Nothing worse than a melting face when you go out straight from your home. This great DIY Setting Spray helps hold your makeup in place – so you won’t need to touch up your makeup throughout the day.
Every fashion-forward, style-oriented person has been in a fabulous situation where there is a combination of an advanced cut crease, popping highlighter, and fierce glamour. Yet, after about four to five hours, it all crumbles to the ground.
Most people find it annoying and mysterious at the same time. Their makeup just gets smeared or even disappears. In the end, you end up being just a hot cosmetic mess.
How can anyone prevent such a travesty? If only there were an inexpensive way to fix or set that makeup and make it last all day. Fortunately, I was able to discover and test a DIY makeup setting spray that is truly effective.
Jump to:
The best thing about this DIY spray is that you can customize it based on your needs. This recipe doesn’t stop at fixing your makeup.
The organic ingredients in this spray will moisturize your skin, soothe irritation, and tighten up your pores. Of course, expect things to be a bit costly if you use it as often as I do.
If you’re currently using a thirty-dollar makeup setting spray, say goodbye as you exchange it for this economical, efficient DIY setting spray recipe.
Quick Confession
Because I am a devoted lover and avid fan of Urban Decay’s makeup setting spray, I use it a lot. Whether I am involved in an outdoor event, an indoor event, or just having a busy day at work, I realized that makeup setting spray is vital.
To finish my makeup, I just give my face a series of quick sprays. After I’m done, I am confident that my makeup will not go awry, even if I know I’m spending a day in a humid area.
I admit that I do pay a lot to get a small container of Urban Decay, but can you blame me? But I cannot keep purchasing it. It’s starting to hurt my bank account.
Can you make your own makeup setting spray?
Yes, of course. This DIY setting spray is extremely inexpensive but yields more product than the big brand that comes in a small container. It also contains my favorite ingredient, rosewater, click the link for recipe.
You can get the ingredients from Amazon or even your local health store (These places are where I acquire all my ingredients).
Though summer is coming to an end, the heat and humidity aren’t done yet. With the help of this DIY makeup setting spray, you can stay looking fresh and beautiful in intense humid weather.
You can also use this spray to keep your skin supple and moist even if you don’t have any makeup on.
Having fair skin is not easy because you know you can get sunburn without realizing it. This DIY setting spray can also help protect you from the scorching, damaging UV rays.
Sunburns need to heal and this can only happen readily with the help of moisture. It can be a challenge to find that right balance for your skin and this DIY spray can give you just that.
What are the Ingredients
This setting spray is extremely easy to make mainly because of its four basic ingredients. You can make it as often as you want, making it a crucial part of your daily beauty routine:
Rosewater
I must say that rosewater or rose hydrosol is the secret ingredient in this DIY setting spray. It adds toning, skin-soothing, and hydrating benefits to the finished product, fixing your makeup well.
This ingredient also helps prevent acne, comfort your sunburnt skin, and hydrates your skin, even if you are not wearing any cosmetics at all.
Using rosewater (click here for homemade Rosewater recipe tutorial) is really worth the investment since it can really amps up your face spray and helps your makeup stay in place for longer.
Also, as a bonus, you can use the leftover as a facial toner. Just like witch hazel, it’s an astringent.
Witch Hazel
This ingredient has astringent properties that make your skin contract. This minimizes the size of your pores. With its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel can help soothe your inflamed skin.
Below are the other benefits of witch hazel:
- Retards aging. Witch hazel contains polyphenols that may aid in the fight against early onset of aging. In theory, this ingredient may contain antioxidants that prevent the damage free radicals bring to the skin when air pollution and UV rays come in contact with it. It also firms up your skin because of its astringent characteristics.
- Reduces pore size. The constricting properties in witch hazel make the skin’s cells clump together. This reaction makes your pores smaller and your skin finer.
- Decreases inflammation. Witch hazel has all-natural tannins that calm blotchy, red, and irritated skin. It is truly helpful in treating sunburns, breakouts, and insect bites.
- Absorbs oil. This ingredient is full of tannins that have potent antioxidant properties. These tannins are organic astringent substances, helpful in absorbing oil. That is why witch hazel is crucial in manufacturing mattifying and toning products.
- Combats acne. Apart from reducing redness and oil production, witch hazel has antimicrobial traits found in its tannins. Because it fights bacteria, it eliminates a majority of bacterial proliferation on the skin. Witch hazel also decreases the amount of irritation during acne breakouts.
- Calms puffy eyes. The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel can soothe the area under the eyes and decrease eye puffiness as it tightens the skin in that premise.
- Enhances skin tone. Witch hazel tightens your skin, refines pores, and reduces skin inflammation. When you experience all these, your skin tone becomes more even.
