Did you know you can make your own makeup setting spray for a fraction of the cost of the most popular brands AND it works! Best of all, you can personalize it for your own preferences. Today I am going to show you the simple steps for this diy setting spray.
Make your own makeup setting spray with this easy tutorial. Use rosewater for a lovely smell and added nutrients for your skin!
I am a lover of the Urban Decay’s version of makeup setting spray and use it often. When I’m heading to an event, or for a day with little room for breaks, OR spending time outside in the summer at an event, I find that makeup setting spray is almost essential.
Urban Decay’s costs a pretty penny for an itty bitty jar of the stuff, however, it works great but isn’t so great on my pocket book and, frankly, my face.
My homemade setting spray is far less expensive than the big brand’s, makes a larger amount, and contains my favorite…rose water. It’s easy to make with ingredients found at your local health food store or I’ve included the shopping links to Amazon (where I grab all of my ingredients). Although I have to buy a bottle of rose water for every recipe, the glycerin and witch hazel last me through several recipes.
Cost Per Setting Spray Recipe: $12.00 (after purchasing bottle) for 4 ounces Cost for the big brand’s version: $24.68 for 1 ounce. $98.71 for 4 ounces.
Using a funnel (or very, very carefully :-) ), pour the veggie glycerin, witch hazel, and (optional) tea tree oil. Gently stir them together. Fill the bottle the remaining way up with rose water leaving a bit of room at the top. Replace the cap and gently roll the bottle to mix the ingredients together.
DIY Setting Spry
Make your own makeup setting spray with this easy tutorial. Use rosewater for a lovely smell and added nutrients for your skin!
3ozrose wateroptionally you could use purified water
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
Using a funnel (or very, very carefully :-) ), pour the veggie glycerin, witch hazel, and tea tree oil. Gently stir them together.
Fill the bottle the remaining way up with rose water leaving a bit of room at the top.
Replace the cap and gently roll the bottle to mix the ingredients together.
Video
Notes
Note: You will have additional materials to make multiple bottles.
To Use your Homemade Setting Spray:
Gently shake the bottle and spray about 12 inches away from your face.
Note: I don’t add tea tree oil to my spray but if you struggle with acne, adding a bit of tea tree oil to your spray will be a great help! I would start with only 1/2 teaspoon to start and add more, if you like, in later recipes.
Note: Adjusting the amount of witch hazel will increase or decrease (depending on your adjustment) the toning effect this spray has. Adjusting the amount of glycerin will increase or decrease (depending on your adjustment) the staying power your makeup has as well as the “filmy” feeling you may find. If the rose water is too strong for you try using filtered water as a substitute.
I still keep a small bottle of theUrban Decay’s of setting spray in my purse for when I need a quick refresh on a busy day. But, this homemade setting spray is my go-to version I use quite a few days a week. I love the rose water for its refreshing quality and the witch hazel as a quick toner.
If you are looking at this list of ingredients and instructions and feeling overwhelmed, here are some natural setting spray’s you might want to check out (my current fave is the green tea one)…
JJanel Hutton is a food writer, experienced home cook, and full-time marketer with formal culinary training from Sur La Table Culinary Institute. Her practical, approachable recipes and kitchen tips—shaped by her big-family upbringing and years of hands-on learning—have been featured by Better Homes and Gardens, Woman’s Day, Cottages & Bungalows, Country Living, Reader’s Digest, and more. Janel has taught cooking classes at national events, written for the Stillwater Gazette, and authored several cookbooks, including Spices, Sauces & Condiments, Slow Cooker Essentials, and Creative Gift Ideas: 52 Unique Gift Sets—all designed to help real people cook with confidence and creativity.
25 thoughts on “DIY Makeup Setting Spray”
Ruby Newkirk
It’s a great 👍👍👍 recipe
Nellie
You know, I am not an expert in this. I do know that rosewater is good for helping restore the ph balance to your skin. So that would be helpful. Also, witch hazel and tea tree oil are good for oil. Sadly though, I don’t know enough to be a good source for expert advice. So sorry!
Hendrina
What product can I add or increace to get the most Matt look ever struggling with a very oily skin I’m sick of this oil
Nellie
I’m not positive. I’m sure that you could use it but it may not have the same results. Rose water refreshes your skin and is a great use for beauty. You would probably get the same setting power, though. If you try it…let me know how it works!
Teya Lawton
Can I use water instead of rose water?
Nellie
That’s super handy!
Mariska
In SA we have a mix of Witch Hazel & Rose water already. So I would then just add the glycerine!!!😏
Nellie
Oh gosh, no! Use any that you like. I just like to make it easy for people to find what they need, if they like.
Christina Harris
I was just wondering I clicked on the link for the rose water, and I was just wondering if it had to be that brand?
Nellie
Good question! I haven’t had any longer than 6 months. But I’ve used it for that time. I hope that helps ;)
Kayla
What is the shelf life of this recipe?
Nellie
This is a glass spray bottle. I’ve never thought of using carrot oil and I think this is a great idea!!
Kris
What do you think of adding carrot oil to give it a bit of SPF?
Also …. I’ve heard that using essential oils with a plastic container isn’t a great idea. Do you use a plastic spray bottle or do you use a glass one? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a glass spray bottle that small.
Rachael
Thanks for this recipe! I too have just started DIY setting spray and was disappointed in the outcome. I have been searching for weeks and finally have found a great recipe here!!! Just to add to your conversation here, I use a touch of JoJoBa Oil and aloe vera to mine as it is not greasy, a great moisturizer and it also helps fight acne for my kids! I cant wait to whip this up tonight and test it out tomorrow morning!
