Over the years I can only imagine how many hundreds of makeup setting sprays that I have tried. The story is almost always the same- they set your makeup well in terms of making everything look melted together. But, it is rare to find a spray that actually extends wear time, especially at the drugstore. In doing this elf setting spray review I am testing their entire current lineup of sprays on my combination skin. The results are nothing short of shocking! For the most part, elf provides sprays that actually extend makeup wear time! As I go through each spray I will be giving you the full details and evaluating them in terms of the mist/nozzle and setting and staying power. A lot of people are curious about the ingredients in elf setting spray, so I have those listed, too. Time to figure out which elf setting spray is the best!
Which elf Setting Spray Is the Best?
elf Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist
First in this elf setting spray review is the elf Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist. I am going to be directly comparing this one to the Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist for good reason.
This spray has a fine mist, as do all of them in this style of packaging. There is a ball in the bottom to facilitate with shaking the product well. I have not heard complaints of the product clogging the spray nozzle, but I presume that is possible since it needs a ball to properly shake.
This spray does provide a matte finish and it sets the skin perfectly well. It absolutely extends the wear time of makeup! Even better, it does not have a smell. As far as blocking blue light goes, that is hard to tell. It will not stop your normal oil production, nor will it get worse. Using this spray in conjunction with proper skincare and primer is golden! Be sure to check out my elf primers for combo skin review. In my opinion, this is superior to Stay All Night. They both perform the same, but I would rather not have the yucky smell.
Claims: This spray should set makeup and refresh it during the day. Glucosylrutin reduces blue light emittance. The formula is lightweight for use on all skin types to provide a matte, shine-free finish. No touch-ups should be needed.
Key Ingredients: Aloe to soothe, elderflower extract for vitamins, and Glucosylrutin.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol Denat., AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Silica, Glucosylrutin, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Benzoate.
Mist: Fine mist.
Performance: Sets and extends the wear of makeup effectively.
Rating:
elf Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist
Second is the elf Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist. This one has several bad reviews citing that the spray nozzle gets clogged after a few uses. It does feature a ball, but supposedly elf has fixed this issue. While mine has not yet clogged, you can always try running it under warm water.
Just like the blue light spray, it does set your makeup well with a matte finish, and it extends the wear time of makeup. What I cannot get over is the awful smell that is hard to describe. Sadly, the smell lasts all day during wear and it is annoying. I would go for the blue light spray because the results are exactly the same, sans the smell.
Claims: This spray should provide up to 16 hours of wear with a lightweight formula. No touch-ups should be needed, and it also nourishes the skin.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol Denat., Acrylates Copolymer, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Silica, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine.
Mist: Fine mist.
Performance: Sets and extends the wear of makeup effectively.
Rating: Docking 1 star for the smell.
elf Dewy Coconut Setting Mist
Third is the elf Dewy Coconut Setting Mist. It does give you a subtle fresh and healthy glow without the use of shimmers or glitters. There is no shaker ball. As we know by now with these round bottles, the mist is fine and the spray successfully sets makeup. It is not surprising at the end of the day I have more shine going on with this dewy spray than with the others. Part is my oils coming through, part is the spray. I see a bit more wear and tear at the end of the day, but this honestly looks pretty good for a dewy mist! We all know that illuminating products have a shorter wear time by nature, but this spray does a good job of being dewy and long lasting.
Claims: This should hydrate and condition the skin for a long-lasting finish. It can also refresh your makeup.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Polyurethane-35, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Disodium Edta, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol.
Mist: Fine mist.
Performance: Sets and extends makeup wear time, but with a bit more wear and tear than the others.