Vegetable Glycerin
Maybe you’ve heard about glycerin already. It’s a colorless liquid substance that’s present in your skin naturally. Glycerin is a known humectant that draws in moisture into the upper layers of your dermis.
Here are the other uses of glycerin:
- Hydrates your skin. Glycerin is a potent moisturizer. It draws in moisture from the surrounding air, decreasing the dull and dry patches on the skin. This ingredient makes the skin hydrated, soft, and supple right after you apply it, making your skin healthier and more hydrated.
- Smooths your skin. It’s no secret that aging triggers various changes in your skin. As you grow older, your skin becomes more susceptible to various skin conditions such as irritation, dryness, and redness. This is because your skin is not as efficient in holding moisture anymore. Skin also becomes rough as you age. Glycerin can help you prevent cracks and other dry skin problems.
- Keeps the moisture balance. As a humectant, glycerin sucks the moisture from the air around you and locks it into your skin, reducing moisture loss brought about by evaporation. It also maintains the water balance in the skin’s cells to keep them well-nourished.
- Sustains your skin. Glycerin serves as food for your skin, so it’s safe to use daily. If you use it regularly, it will make your skin fresh, healthy, and supple. It is even indispensable during the winter in fighting the winter chill.
- Improves the appearance of your skin. As an emollient, glycerin helps keep your skin supple, soft, and hydrated, making it more attractive and healthier. It can also treat skin issues such as wounds.
- Heals your skin. Glycerin can also help your skin heal by aiding cells grow. It is an organic solution to fungal diseases of the skin such as psoriasis and eczema. Glycerin also repairs infected skin cells and tissue quickly. It also decreases bruising.
- Shields your skin. This ingredient improves the protective use and thickness of your epidermal layer. It traps moisture in your skin, warding off undesirable substances and toxins.
Aloe Vera
This plant has always been used for myriad purposes since the time of the ancient Egyptians. It was known then as the plant of immortality. It is a well-known sunburn treatment.
Here are some of the benefits of aloe vera:
-
Hydrates your skin. Aloe vera brings moisture to your skin without leaving a feeling of greasiness. If you have oily skin, this is the best option for you. For those who use mineral make-up, aloe vera serves as an effective moisturizer.
You can apply it on your skin before you put on your make-up to prevent skin dryness. In men, aloe vera can be an effective treatment after shaving, healing any cuts that happen during shaving. It also treats acne outbreaks.
- Provides gibberellins and auxins. The given hormones have anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Gibberellin initiates new cell growth, making your skin heal naturally and immediately. Scarring is sure to be minimal. Aloe also reduces itchiness, inflammation, and blistering, enabling your skin to heal more quickly. This plant is also used in Ayurvedic treatments of chronic skin ailments such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
- Battles aging. Skin becomes less elastic as we age. This brings forth fine lines. Aloe Vera helps by providing antioxidants such as vitamin E, beta carotene, and vitamin C. These nutrients enhance skin’s hydration and firmness.
-
Fades the appearance of stretch marks. Throughout our lives, our skin contacts and expands, just like an elastic. Once the skin stretches too much, too quickly (weight loss, pregnancy, or weight gain) the skin’s normal elasticity can be ruined. That is why stretch marks appear.
They are tiny tears in the skin’s layers brought about by the excessive and abrupt stretching. With the help of aloe vera, these unsightly stretch marks can fade because the tears can heal properly.
Related reads:
How to Use Aloe Vera for Dark Spots and Acne Scars
DIY Recipe for setting spray
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 fluid ounces rose hydrosol / rosewater
- 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
- 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
- 2 teaspoons witch hazel extract
- favorite essential oil (optional)
- mist spritzer
Add a few drops of tea tree essential oil into your setting spray if you are having a hard time with acne. This recipe doesn’t have it, but you can add few drops of the oil to start. You can add more if you prefer in your next batches.
Directions:
① Sanitize a mist spritzer bottle. You can do this either by running it through your dishwasher or cleaning it out with rubbing alcohol.
② Use a funnel to add the vegetable glycerin, aloe vera gel, witch hazel and rose hydrosol to the sanitized spritzer bottle.
③ Shake the bottle to thoroughly combine the ingredients for your natural makeup setting spray. It’s now ready to use!
How to Use it
- When you finally complete your DIY setting spray, shake the spray bottle gently and hold it about a foot away from your face, then lightly mist over your makeup with one or two sprays & let it dry.
- Use this homemade setting spray before your setting or finishing powder to help makeup last longer. Alternately, if you want a dewy finish, apply the spray after your setting or finishing powder.
- To use as a hydrating mist, simply spray on your face as desired to soothe and hydrate skin.
If possible, use a smaller-sized bottle in addition to the 4 oz sized mist bottle. This could be very handy when you travel or when you’re on the go.
