Learn how to make a DIY makeup setting spray to keep your makeup looking flawless all day long. I have four easy recipes, including a DIY setting spray 2 ingredients and recipes with aloe and rose water or hydrosol so you can choose the best recipe for your skin type.
Homemade Makeup Setting Spray
I didn’t start using a makeup setting spray until a few years ago, and now I won’t leave home without using one.
Setting sprays, also called a fixing spray, help hold your makeup in place to help it last longer. When coupled with a primer, I can get my makeup to stay all day long, even in the summer.
In the store, makeup setting sprays range from a few dollars to expensive. For a drug store brand, I use Wet n Wild Photofocus Matte Finish setting spray. It’s amazing for the price and perfect for daily use.
For a higher end brand, I like Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray. That’s what I use for really long days or special occasions.
However, I have also made several recipes for a homemade makeup setting spray over the years. I like making my own because I know that I can control the ingredients and formulate it for my skin needs at the time.
After years of testing a homemade makeup setting spray, I have four easy recipes for you to try.
For more natural beauty ideas, check out these posts:
- Acne Roller Ball With Essential Oils
- After Sun Aloe Vera Face Mist
- DIY Essence for Face
- DIY Sheet Mask for Sensitive Skin
- Rice Water Sheet Mask Recipe
- Kaolin Clay Facial Cleanser Recipe
- Highlighting Shimmer Face Oil Recipe
- How to Make Facial Toner at Home
What Makes Makeup Stay on All Day?
It’s so frustrating when your makeup disappears after a few hours! Here are some things that help me:
- I use a makeup primer. I really like the Wet n Wild makeup primer. I use it after my moisturizer and before foundation.
- If it’s really hot out or I need my makeup to last for a long time, I use my setting powder under my foundation.
- Then apply foundation in thin layers and build up coverage.
- If it’s really hot, I set my makeup with another layer of setting powder over my makeup.
- Then I finish with a homemade makeup fixing spray.
What is the Main Ingredient in Makeup Setting Spray?
Most DIY makeup setting spray recipes have glycerin in them. Vegetable glycerin draws moisture to your skin to keep it moisturized.
It also creates a thin barrier on top of your skin to help your makeup stick to your skin.
Some people really like a DIY makeup setting spray with glycerin because it works really well.
However, it can feel sticky so some people like a DIY makeup setting spray with aloe vera gel or rose water or other hydrosol.
Can You Use Rose Water as a Setting Spray?
Yes, you can use rose water as a setting spray. However, I find that using rose water alone isn’t the best homemade makeup fixing spray for longevity.
I have a recipe below to make a makeup setting spray homemade with rose water or other hydrosol.
What Ingredients Make a Good Setting Spray?
We already mentioned that glycerin is a great option for a makeup setting spray recipe, but you can also use other ingredients to make a homemade makeup setting spray.
- Vegetable glycerin is moisturizing and helps create a barrier to keep your makeup in place. It also gives your skin a dewy look.
- Aloe vera gel is soothing for irritated skin and helps moisturize your skin without being oily.
- While plain water will likely cause your makeup to melt, some recipes use water to dilute the other ingredients. I recommend using distilled water or boiling water and then letting it cool before using. You will need to use a preservative if you use water.
- Rose water or hydrosol works really well, and each type of hydrosol has its own benefits for your skin. You will need to use a preservative if you use water.
- Witch hazel is a good choice for those with large pores or acne. It can be too drying for some skin types though.
Using Hydrosols in a DIY Makeup Setting Spray
Rose water is perhaps the most common hydrosol for a makeup setting spray homemade. Rose water is very good for dry skin, and it’s high in antioxidants for the skin.
However, you can also use another type of hydrosol in place of the rose water. Some good ones to try are chamomile hydrosol, lavender hydrosol, helichrysum hydrosol, or calendula hydrosol.
You can buy hydrosols from Plant Therapy or Mountain Rose Herbs. You can also learn how to make your own hydrosol with fresh herbs or dried herbs.
Since flower water and hydrosols are water based, you will need to store your homemade makeup setting spray in the fridge or use a preservative.
