Make a DIY makeup setting spray in minutes with simple, pure ingredients that will not only benefit your skin, this spray will leave your skin looking dewy and healthy. Plus, this homemade setting spray smells amazing and feels so refreshing!
What is a Setting Spray?
A setting spray keeps your makeup in place throughout the day. It helps your makeup adhere to your skin.
There are many popular setting sprays. One in particular is Mac’s Fix +. Reviews are amazing for this product. People rave about it! So, you know me, I had to check out those ingredients!! Turns out, they are rather iffy and I wouldn’t use it if you paid me!
So, if you need a product to set your make up, and a solution to combat the dry parched look and don’t want to compromise your health in the process, this DIY setting spray recipe is just for you!
Who Needs to Use a Setting Spray?
Anyone who is interested in prolonging the wear of your makeup should explore a DIY setting spray. I do not recommend buying one since conventional setting sprays are full of harmful skin irritating and clogging ingredients.
A DIY setting spray also helps beautify a cakey, thick foundation.
Sometimes foundation can look like it is setting on top of the skin. This typically looks very unnatural. Setting spray can help your foundation look like it is your skin without taking away coverage.
DIY Setting Spray Ingredients:
- Glycerin is an absolute must. It is what adheres to your makeup and creates a barrier so that your makeup won’t fade or slide off during the day.
- Rose Hydrosol is moisturizing, soothing and tightening.
- Rose Petal Witch Hazel is a great substitute for alcohol which is a staple in conventional setting sprays.
- Lavender is optional but I like adding it for it’s calming effect. It is also antibacterial and smells amazing.
DIY Setting Spray Recipe
- 1 TBSP. Glycerin (find it HERE)
- 1.5 TBSP. Rose Hydrosol (find it HERE) or Distilled Water
- 1.5 TBSP. Rose Petal Witch Hazel (find it HERE) (or HERE)
- 8 drops Lavender essential oil (find it HERE) *optional*
This recipe makes 2 ounces of DIY setting spray. Since it does not contain a preservative, it needs to be used within 2 weeks. You can keep it in a fridge to slow bacteria but it is best to keep your batches small. Fresh skin care is the most effective any way.
DIY Makeup Setting Spray Recipe Notes:
You must find the right spray bottle or automizer for this product. Too thick of a spray and it could leave you looking splotchy. I usually get my bottles from amazon, but the spray bottles I use are actually from Specialty Bottle. THESE are the spray bottles I am super satisfied with. You get the finest mist that works perfect for this project.
You will need to give your setting spray a good shake before use. The lavender oil will settle at the top.
Be sure to spray at least 6 inches from your face. Too close and the moisture from the setting spray could leave water marks.
In the picture above, I am wearing incredibly thick and cakey mineral makeup. Once I sprayed my setting spray over my face, I was shocked at how natural and dewy my skin immediately looked.
How To Use a DIY Setting Spray:
- Use this finishing spray before and after applying make up. It works excellent with mineral make up but also works fine with a cream foundation.
- You can use this spray to “spot clean” your make up brushes AND it makes a killer toner! Use this spray anytime through out the day to refresh your make up and give your skin a “drink”.
- Spray 1-3 sprays, 8 inches from your skin. I left my pics un-edited so you could see how fresh this makes your skin look when sprayed on top of make up.
So simple, yet so effective! ENJOY!
xx, Jenni
P.S. I have recently improved upon this post and the recipe. My new DIY setting spray recipe contains less water and a preservative for longer use.
PIN IT!!!
Jenni, what moisturizer did you use under your mineral makeup? Did you skip the moisturizer and just use the setting spray?
Christine-I used my Dry Skin Moisturizer–
I am so dry lately that I need a moisturizer, but this spray has softened my skin so much. I think in the summer, depending on skin type, you might be able to skip moisturizing before. Thanks!
Jenni, Jenni, Jenni, You Rock! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes and e.o. natural product inspirations with us!
Happy Easter,
Carol
Thanks Carol!!
Jenni,
Will this setting spray go good over regular store bought make-up for those friends of mine who don’t use mineral makeup?
Martha, I have not tried it, but the ingredients are very common in DIY primers and finishing sprays so my guess is that it will be great for any make up!
One other added benefit of this spray – it helps reduce the appearance of pores. I have a huge problem w my pores becoming more noticeable when I put on foundation. Using this primer before applying make up helps with that! It’s like a little barrier between pores and make up! Thanks again Jenni! You’re amazing!