Extra Tips:
- When you adjust the amount of witch hazel in your setting spray recipe, you also adjust the intensity of the spray’s toning effect.
- Increasing or decreasing the amount of glycerin also adjusts how long your make-up will stay on your skin.
- You can use filtered water if you don’t have access to or don’t like rosewater.
Common Mistakes When Re-Creating this DIY
Mistake #1
Witch Hazel & Oily Skin
Witch hazel is a known astringent, and all astringents are supposed to help reduce oiliness. However, it’s not been confirmed that witch hazel is helpful for oily skin.
Many dermatologists claim that the skin may overcompensate for its oil stripping efforts. This, in turn, leads to more oil production. Then again, other experts claim that witch hazel does not dry out the skin like other astringents.
Mistake #2
Tap Water and Bacteria
It is always better to use purified, bottled or distilled water to make your DIY setting spray. This is because water from the tap may contain contaminants that may quickly grow into bacteria. If you use tap water, it’s better to refrigerate the mixture and use it as quickly as possible.
Mistake #3
Plastic bottles and Essential Oils
Another constant topic of debate is whether it is okay to store essential oils in plastic containers or not. The answer is not fixed because it depends on a few things.
It is better to store pure essential oils in airtight glass bottles because the oil may damage plastic bottles. The only time it is okay to store essential oils in plastic containers is after it’s diluted, and when it is mixed with other ingredients. This is why it is better to store your DIY makeup setting spray someplace cool and dark to prevent sunlight quickly deteriorating it.
Mistake #4
Essential oils and photosensitivity
Some essential oils, when applied to your skin and exposed to sunlight, can cause a chemical reaction called photosensitivity. In other words, some essential oils leave your skin burning, itching, inflamed, discolored, red or blistered in the sun. This is because these essential oils contain photosensitive furocoumarins.
The common photosensitive essential oils are tea tree oil, and citrus-based oils like grapefruit, lemon, and lime. Not all citrus oils, like red mandarin, tangerine, and blood orange, are photosensitive.
If you are not sure about the photosensitivity of oils in your DIY setting spray, avoid sunlight, tanning beds and other forms of harsh lights for 24 hours after applying the spray.
Can You Use Hairspray to Set Your Makeup?
The answer is No. You should never use hair products on your face because most hairsprays are dangerous when inhaled. They contain chemicals meant to hold your hair that is irritating to the skin. Your skin ends up with a sticky, shiny feel.
What’s the Difference between Setting and Fixing Spray?
Everyone loves using applications like face mints, moisturizers, and spray-on sunscreens. It’s become a trend lately and while most have been using makeup sprays for so long, not many know what they do.
You, however, are not to blame for any misconceptions because most beauty brands have products with rather misleading names.
What is a Setting Spray?
Setting spray acts as a “binding spray” design to bind and settle to the skin, it helps blend or emulsify the makeup and primer layers on your skin to get that dewy/glowing skin.
This, in turn, makes your skin look seamless by holding everything so that there is no melting or sliding of makeup.
You can compare the setting spray to hairspray that’s used on your face. Setting sprays are usually water-based, containing extracts like botanical oils. They work best with mineral or powder foundations.
Example: Mac Fix+
Tip: Setting sprays shouldn’t be used before makeup unless you are experienced using it. You may end up caking or streaking your foundations.
What is a Fixing Spray?
Fixing sprays help your makeup last longer. They are alcohol-based with oils, with alcohol being one of the top four ingredients. They usually contain a strong perfume fragrance that camouflages the alcohol scent.
Using a fixing spray without first setting your makeup leads to the hold being effective only for the top makeup layer.
Example: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
Tip: Always use a fixing spray after using a setting spray for longer-lasting coverage.
How Can I Get My Makeup to Stay on All Day?
You are ready for the office and you feel great because you had enough time to perfectly apply your makeup. You have also reached work early and think you should pay the gym a visit after work and maybe have a night out with your girlfriends.
You will most likely find your makeup smudged after a few hours. To make it worse, it usually happens on a beautiful day!
Techniques that will make you feel great throughout the day!
Start by Prepping your skin.
It does not matter what you plan to do to prolong your makeup. You have to first ensure the makeup will last long or look smooth by getting your skin ready with the right skincare.
Exfoliate
Your skin needs at least a biweekly exfoliation to remain soft and smooth, which in turn makes makeup last longer. This is because dead skin cells, oil, and bacteria tend to accumulate on the skin’s surface. This leads to a texture that shows through makeup.
Tone
Once you are done with the cleansing and exfoliation, your skin needs a little toner. It helps balance your skin’s pH to make it look bright and smooth. It also helps complexion products look smoother and stay longer.