Preservatives for Makeup Setting Spray Recipe
If you use water or hydrosol, you will need to use a preservative or store the DIY makeup setting spray in the fridge. It will last about a week in the fridge.
I use Geogard ECT for water based skin recipes. Geogard ECT is a natural antimicrobial blend that protects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, mold, and yeast. It also has a low odor that won’t affect your homemade makeup setting spray.
Recommended usage is 0.6 to 1 percent, so you will have to weigh your makeup setting spray recipe and use it accordingly.
You can also use your choice of preservative, but make sure that it’s for water based applications and safe for facial skin. Use it according to the manufacturer's recommended rate.
How to Use Homemade Makeup Fixing Spray
Use your makeup setting spray after you've finished all of your makeup. Then hold it about 18 inches from your face (I usually just hold it at arm's length) and lightly spray.
You don't want to soak your skin because that can make your makeup run.
Let it dry naturally. Don't rub it or pat it or your makeup will smear.
DIY Makeup Setting Spray With Aloe Vera Gel
For oily skin or to soothe irritated skin, try this makeup setting spray recipe with aloe.
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 3 tablespoons distilled water
Simply combine the aloe and water in a spray bottle and shake well. Shake before using.
This makes 2 ounces of an easy DIY setting spray 2 ingredients. Store in the fridge or use a preservative.
DIY Makeup Setting Spray With Glycerin
This is another DIY setting spray 2 ingredients that’s easy to make. The glycerin works really well to hold makeup in place, and it's hydrating for your skin.
- 2 ounces distilled water
- 2 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
Combine the water and glycerin in a spray bottle. This makes just over 2 ounces, so use a 4 ounce bottle. This needs a preservative or store in the fridge.
Hydrating Homemade Makeup Setting Spray
I like this recipe because it has aloe vera, glycerin, and a hydrosol or rose water. You can also use water in place of the floral water, but hydrosol gives it an extra boost for your skin.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable glycerin
- 2 tablespoons rose water or hydrosol
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. This makes 3 ounces of homemade makeup fixing spray. It will need a preservative or store in the fridge.
Hydrosol or Rose Water Makeup Setting Spray Recipe
This isn’t as hydrating as the recipe above, but it is easy to make. It’s great for those with large pores or oily skin.
- 2 tablespoons rose water or hydrosol
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. This makes 2 ounces of a DIY setting spray 2 ingredients. You will need to use a preservative or store in the fridge.
Other Ways to Use a Homemade Makeup Fixing Spray
You can also use this as a pre-makeup spray. It will keep your skin looking dewy without being oily. Glycerin and aloe also helps hydrate your skin.
This spray also works well as a blending spray when you use a cream foundation. You can apply the foundation to your face, spray, and then blend. Or you can spray this directly on your makeup brush or beauty blender and then blend your foundation.
If you use a setting powder, try spraying before and after your setting powder. Using it before your powder helps protect your makeup and helps it last longer. Using if after your setting powder will help give you a dewy finish.
Spray on your highlighter or blush brush before apply product. This can give you some serious color or highlights.
If you do make a mistake with your makeup, spray this makeup setting spray recipe on the mistake and use a cotton ball to erase your mistake.
Make a small bottle to keep in your purse. Pour some in these little spritzer bottles to take with you. You can cool off and help keep your makeup in place by touching up throughout the day.
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DIY Makeup Setting Spray Recipe
materials:
- 4 ounce spray bottle
- funnel
steps:
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- 3 tablespoons distilled water
- Simply combine the aloe and water in a spray bottle and shake well. Shake before using.
- 2 ounces distilled water
- 2 teaspoons glycerin
- Combine the water and glycerin in a spray bottle. This makes just over 2 ounces, so use a 4 ounce bottle. This needs a preservative or store in the fridge.
- 2 tablespoons glycerin
- 2 tablespoons rose water or hydrosol
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. This makes 3 ounces of homemade makeup fixing spray. It will need a preservative or store in the fridge.
- 2 tablespoons rose water or hydrosol
- 2 tablespoons witch hazel
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. This makes 2 ounces of a DIY setting spray 2 ingredients. You will need to use a preservative or store in the fridge.
NOTES:
You will need to use a preservative for water or hydrosol based,