Setting sprays that turn makeup into an art form, from Sensai to Urban Decay

In today’s beauty landscape, setting and treatment sprays have moved far beyond the role of a final step. They now work as a strategic part of the makeup routine — helping refine skin texture, extend wear, reduce powderiness, and add anything from a soft glow to a polished, editorial finish.

At one end of the spectrum is SENSAI, which leans into a Japanese “silk skin” aesthetic. Its appeal lies in delicate hydration, a natural radiance, and a soft blurring effect that makes the complexion look more refined without appearing heavy.

BY TERRY takes a more luminous route, combining skincare and makeup performance with a French gloss-like finish. Its soft-focus effect is designed to enhance glow while smoothing the overall look of the skin.

Then there is MAC Fix+ Original, still one of the most recognisable all-rounders in the category. Its versatility is key: it refreshes makeup, helps remove a powdery finish, and works across different stages of an application routine.

For those looking for a more high-shine result, Anastasia Beverly Hills pushes the look toward glow and gloss, creating a wet-finish, almost “glass skin” effect. Benefit, by contrast, focuses on freshness and barely-there hold, offering lightweight fixation without stickiness — especially suitable for everyday wear and combination skin.

At the long-wear end of the market, Charlotte Tilbury is positioned as a red-carpet staple, promising up to 16 hours of wear, a smoother finish, and a “photoshopped” effect. Urban Decay remains the choice for maximum staying power, with up to 16-hour hold, sebum control, and strong fixation.

Used thoughtfully, sprays can also be layered for different purposes. A prep step might begin with Sensai, MAC, or Benefit; glow can be added after foundation with By Terry or Anastasia Beverly Hills; and the final lock-in can come from Charlotte Tilbury or Urban Decay. In that sense, sprays are no longer just about setting makeup — they are about shaping the entire finish.