Moisturize
Skin that is moisturized with the right moisturizer will make it so much easier to apply your complexion products so you look, and feel fresh throughout the day. It’s better to use an oil-free moisturizer that is quickly absorbed to properly moisturize the skin.
Use Primer on Both your Face and Eyes.
Primers play an important part in ensuring your makeup lasts longer. It not only seals but also helps create a barrier that smooths your skin surface.
Face Primer
These primers are tailored to the type of skin you have, and smooth your face by filling in pores and fine lines. This, in turn, makes your foundation go on smoother to last longer. Look for something without oil. A water-based primer is great at ensuring your foundation does not slip.
Eye Primer
An eye primer helps create the perfect surface that highlights your eye shadow’s true pigment. It also helps in blending the eye shadow and letting the eyeliner last all day long without smudging or creasing.
Use Oil-Free foundations
The chances of makeup sliding are higher with oil-based products. It is better to properly moisturize dry skin before applying your chosen foundation without oil. Look for something long-wearing, and keeps your complexion smooth throughout the day.
Layer your cream or liquid-based products with a matching powder
It is quite common for cream or liquid products to slide off during the day. There is a solution for the problem that will also help complexion products last longer. Try using lightweight powders that complement the color of your cream or liquid product.
Also, try to ‘stripple’ the product onto the face and not ‘buff’ it in a circular motion atop creams and liquids. This product tapping technique helps prevent movement of your liquid and cream makeup. It also prevents the sliding of complexion products through the day locking them in place.
Always have a lightweight powder with you so you can lightly tap it into the areas that look shiny.
Apply Makeup Using Light Layers.
Not many know that less is always better to make makeup last longer. A beauty blender helps in the application of light layers while giving a smooth complexion. You are left with natural-looking skin that doesn’t feel heavy.
Dip your eyeshadow brush in a priming spray before applying on eyelids.
I suggest doing this if you are applying something shimmery to your lids. It not only helps seal the color so that it lasts through the day, but it also makes the eye shadow look ‘foiled’. It, in the process, makes your skin look natural, and eyelids glossy
Wear waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
It’s common for mascaras and eyeliners to start smudging under your eyes after wearing them for some time, and if you also apply eye cream. Using something waterproof helps keep your eyes smudge-free all day without a ‘raccoon effect’ for at least some time.
Mix primer with a matte liquid lipstick to make a cream blush.
Cream blushes tend to disappear with time. However, creating a cream blush on your own using a liquid lipstick and primer is the best way to guarantee the brush stays all day.
All you have to do to get the perfect shade is mix equal amounts of primer and liquid lipstick. Adding more primer dilutes the color while too much liquid lipstick makes the color prominent.
Apply lipstick the right way.
If you have not started using matte lipstick and prefer satin lipsticks, you can get the effect by applying in layers. You can do this by first applying your lipstick, then blotting with a tissue.
Next, give your lips a dusting of translucent finishing powder, and then apply a second lipstick layer. Keep repeating until you get your required lipstick opacity. The benefit of applying lipstick like this is that it provides a base to satin lipsticks without drying or cracking your lips.
Use translucent powders.
It is good to develop a habit of applying lightweight translucent setting powder atop your complexion products. It soaks up excess oil to create a matte effect and makes your makeup last longer. You can also keep a pressed version to tap on the skin during the day to absorb oil.
Finish the look with a setting spray
DIY setting sprays are especially great for women who are busy all day. Makeup artists love using it to freshen up makeup and to seal makeup so your skin looks natural all day. There are so many setting sprays available today in various formulations that hydrate, mattify or even give a glow to your face with illuminating pigments.
Blot your makeup with a sponge throughout the day.
While it is a great idea to use blotting papers to absorb and eliminate oils through the day, I found out that they also tend to remove more makeup than necessary.
This is why I normally use Beauty Blender’s Bloterazzi sponge instead of blotting papers. The dry sponge helps soak up any unwanted oils and shine without affecting your makeup.
Hands Off
Not touching your face during the day can be considered my most important tip to you. One reason is that your hands may make your makeup look messy.
Second, the oil, dust and bacteria your hands collect through the day may spread onto your face when you touch it and cause a breakout.
Keep the essentials with you.
Carrying your basic with you for touching up when needed is the best way to maintain your makeup so that it looks fresh throughout the day.
Your essentials should include things like your bloterazzi or any sponge for soaking up any unwanted shine.
You could also include lipstick for light reapplications, and pressed lightweight powder for tapping onto the skin.
It is always convenient for anyone to just purchase a setting spray from any beauty store. Yet, if you want to save money on those expensive products, go ahead and make your own.
With this DIY setting spray recipe, you can wear your make-up all day without breaking the bank.