Rating:
elf does provide a comparison for all of the setting sprays in the cylinder bottle, which I have composed into a table, as seen below. They do not provide comparisons for the square black bottles.
| Compare elf Setting Sprays | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dewy Coconut Setting Mist | Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist | Stay All Night Micro Fine Setting Mist | |
| Finish | Dewy | Matte | Matte |
| Key Benefit | Hydrates skin & gives makeup long-lasting power | Refreshes makeup & absorbs blue light | Locks in makeup for up to 16 hours of wear |
| Key Ingredients | Coconut, green tea, and cucumber | Aloe & elderflower extract | Cucumber fruit extract, aloe, and green tea leaf extract |
elf Makeup Mist & Set
Fourth in this elf setting spray review is the elf Makeup Mist & Set. If my memory serves me correctly, this is the first ever setting spray that I used when I was just getting into makeup. I would not be surprised to hear it was the first at the drugstore, and it is the OG for sure. Do you remember this black packaging? This goes back to elf’s earlier days of the Essential line for $1 in the white packaging, and the Studio line for $3 in black. What a throwback!
In buying and trying this again so many years later, I am super impressed! This product does set your makeup effectively, and I am shocked to report it does extend wear time. I would say that it does not extend as well as Stay All Day or Stay All Night does, as I can see a bit more wear and tear. This is a nice daily option. I bet elf was really ahead of the times with this baby back in the day. While you are finding the best spray for your needs, you should also check out my elf eyebrow makeup review covering their entire lineup.
Claims: This spray should hold your makeup in place all day. It should also revitalize, soothe, and hydrate the skin. It is for all skin types.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, 3-o-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.
Mist: Fine mist.
Performance: Sets well and extends wear time, for the most part.
Rating:
elf Matte Magic Mist & Set
Fifth is the elf Matte Magic Mist & Set. This absolutely gives a basic, matte finish that is not dry. Much like the OG Makeup Mist & Set, I believe that it does extend the wear time of makeup, but I can see a hint more wear and tear versus the Stay All Day or Stay All Night. It works for what it is worth!
Claims: This spray is lightweight and helps your makeup to last. The matte finish will control shine, while hydrating and soothing the skin.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B to soothe and to hydrate, Vitamin E to nourish and to soften, and articum majus root for anti-inflammatory benefits.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Ampacrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Coceth-7, Ppg-1- Peg-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Butyleneglycol, Arctium Majus (Burdock) Root Extract, Zinc Sulfate, Biotin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Acrylates Copolymer, Magnesium Carbonate.
Mist: Fine mist.
Performance: Sets well and extends wear time, for the most part.
Rating:
elf Illuminating Mist & Set
Last in this elf setting spray review is the elf Illuminating Mist & Set. I find that this one does not give me an illuminated or radiant look. It might provide the slightest hint of a fine glitter on the skin, but my overall finish is matte. I still feel that it does extend the wear time of makeup, but I can see a hint more wear and tear versus the Stay All Day or Stay All Night.
Claims: This spray should provide a long-lasting, radiant finish for a glowing look.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Glycerin, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Red Iron Oxide (CI 77491).
Mist: Fine mist.
Performance: Sets well and extends wear time, for the most part.
Rating: Docking 1 star for not having an illuminating finish.
Reviews on elf Setting Spray Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs:
I am ending with some frequently asked questions:
Does elf have good setting spray?
elf does have good setting spray! It is hard to find setting sprays that actually extend the wear time of makeup, but they offer several options that do. You cannot beat the drugstore price tag.
Which elf setting mist is best?
The overall best elf setting mist is Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist, keeping in mind it has a matte finish. The second best for a natural finish is the Makeup Mist & Set. Finally, for dewy skin is the Dewy Coconut Setting Mist.
Is elf setting spray matte or dewy?
elf carries setting sprays that provide dewy, matte, and natural finishes. There is something for everyone, so be sure to read the bottle before you make your selection.
Shop elf Setting Sprays
Conclusion
In conclusion of this elf setting spray review, the best setting spray overall is the Stay All Day Blue Light Micro-Setting Mist. The reason is that it has no smell, a fine mist, and it extends wear time all day like a charm. I understand that one has a matte finish, and not everyone may want that. My top pick for a natural finish is the Makeup Mist & Set, and my top pick for dewy skin is the Dewy Coconut Setting Mist. However, all of these are mind-blowing and you will not be disappointed with your purchase. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
Is setting spray a regular part of your makeup routine?
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One Response
I was literally looking at these this morning, wondering which one I should purchase. Glad I waited, because this review was very helpful!