Hello Jenni,
Can I substitute a normal witch hazel instead of the rose petal witch hazel? I live in Switzerland and I can’t buy this rose petal witch hazel and if I could it would probably cost me so much. But the last time I was in the Stated, I bought the normal witch hazel that’s why I have it in stock. I have been using the glycerine and distilled water version of this and I want to try this with witch hazel…
Thank you for your time and effort and thanks for your post! It surely helps a lot of women out there!
Yes, plain witch hazel will work! Thanks!
Thanks a lot Jenni!!
Could you tell me the importance of the lavender EO?
Melissa, it’s just a nice add-on-it helps kill bacteria and also decrease redness and inflammation but if you don’t add it, your spray will still work.
I used this recipe last night and tried it out this morning (except I used bottled water and regular witch hazel cause it’s what I had). I wear a powder foundation and finished it off with a few sprays of this setting spray. Now let me tell you… I’m a chef and spend 8 hours a day in a very hot kitchen. When I want to test out new cosmetic products, I wear them to work. After 8 hours at work and a few more hours running errands and cooking dinner at home, my makeup looks almost as fresh as it did when I applied it well over 12 hours ago and my face looks dewy, bright, and moisturized. I am super impressed with this recipe.
I know this is an old post…I came across it in your newer post about your top DIYs. I made a similar finishing spray and it definitely gives a nice look to my skin over mineral makeup. What about adding cypress oil for the toning effect?
approx how long would the shelf life be if i’m using distilled water and no lavender oil (don’t have a glass spray bottle yet)? i’ll be keeping it in the washroom. thanks!
Maggie-I would say it would last about 2-3 weeks (that’s really being safe-it possibly would be longer since it won’t be exposed to air or your hands). Lavender does help preserve it a bit longer.
Holy cow! This recipe is fantastic! I have been using your BB cream recipe as my daily makeup for about six months, and while I love it, this spray takes it to the next level. I cannot believe how freshly applied my makeup looks several hours later when using this spray on top of the BB cream. Love it! Thank you.
Amanda-Yea!! I’m so glad! Thanks for telling me!
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Jenni-
If I’m already using your Geranium Facial Spritzer (love!!!), would I also use this or is it an either/or type of thing? I do use mineral makeup.
Thx!!!
Michelle-Thanks! This primer is a bit different due to glycerin. You could try out your spritzer and see what you think but I would suggest using both.
Ok. So, would I use my Geranium spritzer after washing my face before moisturizer like normal, then apply this primer/setting spray?
Yes and you could spritz your skin with the primer after you’ve put your makeup on. After makeup is how I use it.
How long will the primer be good for? I have read from a few sites stating not to use DIY primer sprays for over 48 hours due to bacteria growth. Any problems with yours?
Jamie-Anything with plain water in it will grow bacteria. I have chosen ingredients that already have their own preservatives in them. Plus the lavender is antibacterial and helps. You’re good with this for a couple of months! Thanks!!
Forgot about this for awhile….came across my glycerine and made it again. Absolutely love this stuff! So easy, inexpensive, and effective!
Hello! I know this is an old post but I would really like to try your recipie although I can’t figure out the base for your finishing mist, I’m guessing the biggest volyme is water? How much? Hoping you see this and can help me and OMG thank you sooo much for an awesome blog!!!! Keep it up, your’e great!
Laila-Thank you, you are kind!!! This recipe is to be made exactly how I state in the post-no extra water added except for the 3 tbsp. of hydrosol (or distilled water). It’s better to use the hydrosol for shelf life purposes. I hope this makes sense!
Awesome!!! Thank you so much 😍😍
Hi Jenni,
Can I substitute Rose Hydrosol for Rose Water? Thanks for your time!
Annie
Hi Annie-Water and Hydrosol are the same so YES go right ahead!
Thanks Jenni!😘
Thanks for finally talking about >Make Up Primer & Finishing Spray <Liked it!
Hi! Thank you for this tutorial. Do you have an idea for how long exactly is the shelf life of this DIY? Planning to make it as a business. Would appreciate your response. Thanks!
Lyza-You are welcome-I would say the shelf life if around a month, 2 if you refrigerate. You can preserve it with leucidal liquid from Lotion Crafter.
Hi jenni
I can’t find Rose Petal Witch Hazel in my country. Can I replace it ?
Nurma-Any type of witch hazel will work-it doesn’t have to be rose petal scented!