The Setting Spray That Smells Like Hairspray (But Works Like Magic)

First Impressions: What You Get for £9.99

The XL version gives you 150ml of product in a sturdy red aerosol can. For context, the standard size is 75ml at around £7, so the XL nearly doubles your product for roughly £3 more. That's genuinely good value, and it's one of the first things reviewers consistently mention.

L'Oreal positions this as a "micro-fine mist" that dries in 3 seconds flat. The spray mechanism is decent, producing a fine, even mist rather than the heavy droplets you get from some cheaper options. It's made in France, which shouldn't matter but somehow still feels reassuring on a beauty product.

The ingredient list is short and functional. Alcohol denat leads the formula, which explains both the rapid dry time and that divisive smell. A copolymer blend provides the film-forming hold, and there's a touch of fragrance added on top. It's not a skincare-infused formula by any stretch. This is a workhorse product designed to do one thing well: lock your makeup down.

One thing to flag early: buy directly from reputable sellers. Several reviewers reported receiving what they believe were counterfeit products with broken seals, different spray patterns, or wrong sizing. Stick to Amazon's own listing or verified beauty retailers.

Performance: Does It Actually Last 36 Hours?

Let's be honest, nobody needs their makeup to last 36 hours. But the claim signals serious staying power, and on that front, this spray delivers.

The overwhelming consensus across thousands of reviews is that this spray genuinely keeps makeup in place all day. We're talking 10-14 hour workdays, summer weddings, sweaty commutes, crying-at-a-funeral-level durability. Reviewer after reviewer describes finishing their day and being surprised their makeup still looks freshly applied.

The quick dry time is real too. Within seconds of application, the tackiness disappears and you're left with a smooth, non-sticky finish. This matters more than you'd think. Nobody wants to sit around for 30 seconds with their eyes closed, waiting for a setting spray to dry while running late for work.

Transfer resistance is where this spray really earns its reputation. Multiple reviewers specifically tested it against white collars, pillowcases, and phone screens. The verdict: minimal to zero transfer once fully set. For anyone who's ever left a full face print on their partner's shirt, this is a genuine selling point.

Sweat and water resistance hold up well in practice. Gym sessions, rainy school runs, and humid holiday weather all get mentioned as situations where the spray performed. It's not literally waterproof in the way a swimming product would be, but for everyday exposure to moisture, it does the job.

The Elephant in the Room: That Hairspray Smell

We need to talk about this because it's the single most common complaint across all 6,500+ reviews. And it's not subtle.

Over 30 reviews in our sample of 100 specifically mention the smell. The descriptions range from "exactly like hairspray" to "chemical" to "overwhelming." Several reviewers report genuine nausea from the scent, and a handful say it triggers headaches. One reviewer described holding their breath during application and still tasting it.

Here's what's actually happening: the formula is alcohol-based (alcohol denat is the first ingredient), and the delivery mechanism is an aerosol spray. Combine those two things and yes, it's going to smell like hairspray. Because functionally, it's not that far removed from one. The added fragrance doesn't mask the alcohol base so much as layer on top of it.

The good news? The smell dissipates within a minute or two of application. You're not walking around smelling like a 1980s hair salon all day. But that initial spray is intense, and if you're sensitive to strong chemical scents, this could be a dealbreaker.

Our honest take: if you apply in a well-ventilated room (or bathroom with the fan on), close your eyes, hold your breath for the 3-second dry time, and move on with your life, the smell is a non-issue. But if fragrance sensitivity is something you deal with, or you share a bathroom with someone who'll complain, you should know what you're getting into before you click buy.

Key Benefits Breakdown

Beyond the headline claims, here's what actually matters in daily use:

Transfer-proof hold: This is the standout feature. Once set, your makeup stays on your face and off everything else. Masks, scarves, phones, partners - all safe. Multiple reviewers called this the best transfer-proof spray they've tried at any price point.

Waterproof and sweat-proof: Holds up reliably in rain, humidity, and moderate sweating. Don't expect it to survive a swimming pool, but for British weather and the occasional hot flush, it's solid.

Quick-drying formula: The 3-second claim is close to accurate. It's noticeably faster than competitors like Urban Decay All Nighter, which can leave skin tacky for 15-20 seconds.

Lightweight feel: Once dried, you genuinely can't feel it on your skin. No tightness, no heaviness, no sticky film. Several reviewers with oily skin specifically praised this quality.

Works on all makeup types: Foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer, eyeshadow - reviewers report good results across full-face applications. A few mentioned it's particularly effective at preventing eyeshadow creasing.

One limitation to note: the high alcohol content means this spray can be drying with daily use, especially on already-dry or sensitive skin. If that's you, consider using it only for occasions rather than every day, or apply a good moisturiser underneath your makeup to create a hydration buffer.

