I Tried Fenty Beauty’s Setting Spray and Couldn’t Believe the Results
I find applying makeup—the methodical swiping of a soft eyeshadow brush, calming tapping of my finger dipped in the best concealer against my under eyes, the rhythmic swiping of blush onto the apples of my cheeks—equal parts satisfying and calming. But nothing disrupts that bliss quite like the carefully crafted beauty look disappearing mere hours into my day (or smudging so soon after applying!). After years of turning to my Urban Decay setting spray, I’ve found a new staple in my beauty bag: Fenty Beauty’s You Mist Makeup-Extending Setting Spray, which dethroned my former go-to months ago.
Fenty Beauty You Mist Makeup-Extending Setting Spray
The best setting sprays lock in your look without disturbing it—something that is more difficult than it sounds. Certain formulas can be too wet, causing smudging before you’ve even had a chance to leave your bathroom. Others leave a chemical scent that is anything but ideal, but Fenty Beauty’s You Mist Makeup-Extending Setting Spray is like double-knotting your shoe laces—ensuring your beauty beat doesn’t come undone. One spritz evenly distributes the mist across your face, leaving a lightweight, hydrating formula in its wake.
Right after applying my makeup
After eight hours of wear.
It works on all skin types (I have combination that errs on the side of dry—unless we’re talking about my chin, which is breakout-prone). This is noncomedogenic (meaning it shouldn’t clog pores), waterproof, and claims 12 hours of staying power without any alcohol and fragrance to disturb sensitive skin types. Wild thyme extract adds a moisture boost, too.
In the above photos, I donned a full face of makeup and sprayed four to five spritzes of the setting spray across my face. From there I went about my day, walking miles in NYC, spending time at my desk, and finally meeting friends for dinner. Though the lighting in my bathroom is admittedly lacking later in the day, my makeup remained 90% intact. My highlighter, concealer, foundation, and even eyeshadow barely budged (if at all).
Shoppers sing its praises too. “Amazing, smells great, and really makes your makeup look flawless!” one reviewer wrote on Fenty Beauty’s website. “I love this product! I am in healthcare and constantly have to wear a mask. I have tried Charlotte Tilbury, Urban Decay, and O/S. Despite all stating no transfer of product, I would still have transfer whenever I took off my mask having to retouch makeup because it would look like I had cat whiskers where the mask left imprints,” another wrote. “My makeup definitely lasts through my 10-14 hour shift.”
While I only wear setting spray for special events (like attending weddings, a particularly fancy date night, parties, etc.), this one has won my heart. Looking for more beauty recommendations? Check out some from beauty pros like Bobbi Brown and Laura Geller, below.
Emily Goldman is the deputy editor at Prevention. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.
