How to Set Your Makeup For Long-Lasting Wear

In our dream world, we would apply our makeup in the morning and not have to think twice about it. But for most of us, the reality is touch-ups—and sometimes, if the running and smudging is bad enough, total re-dos. But one little trick can help ensure you don’t lose all your hard work: Setting.

Setting your makeup can help you need fewer touch-ups and extend your makeup wear time. But how can you do it correctly and reap all its benefits? With the help of makeup artist Emily Gray, we’ve compiled tips and tricks for setting makeup. Keep reading for your freshest face yet.

What Does “Setting” Makeup Mean?

“Setting makeup means applying a powder or setting spray to hold the makeup in place all day,” says Gray. “This prevents the product from moving around your face and sweating off throughout the day.” This is especially true of “products that naturally don’t set themselves—concealers, some foundations, and cream products.”

Anyone can benefit from setting their makeup for one simple reason: “Setting helps the longevity of your makeup look,” says Gray.

How Can You Tell If Your Makeup Is Set?

“There are different ways to [tell] if your makeup is set,” explains Gray. Tell-tale signs of makeup that isn’t set include smudging and sliding: “I… check to see if the makeup is sliding off, or I’ll check the finish of the product,” she says. “If the product appears ‘dewy’ or wet, you need to set it with a powder or a spray to shellac it into place.”

How to Set Your Makeup

Picking a Product

“You can set your makeup with powder, a setting spray, or both,” says Gray. Setting sprays come in different formulas to help you achieve your desired finish—e.g., matte or luminous—while setting powder generally imparts a matte finish.

Application

After you’ve applied your makeup and everything has dried down, Gray recommends starting your setting process with powder: “I’ll grab a loose powder and place it on a powder puff after I have applied my base (foundation, concealer, cream contour, or bronzer),” she explains. “I’ll dab off any excess powder on my hand so there isn’t too much. Then, I’ll go in and stamp the areas where I put concealer and any cream products. I’ll finish with the eyes and lips.”

She tops the powder with setting spray to maximize longevity. “My last step is always a strong setting spray, which can keep your makeup on for up to 18 hours of wear,” she says. Hold it 10-12 inches away from your face and spray it in a circular motion, ensuring it covers every inch of your face. If you’ve applied makeup to your neck and chest, you can also use the setting spray to seal those areas; just don’t dress immediately after spraying.

Want to speed up the drying process? “Once you’ve sprayed the setting spray, use a hand fan to dry the face,” recommends Gray. “Then, for extra hold and longevity on someone who is oily, take some extra powder and stamp it in the T-zone. This will sandwich the makeup on.”

The Final Takeaway

Whether you wear minimal makeup or a face full of products daily, setting your makeup can significantly enhance the longevity of your look. Waiting between applying your skincare and makeup to ensure everything has absorbed and dried is vital, and using a combination of loose powder and setting spray will keep your makeup in place with minimal movement.