How to Use It (Properly)

L'Oreal recommends holding the can 30cm from your face and spraying in a circular motion. Simple enough, but a few tips from the review community make a real difference:

Close your eyes properly. This sounds obvious, but the most common application complaint is eye stinging. The aerosol mist is fine enough to drift into eyes that are merely squinted. Close them fully, spray, wait 3 seconds, then open.

Two to three light passes beat one heavy spray. Multiple reviewers found that building up thin layers gives better, more even coverage than one drenching application. Let each pass dry before the next.

Apply after every layer if needed. Some reviewers spray between foundation and powder, then again as a final step. This "sandwich" technique reportedly improves longevity, particularly for powder-heavy routines.

Shake the can well. Like any aerosol product, the formula separates. A good 10-second shake before each use ensures you're getting the full formula, not just propellant.

Ventilate the room. Given the smell situation, crack a window or turn on the extractor fan. Your lungs and your housemates will thank you.

One thing several reviewers wish they'd known: don't touch your face for at least 30 seconds after the spray feels dry. The film is still setting even after the moisture evaporates, and touching too early can disrupt the hold.

How Does It Compare to the Premium Options?

This is where things get interesting, because reviewers keep bringing up the same comparisons unprompted.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (£34): The name that comes up most often. Multiple reviewers who've tried both say the L'Oreal performs equally well, or in some cases better, for a third of the price. The CT version has a more pleasant scent and arguably more elegant packaging, but in terms of actual hold and longevity, reviewers consistently rate them as comparable. At £9.99 vs £34, that's a significant saving.

Urban Decay All Nighter (£29): Another frequent comparison. The All Nighter was the industry standard for years, and some reviewers switched to L'Oreal specifically because they felt it performed identically. The main advantage of the L'Oreal over All Nighter is dry time - noticeably faster.

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray (£8): At a similar price point, NYX gets mentioned as the closest competitor. The consensus is that L'Oreal holds longer and feels lighter, but NYX has a less offensive smell. If the fragrance issue is a dealbreaker, NYX might be your alternative.

The pattern across all these comparisons is consistent: the L'Oreal Infallible Setting Spray matches or beats products costing 2-3x as much on pure performance. Where it falls short is in the sensory experience - the smell and the clinical feel of the formula. If you care more about results than ritual, this is the obvious choice.

What the Ratings Really Tell Us

With 6,501 ratings and a 4.4-star average, this is one of the most-reviewed setting sprays on Amazon UK. Over 6,000 units sold in the past month alone. Those aren't influencer-driven numbers - that's genuine, sustained consumer demand.

Breaking down our sample of 100 reviews:

• 5-star reviews (52%): "Holy grail," "never going back," "better than Charlotte Tilbury" - the enthusiasts are genuinely enthusiastic. These reviewers tend to focus on performance and value.
• 4-star reviews (16%): "Great product, hate the smell" is the recurring theme. Solid performance acknowledgement with a fragrance caveat.
• 3-star reviews (8%): Mixed experiences, often from people with sensitive or dry skin who found the alcohol content too harsh for regular use.
• 2-star reviews (11%): Smell complaints dominate, along with suspected counterfeit product concerns and packaging issues during delivery.
• 1-star reviews (13%): Split between genuine product complaints (eye irritation, skin reactions) and fulfilment issues (wrong product, damaged packaging, broken seals).

The pattern is clear: people who can tolerate the smell love this product. The performance ratings would likely sit at 4.6-4.7 stars if the fragrance weren't a factor. That tells you everything about where this product's weakness lies - and it's not in what it actually does.

The Verdict: Who Should Buy This?

After analysing thousands of reviews and comparing it against the competition, here's where we land.

Buy it if you:

• Want serious, all-day makeup hold without spending £30+
• Need transfer-proof performance (mask wearers, huggers, phone addicts)
• Prefer a fast-drying formula that doesn't leave you standing around waiting
• Have oily or combination skin that eats through makeup by lunchtime
• Want the XL 150ml size for genuine value (it lasts months)

Skip it if you:

• Have fragrance sensitivity or are bothered by strong chemical smells
• Have very dry or sensitive skin that reacts to alcohol-heavy products
• Want a luxurious application experience with a pleasant scent
• Use setting spray daily and worry about long-term skin dehydration

At £9.99 for 150ml, this is one of the best-performing setting sprays available in the UK at any price. The smell is real, the alcohol content is high, and the experience of applying it won't make you feel pampered. But the results? The results are genuinely excellent. Your makeup will stay put, your transfer worries will disappear, and your bank account will thank you for not buying Charlotte Tilbury.

Sometimes the best products aren't the prettiest ones. They're the ones that just work.