best Overall: NYX Matte Finish, for the deepest rating base and a finish NYX says reduces shine.
  • Best Dewy Finish: e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy, the highest-rated spray here.
  • Best for Oily Skin: Milani Make It Last Matte, built around oil-absorbing powders.

Questions, answered

Should I choose a matte or dewy setting spray?

Matte sprays like NYX's are described as reducing shine; dewy sprays like e.l.f.'s are described as leaving a hydrated-looking glow. Milani's listing says its matte spray is for oily skin in one bullet and designed for all skin types in another.

How far away should I hold setting spray?

NYX's listing says to spray from a 6-inch distance, and e.l.f.'s says to mist from 6 inches away with eyes and lips closed.

Can I use setting spray before makeup?

e.l.f. says Power Grip Dewy can be applied before makeup to prep skin or after to set it.

How long do setting sprays last?

NYX's title claims up to 16 hours of wear and Milani claims up to 16 hours of oil and shine control. e.l.f.'s listing does not give a figure. These are brand claims.

Can I reapply setting spray during the day?

Milani says its Make It Last Matte spray can be misted throughout the day to reduce shine. The NYX and e.l.f. listings do not mention reapplying during the day.

Ratings and listing details were captured from Amazon on October 1, 2026 and can change. Brand claims are quoted or attributed; we have not tested these products ourselves.

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