Nellie
Sure, If you find that you aren’t getting the setting power that you would like simply add a bit more of the glycerin and other ingredients to offset the additional liquid. But many use straight rose water as a refreshing beauty spray. I bet you’ll love it.
CARRIE
i wanted to do a 150ml bottle, is it ok to fill up the rest of the bottle with rose water?
Natalie
Half a tea spoon is too much tea tree oil, it would smell and may sting, but a few drops should be potent enough. Nice recipe otherwise!
Nellie
Yay! So glad to hear!
Janna
I love this spray! I use it almost everyday!
Nellie
Yes, it really is because of the smaller bottle. Also because I haven’t found a bottle I’m confident won’t leak in my purse. I really should stop being lazy and find a good one.
Chase785
You mentioned that you keep the UD version in your purse. Is this because you haven’t thought to put some of your recipe in a small spray bottle or because it’s a diff product? The UD version is a good choice for oily skin, then? I’m dissatisfied with elf set spray, and am looking for alternative. I’d go with either diy or UD, whichever WORKS. thanks ☺
Nellie
I wouldn’t have thought to use it as a primer…great idea! Mmm, the Vitamin E oil sounds like it would feel wonderful and be a good option for people that don’t have acne prone skin. Thanks for the comment and extra info…it’s appreciated!
Lisa
This is a great recipe that I have been using for a couple of years. I use just regular glycerin and instead of the tree oil, I add about 2 drops of Vitamin E oil.
This spray is an excellent primer as well. I start and finish my daily make-up routine with this wonderful spray.
Nellie
Good question! You know, I think it’s probably just fine. The one difference I know of is the way that the two react to humidity. Veggie glycerin performs better in low humidity which would be more beneficial to the skin. Other than that, I don’t know another difference (besides the ingredients they are made with)
Allie
Do you have to use veggie glycerin or can it be regular glycerin?
5 from 1 vote
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It’s a great 👍👍👍 recipe
You know, I am not an expert in this. I do know that rosewater is good for helping restore the ph balance to your skin. So that would be helpful. Also, witch hazel and tea tree oil are good for oil. Sadly though, I don’t know enough to be a good source for expert advice. So sorry!
What product can I add or increace to get the most Matt look ever struggling with a very oily skin I’m sick of this oil
I’m not positive. I’m sure that you could use it but it may not have the same results. Rose water refreshes your skin and is a great use for beauty. You would probably get the same setting power, though. If you try it…let me know how it works!
Can I use water instead of rose water?
That’s super handy!
In SA we have a mix of Witch Hazel & Rose water already. So I would then just add the glycerine!!!😏
Oh gosh, no! Use any that you like. I just like to make it easy for people to find what they need, if they like.
I was just wondering I clicked on the link for the rose water, and I was just wondering if it had to be that brand?
Good question! I haven’t had any longer than 6 months. But I’ve used it for that time. I hope that helps ;)
What is the shelf life of this recipe?
This is a glass spray bottle. I’ve never thought of using carrot oil and I think this is a great idea!!
What do you think of adding carrot oil to give it a bit of SPF?
Also …. I’ve heard that using essential oils with a plastic container isn’t a great idea. Do you use a plastic spray bottle or do you use a glass one? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a glass spray bottle that small.
Thanks for this recipe! I too have just started DIY setting spray and was disappointed in the outcome. I have been searching for weeks and finally have found a great recipe here!!! Just to add to your conversation here, I use a touch of JoJoBa Oil and aloe vera to mine as it is not greasy, a great moisturizer and it also helps fight acne for my kids! I cant wait to whip this up tonight and test it out tomorrow morning!
Sure, If you find that you aren’t getting the setting power that you would like simply add a bit more of the glycerin and other ingredients to offset the additional liquid. But many use straight rose water as a refreshing beauty spray. I bet you’ll love it.
i wanted to do a 150ml bottle, is it ok to fill up the rest of the bottle with rose water?
Half a tea spoon is too much tea tree oil, it would smell and may sting, but a few drops should be potent enough. Nice recipe otherwise!
Yay! So glad to hear!
I love this spray! I use it almost everyday!
Yes, it really is because of the smaller bottle. Also because I haven’t found a bottle I’m confident won’t leak in my purse. I really should stop being lazy and find a good one.
You mentioned that you keep the UD version in your purse. Is this because you haven’t thought to put some of your recipe in a small spray bottle or because it’s a diff product? The UD version is a good choice for oily skin, then? I’m dissatisfied with elf set spray, and am looking for alternative. I’d go with either diy or UD, whichever WORKS. thanks ☺
I wouldn’t have thought to use it as a primer…great idea! Mmm, the Vitamin E oil sounds like it would feel wonderful and be a good option for people that don’t have acne prone skin. Thanks for the comment and extra info…it’s appreciated!
This is a great recipe that I have been using for a couple of years. I use just regular glycerin and instead of the tree oil, I add about 2 drops of Vitamin E oil.
This spray is an excellent primer as well. I start and finish my daily make-up routine with this wonderful spray.
Good question! You know, I think it’s probably just fine. The one difference I know of is the way that the two react to humidity. Veggie glycerin performs better in low humidity which would be more beneficial to the skin. Other than that, I don’t know another difference (besides the ingredients they are made with)
Do you have to use veggie glycerin or can it be regular glycerin?